This lunation is full in Taurus at 12.06 pm GMT on 27th October 2015. This is yet another Super Full Moon which occurs when the Moon is near perigee (its closest approach to the earth) and syzygy (in a new or full moon phase).
Super Moons generate stronger gravitational pulls on costal tides, as well as the water in our own bodies. While certainly not as strong as the eclipses we’ve just experienced, a Super Moon increases the electromagnetic force of both the Sun and Moon, which makes it easier for us to break free from old, deconstructive modes of functioning and step into more healing ways of being.
There is a strong emphasis on the earth element at this full moon, with Venus, Mars and Jupiter transiting Virgo – all closely conjoined. This strong Virgo energy is making a flowing aspect to the Moon in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. Together this forms a grand trine configuration, an auspicious aspect.
At this full moon, Venus in Virgo is exactly opposite Chiron in Pisces. This more uncomfortable aspect brings us into close contact with our self-worth. We are being challenged to redefine ourselves, not in relation to others or our level of outward success, but in terms of a deeper sense of who we are, the wholeness of who we are, our own definition of ourselves as anchored in our deep sense of self. This is the Big U, rather than the voices and parts that exist more in our heads.
Full moons raise emotions and we might be feeling pressure to be more, be better, than in reality we can actually be. All this Virgo energy lends itself towards a drive for perfection, a potentially paralysing drive. When we run up against idealism and perfectionism, we humans come in a very poor second, and the sheer weight of it on our shoulders mean that we swim in ideas and potentiality rather than do what Virgo does best which is get on with the job while taking the time and energy to support wellbeing.
This drive for perfection really does sap out all the joy from life. For some it generates strong internal critics that are with us 90 % of our day. Our lives can rarely live up to our this level of expectation, not because our higher selves are not capable of manifesting perfection for us, but because the drive for perfection alone is exhausting, disappointing and frustrating, causing us to live in a state of constant dissatisfaction.
It can also be so subtly erosive, as we just bare with it, or bare with ourselves until we are emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. If we do not have a clear sense of self, we will absorb and play out other peoples ideas of perfection, our boundaries feeling easily invaded. It’s easy for other people to place their ideas of what time, energy and resources we should be expending when they don’t live our lives. So this drive can appear to be generated from within or from other’s agendas.
Much of our lives are driven from the external rather than an internal connection. We spend so much time projecting our energies outward that at the end of the day we have nothing left for ourselves. We need to develop ways of staying close to ourselves, being intimate with our Big U, which gives us the sustenance and regeneration we need. Virgo, in its highest expression, takes the time to take care of the body, its processes and needs. It asks us to notice what feelings we are not expressing, that need expression for our wellbeing, for our grounding in the physical. If we refuse to connect with and make contact with our deeper feelings, we will exist in more duality. Our deepest feelings take us out of the realm of duality and into our contact with our essence.
So how can we become more aware of these unhealthy drives? It’s good to recognise our internal conflict in terms of opposing roles, needs, demands and where they meet and we are forced into the soup. Sometimes we believe that we can do all things, fulfil all roles at all times, we forget that if we focused on everything at all times, we will achieve nothing. This is where honing and concentrating our energies, will and drive is useful, streamlining and making choices from the deepest part of us. We steady ourselves when we connect with the Big U.
It’s good to know that our more negative tendencies often stem from the past, perhaps a parental or authoritative figure who still has a decisive voice in our minds or life, who is internalised, telling us to try harder and be more. Of course when this is like a coach, it works, when it turns into a critic, it causes harm. A constant reminder to be better at any cost, in later life turns into guilt and ‘I will only accept myself and my life if…’ and some people unwittingly ignore their body’s signals and work themselves into the ground. It’s a good idea to have a frank conversation with the part of you that disturbs you the most. Play that figure and get a friend to question and challenge your figure, answer from that figures place and really get to understand how they see things.
But we must also stop and allow ourselves to be satisfied with what we have achieved, attained or are learning right now, and to take it one step further, we must align ourselves with our present reality, rather than pushing for a reality that doesn’t yet exist or isn’t meant to exist. This process of striving takes us away and out of reality, away from the present moment, essentially dissociating us from life and our bodies. Calling upon your Big U to bring self-acceptance and compassion for all the parts that drive us to despair helps expand who we are and stay connected to our wholeness.
It’s about being at peace with our reality and ourselves, knowing our limitations and boundaries and being at peace with them too, being able to say no gently to ourselves and others. It’s a yin approach to life, it’s a body approach, it’s a felt experience. This softening and yielding attitude allows us to absorb and internalise the astrological energies rather than fight them, transforming the experience into a deeper understanding of who we are right now. Sometimes we need less expansion and more depth, more no and less yes, and with the Sun now moving through Scorpio, this depth and intimacy will be supported.
So instead of living in this constant state of hope or a better future or a better me in the future, instead choose to be in the here and now, with yourself as you are, and recognise that as imperfect as we all are, we love and accept ourself fully and completely, regardless. This is the highest love, the highest perfection, loving who we are as we stand today.
Going deeper into ourselves is relieving at this time. Also journeying down into mother earth can be an incredible way to surrender these ideas of perfection and conflicting demands. Imagine sending all your roots down into mother earth, wrap them around sediment, rocks, tree roots, crystals, keep going down until you reach larger crystals. Keep sending that energy down until you reach the earth’s centre, where you see an inviting cave. Step into that dark cave and there is Mother Gaia sat on her throne. Go and sit in her lap and just BE, let go of everything and reconcile yourself to your life in all its perfect imperfection. Give her whatever you need to, let it go. And feel how amazingly perfect it can be to be imperfect.