Chandrian Signs & Secrets: Moon Maiden Circle Contents i. Introduction I. Secrets A. Order 1. Chandra 2. Moon 3. Night 4. Spirit 5. Realm 6. Secret Word 7. Power Number 8. Treasured Gem 9. Favored Color B. Chandrian Emblem 1. Moon Phases 2. Infinities 3. The Outer Ring 4. Spirit Circle II. Signs A. Chandrian Sign B. Moon Maiden Sign C. Sign of Focus D. Sign of Offering E. Sign of Request F. Sign of Renewal G. Sign of Recognition H. Sign of Honor III. Verses A. Chandrian Charter B. Chandrian Charm C. Chandrian Chant D. Chandrian Chorus E. Member Mantra F. Moon Maiden Motto G. Moondancer's Muse H. Member Measure i. Introduction Chandrian Signs and Secrets. This book contains the common secrets, signs, and verses of The Chandrian Order. Some of our secrets have already been revealed to you. These will be further explained here. The rest will begin to unfold for you now, with more to come as you advance through the degrees of Moon Maidenhood. Be reminded that you have agreed to guard these secrets from all who have not been properly initiated. Heed these words, for they may not be easily understood at first, but if you will return to them again and again, when your heart so guides you, they will become an invaluable tool for successfully navigating your course of days. I. Secrets I.A. Order I.A.1. Chandra The Chandrian Order is the order of "chandra" and chandra is an ancient name for the gently glowing orb that hovers high above our earth, whose soft reflected light guides our way through the night. Chandra is the moon and so The Chandrian Order is "the moonlit order". The fact that "chandra" means "moon" or "moonlight", thereby making Chandria (chan'-dree-uh) "the moonlit order" is not a secret, in and of itself. You may refer to it this way to members and non-members alike. The symbolism we place upon the moon and its phases is, however, secret to our society and should be kept as such. I.A.2. Moon We name our order after the moon and refer to it in the feminine because we find our own spirit of beauty, power, and truth reflected in her splendor and in her movements. For, although the moon appears to diminish as her light waxes and wanes in cycles, the whole of her is always there, beyond sight, but not beyond perception. So too, our spirit is ever present and full of might, and only when we doubt ourselves, only when we doubt the strength of our spirit does our light seem dim, or incomplete somehow, and cause us to falter. I.A.3. Night We call periods of doubt night, for just as the physical dark times inhibit our ability to see the material path clearly, the dark times of doubt, fear, and despair can keep us from seeing the tremendous possibilities yet to unfold before us on our life's path, causing us to stumble and lose sight of our goals, or even fall down. And so, we take the moon as a symbol of hope to guide us through the darkest of nights that we may face along this grand journey. For, although we may at times feel a sense of waning, we will always wax to full once again. All it takes is a little patience, care, and faith in ourselves. All it takes...is a little spirit. I.A.4. Spirit The moon serves as a reminder of the constant wholeness of our spirit. Just as in a glance, we tend to see only the well-lit crescent, likewise, in our minds, we tend to focus on whatever is most present, such as a doubt or concern. If left unattended, a passing doubt can become a narrow focus that we struggle to see past for a glimpse of the whole truth of the matter, or even any another possibility at all. But, when we look harder, we see the full, round outline of the moon and consider that beyond that outline lies an entire heavenly sphere. Then too, when we quiet our minds and look deep within ourselves, even the grandest of doubts is overshadowed by the light of a beautiful, powerful, and true spirit, and the fear of uncertainty slips away. And so, we take the moon to represent our whole and hopeful spirit, that we might ever be full like the moon--not the illuminated face of the phases, but the whole of the heavenly sphere so often obscured by the dark, or the angle of our view, yet ever entirely present in its celestial realm. I.A.5. Realm The Chandrian realm is the mystical space in which we commune with our sisters-in-spirit. Whenever we think of our Chandrian sister peers and draw a connection with them, we enter the Chandrian realm. We enter each time we conduct a solitary ritual and send the gifts of our spirit. We enter each time we interact with our sisters by participating in ring rituals or recreation. We enter each time we visit the Chandrian Sanctuary and participate in the virtual community. We can enter anytime, anywhere, with a simple wish or prayer. Great benefits await us when we willingly share the journey with our peers, so we designate time to spend in the Chandrian realm, ever remembering that we need not go it alone. We have a Great Circle of support to sustain us through every dark night. I.A.6. Secret Word Whenever we tap the Chandrian realm, we note a certain undercurrent. It is the fundamental energy that sustains Chandria and the force that guides us each individually into realizing the dreams of our potential self. It is the endless store of strength within that enables our spirit’s pursuits and the first and foremost of the Chandrian powers, associated with the New Moon degree. We call it our secret word because