Full Moon in Cancer

In a way our feelings have a nocturnal quality about them easily laying dormant under the surface sometimes hidden in the unconscious but on a full moon they have less darkness to hide in. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

The Moon in Vedic Astrology symbolizes the mind and emotions (Manas). It shows the quality of our emotional intelligence and capacity for peace of mind. The Sun represents the individual self (Atma), vitality, will, ego and by its very essence illuminates.

During Full Moons there is a greater depth to our feelings. Emotional experiences are intensified because the light of the Sun is at its full strength. This illuminates our subconscious mind and emotional waters revealing more clearly what was otherwise hiding in its depths.

The Sun whether we like it or not brings clarity to our emotions and how we relate and express them. Hence why full Moons are associated with things getting a little zany since our emotional skeletons have more opportunity to roam loose.

Depending on the quality of your emotional waters it can feel more tumultuous, edgy and anxious alternatively there can be a greater capacity for passion, expansiveness, love, devotion and everything in between.

On January 25th 2024 according to the sidereal timing system the Moon is full in the constellation of Cancer in the nakshatra of Pushya.

The Moon rules Cancer and feels at home here. Cancer, at its highest expression has a strong sense of intuition, emotional intelligence, nurturing qualities and a desire for connection. At its lowest it may involve moodiness, emotional instability, childishness and excessive sensitivity.

The key word for the nakshatra of Pushya is nourishment signified by its symbol the cow udder and the flower. Nourishment allows us to grow and blossom. On this full Moon take this as an opportunity to bring your awareness to the illuminated waters of your emotions. Layer it by steeping in self care choosing all the things that nourish you in order to grow and blossom.

New Moon in Sagittarius

Can you feel the hungry wolves stirring inside of you? Is there an area in your life where you feel blocked or where you desire to improve?

January 11th bestows upon us our first New Moon of 2024. The name Wolf Moon was given to this first lunar cycle after Winter Solstice by the Indigenous people’s of North American reflecting the wolves’ behavior during the winter months when food was scarce. In Vedic Astrology using the Sidereal timing system the New Moon occurs in the constellation of Sagittarius within the nakshatra of Purva Ashadha.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter who is connected to the Elephant headed God Ganesha, remover of Obstacles. Purva Ashadha, translates as "unsubdued" and “the invincible star”. This nakshatra is made up of two stars named Kaus Borealis and Kaus Australis found in the archer’s bow of the Sagittarius constellation. The essence of this nakshatra is to seek knowledge, purify ego/excess and ultimately improve oneself and life.

The New Moon is joined by Mars who brings action and Mercury who ushers in learning and facilitates communication, effectively offering this New Moon cycle a turbo boost of energy to achieve one’s intentions of improvement.

There's a buzzy ambitious and determined energy to this New Moon cycle making it a perfect time to set new intentions, crush obstacles and nourish the hungry wolves inside.

To harness this energy make space for yourself to center your energy, ideally a sacred space you return to to connect with yourself and Spirit.

Begin by purifying your space and self, this helps to set the tone for clarity and cleanse any unnecessary distractions while making space for what you’re calling in. Make yourself comfortable, turn you phone on silent, play some peaceful music, light a candle and take a few moments to connect mind, body and spirit through breath. Once the scene is set, organize your reflections on where you are and where you want to go. Gather your inspirations and create a physical list, drawing map or a mood/vision board and set your intentions and goals for the coming month. Envision the steps needed to accomplish your goal. Embody the feeling of that accomplishment. Take a moment to express your Gratitude. Close your space. Revisit as the month goes on.

For this particular New Moon consider this: What is something in your life that has felt like a block or something you have been avoiding? What knowledge or skill do you need to expand your wisdom? In what ways can you purify your ego to better connect with your true self? In what ways do you want to improve yourself or your life situation?

Within your scope consider a form of volunteer work that speaks to you or donating/giving in some way to people who are in need as an action to support the improvement of the lives of others.

With all this fire energy happening it's important to note the Diety Apas who oversees the Cosmic Waters rules the lunar mansion of Purva Ashadha. It's a good time to reflect on the waters within us and the external waters that nourish and invigorate us.

Tap into the waters of intuitive wisdom and compassion for yourself and others. Imagine a cleansing rain with the intention of healing old wounds. Have a good cry or go for a sweat/steam to let out the old attachments that no longer serve you. Allow water to invigorate you. Physically engage with water, visit a body of water, jump in a cold lake, take a bath, be mindful of the water you consume. Consider the qualities symbolized by water, such as adaptability, fluidity, and the ability to navigate through life's challenges. In North America, with the lack of moisture in the form of snow or rain its an auspicious time to call in water energy for cleansing, purifying and the nourishment of Mother Earth.

Partial LunarEclipse in Aries

Can you feel the energy percolating through the cosmos?

A partial lunar eclipse occurs this Saturday October 28th. In the sidereal timing system used by Vedic Astrology the Sun is in libra joined by Mercury, Mars and Ketu. The moon is in Aries with Rahu and Jupiter retrograde. It’s a party, and with parties comes intensity. 

In a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth to cast a shadow on the Moon. This shadow blocks the direct sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface, resulting in the Moon temporarily darkening or appearing to change color.

This partial lunar eclipse is on the Aries and Libra axis highlighting issues such as self and relationships with others. 

Ask yourself where there is an ease or a tension with individuality, impulsivity, self assertion, self confidence, self worth, justice, peace making, harmony, subjugation, relations, cooperation, compromise, boundaries and balance between the needs of the self and others? 

This partial lunar eclipse is amplified by a combust Mars in Libra alongside the south node of the moon - Ketu adding more fuel to the fire. This combustion is reflected in current world events at play today. Although many of us feel powerless to stop the conflicts festering across the globe one thing that is absolutely within our power is to work on the conflicts within ourselves. 

The literal action of an eclipse is the blocking of light so it is not uncommon to feel the blocking of light within us. 

Feelings that may surface during the eclipse can be a sense of disconnection, groundlessness, feeling unsettled, irked, gritty and on edge. 

The best remedies for feeling off are: 

awareness, compassion for yourself and for others, making space for yourself and others, slowing down, rest and self care. 

What’s in your self care toolbox? 

Eclipses are times for going inward not outward. Avoid making any big decisions nor putting yourself in situations that require a lot of you during this time. Take a look at your boundaries for your time and energy and the shoulds we hold ourselves to. 

What can you shelve right now to make space for rest and reflection? 

Sometimes we don’t have a lot of time to spare so making the most of the slivers may yield a world of difference.

There are no good or bad transits outside of our limited subjective perspective however resistance to what is often causes us suffering. Calm and peaceful environments and activities make it easier to navigate the feelings and thoughts that arise during this time. Observe what rises from the layers of our being. Be tender with them. Offer the light of your awareness to what is. 

Although eclipse seasons can be perceived as dark periods they also hold great potential to transform old habits and wounds into new lighter ways of being. 

Questions to explore during this eclipse: 

How am I relating to myself and to others?
What old patterns are being highlighted for me to witness?
Where are my blind spots? What’s underneath these feelings? 
Can I sit with this?

During this time actively seek the light within and look for the light in others 🌒✨