Following the cycles of the moon is an ancient tradition, and one we can still tap into today to align with each month’s cycle of energies. A moon phase calendar can still be found in farmer’s almanacs today as a guide for planting. The moon, being so close to earth, has a powerful effect on it and you can see this in how it affects our tides. The moon actually causes the earth to rotate in tandem with the moon on a different axis than it would if it were not being affected by the moon’s gravitational pull. In every twenty-four hour period, we have one high tide based on the earth’s rotation and a second based on the moon’s interaction. So why not harness this energy in our lives? By becoming aware of these energetic cycles we can work with them consciously to achieve our desires in life - we are in essence moving with the energetic current - we "know to flow". For every month-long lunar cycle, the sun, on its annual solar cycle, moves through one of the twelve thirty-degree signs of the zodiac. This creates a new and full moon in a different zodiac sign each month of the year. Each zodiac sign can be thought of as representing a different energetic filter through which the movements of the celestial bodies are broadcast through to us on earth. The sun and moon are considered the two "luminaries" in astrology - we refer to both of them as "shining", although it is important to note that the sun generates its own light and the moon reflects the light of the sun. Often the sun is thought of as "the light of consciousness", while the moon represents the subconscious, operating fully or partially just out of our view much of the time. In general, the sun is representative of the male energy, the light, yang, and conscious will. The moon is the feminine energy, the emotions, water, dark, yin, and the subconscious. The moon cycles are the interplay of these two energies. The new moon is a beginning. This is when the sun and moon are in conjunction, or “on” each other. (A conjunction is formed when planets are six degrees or less to each other and it is exact at zero degrees. Conjunctions blend the energies of the two planets.) This is your time to sit down and think about what you would like to consciously create for that lunar cycle. Generally it’s best to wait beyond the time the new moon is exact until the sun’s light starts to come in just a bit to do this. Meditate on your intention, write down your goals, do whatever feels appropriate. The point is to set your intention consciously. Whatever sign the moon is in will be the energy being highlighted for this new beginning, and if you find the degree and sign of the new moon in an ephemeris, you can locate its house in your chart which will give you the area of life this new beginning can be made in (identity, expression, relationships, etc.)
The full moon is the sun and moon at full opposition. The moon is completely bathed in the sun’s glow. This is illumination. The light of consciousness is completely illuminating the subconscious. What insight are you gaining? What are you realizing in thought or in the world? Here we feel the full energy of the sun and are more likely to lean to socializing and outward expression. The last quarter moon is again a square between the sun and the moon but this time it’s waning, and the sun’s light is decreasing. The square here again is about change, but rather than an outward expression it is now turned inward. This is where we reevaluate on a subconscious level. Where do we need to shift our beliefs and thoughts to support what we are trying to consciously create? This is a time to be aware of the changes that are trying to occur in your life and be fluid with them. The three days leading up to the new moon is called the dark moon. The dark moon represents the point in the cycle where we turn the furthest inward. This can mean things deep within our psyche bubbling up to our awareness. This is a time of rest and nourishment. This energy is prompting us to clean house psychologically and get to the bottom of anything held subconsciously that is blocking us from achieving our goals. It’s time to release and let go of those things that are not in alignment with that which we are consciously creating. And with that psychological house-cleaning, you have completed that lunar cycle and with the new moon can align more powerfully with a new set of intentions. In this way you can use the moon’s energy each month to continue to spiral upward, like riding a thermal, through intention setting, action, realization, self-awareness and release, to living a life you have consciously created.
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