Harvest Full Moon in Pisces

We are spiritual beings living in a physical body. Our existence is linked to our spiritual form, which lives within and beyond the physical world. This material world is the laboratory where we experiment and learn how to live an integrated life of body and spirit. But our material world is very concrete. It is all around us in a very obvious ways, demanding our attention with our five senses of taste, touch, hearing, smell, and sight. This intensity of our physical senses makes our relationship with the physical world dominant and we forget about the more subtle spiritual energy, the sixth sense, that also exists within this earthly life. The quieter, softer callings of our Soul and Spirit often go unheard. Just like the Sun is more forceful and demands our attention more than the fleeting and reflective Moon, so do the demands of our physical existence outweigh the needs of our spiritual essence. This Full Moon is asking us to find a balance between the physical world, represented by Sun in Virgo, and the spiritual world, represented by Moon in Pisces.

I must admit that I found it unlikely that Katy Perry would represent the pivot between the very physical Sun in Virgo and the very spiritual Moon in Pisces, but when a friend sent me this video that she had watched dozens of times with her 9 year old daughter, I had to take a look. And as amazing as it seems, this very fun video and powerful song is a great example of the balance we seek at this Full Moon. Now, I admit that I have always loved the archetype of Tarzan, and that might have a bit to do with my joy in watching it. I hope you take a moment to view it by clicking the link under the picture. The song refers to gaining personal strength after a set back, and that could be the set back of a relationship, job, or even life itself.  Watch for the archetypal theme of finding strength through connecting to your inner spirit, symbolized by the sparks of light that manifest as the Tiger. And that once that inner spirit is fully owned and integrated the world shifts from being a dangerous place where we feel uncomfortable and lost, into a place of magnificent abundance where we are surrounded by allies and everything we need is available.

For you: Take some time this Full Moon and put your attention to sensing your subtle spiritual energy. Do a bit of Moon bathing if you can, or just imagine your spiritual energy as pulses of light that sparkle and flow. See this spiritual energy as fully integrated into your body and surrounding you in life. Let go of the old ways you have defined yourself in the past. Give yourself permission to be strong. Walk through life as if you are a spiritual being having a physical existence. Notice how what you used to think of as challenging and scary becomes part of the adventure of life. Feel the inner calm, balance, and joy as you become the pivot that links together your physical and spiritual existence.

Full Blue Moon in Pisces on Friday Aug 31

Waite-Smith Tarot with art by Pamela Colman Smith

If you want to read more and get info on the Blue Moon click MOONLETTER.  The Star illustrates the harmony that can be achieved within us between watery mystical Pisces and earthy practical Virgo. It is even more necessary that we find this balance now, during the transformative time of 2012, referred to as The Shift, since it promises a shift in consciousness from greed to compassion, from separation to unity. Spiritually inclined people are often more interior, and keep their visions for a new world to themselves. It is time for dreamers to make their dreams known, and to find practical methods to engage in the world in order to make a difference, while still holding on to their spiritual values. This Moon in Pisces is a very strong one, since it combines with Neptune in Pisces, exponentially deepening the potential of our connection to Spirit. This Full Moon is a time to tap into your internal spiritual longings and find a way to bring them to manifestation through practical action in the external world.

For you: Imagine that you are this woman, one leg kneeling on the earth, and the other leg resting on the water in the pond. You could even physically take the position, to feel the balance in your body. You are comfortable both on land and water. You have a pitcher in each hand, filled with water, which contains the longings of your Soul. Pause and ask yourself, “What are the longings of my Soul? What is my intuition prompting me to do?” Once you know, you pour one pitcher into the pond to keep your intuition flowing. You feel gratitude for the solid contact of this relationship. You pour the other pitcher onto the ground, and it makes five streams, each representing one of your senses – sight, taste, hearing, touch, and smell. You relish in your connection to the earth. Above you is a brilliant yellow star, which is your Spirit and the source of your radiance. Next to it are seven white stars, representing your chakras which align your Spirit to your body. Take another deep breath, and ask that you be open to your Spirit, and that your body is in alignment with each chakra.. The purple mountains in the distance indicate the long journey you are on, but the bird in the tree nearby promises that if you listen to your still sweet voice within, that you will always be guided in the right direction. Take some deep breaths, allow your spiritual essence to expand within you, let it radiate through you until you see it move into the world where you will take clear practical actions, large or small, to let your light be seen.

Full Moon in Virgo

Rachel Carson

March 8th, 2012. Full Moon in Virgo on Thursday at 4:39 am. est. Virgo, the virgin, is an Earth sign, and a practical steward of the natural world in which we live. Virgo applies her skills of observation and deliberation to the real world, right here and right now. I wanted a real woman to represent Virgo, a woman who was natural, earthy, and epitomized a life of service. This image of Rachel Carson called to me. Scientist and author of Silent Spring, she documented the effects of industrial pollution on the natural world. Her words initiated the environmental movement and guided us all in a new direction. She believed that the natural world was a necessary part of humanity’s spiritual growth. She said: “There would be no peace for me if I kept silent.”

