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Virgo Full Moon: Clean One Drawer

By April Elliott Kent

These days, the world can seem like a dilapidated vehicle with expired registration, careening headlong toward the edge of a cliff. The sheer scope of humanity’s troubles is enough to make you want to take to your bed, pull the blankets over your head, and wait for it all to pass.

Ideally, of course, we would learn from our current crises rather than simply enduring them – or worse, ignoring them. So how can we transform the demands, frustrations, irritations, and boredom of daily life into spiritual nourishment? It’s a tall order, because for many of us it’s a challenge just surviving our days, let alone mining them for Big Lessons. An overwhelmed mother of two with a full-time job would probably love to spend an hour each day in soulful meditation, surrounded by candles and incense. But between keeping her job, cooking dinner, and keeping one kid from biting the other, she’s got her hands full.

When you’ve got too much on your plate, even the most trivial chores can quickly snowball into Herculean tasks. Take the several baskets of paper, folders, and files piled up right next to my desk that need sorting, filing, and shredding. Every time I walk into my office, determined to roll up my sleeves and get to work, my heart sinks as I survey the sheer size of this pile. Not only does the prospect of dealing with it seem overwhelming, but even if I somehow managed to subdue this pile, another tower of paper would surely rise up in its place.

This, in a nutshell, is what it can be like when the Sun comes together in Neptune, as it does at this Full Moon – overwhelming. And it’s not just papers, laundry, or preparing tax returns that overwhelm us now, but more serious worries such as evaporating retirement accounts and contagious disease. In the wake of the recent, hard-edged conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, we may be finding it especially difficult to contend with terra firma’s recent, violent shifts. When we’re overwhelmed, spiritual enlightenment sounds like one more burden, and it’s tempting to seek escapist pleasures instead – TV, the internet, our iPods, alcohol, food. Retreating into these immediately gratifying mini-retreats, while not the healthiest or most enlightened response, is sometimes the best we can do.

Interestingly enough, the mundane tasks we find overwhelming may potentially provide the spiritual solace we seek. I offer you a tactic proposed by my sensible, Moon in Virgo mother. Growing up, I was an extremely oversensitive kid who generally coped by reading books and as I got older, making music. But there were still days when I felt so rudderless, so completely ill-equipped to meet the challenges awaiting me in the real world that all I could do was to lie on my bed and stare up at the ceiling. Fortunately, my mother was a cheerful sort and regularly dragged me from my pit of despair with a well-timed nugget of Virgo-ish, practical advice. “Whenever you get overwhelmed,” she used to say, “Do just one small thing that doesn’t take too much thought and that you can finish quickly. Clean one drawer.”

How can cleaning one drawer in your dresser, desk, or kitchen help you save your house or send your kid to college? It can’t, of course. It won’t even get rid of that pile of papers in my office. But when you’re overwhelmed to the point of inertia, taking even a single step at least sets you in motion. And focusing on one tiny area of your life—setting a modest goal and seeing it through to completion—immediately gives you a sense of power and control.

Though ethereal Neptune dominates this Full Moon landscape, the Virgo Moon trines four planets in Capricorn. Capricorn reflects a yearning for stability, for rules—for a plan. Unfortunately, Capricorn’s ruling planet, Saturn, can also make us feel as though we’re all alone, and it’s still pretty close to Pluto, which can make the tasks before us seem insurmountable. Saturn and Pluto have been like Godzilla stomping through Tokyo, demolishing structures we’d once considered inviolate. But there’s another way to think about it, too – which is that the dismantling of your external support systems can teach you just how much inner strength you possess.

Our tasks seem to grow more and more difficult, our “To Do” lists longer, and the help we need to complete them in short supply. What’s more, Saturn is moving soon (March 21) into revolutionary Aquarius, which warns that it’s too soon to get attached to any one solution to our problems, because as Bob Dylan once wrote, “the wheel’s still in spin.” But the promise of this moment is that we can, by accepting the limitations of the times and attacking our problems systematically, build a strong foundation for the future – even if it takes awhile to see progress.

So if you feel overwhelmed at this Full Moon, try tackling your days—and your life—in bite-sized chunks. File one folder. Shred one stack of old receipts. Clean one drawer. The world is set on its own precarious course, and it will take awhile for the dust to settle so we can glimpse the long view. In the meantime, as long as you’re breathing you have more than you know. You are more than you know. Just wait and see.

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About April Elliott Kent

April Elliott Kent is the author of Astrological Transits (Fair Winds Press), The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology (Alpha/Penguin), and Star Guide to Weddings (Llewellyn). She has contributed articles to The Mountain Astrologer and Dell Horoscope magazines and Llewellyn's Moon Sign, Sun Sign, and Sabbat annuals. April is member of ISAR, NCGR, and OPA and is a past President of the San Diego Astrological Society. Her weekly Big Sky Astrology Podcast can be found on iTunes and wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more of April's articles at BigSkyAstrology.com

Comments

  1. Nancy says

    Mar 7, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you for your writing, always insightful and interesting and useful. I often clean a drawer and while all else is a mess I can open that drawer and be happy.

    I found a bit of my mom’s writing after she died….her life was full and a bit much for her at the time and she recorded all the “problems”. At the end she wrote “deal with the plums”. Which meant to me choose the thing at needs immediate attention and in spite of all the grander situations in her life the plum tree was full and ripe and deserving of her attention. So when I am overwhelmed I “deal with the plums”

    Reply
  2. Bella says

    Mar 7, 2020 at 6:03 am

    Hi April,

    In my family we say “sending you the Vibes” to represent a shot of Reiki, a prayer, and a big hug!

    So, here’s sending you the vibes:) Thank you!

    Bella

    Reply
    • April Elliott Kent says

      Mar 7, 2020 at 9:32 am

      Sweet!! Thanks, Bella, and sending the vibes your way as well! 😀
      xoxo A.

      Reply

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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


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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.