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Wesak: One with Wild and Pure Moonlight

By Dana Gerhardt

May’s Full Moon annually brings the festival of Wesak (or Vesak). Known as the “Buddha’s Birthday,” this centuries-old festival honors the three best moments in Buddha’s life: birth, enlightenment, and death.  More broadly, we celebrate the very idea of enlightenment—how regularly it is born, lives, and dies in us. We awaken to our spiritual potentials, we have a peak experience, and inevitably, we lose it.

During Wesak we celebrate the gestures, thoughts, and attitudes of Enlightened Mind. It’s widely believed that during May’s Full Moon, the potential to expand your consciousness is greater than at any other time of the year.

In some temples, only white will be worn, vegetarian foods will be eaten, while the Buddha’s precepts are contemplated and observed. Sometimes animals, birds, and insects are released in a symbolic gesture of bringing freedom to all beings (lately, the thinking is that such acts, like releasing doves at weddings, actually endanger the animals being “freed”).

A better policy on this day is to follow Nature’s example. Notice all that surrounds you. Nature is sponsoring a wild festival of beauty. Likewise, become an agent of beauty and happiness. Bring joy and ease to any places or people that you see who need this.

And make some time for enlightenment to reach you. On special nights like this one, you can tap into a river of devotional energy that is flowing around the globe, driven by the joyful hearts of sincere devotees around the world.  At such times, those with a strong daily practice are supercharged and can drive the rest of us, who are also being empowered to transcend our limits. On Full Moon night, join this sacred river.

Creating sacred space

First, surround yourself with a zone of peace. By this I mean, tune into your personal space, the arms-length energetic egg that is around your body. Take its measure. Then re-calibrate it. Tune this energetic space towards feelings of safety, strength, and peace. This zone protects you and it acts as a filter, allowing all that is illusory to fade away. This is how, energetically, you gradually bring yourself into the moonlight.

Use imagination. This is your ready magic wand to deepen your experience. Imagine that a diamond-pure Full Moon appears in the sky of your heart. Meditate on this inner Moon. Perhaps you see it as part of a nature scene, with the Moon being reflected on the surface of a serene lake.

If you also have a view of the outer Moon, in the sky above or appearing through a window, notice the resonance between these two, the imagined and the real.  This alters the energetic egg around your body. Notice how, subtly or powerfully, your inner and outer Moons both expand. Eventually they meet each other and become one Moon.

Can you sense something like crystal light in the air around you? Perhaps there’s a sound. Tune into the cellular level of your body. Can you experience the way your cells are radiating too? Your mind should be quite relaxed by now. Let any remaining details of your self fall away. Dissolve your opinions, needs, and sorrows. Feel into this reality where you’re one with wild and pure moonlight.

Stay with this as long as you feel comfortable. Then, slowly, return to your individual consciousness. It may help to drink a little water. Make sure you’re well-grounded before rising and getting into motion. Massage your feet. Before standing, behold. Notice three things in your immediate environment that you’re grateful for.

Throughout the month, keep the memory of this Wesak Full Moon, like a secret, in your heart.

Which Moon were you born under?  Find out with your free moon phase report here.  

Love the Moon? Enjoy monthly insight, inspiration and support with Dana’s Moon workshop .  Discover the ins and outs of your natal Moon with a Moonprints.   

Got a birthday coming up?  Be sure to order your Solar Return! 

Filed under: Home Full Moon Post 3

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.

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The Moon is in its
Disseminating Phase

in the
Sign of Leo


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Uranus, 8:13am  Dec 3 2023
  • Moon trine Sun, 9:34am  Dec 3 2023
  • Moon sextile Venus, 2:11am  Dec 4 2023

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Libra


Enroll in Dana Gerhardt’s Moon Workshop!
Your Venus Unleashed!
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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

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.