The Moon became full of the Sun’s light while occupying the fertile, earth sign of Taurus.
Full Moons were classically considered inauspicious and challenging. The excess amount of light that the Moon reflects during this time frequently create chaos and crisis. Though this attribution may offend more contemporary sensibilities that want to paint every possible astrological alignment as being somehow good, I have yet to see a full moon that brings peace and blessings on a grander scale.
As the Full Moon initiates the waning season of the year, we also expect encounters with loss, release, and letting go - often centered around the topics associated with the sign placement of the full moon. This can take on a more psychological effect through the spiritual discipline of release. But it can also global privation loss, and lack.
This full moon occurred in Taurus - a sign that carries deep associations with food, sustenance, and material security. I am struck by the great amount of material instability that has taken over the world - especially my home country of the United States - in the buildup to this full Moon: delays and reductions to SNAP benefits and food stamps will potentially leave many people hungry. But beyond the US, the specter of material insecurity looms in the economies in South America and the uncertain futures for Palestine and Sudan.
Lack of food for the needy; no shelter for the weary; the garden of the Goddess lies barren this full Moon in Taurus.
The Full moon in Taurus brings an apex to the lessons of Scorpio season - a zodiacal period that turns our attention towards loss, privation, and lack. The natural world’s descent into the cold of winter stirs up primal fears of scarcity that inevitably trigger an experience of generalized anxiety as all manner of old wounds get stirred up. As such, we are called during this zodiacal season to do without, and face the fears we hold around not having enough - using Martial virtues of bravery and resolve to face teh shadows that arise. When the full Moon occurs in the sign of Taurus, then the fear comes to a head - sometimes the turbulence of the full Moon simply brings inner fears and trauma to the surface, and sometimes we experience more literal circumstances of lack, loss, and being forced to do without.
For those who do have access to resources, addictions can rear their ugly head during this time: we develop cravings and dependancies to whatever we can hold on to for emotional or physical security. You may have taken great strides in the ascetic practices of letting go and release since the Sun entered Scorpio, getting rid of things that do not serve you and moving forward with the steely, martial resolve to face the shadows. But now with the onslaught of turbulence from this full moon, it is easier to waver in your resolve.
Greed also surfaces. In the face of the inevitable darkness and cold months that are fast approaching, people feel scarcity and fear around their finances and money coming up much more strongly. They want more resources that stave off the inevitable encroaching of darkness, liquid capital that postpones the descent of the world into the darkness of winter, and bribes for the lord of winter to delay his coming.
This tension between the Sun and the Moon also heralds heightened emotions, interpersonal challenges, and social volatility. There’s a classic adage not to do surgery on a full moon, and people who work in hospital settings often find that explosive situations arise much more often on a full moon than otherwise. For this reason, full moons were generally considered to be more malefic and challenging.
Ultimately, the chaotic clamor of releasing control and surrendering into chaos allows you to see release what needs to be released so you can continue with the intentions you set during the New Moon. This Full moon is about learning how to do without - realizing that you don’t need the things you think you need.
The stone emerald calcite is a specific for addictions. Blue calcite is a specific for deep-seated fear and anxiety, and also helped with drug detox symptoms. Both can be worn on the skin, or the blue calcite can be taken internally in an elixir. Place a very small stone in water for a half hour, then discard that water and place the stone in new water for 4-6 hours. The emerald calcite needs to be placed on a small quartz crystal, and then the quartz crystal can dissolve into the water instead – a process known as potentiation.
If you find yourself worrying or filled with scarcity, spend time outside with your bare feet on the earth, in some place where you can’t see civilization. Better yet, sit or lay down on the earth and let her take all of your weight. Watch your breath and relax your body. After doing this for just a few moments, you’ll begin to detach from the human drama and preoccupation with money and all the fears we have around it. You’ll return to the source of actual nourishment, and will be more restored to do your work in the world when you return.
Allow the Earth to hold you in allways during this Full Moon. Let the stability of the ground beneath our feet, and the energetic umbilical cord she provides for us, calm and nourish the frenetic, grasping intentions of the mind. Release your attachments to security, and allow a deeper, more profound, more-than-human source of security to emerge.