RITUAL OBSERVANCES

FULL MOON CELEBRATIONS

Taurus:  Key 5, Vav, The Hierophant,

Taurus is a sign of stability and security. The bull gives the idea of earthy hard work with abundant reward. It is a fertile, feminine, receptive (negative). Earth elements are practical and exacting. Taurus is fixed earth. Fixed signs are determined and persistent. Taurus rules architecture, banks, jewelry, music, purses, and wallets. It is a good sign for material manifestation of an enduring nature. Taurus is ruled by Venus, and so relates also to the throat chakra which is known esoterically as the Venus center.

A Taurus full moon provides much positive energy for magical work of increase in material abundance, work-related needs, physical healing, and all types of workings which benefit from solid, steady earth energy. A Taurus dark moon is ideal for contacting the Inner Teacher through meditation, divination, or spirit vision work - especially if done is a beautiful, wild place in Nature.

Virgo:  Key 9, Yod, The Hermit, (Virgin),

Virgo is a sign of exacting practicality. Its quality is mutable, meaning adaptable and flexible. Virgo rules chemistry, craftsmanship, first aid, herbs, and libraries. It is a good sign for working out details or fine-tuning any plan. It may bring an essence of critical energy in the process and this must be balanced. Virgo is ruled by Mercury. Mercury is esoterically known as the third eye center.

A full moon in Virgo gives an abundance of energy to the development of plans, charging herbs, blessing crops, creative endeavors of all kinds, and overall health.  A Virgo dark moon energy lends itself to efforts to gain more insight into the self, to see one's nature more clearly, and for cleansing and releasing toxins on all levels of being into the receptive, dark earth of the Mother.

Capricorn: Key 15, Ayin, the Devil,

Capricorn is a sign of active practicality. Its quality is cardinal, meaning initiating, the beginning of action. The energy of Capricorn is ambitious, responsible, serious, practical, and patient. Capricorn rules cement, government, ice, mathematics, mountains, and Saturday. Capricorn energy is especially good for organizing and attaining. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the esoteric root center.

The full moon in Capricorn gives energy to increase growth in all material realms - career, money, status, real estate. It is the perfect time to plan, to dream, and to plant a seed for material manifestation. A Capricorn dark moon is a time to seek the deepest mysteries, unbind oneself from unwanted limits, and release whatever delays you.

Aries: Key 4, Heh, The Emperor,

Aries energy is optimistic and initiatory. Its symbol is the ram, the leader who blazes the trail. Like all fire signs it is masculine, projective (positive), and enthusiastic and inspirational. In most astrological systems Aries is the first sign. Thus its quality is cardinal. Aries is inspiration, courage, enthusiasm, originality, and independence. It rules adrenaline, hats, fire, sharp objects, and surgical operations. Aries lends positive energy to all work requiring enterprise and initiative. It is the pioneer, the warrior, and the initiate. Aries is ruled by Mars, the sacral chakra.

The Aries full moon is good for invoking energy, courage, warrior energy, for healing depression or inertia, and for initiations of aspirants and of projects. A dark moon in Aries is a good energy to use for seeking inner initiations and contacts with the higher levels of existence as well as for banishing with fire.

Leo:  Key 8, Teth, Key 8,

Leo brings a regal energy of confidence and leadership and generosity. Its sign is the Lion, symbol of dignity, courage, affection, and power. It is a fixed sign, determined and steady in nature. Leo rules cards, entertainment, forests, ovens, and stadiums. This sign projects energy that is generous, positive, loyal, affectionate, and enthusiastic. It is fiery will power. There is a tendency toward an increase in intolerance and self-centeredness in the Leo energy that must be balanced. Leo is ruled by the Sun, the heart center.

The full moon in Leo is very good energy for claiming power, increasing courage, inspiring generosity, fame, creativity, and good luck. The qualities of the moon are flashy and highly energetic. A good energy for big rituals, big projects. The energy can be used to expand oneself into the light. A Leo dark moon brings the greatest light into the darkness and can heal deeply hidden wounds, self-esteem, lack of confidence and lack of love.

Sagittarius: Key 14, Samekh, Temperance,

Sagittarius is the archer, the arrow, representing the attempt to liberate oneself from the lower nature.  Its quality is mutable, adaptable. It is a sign of great freedom and liberation on all levels. Its energy gives an ability to foresee the future and plan accordingly. It is optimistic, dependable, friendly, honest, and versatile. It finds a solution, a way to reach the goal of spiritual truth. Sagittarius rules altars, archery, dreams, foreign affairs, and travel. Its ruler is Jupiter, the beneficent one, the solar plexus.

The full moon in Sagittarius gives an energy of positive, forward-looking fire, aiming directly at the goal. It is good for blessing travel or to begin travel, for study, planning, big ideas, a good time to start any type of journey or endeavor. It is a highly spiritual energy.  The Sagittarius dark moon is a time to let go of pettiness and to heal and forgive quarrels and misunderstandings, to cleanse yourself of the dross and move nearer to Spirit.

Gemini:  Key 6, Zain, The Lovers,

Gemini is the Twins, an energy that sees both sides of any question and fans the mind to be interested in every new idea presented. It also represents the Higher Self and the lower self as they begin to operate together.  It is a masculine, positive (projective) air sign. Air is intellectual and communicative. 

