The Full Moon in LEO will grace the sky on January 25th reaching peak illumination at 12:54pm ET.
This blog post covers all you need to know about the Leo Full Moon along with a simple eco-somatic ritual to explore.
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 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 these new learnings and discoveries.
This Full Moon falls within the sign of Leo, about 10 days leading up to the next cross-quarter seasonal threshold celebrating early Spring. Keep reading to learn how you can use this moon portal to explore new dimensions of self seeking expression in the world.
Full Moon Energy
Since the moon is the closest "planet" to Earth, this satellite zips around the zodiac very quickly, completing its round in less than a month. Actually, the entire trip takes 29.53 days, to be exact, and is measured from one new Moon to the next. We call this a lunation or lunar cycle. The peak or mid-point of every lunation happens on a full Moon.
This Full Moon in Leo marks the mid-point of the current Capricorn lunar cycle. 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. In this case, the influencing energies of Sun (Aquarius) and Moon (Leo) are in a dynamic conversation that we will explore.
You can think of the Full Moon phase as a culmination moment in a particular energetic cycle, where some inner change, new awareness, or intention that was revealed six months ago is reaching maturation, coming into full form, or manifesting in some way. The bright light of the full moon illuminates or brings to the surface something that is ready to be seen, integrated or incorporated more deeply into who you are becoming. Full Moon energy is a time for honoring the journey, celebrating your growth, offering gratitude and being with any grief. It can be an
Leo Full Moon Insights
SYMBOL: THE LION - Throughout history, the lion has symbolized sovereignty, power, and courage.
PLANETARY RULER: SUN - the giver of life, represents our conscious mind, our will to live and our creative life force.
ELEMENT: FIRE - element of transformation, death and rebirth, destruction and creation, purification and passion.
HOUSE: 5th HOUSE - associated with creative self-expression, pleasure and entertainment, all forms of "play".
MODALITY: FIXED - seeks out stability; can be committed, focused and resilient.
Two weeks ago, the New Moon in Capricorn was supporting you to create necessary structural changes for rebirth by inviting you to get really honest about how you've changed and what's important to you now so that you can use your precious energy by working with the raw materials of your life toward a larger vision. Having a clear sense of who you are and what you're in devotion to is absolutely critical for manifesting the visions you carry for our world.
As we move through Nature's Arc of Change, we are less then two weeks away from the next cross-quarter seasonal threshold marking the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Many earth-rooted european cultural traditions are associated with this time of year, some of which include: Imbolc or Imbolg (Irish pronunciation: [ɪˈmˠɔlˠɡ]), also called Saint Brigid's Day or the Feast of St. Brigid (Irish: Lá Fhéile Bríde; Scottish Gaelic: Là Fhèill Brìghde; Manx: Laa'l Breeshey), Disting, Lubercus, Candlemas, Candlelaria, the Snowdrop Festival, among others.Though Winter is still all too present above ground, something deep below begins to awaken and quiver into consciousness.
With the Sun now in Aquarius our focus turns toward the collective. This Leo Full Moon emphasizes the unique role you play and power you have as an individual to shape change. Leo is the sign of the courageous, big-hearted lion: a symbol of strength, power and inner authority. White supremacy culture and colonial capitalism would like to have us believe that strength and power is lies in our ability to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and comes from dominance, hoarding wealth, climbing the class ladder, and achieving material superiority. This is false power. True power comes from within and is rooted in revolutionary love; the kind that liberates us from external trappings and false illusions of power. Revolutionary love helps us to see ourselves in others, to know ourselves as an expression of the whole, to act wisely in accordance with nature's intelligence, to live from truth and in alignment with our deepest held values.
Nature reveals that the process of awakening is not for the faint of heart. It takes great coeur-age (bravery of heart) to meet life at the edge of our comfort zone which is how we grow and support the collective to expand toward new horizons. This Full Moon is inviting you to courageously step into your fire, into your power, into your voice, into your creative self expression as an extension of the collective. Leo demonstrates the necessity of our being here and that playing small isn't an option. We each must come into our power and in doing so, find pride and joy in existing!
What you need to know about Leo
THE FIXED CROSS
This Fixed Cross (highlight in green) is one of the three zodiacal crosses. The Fixed Cross represents the
conscious development of awareness and the growth process.
"Fixed signs are still and inward, drawing energy to themselves rather than thrusting outward. They correspond elementally to water and geometrically to the in-drawing circle."
- Vicki Noble, Motherpeace
Leo is the fixed fire sign (circled in the diagram here), opposing it is the fixed air sign of Aquarius which creates one of the axis of the Fixed Cross. The two masculine elements (Air and Fire) always create an axis and the two feminine elements (Water and Earth) create the other axis. Each cross contains each of the four elements. In this case the fixed signs are represented by: Leo (fire), Aquarius (air), Taurus (earth), and Scorpio (water).
