March’s Moon is called the Chaste Moon. March is a time of purity. The Earth has thawed and has
loosened itself from the cold hands of winter. New life will soon emerge and the land will grow green
with fertility. In March, however, the Earth is but a child. What will develop into the ripened fruits of
summer is yet young and innocent,. It is the newborn babe; the youthful maiden yet untouched by love.
In early spring, we celebrate the fleeting virtue of innocence. We see the certain potential of
fruitfulness, yet give honor to the innocence of childhood as it is apparent in the maiden, and in this
time upon the Earth. This Moon and it’s legend are the reflection of the Earth and it’s season.
The Reindeer Maid
Chukchi People of Siberia
The Moon descended from his place in the heavens to walk among the creatures of the Earth in the form of a
man. His visit was prompted by the beating of his lonely heart.
From his place in the sky, the Moon had seen a certain maiden. She was a young girl who’s duty was to tend
her father’s herd of reindeer at night. She traveled away from her village to faithfully watch over the
herd, alone but for the reindeer. She amused herself through the lonely nights by playing music on her
flute.
The Moon had heard these sweet melodies many times as he sailed across the darkened sky. In fact, it was
this sweet music that convinced the Moon that he must have the maid for his own. He wanted to take
her back to the sky with him to live forever.
But as the innocent girl watched carefully over the herd, a wise old stag watched over her.
The old stag saw the Moon man coming and hid the young girl by turning her into a lamp.
Though the Moon left no part of the girl’s tent unsearched, he could not find her.
Distressed, the Moon left the tent without his prize. As he left, however, the girl changed back to her
youthful form and called out to the Moon, taunting him. He turned back to the tent and found it as he
had before, empty but for a bed, blanket, and lamp.
As the Moon, continued his search he grew tired. He became pale and thin in his weakness until at last he
was so thin that the girl was able to bind him up with a rope. He continued to grow week and begged
the girl for release.
At first, the maid refused to free her captive Moon. She was angry over his search for her. She was angry
that he had wanted to carry her off to his home in the heavens without so much as asking her desires.
Finally, the maid released the Moon and made him promise to attend his duties in the sky and never return
to bother her again.
This the Moon has faithfully done. He remains in the sky, casting his bright light on the Earth below.
But perhaps his loneliness sometimes reminds him of his visit to the Earth. And he remembers, the pain of
his heart weakens his glow.
Moon Lore
Greenman's Craft Page
Our Chosen Path
Our Guest Registry