Her eyes are piercing. They demand that I wake up, that I look clearly at what is around me, that I don’t space out and pretend it will all go away. She is serious, concerned, taking action. She carries the tools of her trade and has grounded her love and compassion in her engagement with the natural world.

To Do: Look Rachel Carson in the eyes. What is she asking of you? Demanding of you? Have a conversation with her. Ask her why she cares, how she got started, what meaning did her service bring to her life? Tell her about what your neighborhood and community needs. Tell her the ways you think you can contribute.

Full Moon/SuperMoon

Saturday, March 19th at 2:10 pm

Be sure to watch this Full Moon rise tonight, since it will be spectacular! This month the Moon is orbiting at its closest point to the earth in nearly 20 years. Called a Supermoon, this closeness will increase the gravitational pull between the Earth and Moon, making the connection between them even stronger. It will mean, among other things, a spectacular Full Moon. It will be 14% larger and 30% brighter than a normal Full Moon. There is debate whether the greater gravitational pull of a Supermoon is linked to an increase of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. You can check out the time of the Moon rise in your area by going to the great Farmer’s Almanac website.

To read more about this Full Moon, go to my monthly Moon Letter. In it I discuss the relationship of this Full Moon to the goddess of compassion, Kuan Yin, and the crisis in Japan.

New Moon in Virgo Sept. 8th

Update, September 7th

We have a New Moon this Wednesday September 8th at 6:30 am ET. This Virgo energy is a perfect time to start a new daily routine that brings your body into better self care. You can also begin to organize your workspace so that it is easier for you to think clearly and work with greater efficiency. This New Moon calls out to begin any process that gives more order and harmony into your physical life. The Moon is considered New when it is conjoined the Sun. Since the Sun is in Virgo, the New Moon will also be in Virgo at 15 degrees. If you look to the Planetary Ephemeris at the left of this post, you can follow the Moon as it changes in degrees until it is the exact same degree as the Sun.

Virgo, the virgin, is represented by a young woman out in the harvest fields. I don’t think Virgo is really a virgin, but rather is pure in her heart and her intentions. Virgo aims for purity of action, which does at times push into the realm of perfectionism, a problem anyone with some Virgo in their horoscope has to contend with. This desire for purity is part of the reason Virgo has the reputation for being critical, and picky. But that is only the dark side of Virgo, just like a huge ego is the dark side of Leo. Virgo actually balances the need for personal attention that is exhibited by Leo with a simple desire to be of service to others.

Virgo is an earth sign, and is therefore very connected to the body and nature. This beautiful image captures the earthy quality of Virgo, which comes out in a commitment to care for the body through learning about healthy eating, exercise, and self-care. Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, hence her bright mind and curious intellect. She wants to know all about everything that could be helpful to herself and others, and can take in a tremendous amount of information, assimilate what is necessary, and then eliminate the rest. This Mercury influence gives her a fast mind that is geared toward discernment, a quality that can get out of balance and create a nervous, analytical, and self-critical quality. But, if Virgo stays in touch with her physical body through exercise, good nutrition, and time in nature, you could hardly find a more loving and giving sign. Her fault might be in caring for the needs of others more than the needs of herself.

Sun moves into Virgo on Monday

Virgo by Linda Holt-Ayriss

This is a very lovely representation of Virgo, the Virgin. I don’t think Virgo is really a Virgin, but rather is pure in her heart and with her intentions. Virgo aims for purity of action, which does at times push into the realm of perfectionism, a problem anyone with some Virgo in their horoscope has to contend with. This desire for purity is part of the reason Virgo has the reputation for being analytical, critical, and picky. But that is only the dark side of Virgo, just like a huge ego is the dark side of Leo. Virgo actually balances the need for personal attention that is exhibited by Leo with a simple desire to be of service to others.

When I think of Virgo I think of my dear friend Andrea, a Virgo, who reminded me that Virgo is an earth sign, and is therefore very connected to the body and nature. This beautiful image captures the earthy quality of Virgo, which comes out in a commitment to care for the body through learning about healthy eating, exercise, and self-care. Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, hence her bright mind and curious intellect. She wants to know all about everything that could be helpful to herself and others, and can take in a tremendous amount of information, assimilate what is necessary, and then eliminate the rest. This Mercury influence gives her a fast mind that is geared toward discernment, a quality that can get out of balance and create a nervous self-critical quality. But, if Virgo stays in touch with her physical body through exercise, good nutrition, and time in nature, you could hardly find a more loving and giving sign. Her fault might be in caring for the needs of others more than the needs of herself. So during this month of Virgo energy take time to access your daily routine and make the changes necessary to bring yourself into alignment with your body and physical self care.