full moon
The Mystical Cycle Of The Moon
Traditionally many cultures worldwide centered their spiritual practices around the Moon and the phases it cycles through once approximately every 29 days. These phases reflect the Moon’s journey around the Earth, revealing a little more or a little less of this mysterious satellite.
Much like the cyclic seasons of the year, the Moon’s phases represent different aspects of personal contemplation for the spiritual practitioners and metaphysicians. The Moon represents our intuitions, hidden aspects of self, and the nurturing empathy a mother would show a child.
The New Moon begins and ends each lunar cycle. As a ‘blank canvas’ it suggests new beginnings, or the completion of a full circle. This is the starting point for working with the Moon’s phases. Time your lunar calendar each month around the New Moon. Note, it will not be visible, but instead a dark circle. Use a white candle or another source of light to represent the fully illuminated Moon that is to come and start new ideas or projects.
As the Moon grows in size it goes into its ‘waxing’ phase. It will first become a crescent shape a quarter of the way in its orbit around the Earth, and later a wedge shape called gibbous. As it grows, so too will you and your ideas. Each day, ask yourself what is going right. Ask the Universe for guidance and inspiration, and remember that it’s all right to change plans or make revisions.
As the Moon is in its growing phase, each day a little more of its surface is cast in light. The Moon also rises an hour later each day in the cycle. Its many craters are a reminder that despite perceived flaws, something can be wonderful when illuminated.
We are all awed by the sight of the Full Moon glowing in the sky. This is the time in the cycle when we can enjoy the fruits of our efforts, and also examine what worked or did not work in practice. This is also the time in the lunar cycle when emotions run at their highest, so be careful of acting too impulsively. Be sure to also show gratitude and humility for what you’ve accomplished so far.
Weight Loss Astrology Using The Moon Phases
The past winter has been especially tough on all of us. Many of us are experiencing some form of pandemic fatigue or cabin fever. We’ve baked all our cookies, ordered junk food deliveries, and did the experimental microwave recipes during lockdown. And many of us have put on a pound or two, or more, for sheer comfort’s sake!
But now we’re finally beginning to look ahead again. Spring has sprung here in the Northern Hemisphere and the climate is warming up. We wanna wear less and it’s time to get serious about figuring out how to achieve our best Summer ‘beach body.’
In my own search for weight loss inspiration, I discovered a great formula for women devised by sports nutritionist, astrologer and weight loss guru, Kira Sutherland.
She recommends a diet lasting 12-14 days, starting with your menstrual period. This is apparently the absolute best time to lose weight. Then you stop and return to normal eating, even allowing yourself some well-earned treats. Even I can do that!
If you don’t experience a monthly flow, a bit of astrological research will be needed to follow this diet. If you don’t have your natal birth chart available, or don’t know how to interpret it, you may need to consult a professional astrologer.
What you’re looking for is your Natal Moon Phase Cycle, from New Moon to Balsamic (no, not the salad dressing). At birth, we fall into one of eight cycles of Moon-to-Sun connections that define our Natal Moon Phase.
Once your phase has been determined, it’s time to check out the Ephemeris to note when the transits in the sky mirror the same Moon Cycle that is in your natal blueprint. And when that blessed event occurs every month, it’s time to punch the stop watch and begin your two week Kira Sutherland diet!
After 14 days, stop. You’re done for now. Relax the diet and stop weighing yourself for the next two weeks. You deserve a reward for all that hard work and sacrifice, so feel free to live your best couch potato life! Once the lazy two weeks are at an end, you can begin again on the next moon phase cycle, or at the start of your next period.
Astrology Forecast April 26 – May 2, 2021
Today’s Scorpio Full Moon, also known as the ‘Pink Moon,’ may throw us a bit off-center for a day or two, as its intensity can tend to bring hidden fears to the surface or make us doubt our current course. On the upside we may feel very sensual, adventurous and even courageous to try new things, but we may also be prone to passionate drama, overreaction or conflict. Combined with Pluto turning retrograde in Capricorn on Tuesday, the first part of this week therefore is a time for practicing caution and refraining from making any hasty decisions or taking impulsive actions one way or the other!
Things ease up considerably under Wednesday and Thursday’s Sagittarius Moon, when a more lighthearted energy emanates from the heavens. Staying focused in the moment will help bring things to right size again and eradicate a feeling of being overwhelmed.
It’s back to work the remainder of the week, as the Moon travels through responsible Capricorn from Friday through Sunday. Time to tackle the workload and chores that keep our worlds running smoothly as we transition from April into May. All in all, even though things may start out on a somewhat challenging note, we’ll be able to reclaim our balance and equilibrium later in the week and become very productive.
