The Full Moon in ARIES will grace the sky on September 29th reaching peak illumination at 5:57am EST.
This blog post covers everything you need to know about the Full Moon in Aries along with a simple eco-somatic ritual for you to explore and embody.
In this blog post you will find:
Introduction: Moon 101
The sun and moon are in a cyclical relationship as they weave through the seasons of the zodiac. This celestial dance provides us with an intuitive road map to explore our own inner/outer journey as we too make our way through the ebb and flow of nature's seasons and come into new and ever-changing dimensions of our lives.
While the Sun is ruler of the day and influences our "outer" expression in the world, it is to no surprise that as ruler of the tides and queen of the night, the Moon is also ruler of our emotions and "inner" felt experience. Our emotions have long been associated with representations of water and the sea: fluid, ever-changing, ebbing and flowing. As the Moon pulls at the tides, we also experience this influencing force on our emotions, desires, shadow realms, fears/worries, psyche, and dreams.
Self-knowledge arises through a process of uncovering hidden layers of self through revelation and integration. This process is mirrored in the ebb and flow of the Moon tides which is why it's something we learn to observe and track. As the light of the Moon waxes, more of what lies hidden becomes revealed - our deeper motivations, mechanisms, and feelings. As the light of the Moon wanes, we are given time to integrate new insights, learnings and discoveries.
This Full Moon falls within the sign of Aries a few days after the Sun transitioned into the sign of Libra. Keep reading to learn how you can use this energetic portal to explore new dimensions of self seeking to find expression in the world.
Aries Insights
SYMBOL | RAM: reflects the evolutionary will to survive; the power to penetrate and overcome by asserting strength in creative ways to achieve a breakthrough. Associated with the Shepherd.
PLANETARY RULER | MARS: planet of energy, action, instinct, and desire.
ELEMENT | FIRE: element of energy, transformation, death/rebirth.
HOUSE | 1ST HOUSE: The House of Self rules initiation, identity formation and the realization of one's ultimate potential.
MODALITY | CARDINAL: represents initiation, taking action, and translating formless (thoughts, longings, intuitions) into form (embodiment, service, contribution).
The Aries Full Moon occurs once a year when the sun is in the sign of Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23).
During a Full Moon, the Earth is sitting between the Moon and Sun. The Sun's light illuminates the face of the Moon for all to see. From the vantage point of Earth, the Moon and Sun are dwelling in opposite constellations, thus forming an opposition. This can make for a challenging or intense aspect of energy but also full of potential since the polarities (yin & yang) are in natural harmonic balance. The influencing energies of Sun (Libra) and Moon (Aries) are in a dynamic conversation that we will explore.
The Aries Full Moon arrives 6 months after the Sun and Moon were conjunct in the sign of Aries on the New Moon (Mar. 20th). This means that the Aries Full Moon always arrives after the Autumnal Equinox as nature's vital forces begin their descent underground. Libra and Aries belong on the Cardinal Cross of Initiation. During Libra season, themes of balance, relational harmony and justice are strong. These are important pieces when contemplating the energetics of the Aries Full Moon.
Two weeks ago, the Virgo New Moon Virgo was emphasizing the alchemical process of birthing spirit into form through the path of devotion and allowing your longing to guide you. You were invited to honor your learnings/longings and clarify your vision for the dark half of the year by discerning what's valuable and what's not so as to create more space for what life is calling you toward (separating the wheat from the chaff).
The Aries Full Moon represents the flame of clarity that arises from this process of inner de-cluttering. Clearing away accumulation and releasing heavy burdens creates inner spaciousness and deeper self-knowing. This allows for a long awaited exhale that softens hard edges and outer fixations. The external gaze can finally turn within to the interior hearth flame that is your central self. Occupying this place of center is the point of balance on Libra's scales of justice. It is here where we live with one foot in the world of form/externality and the other in the world formlessness/interiority. Living from the center allows us to weigh all things in the balance and to hold multiple truths all at once.
Full Moon Energy
The moon is the closest "planet" to Earth, thus orbiting the zodiac very quickly, completing its round in less than a month. Actually, the entire trip takes 29.53 days, to be exact. When the moon is Full, the orbit is half way through its full lunar cycle.
A Full Moon happens when the Earth is sitting between the Moon and the Sun all aligned at 180 degrees, hence the Sun’ s light is fully reflecting the surface of the moon. During the Full moon, the Moon and Sun are in the opposite Zodiac sign on their axis of the cross that they represent, forming an opposition, which means that the influencing energies can make for a challenging or intense aspect of energy but also a very potent potential as the Lunar & Solar (yin & yang) are in natural harmonic balance. In this case, the Libra Sun and Aries Moon are in opposition and in balance.
You can think of the Full Moon phase as a culmination point or a peak, and a powerful time to reflect, offer gratitude, honor change, and acknowledge the beauty and mystery of life. Energy is often heightened on a fully moon, so you may feel a burning desire to express yourself creatively as a part of integrating all that you've learned which will support you to let go of any aspects of your life that no longer serve the grandest vision of your Soul.