it is the secret power that we call upon often by name to strengthen and sustain us. You will find it throughout the Book of the New Moon, but your knowledge of our purpose has surely made it plain enough to you already. And so, here we state it in the sense of giving a gift to you from our own ample stores. The secret word...the first power of Chandria is...hope. I.A.7. Power Number The power number of Chandria is easily recognized throughout her practice. Portrayed repeatedly in the Chandrian emblem, this ruling number, when turned on its side, stands as a scientific symbol for infinity. In Chandrian circles this symbol more specifically represents the infinite nature of spirit and the endless stores of strength, hope, will, and possibility inside each and every member. And so, this power number holds eternity’s blessings for us. I.A.8. Treasured Gem The treasured gem of Chandria is the moonstone. It represents the wholeness of feminine spirit, the balance of emotion, and the endurance of hope. As a Moon Maiden, you should wear or carry this gemstone with you throughout the day. At night, before you retire to bed, place your moonstone in your windowsill where Chandra’s light can recharge it while you sleep. In the morning when you awake, retrieve your moonstone from the windowsill and take it with you throughout your day to keep you emotionally balanced, attuned to your spirit, and filled with hope’s bright blessings. I.A.9. Favored Color The favored color of the order is purple, a hue long associated with majesty and mysticism. The majestic nature of this color is reflected in its connection to royal robes of ages past that were dyed in purple tones-the most valuable of their day. The mystical nature of this color is reflected in its association with various spiritual traditions, including its relation to the crown chakra-the invisible wheel of energy said to float just above the head, denoting spiritual attunement. We, Chandrians, are asked to honor our own mystic and majestic spirit, as well as those of others we encounter along the grand journey. The color purple serves as an enduring reminder of this welcome obligation and we often choose to complement it with white, for its purity, and platinum, for its symbolism of prosperity in all things. I.B. Chandrian Emblem The Chandrian Emblem consists of an outer ring of the moon’s phases shown clockwise and separated from each other by repetitions of the power number or infinity symbol, bounding a large center spirit circle that is directly connected to each moon phase by a line. I.B.1. Moon Phases Once initiated, Chandrians never look at the moon in quite the same way again. We see it for its symbolism, especially the eight distinct moon phases. We link each moon phase with a corresponding life stage and attribute a particular power and pursuit to each, which you will learn as you progress through the Moon Maiden degrees. You can begin now in the Book of the New Moon. About the phases... The moon’s light journies from right to left in the sky, like reading a book backward. When a sliver of light forms the curve of a letter "D" we have a waxing crescent. A "C" shape shows a waning crescent. A first quarter shows when the right half is lit from our viewpoint; a last quarter, the left half. The light of a waxing gibbous extends beyond a first quarter from right to left, stopping short of a perfect round. A waning gibbous, while full from center to left, now lacks in roundness on the right. A full moon is, of course, a complete circle of light, beyond which lies an entire heavenly sphere. A new moon reflects no light, but is wholly present just the same. I.B.2. Infinities On its side, the power number means infinity in scientific terms. This symbol is placed repeatedly throughout the emblem between the images of the moon’s phases within the outer ring, signifying the endless stores of the gifts associated with each moon phase. The infinities, then, represent the strength of the power associated with each moon phase, as well as The Great Circle as a whole. They further represent our infinite ability to engage in all of our Chandrian pursuits. I.B.3. The Outer Ring The outer ring containing the infinities, and touching each of the phases, represents The Great Circle of the Chandrian Sisterhood to which all Chandrians belong. It is endlessly sealed with the strength of the powers of the phases, and perpetually protected. Note that the phases themselves are not wholly contained within the ring. This is because the qualities associated with each phase are not bound by The Great Circle, which is ever-increasing in their strengths and would never seek to limit them. I.B.4. Spirit Circle The center circle of the emblem is called the spirit circle because it represents our spirit and that of Chandria as a whole. It is perpetually connected to and nourished by the powers of all of the moon phases. Therefore, the beholder’s spirit is being renewed continuously with the stores of strength known to us as the powers that compel us to do, to have, and to become all that we desire to be. The center circle of the emblem further represents the portal through which we enter the Chandrian realm. The meanings of the elements in our emblem converge to communicate to the informed beholder the endlessness of hope’s strength for the grand journey, the balance of our emotions and endeavors, and the concentrated