Moon

Essence -

The Feminine, Subconscious mind, Invisible Realm, Imagination, Emotions, Feeling, Intuition, Past Life Incarnations, Ancestral Lineage, Conditioned Beliefs and Behaviours, Memory.

Symbol -

Crescent - similar to a cup.  It represents our receptive and magnetic nature. It is related to the water element, intuition and emotions.

Ruling Sign -

Cancer - Cancer is the Archetype of the mother, it is a highly intuitive and emotionally driven sign. The Moon symbolises the womb, the waters of creation, emotional intelligence, ancient ancestral memory.

Exalted Sign -

Taurus - Taurus is the Archetype of creativity, fertility and abundance. The Moon in this sign brings imagination to the creativity and it’s water nourishes the Tauruean fertile soil. Taurus is ruled by Venus. Venus in many ways is the Princess/Priestess and the Moon is the Queen. They are very complimentary energies.

Detriment Sign -

Capricorn - The Sign of discipline, structure and order. The watery, fluid, dreamy and changeable nature of the moon can struggle to fully express itself within the controlling, grounded and rigid nature of Capricorn.

Fall Sign -

Scorpio - The Sign of the Witch, Healer, Shaman and Psychic. In many ways the Moon can be very complimentary here because Scorpio and the Moon are very similar. However, this combination can lead to an excess of the dreamy, imaginative, illusion of the Moon. The Scorpio Moon can sometimes end up disconnecting from this realm and losing themselves in the invisible spirit world.

Ruling House -

The Fourth House - the Nadir of the chart. The very bottom, darkest and coldest aspect of the chart - corresponding with the moon’s Yin, night time energy. Here we find the deepest aspects of our being. That which is hidden in our subconscious mind, passed down through our ancestral conditioning. It is the root of our chart and who we are as a being.

Deity -

The Great Goddess or Queen, Thoth - Egyptian, Artemis - Greek, Diana - Roman, Arianrhod - Celtic. Hecate is the Witch and represents the Scorpionic Dark Moon. 

It is interesting to note that Thoth is the Egyptian God of writing, languages, wisdom and invention is the Moon God. Thoth originates from the same root words as thought. Although believed to have incarnated as Hermes the Greek God connected to the waking mind and the planet Mercury. Here Thoth is connected to the Moon, because the Moon is the subconscious mind and our memory.

Like each of the planets there are many, many more Lunar Deities, please feel free to connect with those that resonate with you.

Duality -

Yin

Day of the Week -

Monday, AKA moon day or Lunes (Spanish) coming from the root Luna

Body -

As mentioned in the Zodiac Sign of Cancer the moon will manifest in the body in various ways depending on whether the individual was born closer to Full or New Moon. 

The New Moon type is often frail, weak, slender, petite, anxious and dreamy - they tend to hold little weight and have more of a Pitta/Vata Dosha. The Full Moon type is voluptuous, rounded, full, abundant, strong, warm and generous - they tend to gain weight easily and have more of a Pitta/Kapha Dosha. Those born half way between the two are often 50/50 falling somewhere between the cold dark moon and the bright full moon.

Not everyone has a strong ruling moon, due to its placement in the chart. Therefore, this information may not be relevant to them.

The Moon rules of energy flow and distribution within the body. Just as the Moon rules over the changing of the tides on Earth. 

It is also associated with the breasts, ovaries, womb, ovaries, the menstrual cycle and its related hormones.

Mind -

In the Mind the Moon brings sensitivity and softness. When in balance it brings emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion. It supports the healthy expression and communication of one’s emotions.

When the Lunar type does not have a healthy relationship with the moon it can lead to over sensitivity, a feeling of weakness, emotional imbalance, anxiety and overwhelm.

Spirit -

The spiritual teaching of the Moon guides us to understand the changing cycles and seasons of life. It teaches presence in a world of constant change. It guides us to find and embrace the balance between the light and the dark. 

It can teach us to understand the Karmic patterns we have inherited from our ancestors. As well as the lessons that we have been learning in multiple past lives. From this wisdom the Moon guides us to heal the deepest most hidden aspects of our subconscious mind. It offers us freedom as we liberate ourselves from conditioned patterns and rhythms.

