The first of Moura (Feb 19) begins the 28-day penitential period leading up to the New Year at Eastre. This last year has been the Year of Sai Rhave, and has been an extremely difficult year for many of us. The coming year will be the year of Sai Raya, and we hope that, in keeping with the bright and warm nature of the Solar Angel it will be a year of happiness and good progress. In preparation for the New Year and the death and rebirth of God the Daughter it is customary to observe special disciplines or abstinences during the month of Moura. These are not fixed by custom but may be chosen freely by oneslf (or in consultation with one's spiritual directress if one has one). Moura should not be seen a solemn or sad period, but rather one of purification and preparation. It is traditionally also a time for cleaning and readying the house for the coming of the Daughter and the New Year. Let us remember that the house and the body are both microcosms of the world into which Our Lady is coming, so in purifying both we are enacting a profound ritual. There is one day during Moura in which disciplines are suspended, and that is Moura 14th (March 5th). This is a day traditionally associated with the honoring of mothers, spiritual mistresses and other guides and mentresses. Moura is usually seen as part of the Filianic faith, as expressed in the Filianic Creed although most worshipers of Our Mother God observe this month of purification in preparation for the New Year. Many of us like to think of sacrifices we make as gifts to Dea and perhaps as a tiny childlike "thank you" for the Great Sacrifice She makes for us. In the Faith of our Mother God a childlike attitude is not considered a bad thing. As it says in the Gospel:

Come to Me as little children in the pure simplicity of your hearts and the virgin innocence of your souls, for truly all of you are children in the eyes of your Mother.

May Our Lady bless us all in this season of purification and help us to make a good Moura.