By Amanda Painter
Tomorrow morning, at 7:12 am EDT / 11:12:03 UTC, the Libra Moon opposes the Aries Sun for the Libra Full Moon. While a Libra Moon tends to be a ‘people-pleasing’ placement — an intellectual and artistic Moon that seeks harmony — the chart for this event describes an emotional current that’s under pressure, and which therefore could tip either way: toward creativity or toward disruption.
Shadow Meeting; photo by Amanda Painter.
In fact, you may already be experiencing provocative encounters with certain people in your life; possibly someone is being reactive. Or could it be that you’re the reactive one?
Remember that one inherent property of a Full Moon is that the Moon is reflecting the Sun’s light. It’s a great metaphor for the type of emotional projection that can happen between people, especially if a situation carries unacknowledged baggage from the past, or if a current-moment factor is being left unsaid.
We human beings can have a hard time being introspective when something is thrust in our face; or when too much is demanding our attention around us. Yet one thing this Full Moon appears to be asking for is a high degree of self-awareness — in particular, some self-monitoring of our less-controlled urges.
For one thing, the Sun and Moon are facing off from the very last degree of their respective signs. This may translate to an added edginess — especially since the Sun and Moon are also both in close contact with Uranus in Taurus. The Moon will oppose ‘the cosmic sparkplug’ later on Friday; the Sun will conjoin Uranus on Monday.
Even though Uranus is in a different sign, this Full Moon is definitely running its current — and that might feel like a lot to handle. This will vary depending on your situation: if you’re in a disagreement with someone or they’re pushing your buttons, you may feel closer to an outburst than you’d like. If you’re moving forward with some creative project or self-chosen change of routine, it could be just the added invigoration you need to take things to the next exciting level.
Other factors in this chart speak of energy that’s potentially challenging to contain or direct constructively in its expression. One of these is Mercury, newly in Aries, making a square to the centaur Pholus in Capricorn. I see this as a warning that impatient, impulsive words and choices could have larger-then-expected effects. Mind your Ps and Qs; be direct but gentle; ask rather than assume.
There’s also a fascinating assortment of minor objects closely aligned with the Full Moon — some in the last degree or two of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn), and some in the first degree or two of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius).
Hanging out with the Sun: Terpsichore in Aries (Muse of dancing), and Hygiea in Taurus (relating to health, wellness and cleanliness, and “health through right living with nature,” according to astrologer Demetra George). Flanking the Moon are Hybris in Libra (signifying arrogance, violent or out-of-character outbursts, and going too far); and in Scorpio, the hypothetical point Apollon (expanded wisdom and understanding, named after the Sun god Apollo).
Square the Sun and Moon in Capricorn is Hermes (Greek version of Mercury; cleverness, intelligence, pranksters), and nearby in early Aquarius is Hopi (ambush, physical or psychological attack, territory disputes). Squaring the Full Moon from the other side of the zodiac are Varuna (‘the great equalizer’, punisher of liars and contract-breakers, a creation deity) and Vulkanus (another hypothetical point, relating to vitality, masculinity and volcanic or brute force) — both in the first degree of Leo.
What struck me initially was the reiteration of themes of outbursts, volcanic action or attack. Paired with all of that we get ideas about right relationship and wellness, intelligence, understanding, and equalization. There’s a suggestion of balance here; an illustration of the two main choices anyone has at any given moment, and which are being brought into heightened awareness by this Full Moon.
Leaning into one set of themes, we reap the ability to come into a fuller, more reciprocal meeting with the other. Getting triggered into the other set of themes, we’re likely to unleash more than we’d intended, thereby escalating conflict and diverting energy from things like cooperation and genuine negotiation. When in doubt, or if feeling especially pressured, consider leaving any major decisions or confrontations until after the Full Moon peaks (again: at 7:12 am EDT / 11:12:03 UTC Friday), when you may feel things begin to relax some.
In the mix, as mentioned, is Terpsichore: Greek Muse of the dance. As I suggested in today’s Written in the Planets, with such an edgy, high-voltage Full Moon tomorrow, you may want to start paying attention now to where you feel those edges and jolts, so you can breathe into those spaces. Or, preferably, dance with them.
Oppositions often represent clashes or logjams, yet they can just as easily describe the kind of meeting and negotiation of movement illustrated by two people ballroom dancing. That may be an image that suits the Venus-ruled, elegance-seeking Libra Moon quite well. It’s all just energy looking for an outlet; you get to be as creative and aware in that process as you’d like. You can be the one to ask someone to dance.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio and written signs available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.