Ubud, Bali - Full Moon Blessing Ceremony

At first I was just going to assist Made by bearing witness to his blessing ceremony, and perhaps passing him a few things. However, I felt compelled to conduct my own ceremony, and he humored me and let me join in.

It's customary to spiritually cleanse and bless all new tools during full moons. One asks the cooperation of the spirit of the instrument, and asks to be joined with it to do good things. Holy water is sprinkled, and incense and lovely flower and rice offerings are presented.

In Made's case, he was blessing a zylophone set above bamboo tubes, all encased in a beautifully ornate wooden stand. He had plans to paint it gold later. In my case, it was my art brushes. I wasn't technically correct in my ceremony, since most of my brushes weren't new. However, they felt new to me since I'd not touched many of them in years, and this painting journey feels very much like a new beginning. Balinese are flexible with Westerners.

I love how so many important transitions are recognized and marked so clearly by Balinese culture. It adds a sense of purpose and gravity to one's life, and lends focus. I sense a subtle but deep power in this.