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Moura 3340

 

We have now begun, as Sinclair writes in ‘A Year with Dea’, the fifth of four seasons, the thirteenth of twelve months – Moura. Both the month & the season share the same name as well as the same purpose: purification. This time is to prepare us in every way possible for the greatest of all Events, the “suffering, death, and rebirth” (ECE, ed5) of the Daughter Herself.
 
Seen as the Filianic Lent, this month is most commonly honoured by the giving up of something we usually partake in. In Madrian communities, most would give up strong drink and anything sweet, as well as third thing that was significant to the individual (you would not, for instance, give up eating chips during Moura if you didn’t particularly like chips; your chosen item is supposed to be something you like). The Madrians also fasted every Monday in Moura, though I personally will do so on Saturdays as it begins our weeks this year; Fridays & the thirteenth day of each month of the year were also kept as fasts by some & for those who practiced this, both Mondays & Fridays in Moura were fast days.
 
There are no hard rules surrounding fasting; the Madrians never wrote down exactly what they did. It can be as simple as skipping one meal in a day, and be adapted to your personal needs. Of course, if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or elderly, it is not advised to make a full fast (abstention from all food and drinks for any period of time).
 
Chanting and prayers are also a large part of Moura. Simple chants, such as a particular name of the Goddess – Maryanna Maria, Lalitha, Marya O Marya – or a phrase are common. The Rosary is always a good choice.
 
A good meditation for the season is one that is also used at Luciad:
 
"Radiant Daughter of Eternal Light,
You have torn Yourself from Your own Self for my sake.
Forgive me.
I have given myself freely into the claws of Irkalla,
And my soul into eternal darkness;
Yet You have interposed Your sacred body,
Saying: take not this soul, take rather Me.
O, You that have prayed beneath the full moon
and by the running streams,
Teach me the power of true devotion."

Further chants may be viewed here; each is accompanied with an MP3 recording of the chant:
 
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