The moon: the ruler of your instinct and emotions
(get your natal chart here if you haven't already) The Moon is one of the most important factors in astrology. In your natal chart, she has a triple meaning. For both genders, she represents sensitivity, instinct, the unconscious, and the way you deal with your emotions, your part of femininity, your daily moods, your imagination, and your intuition.This planet, or more exactly, this luminary, refers to your REACTIONS, and not your ACTIONS. The Moon represents the automatic process which rules your emotions, your daily moods, and the way you respond to external private stimuli which are not of an intellectual order. The place where the Moon is found indicates the area which is beyond your control since she is by nature instinctive, changing, and emotional. She also describes your popularity (i.e. your impact on anonymous crowds), and according to the Tradition, to both childhood and the end of life.The Moon (
) is associated with the mother and with feminine energy in general. The Moon is both our inner child and our inner mother. It is responsive, receptive, and reflective. The Moon is our spontaneous and instinctual reactions.
Just as the Moon circles the Sun, in a symbolically protective manner, and reflects the Sun's light, the Moon in our chart shows how we protect ourselves, as well as make ourselves feel secure, comfortable, and safe. I feel that Grant Lewi, in Astrology for the Millions, offered the most evocative description of the Moon when he wrote the following: "When you "know what you mean but you can't say it," it is your Moon that knows it and your Sun that can't say it. "Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears" are the thoughts of your Moon's nature. The wordless ecstasy, the mute sorrow, the secret dream, the esoteric picture of yourself that you can't get across to the world, or which the world doesn't comprehend or value - these are the products of the Moon in your horoscope. When you are misunderstood, it is your Moon nature, expressed imperfectly through the Sun sign, that you feel is betrayed. When you know what you ought to do, but can't find the right way to do it, it is your Moon that knows and your Sun that refuses to react in harmony. Also, when you "don't know why I said that," it was your Moon expressing despite your Sun (if you are innerly satisfied with the involuntary speech), or the Sun expressing against the will of the Moon (if you are displeased with what has slipped out). Things you know without thought - intuitions, hunches, instincts - are the products of the Moon. Modes of expression that you feel are truly your deepest self belong to the Moon: art, letters, creative work of any kind; sometimes love; sometimes business. Whatever you feel is most deeply yourself, whether or not you are able to do anything about it in the outer world, is the product of your Moon and of the sign your Moon occupies at birth." Source 1: astrothemeSource 2: cafe astrology----------------------------
Phases of the Moon and what they mean
Each phase of the Moon resonates with magical significance and astrological meaning.
These meanings spill out into world-wide folklore, sinister superstitions, and even gardening advice. Werewolves, in particular, are creatures of the Moon – transforming themselves by the light of the full Moon into deadly hunters which can only be killed by a silver bullet. Hairy, scary creatures aside…the Moon’s phases are used in witchcraft and magic to determine when to cast a certain kind of spell. New Moons are for beginnings, for example, while the waning Moon is believed to be a good time for banishing things, or clearing negative influences. In predictive astrology these phases reveal different themes in your life, and offer a guide to planning activities, projects, and even study. If you want to try tuning in to these phases you’ll need to observe the Moon every evening, cloud permitting, and check exact details of its phase in an almanac or moon calender. Here are the phases and what they mean:
The New or Crescent Moon - BeginningsIt’s time to begin projects, new regimes, fresh starts. Some gardeners maintain that this is the best time to plant seeds – you can easily imagine that this is a symbol for many things.
The First Quarter Moon - ActionThe Moon reaches her first quarter seven days after the New Moon. Take your projects out there and do something practical about those decisions or wishes you made when the Moon was new.
The Gibbous Moon – MovementThe Moon is now waxing larger as it moves from New towards Full. The next seven days have a forward momentum. If you began something new, like a diet, at the New Moon, you should be seeing some results by now. Not the final results you imagined, but moving towards them.
The Full Moon – HarvestThe lunar energies peak now, fourteen days into the cycle. It is harvest time, possibly for projects begun at a New Moon months beforehand. Results in just two weeks are hard to find in most endeavours……although we can always dream. Emotions may peak one way or another too.
The Disseminating Moon – ThinkingThe Moon begins to wane, and energies and thoughts turn inwards. This is a good time to think about your projects or the direction you are following. Use what you have learned and bide your time.
The Third Quarter Moon – Shuffling the deckIf you need to fine-tune things, now’s the time. It’s about seven days since the Full Moon. Work with what you have, and make it better. It’s not a good time to go after anything new, but a great time to polish up your skills and make things work out. Anything you don’t need, or which isn’t working can be recycled or thrown out now. Needless to say, this is a good time to clear out cupboards, weed your garden, or get a sassy new haircut.
The Balsamic Moon - ReleaseThe waning Moon has reached its last phase. It is a time of release. If you want to let go of a relationship, job, or anxiety this is the perfect time to focus on this desire. You may feel peaceful, or empty. The final days just before the New Moon are also called the dark of the Moon, because it sheds so little light. Symbolically, this suggests the inner world is more important than the outer world at this point in the cycle. source: theastrologyroom