Tarot Card -

The High Priestess - symbolising memory, the subconscious mind that reveals the gateway to the superconscious mind, the balance between light and dark.

Moon Phases -

Dark Moon / New Moon -

The Dark Moon is the Phase of the Moon when the moon completely disappears in the night sky. It is the Dark Night of the Soul for Great Mother Moon. She goes through death to find rebirth at the New Moon. The New Moon is the moment you see the tiny slither of light in the night Sky as she begins the next cycle. 

The Dark Moon is the end, it is a powerful time to go inwards and retreat. To let go of anything you do not wish to carry into the next month. It is a time when life force energy moves downwards. It is common to feel tired and to desire quiet and alone time. The feminine goes through mini death, returning to the lower world to be fully rejuvenated for rebirth.

Moments later the New Moon begins - starting her next journey. During this time most of the energy is within the soil. It is a powerful time to plant literal seeds in the Earth, as well as metaphorical seeds within your soul. This is the beginning. There is no better time to visualise and call in the month that lays ahead.

Both Dark and New Moon take place within 2 days and are often considered the same. They can be likened to Winter. Winter is a time of darkness and cold. The plants on Mother Earth die and return to the soil to become nutrients for Spring. It is a time when creativity and the feminine die. It is a great time to eat heavier, warming, grounding food. A time to be inwards, solitary and quiet. It is a great time to rest.

It can be connected with the time of Menstruation. Just as the nutrients and life force energy move down into the earth, so may our blood be offered back to our Mother.

It is important to note that the healthy menstrual cycle can range from 21-35 days. It is not a given or important that women bleed with the New Moon. The information here is purely to make a comparison between the energy of the New Moon and the energy women may feel whilst menstruating. The same goes for the First Quarter Moon, Full Moon and Third Quarter Moon where I make a comparison to the menstrual cycle.

The Dark Moon is connected to the Goddess Archetype Scorpio. This is the Dark Moon Goddess as she disappears into the invisible realm, into death and then rebirth.

First Quarter -

The First Quarter can be compared to Spring. This is when the intentions that were seeded at the New Moon start to blossom. There is an uplifting and outgoing energy. This is a great time to go out, see people, start a new project or hobby. To eat lighter, cooler foods and to begin exercising more. 

It could be compared to the follicular phase of the Menstrual Cycle. The potential of new life is beginning to grow.

The First Quarter is connected to the Goddess Archetype of Taurus. Here is the goddess in the garden of eden, the middle of spring, blossoming with creativity and abundance.

Full Moon -

The Full Moon is when the Moon is at it’s brightest and most radiant. This is when the feminine is truly blooming. It is the time when the night sky is illuminated. This can be equated to light (awareness) being shone in the dark (the invisible and unknown). It is a time when psychic awareness is opened. It is a very energetic time, unlike the cold stillness of the Dark Moon, it can be very challenging to sleep properly during the Full Moon.

This highly charged energy in conjunction with the increased psychic awareness can at times lead to psychosis. It is noted by many that work in psychiatric wards that there is an increased demand for help during the Full Moon. The word Lunacy comes from the Moon.

Many choose to go out and party all night long at Full Moon Parties. There is an increased desire to go out and be around other people. 

The Full Moon is when we see the full manifestation of the seeds when planted at New Moon. It is a time to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have in this moment. 

It is a great time to do intense exercise and eat more cold salads and smoothies. 

The Full Moon can be compared to the time of Ovulation. There is increased vitality and sexual drive. 

The Full Moon is the Goddess Archetype of Cancer. The mother pregnant with life, bursting in her fullness.

Third Quarter -

The Third Quarter is Autumn. This is the beginning of the letting go journey. Energy levels begin to decrease. There is less desire to go out or to create. 

It is the perfect time to slow down. To observe all that has taken place over the past 3 weeks. A time to consider what it is that you wish to release, to cleanse, to let go of. 

It is a good time to practice more yin and restorative yoga. To increase food intake with denser and warmer meals. 

This time is compared to the luteal phase. The Egg has not been fertilised, there is a mini death of the potential life that now has not grown. It is common to feel sad, heavy or depressed during this phase of the Menstrual cycle and the Third Quarter Moon. Even if you do not wish to have a child there is a physiological depression of the feminine creative force as it prepares itself to enter Winter at the New Moon.

