Every eighteen-plus years, the Moon sits in a part of the sky where it remains visible for so long that it seems to stand still. Tomorrow, it will be at one degree of Capricorn in Western Astrology. However, in Vedic Astrology, it will be in Sagittarius, in the Mula Nakshatra. This combination in Eastern Astrology is significant.
Would you like to know why? Western Astrology’s calendar is roughly 24 degrees ahead of Vedic Astrology’s calendar due to the Earth’s tilt shifting over the last couple of thousand years. Things are not where they started when viewed from our current vantage point. This phenomenon, called the precession of the equinoxes, represents a 25,920-year cycle. Whew, right?
Before we get lost in that fun and geeky rabbit hole of astronomy, let me explain why I share this with you. I see Western Astrology as charting our exploration in life. It looks ahead of where we began and something inside us leads us to what’s next. It has fewer limitations and strict definitions. To me, Vedic Astrology represents our starting point. It is incredibly layered and structured, and it also serves as a good timer for when things happen.
Both systems provide valuable perspectives, as they are time-tested and enduring in their usability. However, in my opinion, when you combine them, they provide a stunning map for evolving thoughtfully from exactly where you are in this present moment.
This is what brought me to this post. It’s going to differ from your usual Lunar cycle post. That’s deliberate…
The Big Shift
I found it startling that in all my preparation, research, and writing for these posts, I lost my actual celebration of the Moon. I have always been drawn to the sky. Looking up and seeing light that travels hundreds of years to reach me both inspires and humbles me. It dazzles me to know we are literally made of the same materials as the stars. It’s an enduring love I’ve had since childhood.
Yet, I have not done my own Moon work in far too long. Despite my love for the sky and all the magic it represents, my relationship with it became pro forma, tied to expected activities. This SuperMoon, almost at a standstill, aims to change that.
In Vedic Astrology, this Moon’s constellations aim is ruled by one who is out to destroy evil. I don’t want to get into a philosophical debate about evil. I’ve long considered a simple guideline is to read it backwards. Evil is Live in reverse. Anything that keeps me from living is an obstacle that I want to remove.
Which is why this post led me to revisit what I do and why I do it. I invite you to join me in this exploration. While it isn’t evil for me to overlook applying what I share, it is a missed opportunity. There is value in finding practices and rituals that connect me to history as we move into an unpredictable future. Our future emerges from what we do now, making these actions important. Small changes can contribute significantly when we imagine them as part of a strand that continues for another 25,920 years, right?
We live in the end of one long Astrological age and the beginning of a new one. Your contribution is foundational to all that comes after. I want to be part of what inspires you to LIVE. Which is why I stopped long enough to write this post, this way. I want to do these posts from a place that lights me up, the way star gazing does. It’s important that the time I spend bring more vibrancy to what I do and less performance. So, does that appeal to you, too? Then let’s explore…
Finding the connection
What would you like your relationship with the Moon to be? Would some possibilities help you decide? Let me share a few fun ideas and see what inspires you.
First, consider a process that honors the long-standing Earth/Moon connection. The Farmer’s Almanac has a rich history with the Lunar cycles’ effect on growing things. If you’re a gardener, this is perfect for you. Martha White from the Almanac says:
“The new and first-quarter phases, known as the light of the Moon, are considered good for planting above-ground crops, putting down sod, grafting trees, and transplanting. From full Moon through the last quarter, or the dark of the Moon, is the best time for killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops.”
This wisdom comes from generations of people living in harmony with nature. They observed what thrived and noted the timing. You can use the Moon to help you grow both literal and metaphorical crops in your life.
Perhaps you want to connect with centuries of folklore. The Moon was a monthly reminder to honor those who came before us. Its changeability reminded people that life is fleeting and that our lives are possible because of those who are now gone. “Gone but not forgotten” was a significant part of their rituals. The Full Moon was a chance to light candles, sing family songs, or cook meals loved by those who have passed.
Another lunar superstition held that the fifth day after a Full Moon was a good day to conceive a child. You can adapt this to include projects you want to bring to life if you’re not planning for children. The fifth house in Astrology rules children, and five is the number for creativity in the spotlight. What do you want to ‘give birth to’ that you can time with the Moonlight?
For those who love Earth magic, the Full Moon is perfect for ‘bathing in Moonlight.’ If you can’t or won’t lie naked under the Full Moon, you can always put your rocks, gems, and crystals out to do it for you. Some believe this ‘washes them clean of negative energies.’ Let the Moon’s gravitational pull take what’s unwanted and transform it into something else. Like the tide, it simply recedes to make room for what’s next.
Here’s one more idea that tickled my fun factor. The first time you see a crescent moon each month, take all your spare change out of your pocket (or purse) and put it in the other pocket or purse. This ensures good fortune for the next month. You consciously take your ‘change of fortune’ in hand. Have fun with that…
Why Bother?
If this feels like just one more thing on your to-do list, don’t add stress. The Moon cycles and any ritual you choose to create and observe are invitations to expand how you engage with the world around you. For me, acknowledging that I can’t see what’s behind me allows the Universe to have my back as it highlights different themes.
Which is why, when I struggled to write this post, I stopped. Then my curiosity and research revealed the Lunar Standstill event. There are no accidents, right? By the way, watch for news from Stonehenge during this Moon cycle—they are observing how this Lunar Standstill appears there. As for me, I just couldn’t write the same post in the same way. I’m sitting still. When I watched the Moon on the Solstice, it lingered in the tree on my horizon for an extended embrace. Later, when I sat again, it looked like it was locked in conversation with the chimney on the building next door. It was soul-satisfying to witness. So, this Lunar cycle will include more rest time for me.
See where and if that message resonates with you. Perhaps all you need is a strategic pause or two to discover something wonderful or stumble upon something helpful. Whether we stop to think about it or not, the Moon is doing its job. Even a pause to be grateful for the tides is a nod to its hard work. But why not create your own way to engage with the bounty it offers? Put together something that works for you. Something that makes you want to do it. Why not let life include more than deadlines and results, right?
Thank you,
Lisa Greenfield
Please enjoy some fun with the E News Horoscope I contributed.
