One night, the Lion was walking through a canyon. He ventured deep into the night with a confident, leisurely stride. Suddenly, behind a narrow passage, he found himself in a clearing, completely captivated by the sight before him. With his gaze fixed on the sky, he wondered how he had never noticed that unusual light before – bright yet gentle, subtle yet sufficient to illuminate and break the deep darkness.
The Moon greeted him softly.
They started a conversation, or rather an exchange of energy in the form of thoughts and emotions. The Lion asked the Moon why they had met. The Moon replied that it was there in the sky to awaken a sense of mystery and curiosity about the unknown within him.
It said:
“You are aware of all that you possess; you are the king of beasts. Therefore, here on Earth, there is nothing that can capture your attention like I can right now. I am distant, unknown to you, and because of this, previously undiscovered feelings arise within you.”
The Lion thought that perhaps he too could offer something to this magnificent being. The Moon sensed this thought and answered even before it was phrased as a question.
“Our encounter is such that we both gain something valuable and precious. You gain emotional depth, while I regain something I have longed for.”
“I constantly change, and sometimes I am unrecognizable. Once upon a time, all rulers respected me, sought my counsel, shared their stories with me, and together we devised ways to convey our experiences to wise people; they sang of me.”
“Then came a time when I was forgotten, and I had no means to reach them. The phases in which I appeared in different forms and colours made it even harder because no one truly understood me.”
“I was terribly lonely and sad. Recently, people have begun to photograph, record, and explore me, but that’s not the connection I need.”
“I crave recognition.”
“I long for the bygone days when they knew who I was and, more importantly, why I existed.”
“My mission is to convey what I am here for.”
“If no one is interested, I will lose the strength for new phases and I will get thinner and thinner until I completely disappear.”
“You recognized me. You gave me strength, which is your fundamental quality. You saw me in all my splendour so that you would never forget me.”
“Each month, I shine in full glory, but it is always a different hue.”
“Once a year, we will meet here, and I will tell you stories that you will pass on.”
“You are the only one brave enough to be entrusted with this task.”
“I have received joy, courage, hope, will, and strength from you to continue shining and sharing my beauty.”
“This encounter was recorded on the Earth where you rule and in the sky where I dwell, many, many star years ago.”
“Perhaps I will tell you about it in one of our meetings.”
The Lion’s heart exists because the Moon has illuminated it.
Reflection Questions for Connection
In what ways can you cultivate joy, courage, and strength in your life?
Consider practices or rituals that help you maintain these qualities. What actions can you take to nurture them?