power of feminine spirit. II. Signs II.A. Chandrian Sign There are a number of Chandrian signs to be used in solitary ritual and in ring meetings. The Ritual, Rings, and Phase books note when to use which sign. The Chandrian Sign itself is made by forming a full moon with the hands over the sternum (top center of the chest), with the tips of the longer fingers pressing together at the top, and the thumbs rounding out to connect at the bottom. It is used by itself and in combination to create other signs. II.B. Moon Maiden Sign The Moon Maiden Sign is an identifier used during ring meetings. It is made by forming a quarter moon over the sternum. To form the quarter moon, take your flat right hand and place the outside of the thumb against the sternum with the palm facing left. Then, curve the left hand around so that the longer fingers touch at the top and the thumb on bottom. II.C. Sign of Focus The sign of focus is used to ground ourselves and turn our attention to ritual. To make the sign, we close our eyes and bend our arms at the elbow with the forearms parallel to the ground and palms facing downward. II.D. Sign of Offering The sign of offering is used in solitary ritual to send our gifts to our sisters-in-spirit. We begin by closing our eyes and making the Chandrian Sign. In this position, we imagine ourselves in the Great Meeting Hall across from a sister in need of the quality we want to share. We think about our store of this quality. Next, we envision a burst of light leaving us and infusing the seeking Sister, setting her aglow with the light of our loving kindness. As we envision the offering, we think the words "from me to thee". To signal sending our gift, we burst our hands open to frame the throat area (about four inches away on either side of the neck), the fingers pointing up and out diagonally, and lifting the head upward with a smile. II.E. Sign of Request The sign of request is used in solitary ritual to ask for a particular power or store of strength and to express our openness to receiving it. We begin by closing our eyes and imagining ourselves in the Great Meeting Hall across from a sharing sister. To make the sign, we bend the arms at the elbow with the forearms parallel to the ground, the palms facing upward, and the eyes closed or gazing downward. Then, we bring both hands up over our heart and think the words "thank you." II.F. Sign of Renewal The sign of renewal is used in conclusion of ritual to send us back out into the journey refreshed. It is made by lifting the arms out to the sides with elbows and bent at the waist and palms facing up, with a smile and eyes gazing upward. II.G. Sign of Recognition The sign of recognition is used during ring ritual to acknowledge participants. It is made by forming a full circle with the hands over the solar plexus (the top of the abdomen just beneath the chest), with the thumbs touching on top, the remaining fingers pressing together and rounding out to connect at the bottom, (except for the shorter pinky fingers). In this position, the giver nods slightly. II.H. Sign of Honor The sign of honor is used during ring ritual to honor participants. It is made by first giving the sign of recognition, then, curving the thumbs in and pointing the remaining fingers downward in the shape of a heart. In this position, the giver bows her head. III. Verses III.A. Chandrian Charter Hope abides within us, strengthens our spirit, and wills us to the task of love- that we might know peace and pure joy III.B. Chandrian Charm For all that I am and have and know I honor she who is me and feel her glow III.C. Chant I believe in inner power I believe in spirit’s might I wish for Chandra’s light to shine And guide me through the night III.D. Chandrian Chorus Chandra light Moon so bright Guide our passage Through the night Chandra bright Hope and might Guard our footfalls; Aid our sight III.E. Member Mantra I am beautiful, powerful, and true. III.F. Moon Maiden Motto M embers of The Great Circle O bservers of Chandrian Code & Custom O wners of dreams, powers, & means N avigators of the journey’s course M onitors of the moon’s steady progress A dvocates of spirit’s truth I mprints along the sublime path D oorkeepers of the sanctuary E arthdwellers for the duration N arrators of our own unique tales S pirits of enduring strength, hope, & love D ream of the women we wish to become O bligate ourselves to consider & reflect N otice the beauty of the natural world T rust the counsel of our intuition F orgive the injustices done to us O pen ourselves to life’s possiblities L ive with purpose & strength of spirit L earn to love in spite of faults O wn our threefold self-mind, body, & spirit W alk tall, no matter how rough the road T hink of the consequences before we act H elp others whenever we can E ffect change to better both self & world C onsider how our values compel us to act R eflect on what we have seen & done O versee our own spiritual development W onder about purpose, power, & spirit D o what it takes to become our truest selves III.G. Moondancer's Muse With a circlet round Placed upon your crown Words cast over you well Like a mystic’s spell Round and round you dance In deep night’s entrance Beneath the full round moon To your spirit’s tune III.H. Member Measure And so this day I pledge anew My resolve to make the journey Beside Moon Maidens all in spirit Great Circle ever turning