Gemini's quality is mutable, flexible and adaptable. So Gemini energy lends itself to an adaptable intellect. It is friendly, witty, eloquent, versatile, and perceptive. There is a tendency toward impatience which must be balanced to gain most benefit from this energy. Gemini energy is quick thinking but not always thorough thinking. It is a good explorer of ideas and communication. Gemini rules automobiles, books, computers, messages, and post offices. It is ruled by Mercury, the messenger of the Gods.

The Gemini full moon is good for invoking or increasing energy in writing, communication, ideas, learning, contacting people or spirit forces, travel, and clearing the air. A dark moon in Gemini is time to clear up misunderstandings, receive inner guidance on projects, analyze the mysteries, and to clear the air of old or negative energies.

Libra:  Key 11, Lamed, Justice,

Libra's scales refer to balance, equilibration, and weighing all factors before a decision. It is a masculine, positive (projective) sign and its quality is cardinal. So it generates an energy of initiating ideas or intellectual endeavors. Its energy is diplomatic, cooperative, helpful, idealistic, and sociable. It brings a tremendous energy of balance, harmony, beauty, and symmetry. Libra rules alliances, cosmetics, furniture, poetry, and social affairs. Venus rules Libra, bringing a strong love vibration into the beauty of balanced ideas and creative endeavors.

The Libra full moon is excellent for workings of love, creativity, music, art, dance, contacts with great people, and for celebrations of all kinds. A Libra dark moon is a time to see what is weighing you down, what is out of balance inside and outside, and cutting it out, letting it go.

Aquarius:  Key 17, Tzaddi, The Star,

Aquarius is an air sign with a watery glyph for its symbol. The waves of water symbolize knowledge poured out upon the world. This knowledge flows out from the superconscious mind to humanity. The water symbolizes the intuition. Aquarius is also called the water bearer, and is represented by the human among the four holy living creatures. A masculine, positive (projective) sign, Aquarius's quality is fixed - determined, persistent. This is the steady force of intellect. The energy of Aquarius is friendly, original, intuitive, open-minded, and helpful. Its lofty intellectual nature brings knowledge and truth from the highest realms. It is very beneficial to humanitarian efforts.  Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the representative of the Superconscious source.

The full moon in Aquarius is good for researching ideas, networking, increasing intuition and psychic abilities, organizing, and taking in or bringing great power into rituals and projects. The Aquarius dark moon energy encourages letting go of the small self and mind, petty concerns, and all things that are not in line with the highest ideals of truth.

Pisces: Key 18, Qoph, The Moon,

Pisces' symbol is two fish joined together by a cord. One fish represents the personality; the other is the soul. They are linked by a cord but each fish is trying to move in the opposite direction. One of the fish must become the master to complete the journey. Pisces is a feminine, negative (receptive) water sign. Water describes feelings, emotions, and responsiveness. It is also the intuition, imagination, and subconscious aspect of the self. Pisces energy is mystical, visionary, psychic, compassionate, imaginative, and self-sacrificing. Its quality is mutable, adaptable. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, planet of the mystical waters.

The Pisces full moon is a wonderful energy for increasing inner contacts, mystical knowledge, to have a vision, and for divination. It brings power to love, clairvoyance, and dreams. It is a good time to talk with the Spirits. A dark moon in Pisces increases its inward and mystical nature. This is a time for underworld journeys, deep trance states, shamanistic healing work, finding the power in the deep dark sea.

Scorpio:  Key 13, Nun, Death,

The glyph of Scorpio (an M with an arrow) symbolizes the male sexual organ. Other pictures used to describe it are the Scorpion, the Serpent, and the Eagle. Scorpio energy is cunning and powerful, unexpected and majestic. It has the ability to rise above the world. It is a feminine, negative (receptive) sign. Its quality is fixed. Scorpio energy is ambitious, efficient, courageous, resourceful, and highly intuitive. It is powerful enough to bring enjoyment to impossible tasks. Scorpio energy is potent desire with great strength for good or for bad. Other words that describe Scorpio energy are analytical, reasoning, keen perception, magnetism, and intensity. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, planet of death, rebirth, and regeneration.

A Scorpio full moon is a time of great power. It can be used to do battle with forces at all levels, bringing great courage to face any and all difficulties. It is the birthday of Siddhartha Buddha, and is celebrated as the Wesak festival by the Masters at their retreat in the mountains of Tibet. The Scorpio dark moon is a time to seek your inner power, to remain in the depths absorbing all that the deepest mysteries have to give you.

Cancer:  Key 7, Cheth, The Chariot,

The Crab symbolizes the watery, protective energy of Cancer. Its glyph represents the breasts, showing its feminine, nurturing qualities. Cancer is referred to as the Great Mother. It is a feminine, negative (receptive) sign. Its quality is cardinal, initiating feelings. Cancer energy is sympathetic, industrious, giving, sociable, protective, nurturing, and domestic. It generates an atmosphere of empathy, love, and loyalty, and stimulates the powers of memory and imagination. Cancer energy feeds needs on all levels. Cancer rules bakeries, boats, buildings, lakes, plumbing and the public. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and its energies wax and wane in the endless rhythm of the Cosmic Mother. It is naturally psychic and inspirational.

The Cancer full moon brings the Winter Solstice, the time of the Great Mother. It is a celebratory, psychic, nurturing, need-meeting moon when hopes and dreams can be shared with, nurtured, and met by the Great Mother. It lends great energy to workings related to family matters, the home, fertility, and emotions. The dark moon in Cancer is the time of the Crone, the wise-woman of the mysteries. Its energy is cleansing but it is also good for divination, inward understanding, consecrations, baptisms and initiations into the higher, deeper mysteries.