This is also a great time to revisit your Moon Journal, explore what themes were present in your life 6 months ago, and review your Manifestation Desires. Remember, your Manifestation Desires may show up in unexpected ways and ‘look’ different to your original Desires… as your ‘feelings’ create something more beautiful, more sacred & divine for your greater purpose on Earth.
What you need to know about Aries
THE CARDINAL CROSS
ARIES - LIBRA AXIS
CAPRICORN-CANCER AXIS
Initiatory energy, pushing forward, beginnings, equinoxes and solstices
Cardinal signs align with the seasonal cross points of light and dark. Aries aligns with Spring Equinox, Cancer with Summer Solstice, Libra with Fall Equinox and Capricorn with Winter solstice. The Cardinal Cross is considered a most important set of axis lines. It's the first sign of each element where things begin.
"Cardinal signs are the initiating aspects of whichever element they represent. Like fire, they reach out and make direct contact with reality. They know where they are going. Geometrically, they correspond to straight line." - Vicki Noble, Motherpeace
Aries is the cardinal fire sign (circled in the diagram), opposing it is the cardinal air sign of Libra which creates one axis of the Cardinal Cross. The two feminine elements (Water and Earth) always create an axis and the two masculine elements (Air and Fire) create the other axis. Each cross contains each of the four elements. In this case the cardinal signs are represented by: Capricorn (Earth), Cancer (Water), Aries (Fire), Libra (Air).
ELEMENT: FIRE
FIRE: ENERGY & TRANSFORMATION
SAGITTARIUS, LEO, ARIES
Fire is the element of transformation, death and rebirth, destruction and creation, purification, passion and life force energy.
"Fire is also associated with light, as it often serves as a beacon in the darkness. Fire only exists in the destruction of other materials; therefore it is known as both a creator and destroyer. We often use phrases such as the ‘spark of an idea’ or the ‘flame of desire’, because fire is connected to the vitality of our life force. And when that flame is ignited within us, it gives us fuel to move forward." - Kayla White
Fire signs feel at home in the creative zone of action and initiation as well as the realm of community leadership. They are highly adaptive and flexible in social environments that require team work and problem solving. As strong visionaries they are natural leaders and inspire others toward action.
RULING PLANET: MARS
Qualities: assertive, directed, forthright, adventurous
Mars is the planet of energy, action, and desire. Mars is the push that gets us out of bed in the morning, our drive and desire nature, and our active energy. Our sexual desires come under the rule of Mars. With Mars, there is no contemplation before action. The drive associated with Mars differs from that of the Sun in that it is self-assertion rather than the assertion of the will; it is raw energy rather than creative energy.
CONSTELLATION
Aries the Ram is a constellation of the zodiac, which means that it lies on the ecliptic, or path of the sun and planets through our sky. Currently, Uranies lies within the constellation’s borders.
According to EarthSky:
The best time to behold the Mighty Ram is when the Earth is on the other side of the sun from the constellation. November and December are especially good months for viewing Aries the Ram in all his starlit majesty, for this constellation shines above the eastern horizon at nightfall and stays out for most of the night. Aries culminates – reaches its highest point in the sky – at about 10 p.m. local time (the time in all time zones) in late November, 8 p.m. local time in late December and 6 p.m. local time in late January. Aries is not a particularly prominent constellation, so a dark country sky absent of moonlight is most desirable for viewing the Ram at its finest. (Source)
Ritual Elements
Aries Full Moon Ritual
What You'll Need
1. Elements for your altar. Drawing on the Aries Ritual Elements above, consider what you might want to bring to your altar. Start simple. There is absolutely no need to go out and "buy" altar items. This is something that we encourage you to unlearn. Everything we need is within us and can be found around us. A simple candle will do.
2. Candle & lighter for the eco-somatic practice
3. Journal & something to write with for the journaling portion.
Important Considerations & Prep
1. RIGHT RELATIONSHIP: being in right relationship with your spiritual practice means approaching each aspect with humility, curiosity and reverence. This includes checking yourself on the nature of how you relate to "objects" as things and the process itself.
For example, if you feel called to stones as part of your ritual, consider WHY first. Then contemplate the impact of whatever action comes next. For example, instead of mindlessly purchasing cheap precious stones from somewhere like amazon (which have more than likely been harmfully mined/extracted and then shipped across the world as part of the consumer machine that's destroying our planet), perhaps part of your spiritual practice is to resist such actions and instead take the time to go for a mindful walk in your backyard, or a nearby stream and see if the right stone presents itself to you.
2. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR SPACE: Cleansing, also known as purification, is the practice of clearing out and releasing energy that’s old, stale, stagnant, or no longer serving you. Here are a few different methods:
Physical cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, opening windows for fresh air
Salt: a common element used for purification and protection in many different cultures. To use, simply sprinkle salt along doorways and windowsills to protect them from negative energy entering or just keep a small bowl of salt on your altar or nearby surface.