The Third Quarter Moon is associated with the Goddess Archetype Virgo. Here the Goddess sacrifices the seed in her womb and gives herself fully to Spirit.

Summary - 

The Moon is the Great Goddess and Queen of the Heavens. She is the manifestation of the Divine Feminine, the essential Yin Nature of Creation. The Moon rules the Yin qualities of night, darkness, cold, the invisible realm, receptivity, magnetism, emotion, imagination, intuition, fertility, creativity, sensitivity, dreaming and the irrational, non linear, subconscious mind.

The Subconscious Mind is a great way to understand how the moon manifests in our chart. Having the Moon in a certain Sign will mean that the qualities of that Sign are hidden within the subconscious mind of an individual.

The Subconscious mind is where all of our most ancient memories are stored. Our conditioned behaviours and belief systems passed down to us from our ancestral lineage. 

The things that we were told as a child were probably told to our parents by our grandparents. Our grandparents were most likely treated similarly by their parents. And so on and so on back to the root of a certain story, limitation or gift. 

The message that has been inherited could be anything. 

“You will never be successful” “Our family are terrible musicians” “No pain, no gain” “Nothing in life comes for free”

OR

“Everything you need will always be provided” “We are gifted artists” “You can succeed at anything you like” “Follow your dreams”

These messages are going to significantly determine our entire reality. Do we believe we can thrive? Do we feel confident about who we are? Do we feel worthy or loveable? Do we feel abundant, wealthy and supported? Do we feel beautiful?

The seeds that are planted in our subconscious mind determine the kind of work we choose to do (or feel trapped into). The kinds of relationships we attract into our lives. Our sense of purpose and value.

They also determine our patterns and habits.

A child who constantly watches their mother berate their own appearance in the mirror is more likely to grow up with body image insecurity. 

A child who lives in a loving family is more likely to have a positive outlook on marriage and having children of their own.

All of this patterning and belief systems are stored here in the Subconscious Mind and are strongly influenced by which Zodiac Sign is present here.

For example: 

The Libra Moon is more likely to have body weight insecurity, but have a natural gift for Music and self expression.

The Aries Moon is more likely to have suppressed rage, but have a natural gift for self confidence and taking action.

The Scorpio Moon is more likely to be possessive in a relationship due to childhood abandonment issues, but have a natural gift for psychic awareness.

It is important to mention that these are vastly simplified and are in no way the rule! Many Libra Moons, if raised in a loving environment or having done a lot of self healing work, have great body image confidence. Maybe the challenges are instead related to artistic ability, asserting their needs, not being the martyr and people pleaser. The same can be said for the Aries and Scorpio Moon.

So HOW do you know what to say when there are so many possibilities??

The answer is simple…I ask.

Instead of projecting my beliefs, conditioning and expectations onto another I am curious to know what resonates for them. Typically when giving a reading I describe the energy of the Moon. I then explain the Sign that it is in. Then I ask “does any of this resonate?” 

Of course you can use your intuition, read body language, listen to the challenges and gifts the individual talks to you about. And it is always good to be humble, not to put yourself on an all knowing pedestal, and ask questions. It’s a guaranteed way to get the individual to do some digging to find their own answers. It is vastly more empowering as they learn to explore the workings of their Body, Mind and Spirit in relation to the Archetypal keys you provide.

For those that believe in Past Life Incarnation the Moon can represent the lessons and themes we have been working on in our past lives. It offers insight into the Karma that we are carrying. Just like the subconscious patterns that are imprinted at an early childhood and received from our ancestors, our Past Lives can indicate where we have certain inherent gifts and challenges to play with and work out in this lifetime.

I am always very open minded as to whether past lives exist or not. I just openly ask the question without expectation of a certain answer. In my opinion I find the idea fascinating but I have no idea whether past lives exist or not, I have never had any direct experience or memory of one. I believe that if we have had one past life we have probably had many. I prefer to think of the Moon's connection to past lives as offering certain general themes we are working with. Instead of attaching to a certain experience or identity and possibly creating false trauma, or adding another thing to process on the “to heal” list. You are most welcome to your beliefs on Past Lives, I would encourage you to be open minded and hearted to the opinions of those you give readings to.

