The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Cake Festival, will be celebrated on October 6, 2025, according to the Western Gregorian calendar. Its origins date back over two millennia, with the ancient Chinese custom of praying to the moon on the 15th night of the eighth lunar month. In Chinese tradition, the full moon of the 15th lunar day is considered sacred and auspicious for prayers, blessings, and celebrations, alongside other significant dates such as Chap Ngo Meh (the 15th day of the Lunar New Year).
The festival is closely associated with the legendary tale of Chang Er and Hou Yi. Although there are multiple versions of the story, they all end with a similar ending: Chang Er drank the Elixir and became so light that she flew to the moon. Legend has it that those who witnessed Chang Er floating to the moon noted that the Moon was full and most beautiful on this night. Subsequently, she became known as the Moon Goddess who would bestow blessings and beauty to her devotees.
Cute Rabbits are often featured in images associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there is another legend around it. The Jade Rabbit is said to have ended on the moon due to a selfless act of sacrifice. In a Chinese myth, where animals were tested by deities on their compassion, a rabbit offered to be eaten by a starving beggar by jumping into a fire. The Jade Emperor, moved by the rabbit’s virtue, granted it immortality and sent it to the moon, where it became the companion of the Moon Goddess. Therefore, remembrance of the Jade Rabbit can be seen in the offering of biscuits made in the shape of Rabbits on Mid-Autumn Festival.
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is still popular today. Food that is synonymous with the Mid-Autumn festival is “Moon cakes and Pomelos”. Traditional moon cakes were filled with lotus seed paste and egg yolk only, but today, the filling in the moon cake can vary and comes in all shapes and sizes. Pomelos are fruits that are harvested in autumn in some parts of China, and it symbolize bountifulness and abundance.
Reunion dinners or family gatherings are organized. In ancient times, dinners were served on the balcony, patio or in the open, where you could recite poetry and gaze at the moon. It is an exciting time for children as part of the tradition; they are given lanterns to carry and play in the neighborhood.
East Meets West Under the Aries Full Moon
In 2025, the Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the Full Moon in Aries, a dynamic and fiery alignment that enhances themes of courage, transformation, and illumination. This rare astrological event amplifies the festival’s traditional focus on reunion and reflection, offering a unique opportunity for introspection and renewal.
In the Tarot, the card of The Moon represents intuition, illusion, and the subconscious. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, as the full moon illuminates the night sky, it’s an ideal time to engage with this card. Reflect on your inner truths and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. A Tarot spread inspired by the Moon can guide you through this introspective journey.
Chang Er, the Moon Goddess, is somewhat like Persephone in the High Priestess Card. This card embodies wisdom, intuition, and the connection between the conscious and unconscious minds. The High Priestess invites you to trust your inner voice and seek knowledge from within, aligning perfectly with the festival’s themes of reflection and spiritual connection.
Weaving Eastern and Western Traditions
By combining the rich cultural heritage of the Mid-Autumn Festival with Western metaphysical practices, you can create a holistic celebration that honors both traditions.
You can consider:
• Moon Gazing and Meditation: Spend time observing the full moon, reflecting on its symbolism in both Eastern and Western cultures.
• Tarot Readings: Perform a Tarot reading focused on themes of illumination, intuition, and transformation.
• Space Cleansing Rituals: Enhance your living space to invite positive energy and harmony.
• Reunite with family and friends, and cherish this Mid- Autumn night under the Full moon and enjoy a luminous moment of harmony and renewal.
Wishing one and all, a blessed and joyous Mid -Autumn Festival!
In Light & Blessings,
Master Clarice Chan
