One evening I arrived in the Glen unexpectedly, just as the almost-full moon was lifting herself above the horizon. Since it was dark, I thought that Owl would be busy about his nighttime activities, and I seldom spoke with him then. But no—there he was, sitting on a branch where the moon was back-lighting his silhouette. I meant to be quiet but stepped on a twig, and Owl’s head swiveled around as only his head can.
 
“Hoooo. Good evening, my friend!” he said.
 
“Good evening, Owl. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
 
“You are not a disturbance at all. What brings you to the Glen tonight?”
 
“I was surprised myself, Owl. But now, seeing you in the moonlight like that, I do feel a question arising.”
 
Owl cocked his head. “Yes?”
 
“Why do you love the moon so much, Owl?”
 
“Hoooo, that’s an interesting one. She is very beautiful and that’s a reason.” He was silent for a minute or two. “But I think I love her because when I gaze at her, it seems for a moment that her light is for me, myself—a gift, a high word, a cosmic hoot in my own lineage. It brings me joy when my owlish heart connects to her lunar heart. And loving her only deepens that experience.”
 
“But I thought—well, isn’t the moon for everyone?” I said.
 
“Of course she is,” Owl replied. “But with the Inner Sun alive in us, all great gifts want to be received as fully and personally as if they were just for us, even only for us—not to own or hold on to, but to receive and so to become happy. How could that not bring us joy? Which is the whole point, my dear apprentice. Have you forgotten?”
 
“I guess I had for a moment, Owl. But I understand your words. Joy, love—they cannot be divided, can they?”
 
Owl shook his head. “The High Language tells us that such qualities are infinite. You would benefit from pondering all this with the moonlight shining on your heart.”
 
Then he gestured with his wing that I should sit on the big rock nearby. When I had settled down, he floated silently over to perch beside me.
 
“Now then,” he said. “Let’s look at the moon together. See if it isn’t true that she shines for you, for your joy, and welcomes your love. Yes, yours!”
 
And so we did. When next you, dear reader, espy the moon in any of her lovely phases, I invite you to try Owl’s way, too. And let him know what you experience!