Breath Nimitta
My Sketchbook Express attempt to capture a very rough and ready outline of a developing nimitta, i.e., a sign which arises during meditation. This movie is compacted somewhat, and many of the segments lack precision, a result of my lack of artistic ability added to ignorance in how to use Final Cut Express and Shake.
With regard to mythological usage, reference to a full moon possibly refers to the nimitta, or sign, that appears in meditation practice, that is, the interior vision of a luminous, moon-like sphere emerging from clouds. The 'clouds' themselves will be seen to be several other such spheres, and together they are like a cluster of pearls. Perhaps this is what is referred to as Heaven's Pearly Gate. This image will at times appear with a flat base, as if partly occulted by a dark wall, or a rod, so in this sense it looks like a rising moon, or quarter moon. Consider also the idea of crossing a threshold to enter a Temple.
In order to understand references to lunar events in mythology and fairy tale, it helps to first clarify events pertaining to the actual astronomical Moon, noting that it has a lunar month with a phase length of roughly 29.5 days. For example, a New Moon appearing on June 1 will range through a waxing Quarter Moon on June 9, Full Moon on June 15, waning Quarter Moon June 23, returning to New Moon by June 30.
In this context, you can now interpret religious and mythological texts in a new light.
Take this example from a Tibetan Shangpa tradition of the Wisdom Dakini Niguma:
"In particular, her special instructions included the Great Empowerment of Illusory Body, which she bestowed to him on the night of the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month, by the light of the full moon."
Or this from 'Of the Life of St Brigit':
"In the eighth day of the lunar month was she born. On the eighteenth did she take the veil on her head. On the twenty-eighth did she go to heaven. Together with the eight virgins was Brigit consecrated."
This nimitta gently arises from nothing as a pulsating wisp, slowly building to its full 'moon-in-the-clouds' appearance on the back of subtle back and forth movements of spirit within the meditator ('weaving a straw hat' or "an ancient monk pacing back and forth in the room above'). The above-mentioned eighth day perhaps points to the 'rising moon' appearance, and the eighteenth of the month is then just after the sign is well established. One of the orbs will expand to form an organic looking tunnel, bright at the point opposite the viewer. The tunnel has the appearance of being covered in tiny trees, and at such a time one night think of Pan, whose unseen presence caused panic in lone travelers who traversed remote mountain wilds.
Of interest is the Western myth of the Were-Wolf, a human being who changes to a wild beast whenever the Moon is full, suggesting that the appearance of the sign is perhaps not wholly dependent on the meditator being in a fully relaxed state of serenity, as is suggested by Theravadin meditation practices. Once the nimitta is established the aspect of the Were-Wolf is no longer required and, exchanging the metaphor of a silver bullet with that of the full Moon nimitta, we might say that the silver bullet now slays the beast, rather like Artemis, Goddess of the Moon, slaying her beast prey with bow and arrow.
Regarding the pulsating wisp appearance, you can watch this arise whilst relaxing into sleep - could this be the origin of the folklore of counting sheep to help you fall asleep; or the inspiration for Carroll's white rabbit travelling down the hole, or a white ox to be herded by a novice monk?
So, follow the white rabbit until you find the Easter eggs!