#themoon

Before we get started here, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, Artemis II just did a trip around the moon, and it's a landmark achievement for mankind. You bet your ass I'm gonna talk about it and the Apollo missions at some point, but most of this post was written before Artemis II even happened, and I don't want to stop a story midstream. On with the show...

Last time I talked about the Moon, I referred to it as Mother Moon.

Mother Moon? Do I like that? I don't know, but I don't think so. The Moon isn't a person, and it's important that we not personify it. I DO like grafting caring and "motherly" characteristics to the Moon, but portraying a godlike figure as a person (like humans typically do) leads to ascribing other humanlike characteristics and a general missing of the point. Religion is used to provide answers to unanswerable questions, to guide us during our journey through the only life we're given. Expressing the pinnacle of a religion as just a dude or a lady greatly limits the spiritual journey a religion can take you on.

One of religion's worst applications is control. It's used to create shame and harvest resentment, thus limiting the potential of man. Whatever I end up calling this 'religion', it's not about control, or even guidance. It's about support, comfort, and lucidity. You don't look to the Moon for answers; you look to the Moon for the inspiration to find your own answers. The Moon won't tell you how to live your life, but regardless of who you end up being, the Moon will watch over you. Where astrology conveniently drops you into boxes and pretends to know who you are, the Moon silently encourages you to exist within the spectrum of humanity wherever you see fit, without judgment or justification.

Most people don't realize this, but because the moon orbits the Earth as the Earth orbits the Sun, there isn't a permanent 'dark side of the moon'. Consequently, the phenomenon of synchronous rotation ensures we always see the same 'front' side of the Moon. While narratively, the absence of a 'dark side' is disappointing, it's poetic knowing that while the Earth and the Moon are constantly spinning, the Moon never turns its back on us. How is that for the perfect religious metaphor?

The Moon's support and comfort don't end there. Modern humans have a number of ways to measure the passage of time, but during our more primitive existence, the easiest and most obvious was the eight phases the Moon goes through as it orbits Earth. Every 29.5 days, the view of the moon is refreshed and transitions from invisible to fully illuminated and back. It's not a secret code or even a complex math problem, but the moon is on a journey, just like we are, and seeing it take this journey both inherently and mathematically guides us through days, weeks, and months.

I don't want this 'religion' to fit into the faith-based molds already in place. It's not about faith; believers mustn't suspend their belief in science to feel the metaphorical hug of the Moon. It's a religion built on figurative ideas. Self-awareness would be built in; hence, Lucidity.

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" - Aristotle "Know thyself" - Socrates  "Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom" -Lao Tzu

Throughout human history, having a lucid understanding of who you are has always been the goal. Metaphorically, the moon provides a light in the darkness. It also demands nothing from you to understand it. Unlike other religions that demand you learn the scripture and the rules, they encourage you to attend masses or davening. This new 'religion' is as much about the Moon as it is about you. Like a good counsellor, the moon won't tell you what to do, but given the right approach, both can inspire you to know yourself.

I know this all sounds vague...and that's kinda the point. For most of human existance the Moon was a vague constant in the sky. From down here, it's just an ornament decorating the blackness of night, but practically speaking, it has as much tangible power as any modern religion, or possibly even more. It's there, we see it, we use it, and we trust it.

From that, we can easily divine a Support, Comfort, and Lucidity that traditional religions can only deliver with blind faith. I want to get away from comparing this new Moon religion to the religions we already have because this isn't about trashing current faiths. It's about building an alternative without the baggage of thousands of years of crimes against humanity.

I have so much more to say about this. Part 3 can't come quick enough. There is still a lot to sort through here, but I feel like support, comfort, and lucidity are a fantastic place to start.

Cheers