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Wide Awake on a Full Moon

By Dana Gerhardt

Here’s a lovely indoor Moon practice that begins as you drift off to sleep.  Sleep is a neglected feminine art.  The researchers all tell us that we need more than what we’re getting.   But researchers speak to us like we’re logical machines. We’re not.  We’re a chaos or a symphony of energy–especially during Full Moons.  It’s not unusual to have a little Full Moon insomnia. Many people–especially sensitives–feel like they’re being kept awake by the Moon.

Alas, this is not true. The Moon of course is not just that round orb in the sky, she’s the Great Mother. She lives within us always. She lives to nourish, comfort, and soothe–not to keep us awake. She sends us our dreams for goodness sake!  With each of her changing phases, she also sends us messages. During her Full Moons she reveals to us the balance (or imbalance) of Sun and Moon energy in our system. If we’re feeling wide awake, this is telling us there’s too much SUN in our system. There’s too much active masculine energy circulating.  The sky gives us a teaching. When the Full Moon rises, the Sun always sets.  If you’re wide awake during a Full Moon, it’s because your inner Sun hasn’t yet set.  Your nervous system is still wired in “active” mode.

For such a condition, the best remedy I know of is to ground.  This captures your excess shakti and sends it into the earth. The simplest and most powerful way to ground is to lie with your back on the ground–though at night, the floor will do. This is a simple but profoundly magical position. I often recommend it to clients. Supported this way, your spine begins to trust and release its tensions. The kidneys and the back of the heart have someone to lean on. You can enhance your experience by gently breathing the length of your spine. Gently notice the internal landscape, from the back of your skull to the tip of your sacrum. Some areas may seem blocked or dead. No worries, just keep breathing.  Nurture yourself this way for 20-30 minutes before slipping into bed (about the same time you might spend watching a sunset). Your nervous system will be calmer.

Next, appeal the to Moon herself.  Ask for some comfort and soothing.  I like to spray a little jasmine into the area of my third eye, receiving the scent as a gift from the Great Mother.  The third eyes of sensitives are often overly active. At night especially, we need this chakra calmed and cleared for the precious dream work ahead.  Essential oils are nice. Most important is to relax the eyes and jaw.  Empaths tend to send their third eyes out like telescopes. Once you know to look for this, it’s easy to discover and correct. Your third eye will be stretched one to three feet ahead of you. Gently retract it. Find the best way for you to draw it back in.

Pictured above is the Sleeping Goddess of Malta, about whom history knows little, but likely your subconscious has already met her many times.  After your inner Sun has set, your third eye is quiet, you can surrender into the body of this Great Goddess as you begin drifting towards sleep. Collect the remaining excited shakti  and let it gently assume the form the sleeping goddess, rising and falling with the world breath. If you lie on your right side as the Goddess of Malta does, you’ll energize your Moon channel, empowering it to do the Moon’s nightly chores.  When sunrise comes, notice how you feel.

If general sluggishness is your Full Moon problem rather than insomnia, you may not be getting enough Sun during the day. Full Moons are revealing. These times represent the flowering of the Moon’s 28-day growth cycle. Yogis and other adepts get their greatest insights at these times. Yet others become werewolves and lunatics. But don’t blame the Moon. It’s all about your own energetic balance. The Moon is showing you, you.

Let an expert in the Moon! Join my monthly Moon Workshop here. 

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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. Edye says

    Oct 25, 2018 at 9:43 am

    Thank you, Dana! Perfection!

    Reply
  2. Judith says

    Oct 24, 2018 at 3:06 am

    BRAVO for this gorgeous piece. can’t even say how well it is sitting…. I struggle nightly with getting back to sleep…this helps me see the masculine energy of problem solving and management (control). asking ‘what would happen if I just slept instead?’ awakening to sleep. glad to be warm and all ready to fall back into early morning deep sleep. delicious.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Oct 24, 2018 at 8:08 am

      Yay! I truly believe sleep is an art form worth practicing these days.

      Reply
  3. Wave says

    Oct 23, 2018 at 10:24 am

    brilliant idea of correcting sleep with more moon and less solar
    🙂

    Reply
  4. gina di cuore says

    Oct 23, 2018 at 10:20 am

    dana, that is a potent and powerful, informative little post! thank you for all ways shining your light on and sharing wisdom so integral to the spiritual growth and knowledge of our circle.
    namaste and love from new york… g.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Oct 23, 2018 at 11:55 am

      full moon hugs, gina!

      Reply
  5. Monica says

    Mar 11, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Thank you for this post. I read it at the beginning of what is going to be a very full day. I decided to take the metaphor of the telescope literally so I reached my hand out in front of my third eye, and “pushed” the telescope lens back into my forehead. Immediately, my breath let go and my body calmed. I’ve known for a while that I need rest, and it’s more than physical. Now I’m doubly glad I decided to go to my community’s morning ceremonies.

    Reply
  6. Karen says

    Mar 10, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    Dana, thank you so much for an incredible article! I learned things I had never before and this really has helped me immensely.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Mar 11, 2017 at 10:57 am

      Glad to hear this!

      Reply
  7. Maria says

    Mar 9, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    Dana,

    My two year-old daughter kept me up in a four-hour stretch last night, supremely uncomfortable and restless. Two days ago, she insisted I stay home with her instead of our usual school and work routine. Instinctively I knew she needed to slow down, play outside, and be nurtured. Reading this post helps me understand why.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Mar 9, 2017 at 5:53 pm

      How wonderful that you listened to your intuition, before your logical mind understood! The mind is slower at these things than our instinctive nature.

      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.