October Full Moon – Hunter’s Moon (Jägermond)
As the Hunter’s Moon rises on October 17, 2024, casting its silvery glow across the autumn sky, it invites us to pause and reflect on our ties to the past—particularly our deep-rooted ancestral connections.
This sacred period, leading up to Halloween (October 31) and All Saints' Day (November 1)—known as Allerheiligen here in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) of Germany—has long been revered as a time when the veil between the living and the spirit world grows thinner, allowing whispers of the past to echo. It’s a powerful opportunity to delve deeper into our ancestral lineage, seeking wisdom and solace from those who came before us.
The significance of this moon phase stretches far beyond its cultural roots, resonating with contemporary understandings of how trauma can travel through generations. This illuminating night reminds us of the healing potential that lies within, encouraging us to transform our inner world and reconnect with the ancient wisdom embedded in our familial history.
The Schwarzwald Legacy: Celtic Connections
Celtic beliefs, rich with reverence for the ancestors, emphasize the importance of honoring those who have walked the earth before us—particularly during significant celestial events like the October full moon, when their presence is felt most acutely. The original inhabitants of the Schwarzwald region were deeply intertwined with Celtic culture. In the pre-Roman Iron Age, the Celts occupied vast swathes of what is now southwestern Germany, including our enchanting Black Forest area. Archaeological remnants, from burial mounds to intricate artifacts, reveal a vibrant Celtic legacy, a testament to the traditions and practices that continue to echo through our lives today.
From Ancestors to Us: Unraveling the Threads of Generational Trauma
Generational trauma—a profound concept gaining recognition in both psychological and spiritual circles—refers to the emotional and psychological wounds that linger, passed down from one generation to the next. The intricate connection between generational trauma and epigenetics provides a compelling scientific framework for understanding how these inherited wounds are transmitted. Research suggests that trauma can leave lasting marks on our DNA—chemical modifications that subtly influence gene expression without altering the core genetic code (Yehuda et al., 2016). For instance, studies examining the children of Holocaust survivors reveal that these individuals can inherit biological responses to stress, rendering them susceptible to similar psychological challenges as their parents (Yehuda et al., 2014). This compelling evidence suggests that the emotional legacies of trauma can be intricately woven into our very biology, shaping the lives of subsequent generations.
Powerful potential: Changing your internal landscape
While epigenetics illuminates how the past influences our present, it also reveals our innate capacity to shape our biology. There is a burgeoning body of research indicating that mindfulness-based techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can induce transformative changes in brain structure and function. Meditation, as noted by Luders and Kurth (2019), is an active mental process, a journey inward that, when practiced consistently, can sculpt the brain’s architecture by enhancing awareness, attention, and focus. Similarly, yoga harmonizes these qualities with physical movement, bestowing myriad positive effects on mental and physical health (Tolahunase et al., 2018).
How does this transformation unfold? Tang (2015) proposes that these mindful practices promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize itself—through structural changes such as dendritic branching, synaptogenesis, and neurogenesis. With repeated mindfulness training, we reinforce positive neural pathways, enabling us to reshape brain function through conscious awareness and intentional practice.
Mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation can potentially influence gene expression, offering a pathway to explore the depths of generational trauma and ancestral healing by reshaping neural pathways and altering our biological responses to stress and trauma.
Connecting to Ancestral Heritage During the Hunter's Full Moon
Drawing on the ancient traditional beliefs of the spirit veil being at its’ thinnest, the Hunter's Full Moon, provides the perfect opportunity to connect with your ancestral heritage.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, extending the length of your exhale. Begin to consider:
What stories did your ancestors tell about their lives? How do these stories shape your identity today? Reflect on these Ancestral Stories and how they form a part of your story. Are there recurring themes or patterns in your family history that you notice? How might these influence your life today?
Thinking of a challenge in your life, create a dialog with your ancestors by asking, “what wisdom or guidance can you offer me regarding my current struggle?” How have their experiences shaped your experiencing now?
Visualize your ancestors surrounding you. Consider how does it feel to be supported by those you came before you? What burdens can you now release now that you know you are not alone?
By acknowledging and honoring the experiences of our forebears during significant lunar events like the Hunter Full Moon, we create space for reflection and healing. In connecting with your ancestral stories, you forge a deeper relationship with your self & past, acknowledge the burdens carried through generations, and open pathways for healing generational trauma through conscious engagement with your ancestral lines.
Connecting to Nature and the Healing Power of the Moon
Nature plays a vital role in promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being, offering a sense of grounding, restoration, and balance. Numerous studies have shown that time spent in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood, and enhances overall health (Frumkin, 2017). In the Schwarzwald, where the forests are rich with ancient energy and healing properties, connecting to nature becomes an even more immersive experience.
"The act of aligning ourselves with natural rhythms, such as the phases of the moon, offers a powerful way to deepen our relationship with the natural world. By attuning ourselves to the cycles of the moon, we are aligning with a natural rhythm that has guided human life for centuries." Justine Ferland
The October Full Moon, or Hunter's Moon, offers a unique and profound opportunity to bridge the past and present, tapping into ancestral wisdom and reflecting on the generational threads that shape who we are. By honoring ancient practices and acknowledging the thin veil between the physical and spiritual realms, we create space to connect with our ancestors and explore the impact of generational trauma. As modern science and ancient practices converge, we see how epigenetics, mindfulness, and ancestral healing are intertwined. Engaging in mindful practices like yoga and meditation not only reshapes our internal landscape but also holds the potential to influence our biology and release inherited burdens. During this sacred time, reflecting on ancestral stories and seeking their guidance invites us to heal generational wounds, cultivate deeper self-understanding, and open pathways for transformation. In doing so, we honor both our lineage and our own journey toward healing and wholeness.
Author & Photographer: Justine Ferland
Justine Ferland is a passionate psychologist, educator, and coach who brings over 20 years of experience to her work. As the founder of SEELEDU, she specializes in integrating nature for enhanced well-being.
References
Frumkin, H. (2017). Nature contact and human health: A research agenda. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(7), 075001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1663
Goldberg, S. B., Tucker, R. P., Greene, P. A., Davidson, R. J., Wampold, B. E., Kearney, D. J., & Simpson, T. L. (2018). Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 59, 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.011
Luders, E., & Kurth, F. (2019). The neuroanatomy of long-term meditators. In J. M. Cahn, S. W. Shapiro, & J. Polich (Eds.), Meditation and the brain (pp. 45-61). Elsevier.
Tang, Y. Y., Holzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213-225. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916
Tolahunase, M. R., Sagar, R., & Dada, R. (2018). Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: A prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2018, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7928901
Yehuda, R., Daskalakis, N. P., Desarnaud, F., Makotkine, I., Lehrner, A., Koch, E., ... & Bierer, L. M. (2014). Epigenetic biomarkers as predictors and correlates of symptom improvement following psychotherapy in combat veterans with PTSD. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 5, 118. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00118
Yehuda, R., Lehrner, A., & Bierer, L. M. (2016). The public reception of putative epigenetic mechanisms in the transgenerational effects of trauma. Environmental Epigenetics, 2(1), dvv0. https://doi.org/10.1093/eep/dvv009
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