PISCES FULL MOON – THE WET AND THE WETTER
This full moon happens on 9th September 2014 at 1.39 am in intuitive Pisces opposite the Sun in Virgo. There are many interesting close aspects at this full moon between planets and asteroids. In general the Pisces-Virgo axis highlights the themes of service, sacrifice, transformation, integration and perfection.
To begin with, the Sun is opposite, and the Moon conjunct, Chiron (spiritual journey, vulnerabilities and healing) trining Saturn (boundaries, work and reality checks) which is also conjunct Ceres (nourishment and nurturing) and Vesta (sacrifice, devotion and service) and trining Juno (commitment, equal partnerships) to form a flowing, easy grand trine; this grand trine will support the discharge of any difficult illuminations or impasses.
With Juno, Ceres, Vesta and Chiron we have four participating asteroids and centaurs, three of which can be likened to the dark Goddesses of astrology. Juno, Ceres, and Vesta represent the feminine principle (alongside the more well known embodiments of the Moon and Venus). They symbolise how we bring together spirit and matter, mind and body – the unifying principle. Feminine wisdom is about honouring and respecting the rhythms and cycles of life itself: the process and continuity of nature, representing the relationship between our action and our wisdom.
In the last new moon post, we talked about the importance of intention, and in this full moon these asteroids teach us that action without high intention is meaningless and purposeless. Intention gives our life meaning and purpose. These Goddesses beckon us towards a reality where we stop to reflect on how we treat each other (and our planet), beseeching us to respect, honour and be in service to nature and each other. It’s better that mind and body work in unison rather than mind over matter.
Our commitment to life, to others and to ourselves is Virgo territory. With the Sun in Virgo it’s a time for analysis and questioning, seeing what could be better or what is right for us – facing reality rather than existing in fantasy, martyrdom or some make-do. With Virgo reality checks, (as well as Saturn), we can sift our reality and integrate necessary changes. Virgo rules the beginning of harvest time, when we are separating the wheat from the chaff, i.e the useful, valuable things from that which has outlived its usefulness.
Mercury just changed signs into Libra and at this full moon will be squaring Pluto and soon after making a supportive sextile to Jupiter. So on a more practical level, power struggles might be amplified and responses could be way out of proportion or kneejerk reactions. Taking more time to access deeper feelings will help us respond more appropriately. It could also mean that we can’t avoid speaking how it is right now, no more silence. Mercury (in Libra the ruler of Venus) and Venus (in Virgo the ruler of Mercury) are in mutual reception. This helps by allowing these two planets to work together giving us more options if in our communication.
Venus ingressed into Virgo on 5th September and opposes Neptune on 10th September. Venus opposite Neptune suggests an element of disillusionment and/or projection might enter our relationships. This aspect struggles to balance and integrate self-love instead projecting out an unrealistic expectation of love, our relationships and other people. Oppositions are also about culmination too, so some relationships might need some strong reality checks in terms of reassessing equality and potential – again what world do you live in – real or fantasy and what’s your barometer for making that distinction? Our ability to question truth and reality has a direct influence on what we believe, which in turn creates our reality. Keep this questioning central, keep close to your deeper version of reality.
This sensitive full moon is not without its healing potential. If we feel deeply touched in a raw or vulnerable place over this forthcoming week then that will be Chiron conjunct the moon, opposite the Sun. Chiron aims to raise our consciousness and invites us into an experiential spiritual journey to integrate the mind and body, our separation consciousness. Collectively, we are in a process of renewing our connection with our ancient roots of spirituality; now is a time of initiation, awakening and transition for many from the old and into the new. This is rewarding in the long run so keep your eyes on the destination when in the middle of chaotic, unfathomable emotions. With Chiron, the pain, poignancy and depth of feeling reminds us that we are dealing with something that will ultimately aid, rather than curtail, our growth.
The potential for sacrifice, even martyrdom could feature now, especially in partnerships. It’s ok to give as long as you feel you are receiving. Just make sure you have a clear picture of your relationships, avoid seeing just the potential and stay with where things are at now, keeping in mind that relationships need work to work. All things need adjustments.
The fear of needing to work ridiculously hard for what we want is Mars Saturn territory. The qualities of endurance and patience get little exercise in western society – we have everything at our disposal, and resist waiting for anything. If we want to bring anything to maturity then fixity of purpose, constancy and resoluteness are essential. This is a process of making our power firm (important especially for those working in the therapeutic or spiritual fields). Principles need to be firm, boundaries established and a deep sense of purpose and trust mobilised, otherwise we drift without a guiding compass. This Pisces full moon, is a time to release that which holds us firmly in fear and enter into a holding firm in our intentions and trust – knowing why we do what we do (Virgo), being sure we want to continue doing it and if not taking resolute action. Saturn is supporting us to mature, we just need to release the fear.
This theme is further cemented through Ceres, Vesta and Juno who ask us to honour and respect the rhythms of life, endings and beginnings, one precipitating the other as movement and rest give rise to each other. In other words, endings bring beginnings and letting go just makes space for these beginnings. Saturn in Scorpio, which is a long term transit, is encouraging us to let go of our attachments recognising them as just another form of fear or illusion of loss and gain. Don’t take anything too personally, it’s never anyone’s fault. Just allow the letting go to generate your freedom, and slip into trusting the cycles of life a little more.
On Monday, the day before this full moon, we have a discordant connection between the Sun and Uranus. It’s likely we will be feeling the pressure of wanting to materialise something into being, to make something work out, we will probably be hanging on to this a fair bit. This energy dynamic implies a tendency to push and flow against the current. Often though, true perseverance and patience arises from surrender, not exertion.
With Uranus pushing us to a limit or edge we might not see a way out, so we might search for a linear answers or fall into desperation because we decide we need to work harder for what we want, we don’t have the time or skills, or just simply giving up. This could create a heightened frustration, intolerance or impulsiveness. The real way out is rarely a straightforward or linear process though. Answers reveal themselves in the process, at first we can’t see it, but through going within into silence they appear. Less of the searching for an answer and more exploration of the reason why the unhappiness is there in the first place.
This full moon brings disintegration and a letting go (rather than giving up) to circumstances. Go into silence, go deeper, see the truth of what is there, practise non-attachment, let go of needing to control others and life, follow the cycles of life and hold firm to your intentions, allowing the process to be what it is.
