The Sturgeon Moon
The Sturgeon Moon
When the Cycle of My Life Begins Anew
There are cycles of time built into our modern lives. January 1 marks the beginning of a traditional calendar year for most of us. The Chinese New Year begins with the rise of the new moon between January 21 and February 20.
In my life, the cycle ends and renews at the rise of the Sturgeon Moon, which is the full moon in the month of August, and on my birthday on August 28. Notably, this year will have a Super Sturgeon Moon on the 1st followed by a second super full moon on the 31st (the extra special Super Blue Moon which will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year) all in the same month.
On the night of August 1, 2023, I invite you to look up into the sky to see the large Super Sturgeon Moon, occurring at a point in the moon’s orbit when it is closer to the Earth than usual.
I always get nostalgic when the month of August rolls around. I reminisce about the boy I used to be and all the events in my life that would usher me into places I never would have expected. Since last August alone, I have been assaulted by white men riding horses. I rescued three scared and defenseless kittens from the side of the road and have found them loving homes. After too many years, I finally became a US citizen.
On the creative front, I rebranded and launched this WPR newsletter on Substack (with a whopping 42 posts so far). With my band, I mounted three performances of the most ambitious show I have ever done with live music, video, and dancing. Numerous pencil sketches and digital illustrations have been drawn, and a brand-new website and new music have been in the works.
Outside of filming that I have done for other people, I have taken a break from filming anything for myself over the past seven months. The beginning of the pandemic in 2020 was my gateway into making over 40 short films for my YouTube channel, and I needed to step away from it because I was feeling burned out.
Needless to say, all of this is about to change. If the universe is gifting this new life cycle with a luminous Super Sturgeon Moon (followed by an even more glorious Super Blue Moon), then I am being called to respond proportionally.
A small film shoot with a crew is happening in September. New music will be released this fall, and all kinds of other projects will finally see the light of day. My transition back into being a performing musician will continue in all kinds of ways. This next cycle will certainly be lively.
The story of my life is one of new beginnings. I have lost count of all the ways that I have had to start over after a heartbreak, a failure, fatigue, loss, loneliness, and sometimes, just plain weariness from the crushing weight of the world. My life has been shaped by continuous waves of resistance and resilience, and despite my doubts, I have not been afraid to get back up and dust myself off.
If you will be looking up at the Super Sturgeon Moon on August 1 in a few days, know that I am looking up at it too, ready to start over and eager to begin again.
A friend in my neighborhood has the loveliest backyard. Bordering a wide-open green space is a thick forest of young trees. My favorite part is a section where there is an adorable path that leads to a small wooden swing.
I have loved swings ever since I was a kid. The rush of air as my legs and body swoop into the sky makes my heart swell. It is an instant infusion of joy. Every time I go to a park, I take over a swing and become a kid again. For this week’s artist date, I sat on this swing in my friend’s backyard for a while. I listened to birdsongs and watched the tops of trees sway in the wind. I swung to my Asian heart’s content as I thought about my life and how much it has changed. It was a sweet moment of solitude surrounded by nature’s youthful splendor. It was bliss.
All Photos by Roqué Marcelo