The Moon often shows up quite strongly during early childhood as this is when we are closest to our past lives. It is also the time when the subconscious mind is being imprinted. 

The Moon being the feminine force can also shine light on the relationship we have with our Mothers. Instead of directly saying “this Moon placement means you have this relationship with your mother” I prefer to say “it could influence your relationship with mother figures” Remember you don’t know if someone knows their biological mother or if they are still alive. It is a very sensitive topic for some.

The Moon moves the waters of the Earth and so does it moves the waters within our being. It is very much related to our emotional patterns, rhythms and cycles. Do we easily express our emotions? Do we feel them intensely? Do we suppress them? Are we emotionally hot or cold?

Both the words menses and month come from the same origin as the word moon. As mentioned above the Moon has a strong relationship with our Menstrual Cycle. 

Traditionally the Moon was considered an essential aspect of our chart. As from reading this I am sure you can imagine, as it truly is the root of who we are and determines so much of who we grow into. It is only since the rise of patriarchal society that people have begun to give more importance to the Sun Sign. In many ways the moon sign is much more specific because it changes Signs every 2-2.5 days, whereas the Sun changes every month.

The Moon also rules the darkness and therefore the invisible realm. She reveals to us our connection to our dreams, psychic visions and awareness. The Moon can also represent our experience of illusions, hallucinations or psychosis. It is a fine line to walk between insanity and genius. When we are able to navigate the confusion of her imaginary realm, moving through the murky waters of our subconscious mind, we can access the superconscious mind. Here we have access to the collective consciousness, the Akashic Records, Astral Travel and Lucid dreaming. We can use this to open the higher consciousness and wisdom of the mind through a channelling state.

Scorpio

Element - Water

Mode - Fixed

Opposing Sign - Taurus

Ruling Planet - Pluto, traditionally Mars

Pluto is the planet of death, rebirth and power. It is perfectly aligned with the essence of Scorpio.

Mars is the God of War, this destruction brings death, which is essential for the cyclical nature of Scorpio to manifest.

Exalted Planet - Uranus - It awakens the spirit with a lightening bolt of self realisation breaking through all separation consciousness. It is highly complimentary with the deep soul searching Scorpio.

Detriment - Venus - The Planet of love, harmony and creation is in opposition to Scorpio the ruler of death, the underworld and the unseen, invisible realms.

Fall - Moon - Although the Moon is a powerful portal to opening ones inner and psychic/intuitive vision when place in Scorpio it can open our third eye in excess or leave us ungrounded, following and illusion. You can always have too much of a good thing.

Season - Autumn

Symbol - The Scorpion the symbol of death, The Phoenix - the symbol of rebirth. 

House - The Eighth House- This house represents Sex, Death and the Invisible Realm. It is a very shamanic house that shows a path of initiation, intensity, healing and power.

Chakra - Svadisthana (sacral) and Ajna (third eye) Chakras. The Scorpio connects both the Svadisthana Chakra and the Ajna. Through conscious sexual practice the kundalini shakti in the sacral chakra can be used to awaken the third eye. Opening and expanding psychic vision and intuitive awareness.

Duality - Yin

Dosha - Kapha - this comes from being a fixed water sign.

Body type - Kapha offers the Scorpio thick, lush and oily hair. They tend towards a sturdy and solid frame. Kapha also offers a strong immune system. Although sickness may be a part of their shamanic initiation. The rulership of Mars brings a dynamic quality, movement in the body is important so that emotions and toxic energy does not get stored in the body.

Tarot Card - Death - this card represents the transition and transformation from one way of being into another.

Evolved Attributes - psychic, intuitive, emotional, deep, powerful, knows how to move energy in the invisible realm, driven, intense, magical, mysterious, passionate, sexual, gifted healers, shamans, exploring consciousness, skilled with money and finances, loyal, devoted.

Challenging Attributes - intense emotional outbursts, jealous, possessive, obsessive, choosing a life of suffering and struggle, resentfulness, tendency to overpower and dominate others, emotional rigidity (fixed water), stagnation, and stubbornness, see the negative in people, collect a lot of toxic energy to release.

