08/14/2026
SEVENTH LUNAR MONTH
We carelessly say phrases like “the moon is tethered to the earth.”
But more importantly, the moon, earth, and sun, as well as all the other planets and stars, are in RELATIONSHIP to each other. We can benefit from looking beyond our educations that the planets are spheres of rock, the stars are balls of gases, and moons are lit by reflected light. While all that is scientifically true, it inadvertently allows us to think of the world only as inert.
Those who follow Dao see something in addition: that all is in movement, all is in relationship, and all is a living and interactive system. Laozi speaks of “heaven’s net.” Everything is tied together.
What about people? Are we just isolated individuals wandering through a world of matter? Or are we related, ultimately to ever person on this planet? And are people the actors on a passive stage? Or are all people ultimately in relationship with the earth, moon, sun, and beyond?
Perhaps you can think about your place in heaven’s net—lit by the sun and moon—and feel the tugs of all others.
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Solar terms during this moon:
Limit of Heat: August 23
White Dew: September 7
Dates according to Hong Kong time, eight hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/time/calendar/pdf/files/2026e.pdf
For more on the Lunar Tao: https://www.dengmingdao.com/books/the-lunar-tao/