Smoke cleansing: light incense or burn a bundle of dried herbs such as rosemary, cedar, or mugwort. Choose plants that you have grown yourself or that grow abundantly wild nearby, plants that you have ancestral tied to or just those that have been grown and harvested ethically.
NOTE: If you do not have meaningful/authentic relationships to Indigenous culture and customs, "smudging" with white sage cultural appropriation and is dishonoring to Indigenous nations across Turtle island. It is important to understand that smudging is not just about burning sage to purify the negative energy from your space but is a sacred ritual that is culturally specific to tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Navajo. If you have been gifted sage by an Indigenous friend, use to your discretion in how to engage with this medicine. This sacred plant is being abused, exploited and mass-harvested for commercial and consumer use which perpetuates the violence of white supremacy and settler colonialism. Take some time to locate yourself within a settler-colonial context interwoven with the land you currently occupy. Check out Native Land to learn the name and more about the territories you occupy.
3. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR BODY-MIND
Take a shower our bath; visualize any negative energy that has accumulated in your auric field to be washed away as the water goes down the drain.
Meditate, center and take some time to ground in stillness and embodied presence.
Write or speak your intentions for your ritual out loud
4. BE MINDFUL & STRIVE FOR INTEGRITY ALWAYS.
Altar Creation
Creating an altar is optional. Altar tending is a beautiful practice, especially if you have a designated area in your home that you can tend to over the course of each moon and seasonal cycle.
Tending to an altar is an intentional practice that can enhance your ritual experience and deepen your relationship to the energetic archetypes of Nature's Arc of Change.
To set up your altar, simply play with any number of the ritual elements offered above in the chart by using symbols, colors, precious stones, etc.
There is no right or wrong way to go about creating, tending or being with your altar, however we do not condone cultural appropriation or theft of any kind.
Eco-Somatic Practice: Dance of the Inner Flame
For this eco-somatic we will be drawing on the element of FIRE + AIR since Aries is a fire sign and Libra is an air sign. There will be a seated flame gazing practice followed by slow intuitive movement. To amplify grounded connection, perform this part of the ritual outside, under the open sky (if it's not too windy) or next to a window.
CONTEMPLATIONS:
Consider the relationship between fire and air.
The flame could not exist nor articulate it's expression without air.
Your body is like the fuel (wood). Your central self (inner spirit) is like fire. Your breath is the air that creates movement.
MATERIALS:
Match or lighter
Candle (preferably one that is visible like a tea light).
STEPS:
FLAME GAZING
Begin by finding a comfortable sitting posture that allows you to gaze into the flame without straining your body or neck in any way. Allow your face muscles to soften as you gaze into the candle flame in silence.
As you gaze into the flame, allow your breath to be natural as you inhale and exhale, noticing the rise and fall of your breath as the candle flame gently moves in accordance with the atmosphere. Notice how you move with your breath simultaneously.
Then bring your gaze to the base of the candle where the wick meets the flame. Take a moment to contemplate the relationship that fire has with earth and the ground. Then begin to sense the grounding contact you're making with the earth. Allow yourself to sense the stability that earth provides and your relationship to gravity as you gaze at the base of the flame.
Now allow your gaze to penetrate the heart of the flame where it is most dense. As you do this, sense the source of your own inner light within your heart space. Take a moment to contemplate light as the source of life, the sun and your own heart. Breathe into your heart as you do.
Notice the way the flame moves and dances as it interacts with the surrounding atmosphere. Tune into the beating of your heart, the subtle pulse of blood pumping through your veins, and the vibration of life force energy flowing through all your inner channels. Ride the waves of your inner flame.
Speak to your inner flame and ask this part of you for clarity and wisdom pertaining to a question you might be holding.
FLAME DANCING
Take that question and shift your practice toward intuitive movement.
Begin either lying down, on your hands and knees, or standing.
Find home in your breath. When you're ready, let the question guide your breath to an area inside your body that wants to speak (example: neck, hands, hips, etc.)
Let the breath stoke the inner flame and articulate itself through the language of movement in this area.
Movements should be very slow, soft and smooth like a flame.
The slower you move the more clear your articulation can be.
There's no right or wrong way to do this. Just stay with and follow whatever inner experience or impulse emerges.
Notice if any sensations, feelings or images arise.
Be like the movement of the flame. Responsive and adaptive to what arises.
When you feel complete, find your way back to stillness in a seated posture. Close your eyes to sense and be with the movement of your own inner flame. Simply breath and be here for as long as you desire. Thank your inner flame's wisdom.
Journaling
What came up for you during the eco-somatic practice? Take some time to reflect on anything you'd like to hold onto.
You may also wish to reflect on any or all of the following questions:
How did my inner flame speak to me?
What did I learn about the language of movement?
What is the relationship between my body, breath and inner flame?
How might I continue to tend my inner flame during this time of darkening?
Finish the following sentences:
A habits of thought or behavior that I am releasing is....
A new practice that I would like to incorporate into my routine is...
Something that I am letting go of is...
Something I am welcoming in is...
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