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This Week’s Semi-Rare Full Moon Equinox

By Dana Gerhardt

Full Moons occur on Equinox about once every 19 years. 
The last time this happened was on March 20, 2000.  The next time is March 19, 2030.

The really old ones—back  in Mesopotamia four thousand years ago when astrology was born—would look at us on Equinox today and shake their heads.

“Where are your great festivals?” they would wonder.

“How do you keep your people safe, in harmony with the gods?”

In the first New Moon after Spring Equinox, the Mesopotamians would gather.  Each member of the community was enrolled in the job of assuring an auspicious year ahead.  The same waxing crescent we’ll see in two weeks (after the April 5 New Moon) was for them a precise message delivered by divine forces to the human world.  It said, “It’s time to ensure the future health of your kingdom.”

This special New Moon announced the arrival of Nisan, the first month of the year, when nearly two weeks of rites would begin, including sacrifices, purification rituals, divinations, and the recitation of the great epic, the Enuma Elish.  This poem united and relinked the community to their origin story, how from darkness and chaos, the gods brought forth light, grace, order, and eventually, humans, to assist them in the smooth running of things.

Failure to observe the annual rituals would invite the gods’ displeasure.   Such a people would suffer conflict, calamities, and a tragic decline—which is just what happened when Babylon eventually did take its spectacular fall, in October 539 BCE.  Some say this was due to a serious miscalculation made by the diviners.  But in truth, the sacred calendar had been steadily unwinding over the centuries.  The great temples had fallen into disrepair.  The holiness inside the rites had been forgotten.

Perhaps it sounds a little like our time now.  Such is the way of things.  All worlds build and fall apart.  This is a Moon teaching.  Each cycle the Great Mother instructs us in how to behave during both the building and falling-apart times.

At the Full Moon, where we are this week, it’s time for revelations and gatherings.  This is the peak time in the lunar month.  What was true for millenniums of our ancestors–the hunter-gatherers, farmers, lovers, poets and pagans–is still true. We can still sense that Full Moon nights are powerful and celebratory. Even now, if you’re stuck inside a windowless room when the Moon is full, your body will likely feel restless.  Your mind could be teeming with bright or werewolf-crazy ideas.

At the Full Moon Equinox, the Mesopotamians would urge us to pay attention to the divine messages written on the sky this night.   Sadly most humans have lost the art of reading natural symbols directly.  We’re left to approach such events with a fuzzy kind of wonder.  We might think “Wow, Full Moon/Equinox … I hear this only happens every nineteen years or so.”  This thought will capture us for a moment or two then quickly slip away.  Without sacred context, it’s meaningless.

But if you’re one who yearns to go beyond and deeper  …  if you’ve ever secretly thought the gods might still be watching, take heart.  What was long ago true is still archetypally relevant.  March 20, 2019 is a meaningful day on which to offer your attention  to the sacred running of our world.  Take a moment, wherever you are, to step back into the sacred calendar.  This is a potent portal through which to visualize our fractured world made whole again.

In your mind’s eye, gently see it and sense it.  See us all gathered.  Sense our full willingness–around the globe–to write the great new story of our rebirthing.  For ours and our children’s future, for the futures of strangers and their children, for the futures of the rivers, plants and animals in our care, raise hands and heart to the invisible powers.  Ask the gods to help us cleanse, calm, and re-order the Earth into a more loving, harmonious whole.

If we all do this on Full Moon Equinox night, even for just thirty seconds each, this mini sacred rite will ripple out, into the Great Fabric of Things.  And change our fates.  As the gods are still interested and listening.

 

Teterki, Russian rye cookies for spring equinox celebration in nature

Do you yearn for a closer relationship with the Moon?  You’ll find instruction and support in my monthly moon playbooks.  Timed to your location, they include dates/hours for the pertinent movements of the Moon, as well as pages and pages of inspiration.   All you need is the time to pursue one of my monthly suggestions–and then the magic will begin!   Enroll for a month, three months, or a year, here.

Nervous system wired and firing this Full Moon night?  Here’s a fine antidote to werewolf syndrome:  Check out my  Bliss Tapes, especially the calming and uplifting energy meditations for Venus and the Moon.  Each practice is 22 minutes–20 minutes being the minimum time needed to shift your body’s rhythm.  Unwind physical tensions, clear energy channels, and refresh your spirit!

Filed under: Home Full Moon Featured Article

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Katie says

    Mar 19, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    This was beautiful! Thank you, Dana. I was just outside looking at the moon and wondering what was in store and how I should honor it. I will participate as well.

    Reply
  2. Paula says

    Mar 19, 2019 at 10:16 am

    Thank you Dana. Your insights are always uplifting and educational. I’ve learned a great deal from you over the years and will keep my ear to the ground and eyes wide open.

    Love, Joy and Light,
    P.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Mar 19, 2019 at 12:01 pm

      Great! I’m sure there will be signs. Thanks for the nice feedback.

      Reply
  3. Mark says

    Mar 19, 2019 at 6:42 am

    Thank you for this inspirational piece Dana, I will participate in this tomorrow.

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Last Quarter Phase

in the
Sign of Capricorn


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon trine Uranus, 4:09pm  Mar 7 2021
  • Moon sextile Venus, 1:29am  Mar 8 2021

Venus is currently
In the Underworld

in the sign of Pisces


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m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.