Essential elements for this ritual are
incense, offerings of fruit and lots of flowers, rice, and holy or blessed
water. Make sure to have roses on the altar and rose petals scattered all around so the sight and sweet scent stimulates the senses
Gather a group of like-minded folks and
head to the nearest body of water—a lake, pond, creek, river, or the ocean.
Nature will be your temple.
Begin by sitting in a circle and making
garlands of flowers. You should talk, laugh, or be silent as you wish, but most
important, be comfortable. When everyone is settled with a garland of flowers,
place the garland around the neck of another person. Light the incense and set
the rice and holy water in the middle of the circle.
Go around the circle and offer the water
to people, sprinkling it on them gently with your fingertips in the Balinese
fashion, and offer everyone a cupful of the holy water to rinse their mouths
with so the worst they speak will be holier.
Each person should make a fruit or flower offering to the gods, and lay
it near the cleansing smoke of incense. After the offerings are made, everyone
should anoint their neighbor’s forehead with grains of rice and speak blessings
aloud for each person. If a body of water is accessible, get wet, even if it is
just to dip your hands or walk in the water.
Silently acknowledge the blessings in
your life through prayer and meditation, and, again, give quiet thanks to the
gods for the gift of your life. Unlike most Western-based rituals, there is not
much talking during the Balinese Full Moon Ritual. Bask in the tranquility and
listen to your thoughts.
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