Summary

Scorpio is a Fixed Water Sign. This sign moves beneath the surface waves of life to find the still depths at the bottom of the ocean. It is a sign that loves to explore the dark, going to where there is no light, into the invisible realm. This is the sign of the mystic, shaman, witch, healer and psychic. It is often described as the sign of sex, death and the occult. It is the path of power. By learning to see, understand, work with and in some cases maniculate the energetic architecture that designs our physical reality. With this level of power comes great responsibility. This is why the life of the Scorpio is one of the most challenging and rewarding.

Traditionally they are ruled by Mars, the God of War, the harbinger of Death. This Mars rulership offers them a connection to destruction and death. It also gives them an intensity. They live life on the edge constantly yearning for more and striving for deeper. This can make them very driven and passionate individuals. Sometimes this Mars quality when combined with the water sign can manifest as intensely felt and expressed emotions.

As a water sign they want to connect with others on an emotional level. They have no interest in talking about the shallow aspects of being. They want to meet the deepest parts of your soul. Their curiosity in the darkness gives them a fearlessness when it comes to shadow work, trauma and hardship. They do not walk the easiest path, choosing always to go further to explore the entirety of consciousness. This is where they find their truth and understanding. This embrace of the shadow makes them wonderful counsellors, psychotherapists and healers as they do not judge the people who come to them looking for guidance. However, they can unknowingly create a life of greater hardship for themselves than is necessary, due to a subconscious belief that things must be challenging before they deserve the reward or wisdom.

Their capacity to see in the darkness gives them a gift when it comes to communication with the spirit realm. They have the psychic and intuitive awareness to see beyond the physical and into the metaphysical. This often leads them to walking a magical and mysterious path. It naturally supports shamanic, occult and divination practices. 

An invisible energy that creates change in this physical world is money. Scorpios can have a natural gift when coming to finances and money. Some become investment bankers or work with cryptocurrencies. For some it is more than just guesswork of when to invest in what, they are guided by their intuition.

Their psychic awareness offers clear vision (clairvoyance) , clear hearing (clairaudience) , clear feeling (clairsentience) and clear knowing (claircognizance). As a healer or intuitive this is a natural gift. It can also be used for assessing energies within individuals and in group dynamics. With their natural gift for seeing darkness they often see the darkness and shadow within others. When used to support evolution this is a wonderful power. However, it can leave the scorpio judgemental, paranoid and protective. This can make the Scorpio very picky about who they choose to share energy and time with. As a result they are often very loyal to and protective of those they do like. Their fixed nature can at times turn this desire to hold and take care of another into a possessive or obsessive relationship.

The Scorpio being the ruler of birth (sex) and death (release) and rebirth (transformation) live this cycle with strength and power. 

When it comes to sex the Scorpio has a lot of Kundalini Shakti. They have powerful amounts of sexual energy. However, they are not interested in squandering this energy. They choose wisely how and where to direct it. This may be in the form of sexual intercourse, in which case they will want to select consciously who they share it with. In the shadow aspect the scorpio does not yet know how much they pick up from others when having sex. They may sleep with many people unaware of how much self healing and release work they will have to do as a result to untie the karmic knots and bonds they have woven. Once they develop this understanding they tend to share their sexual energy only with those that will honour the exchange and have done a level of self work and healing that matches theirs. Alternatively they may not have much sexual intercourse and instead use this raw life force energy, the power to create a life, to awaken through their Shushumna channel leading to kundalini awakening and expanded consciousness.

The Scorpios relationship with death is intimate. They may experience much loss in their lifetime (or previous lifetimes depending on which planet is present). There is a deep respect for the passing of time and the transition from this life to the next. They are often drawn to work with individuals that are in the last moments of their life preparing them for the unknown journey that lies ahead. They also walk a path that asks for a lot of surrender and letting go. This could be a literal letting go of belongings, walking the path of the wandering sadhu that has no world possessions. It could be in the form of letting go of identities, homes, friends leading to regular ego/identity deaths. It is not the easiest of paths, one that teaches much about attachment. However, as the Scorpio learns about letting go of the physical they create space to receive many gifts, power and awareness in the invisible, spirit realms.This continuous release and mini death ultimately transforms the Scorpio from the symbol of the Scorpion (death) into the Phoenix (rebirth).