Furukawa Matsuri

Themes: Protection; Anti-theft
Symbols: Drum; Feathers
Presiding Diety: The Tennin

About the Tennin: These semidivine beings are a kind of angel in Buddhist tradition. They like to make music, and their singing voices are as lovely as their stunning visages. Art renderings show them wearing feathered robes and sprouting wings a bit like oversized sylphs. On this day they join their voices to our celebration and wrap us in wings of safety.

To Do Today (April 20):

Follow Japanese conventions and go through your home or entire town making as much noise as possible by banging pots, blowing horns, ringing bells. This protects you from the threat of thievery and unwanted ghostly visitations, as will singing sacred songs that draw the Tennin's attention and aid.

A flurry of lantern lighting (or in our case, lamp lighting) often accompanies this activity, to shine a light on the darkness and reclaim the night with divine power.

To remember the Tennin specifically and invite their protective energy, put a lightweight item (like a silk scarf, a sheer curtain, or something else with diaphanous qualities) in the region that needs guarding. Put on a tape, record, or CD of vocal music (or sing yourself), and they will come. To protect yourself, carry a feather in your purse or wallet.

From: 365 Goddess