Late one Thursday afternoon, Vermont-based Brandon Jones emailed the restaurant Ekiben in Baltimore, MD, requesting their recipe for tempura broccoli. He wanted to make his mother-in-law’s favorite dish, so she could have it one last time before succumbing to the final stages of lung cancer.
But when co-owner Steve Chu read the request, he had other ideas. The next day after work, Chu and his business partner loaded their truck with a hot plate and cooler filled with ingredients, and made the 600-mile trip to Vermont, stopping only to grab a few winks at an Air B &B. As soon as they arrived at the condo of Jones’ mother-in-law, they hooked the hot plate to the truck’s power port and started cooking. In addition to their special broccoli tempura, they made tofu with peanut sauce and steamed rice. Then they boxed up the food and knocked on the door.
“As soon as she opened the door,” recalled Jones, “she recognized the aroma. She was so happy and touched to have that broccoli. She couldn’t believe it.” Chu was glad to see his devoted customer again, and refused to accept any money in return for his good deed. “It was an honor to help fulfill the family’s wishes,” said the restaurant owner. “There was a lot of good, positive energy in doing this.”
Steve Chu went above and beyond. And this story of remarkable kindness (from the Sept. issue of Reader’s Digest) speaks beautifully to the upcoming Aquarius Full Moon. Yes, we have another Full Moon in Aquarius, on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 5:02 a.m. PDT. The prior one, on July 23, was at the first degree of the sign, while this one falls at the 29th, or anaretic, degree. So this Full Moon is a “last gasp” version of the earlier one, greatly amplifying the Aquarian message of freedom, friendship and going the extra mile. And, whatever was going on at the last Full Moon may reach an apex at this one.
Jupiter is conjunct the Aug. 22 Full Moon – bringing new hope and inviting the possibility of major breakthroughs. Both Jupiter and the Moon are disposited by Saturn in Aquarius, giving matters a sense of urgency or finality. Coming on the heels of a determined Mercury-Mars conjunction on Aug. 18, with unpredictable Uranus stationing retrograde the following day, change is definitely in the air. Big societal events are swirling around us, but things of a personal nature are also in flux. You might need to make a quick decision or deal with a group or relationship issue. Things should settle down fairly quickly, however, as the Sun hops into businesslike Virgo within hours of the Full Moon – and the clean-up crew is at hand!
Larger things are at work right now than our limited perception can fathom, and many people are stressed and confused. That’s why kindness is so necessary. You can fulfill the Leo Sun’s side of the Full Moon equation by expanding your heart to include others, near or far. And rest assured that this lunation will magnify and support any humanitarian efforts you take. You may feel a sudden urge to do something above and beyond, such as make a donation to Women for Women to help Afghani women fleeing for their lives, or perhaps you’ll be called to help a friend closer to home. Or, as Steve Chu was, maybe you’ll be inspired take a long drive to deliver a special gift to someone in need. As long as your heart is open and your spirit is free, you’re sure to make the most of the Aquarius Full Moon.
Simone,
Woohoo! Without going into details your post summarizes exactly what I have been experiencing…understanding and accepting the bigger picture and when you do you gain freedom and bliss.
Thank you so much Simone for explaining the astrological connection.
Cheers.
Linda
You summed it up perfect, Linda! So glad I was able to help connect it to the planets for you. Blessings…
Ah Simone,
Amen! Amen! Amen! In spite of,or because of,all the desperation and conflict worldwide, there is a palpable shift in the heart energy flow/outpouring of compassion from individuals to and for each other! You can feel the momentum building slowly and steadily. At long last signs of awakening!
Warmest regards,
Christine
Yes, here’s to awakening – though it may sometimes be painful! Thanks for sharing, Christine.
Okay Simone, I think this essay is your most spot-on and heartfelt report to date. Thank you once again. These times appear even more challenging; experiencing a bit of reprieve and easing of restrictions to now feel slammed’ again. For the first time ever that I can recall, I was curt to a volunteer at a small non-profit benefitting cancer thrift store. I felt overwhelmed being in a small, overstocked place [clutter] and waiting behind another customer. When my turn came, I needed to complete the transaction pronto and get out of there. No excuse–just never panicked like that before. Back to reflection, centering, and intentionality. Warmest regards to you Simone; keep that passport current, and intend that the ‘ best possible right’ time will come.
Warmest regards to you too, Tanene! And thanks for the praise on this essay; I never know which ones are going to hit home for people and it means a lot to hear when they do! All we can do is be patient with ourselves when things happen like in that thrift store. Interesting times on the planet right now, indeed!
Hi Simone! Following your saga re wanting to visit the south of France and also desire to move to community. Where/when is the elusive answer, eh? For me too, though I have no clear sense of much of anything as of this moment, other than a sense of stirring in the wings. But your sharing of the breakthrough via deep inner work is a mirror to my own process, relative to an awakening sense of inner power, hence freedom (through struggle and turmoil with outer power over which I seem to have no control). Thanks for another inspiring essay and for continuing to share some of your own experiences. Very helpful! 🙂 Sharon
So glad it was helpful, Sharon! And yes sometimes when the outer world is so uncooperative, being thrown back on our own resources – even in the not-knowing – can be so liberating! Blessings…
As Tropical storm Fred crossed over us Canton, NC had the Pigeon River over flow its banks 3 ft above the 2004 back-to-back hurricanes – a once a century flood – 20 yrs later another ?! the outpouring of help & donations have been incredible -helping our friends who owned the feedstore – he told us ‘I don’t even know some of the people helping here today !’ txts are great to keep up w/people so no one falls thru – we are missing 20 people tho –
Oh my goodness, Elizabeth! You are really going through it! Amazing how people step up when times are tough though, isn’t it? Sure hope those missing folks are found…
Heart expansion. Yes. I feel it. Thank you Simone for your insights.
You’re definitely in sync with the energies, Kimmie. Happy Full Moon!