The Capricorn Moon Trine Venus in Taurus on Saturday will have us in a very loving, happy mood with the desire to care for friends and family and have everyone get along in peace and harmony without conflict or arguments. This amicable energy makes the weekend a good time to build family connection, rekindle friendships and cultivate a sense of belonging.
Astrology Forecast March 22 – 28, 2021
We’ll be under the spell of a waxing Libra Full Moon this week, which will reach its peak on Sunday, also known as the Crow Moon or Worm Moon. It is the final full moon of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the time the crows begin to caw their farewell to the season and worms begin to signal the imminent arrival of springtime. This lunation is typically filled with magic and wonder. It can also bring connections from the past back into our world, as well as open new doors to new beginnings, awakenings or reinvigorated progress.
Don’t expect to get much done on Monday or Tuesday, as the Cancer Moon will have us spending more time daydreaming than working! Luckily, Wednesday and Thursday’s Leo Moon will bring our energy back up to par, making it easy to tackle anything that fell on the back burner at the start of the week.
Save detailed work and proposals for Friday and Saturday when the Moon makes its monthly cycle through Virgo, the sign of organization, and clarity.
Sunday’s Full Moon will give us a chance to catch our breath and enjoy the day, and with the new season now unfolding, this would be an ideal time to get out in nature for a stroll or take stock of your garden or land to see what needs tending.
Manifesting With The Moon Phases
The Moon affects all life on Earth and paying attention to her phases, and planning accordingly, can be especially useful in our spiritual practice and in manifesting our wishes and desires.
You can improve your life circumstances by planning events or personal prayers for manifestation around the phases of the Moon. It is also useful in the clearing of unwanted energetic influences.
Throughout the ages, in many belief systems, the Moon is seen as a Lunar deity or goddess. I regularly meditate on her divine presence, while attending to what I wish to manifest within the timing of the lunar energy.
The power of the monthly phases of the Moon can be utilized for manifesting as follows:
New Moon
The phase of the Moon when it first appears as a slender crescent, shortly after its conjunction with the Sun. A time of preparing one’s goals to manifest.
Waxing Moon
A few days after the New Moon one can see a clear crescent lit by the Sun. This is a perfect time for manifesting anything you wish to increase in matters of finances and career. It is also a perfect time for planting all seeds. Remember, the period from the New Moon to the Full Moon are the days of increase.
Astrological Forecast February 22 – 28, 2021
It wouldn’t hurt to keep a low profile this week, as we’ll be under the influence of a waxing Virgo Full Moon. People tend to be critical or nitpick at this time, and there’s always the danger that if you point out to someone else what they are doing wrong, three other people will point out what you are doing wrong! So, lay low, keep your opinions to yourself and just glide along on the quiet and peaceful Pisces energy in the air.
You won’t get much done on Monday or Tuesday as the Moon wades through Cancer, but don’t worry, as you can make up for lost time at the end of the week.
The Leo Moon on Wednesday and Thursday will inspire you to take better care of yourself put yourself first and stay alert to emotional imbalances.
Venus will move into Pisces on Thursday, adding an even more ethereal tone to your days. The Virgo Full Moon on Saturday, also known as the Snow Moon, will call for a release of principles and ideal that no longer serve us.
Based on what we’ve been through over the last 12 months, it’s inevitable that we are now on the threshold of new visions, new ideas, and new realities. But, it also means we’re on the threshold of new possibilities and new potentials.
By The Light Of The Moon
Oh, the Moon! How I love the Moon. What’s not to love? I love watching the moon dance on the lake’s surface outside our home or just to observe it in the night sky. It is so healing to me.
I remember going outside and just basking in the light of the moon. I remember waiting for it to be full and then putting a big bucket of water in the garden. I would let the light of the moon reflect on the surface and I would prop up my feet on either side of this and just go into the alpha state and meditate.
To this day I will wash my precious stones, like my moonstones and agates, with salt water. After that, on a full moon, I will let them absorb the light. I feel it recharges and cleanses them.
I always agreed with the school of thought that the moon affects the fluids in our bodies, just like the tides of the ocean. I also view the moon as a lovely lady who is in charge of our emotions and feelings; she is the ‘bringer of moods’.
Usually you can see her influence very clearly on a full moon. For example, emergency services and police sirens are often more prevalent on the roads, there are more arrests and accidents and people lashing out and doing things they normally wouldn’t dare.
There is much power and control to be found in knowing when the different phases of the moon are, and to have the heads up as to how it affects us. The moon also rules all female physiology; she is the mother of all things which are important and necessary for creating life and nurturing. It virtually has an effect on the growth of all living things, including all plants and animals. I call the moon ‘she’ because of this. She rules over the ‘internal ocean’ that keeps us all alive.