ELEMENT: FIRE
Fire is the element of transformation, death and rebirth, destruction and creation, purification and passion.
"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
RULING PLANET: SUN
Leo is ruled by the Sun. The Sun represents the active, engaging, life-giving force of self. It is the ruler of our ego, will, creative force, and conscious mind. The sun illuminates, gives us the ability to see clearly and nourishes all life.
CONSTELLATION
Leo is a great constellation to find in the Spring night sky on the northern half of the world — particularly in late March, April and May. Leo appears in the early evening and is visible for most of the night.
According to EarthSky, you can find this constellation by:
"Finding the bright star Regulus, then trace out a distinctive pattern of stars shaped like a backwards question mark, known as The Sickle. This pattern represents the Lion’s mane.Remember, you are looking for a backwards question mark pattern. Leo’s brightest star, Regulus is a sparkling blue-white beauty of a star, located at the bottom of the backwards question mark pattern. Regulus depicts the Lion’s heart."
Leo Ritual Elements
Leo New Moon Ritual
What You'll Need
1. Elements for your altar. Drawing on the Leo 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, or a yellow flower for example.
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.com (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 a prompting 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 negative energy from your space, as well as energy that’s just 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 BODYMIND
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 supports your exploration of embodied, earth-based spirituality and has the potential to deepen your relationship to the energetic archetypes of each moon cycle.
To set up your altar, simply play with any number of the ritual elements offered above in the chart by using symbols, colors, precious gemstones, symbolism, 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: Awakening the Power of Self Expression
For this practice we draw upon the creative element of fire in connection to Leo's ruling planet, the Sun. As part of the practice, we offer you a Golden Milk recipe that supports your heart and blood circulation. If you are able, we invite you to enjoy this practice outside in the morning as the sun rises. Alternatively you are welcome to do this outside at any time of day or inside next to a window where the light streams in.
MATERIALS:
1. Golden Milk
1 c of milk
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of black pepper
1 Tablespoon of pure maple syrup or honey (or other sweetener of choice)
Instructions:
Warm your milk and oil over the stovetop until as hot as you like it and the oil is melted. Be sure to stir to avoid burning.
Add your spices and sweetener to the milk.
Blend well together.
Pour in your cup and enjoy!
2. Art supplies
Bring materials to paint, color, draw.
If you prefer to color, consider google searching “Sunset Coloring Page” ahead of time.
3. Journal for reflection
4. Blanket or chair for sitting outside on the grass if applicable
STEPS
Begin by gathering all your supplies, making your warm golden milk and finding your way to your location.
Once you arrive, take a few minutes to get settled, laying out all of your materials.
Then shift toward a standing posture facing the direction of the Sun. Close your eyes and feel the light against your skin. Breathe slowly, softly and deeply as you imagine the light entering every skin pore.
Inhale and lift your arms and heart toward the Sun. Enjoy several rounds of breath as you breathe into the front, sides and back of the heart, reaching your fingers and breathing spaciousness all throughout your chest.
Allow yourself to sway and move in any way that you feel called. Follow your own flow and let your inner heat build like the Sun itself!
Give yourself permission to makes sounds, grunts and growls. You might even roar like a lion to activate your heart and voice !
Then when you feel complete, find a comfortable seated posture where you can close your eyes and tune back in to the light of the Sun. Come back to the breath and notice what's different.
Now begin to shift your attention toward creative self expression. See if you'd like to formulate an intention for this portion of the ritual. Speak to your heart, speak to the Sun. Listen.
Then take as long as you want to be in a creative process using any of the materials you brought.
Pause periodically to soak in the soft golden rays of light, notice the way light dances with shadow, and sip your golden milk as you feel the warm wash over your heart and circulate all throughout your bloodstream. .
When you feel complete, stand to face the setting sun one last time. Place your hands on your heart and let out a big sigh.
Journaling
What came up for you during the eco-somatic practice? Take some time to reflect on anything you'd like to hold onto.
Additional journal prompts for the Full Moon:
Where must I show up with courage in my life right now?
How can I offer my creative gifts in service of revolutionary love?
You may also feel called to finishing 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...
Reading
The indigenous heart of the earth
Is awake
It is burning bright
With love as revolution
it cries! Love is not complicated!
it cries to wake up all hearts
Those afraid to feel
Willfully sleep
While we call for their arms and voices
to join us in holding
The heart of the earth
as it burns and breaks
We as one heart say
“do not be afraid”
“we will stand together”
“we are stronger together”
“grief should bring us together”
- Poem by Heart Of Earth
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