Full Moon in Libra, April 2014

“Blessings and the Burdens; It’s all in perfect balance”

The Aries new moon, two weeks ago, started a new zodiac cycle and with it new opportunities. Doors have been opening, while for others doors have been closing, and some of us have come full cycle and are back where we started but with obtained wisdom. The future is still very much unknown, creating a perspective that the glass is either ‘half full’ or ‘half empty.’

Fortunately, the full moon in Libra has come at the perfect time, represented by the scales. This moon reminds us to find balance and equanimity with everything that is happening; what I like to term, the blessings in the burdens, and the burdens in the blessings, as we never have the full picture to make a rational judgement on what is happening.

However, things need to change drastically and quickly if we are going to leave a healthy planet for future generations so prepare yourself for an energetic shake up over the next few weeks, starting with this moon.

If you haven’t been feeling it yet, things are starting to hot up on the planet increasing from the 14th April with Pluto, the planet of illuminating darkness, starting its annual retrograde, remaining in this position until September 22nd. Pluto represents the shadow side, the underworld of our unconscious and urges us to face what is hidden in our personal and the collective subconscious.

When Pluto retrogrades its energy becomes more intense, urging us to face reality, and bringing suppressed truths to light, often creating unpleasant rips in the status quo. It dissolves outmoded beliefs and patterns of behaviour that are no longer serving us. At a collective level it can show us where old belief systems are no longer valid.

To then add to this, on 15th April we experience a total lunar eclipse in Libra that is going to intensify our inner most fears and worries, as well as our joys and successes. It will illuminate both the positive and the negative and without a balanced perspective, things could go very dark!

At the same time, and intensifying this process even more, the coming together of Uranus, Pluto, Mars and Jupiter in a Grand Cardinal Cross is reaching its peak between 20th-23rd April bringing a huge energetic wave onto the Earth that will force us to face our reality – whatever it is.

A Grand cross creates agitation, rather than harmony, when planets oppose each other. With this grand cross we have four planets opposing each other. On 20th April Jupiter, (the planet of expansion) opposes Pluto, (the planet of illuminating darkness) and squares Uranus (Rebellion, ideas, technological breakthroughs). Then Uranus squares Pluto. Next Mars (defender and protector of the community, aggression), squares Jupiter, then Pluto and finally opposes Uranus, and to finish off the process we have an annular solar eclipse on the Taurus new moon on 28/29th April.

The veil of denial will be ripped away during this period and we will get to see reality as it is, and not as we want it to be. For those who have turned a blind eye to what is really happening, things may become very scary, as your foundations become unstable and dreams crumble.

The more we have let go of what no longer serves us, are making conscious decisions, and have a clearer idea of who we are and what we want to manifest, the easier it will be to find the right tailwind and glide effortlessly towards our destination. Fortunately, the moon cycles have been preparing us for some time. However, all of us will now see the results of our inner work and preparation.

Over this full moon in Libra where we focus our attention is going to be very important to how we cope with the coming few weeks. The key to riding this particularly intense and choppy wave is to focus on all the good things, the blessings, that are happening in your life. If you get too stuck in the stories of the past, a lot of pain and sadness will be illuminated, and may even turn you into a pillar of salt tears.

Instead, look to the future and where you want to go to remain calm and peaceful during this time. Take positive steps and actions to manifest what you want and keep looking in front of you, moment to moment.

When we live shamanically, we learn to balance both the positive and negative. We are empowered to be the change, consciously choosing to see the blessings in the burden and taking personal responsibility for every choice and decision we make and for everything that is happening,

If we continue to live as victims of life, another person, or ‘the system’, we begin to dread the future that creates a spiral of fear, creating anxiety and stress and making life unbearable. Life becomes one big fight with what is happening. Our denial that we have anything to do with it, that it’s someone else’s fault, can keep us locked in this stalemate for a long time.

Fortunately, the Venus/Jupiter trine in Pisces on 17th April, is easing the process by reminding us that we are all one, and to love ourselves and serve humanity. This is the basic premise that can help us adopt a more positive perspective, a perspective that empowers and liberates us. The more we love ourselves, the easier it is to find the balance and harmony, whatever life is throwing at you right now!

I will end this Moonscope with the wise words of Dan Millman from Way of the Peaceful Warrior:

“Pain is a relatively objective, physical phenomenon; suffering is our psychological resistance to what happens. Events may create physical pain, but they do not in themselves create suffering. Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is…The only problem in your life is your mind’s resistance to life as it unfolds”

Love and Blessings to my moon sista Rebekah Shaman for this post.
www.rebekahshaman.com

An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It’s a black fly in your Chardonnay
It’s a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn’t it ironic… don’t you think
It’s like rain on your wedding day
It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid
It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
Who would’ve thought… it figures
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
“Well isn’t this nice…”
And isn’t it ironic… don’t you think
A traffic jam when you’re already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It’s meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn’t it ironic…don’t you think
A little too ironic…and, yeah, I really do think…
Who would’ve thought… it figures
Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you,
Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out

Helping you out ~ Alanis Morissette, Ironic

Full Moon Ritual

To really connect with this Moon, sit by some water and observe the reflection of the full Moon on the water’s surface, as it shifts and changes. Be still, becoming aware of your breath. Silently ask the Moon if she has a message for you, regarding a relationship, business or personal aspect of your life, where you need to find balance.

If you need to make a decision that can’t be worked out from a rational perspective, go into the silence and from that silent, peaceful, calm space within allow yourself to be guided to what you need to do, where you need to go, or who you need to call. Trust that your heart has a greater perspective and is urging you forward, even if you can’t see all the options open to you at this moment.

This is a good time to make peace with anyone at work, or close relationships that have become disharmonious. Use the moon energy to let go of any pride and ego that are contributing to the problems and be the one to make the peace and heal the wounds. Practice this effective Kundalini Yoga exercise Ego Eradicator to help you with this.

This is a great moon to clean your crystals. Bury them in the earth the night before the full Moon for three days so they imbue the energy of Mother Earth, as well as the energy from the light of the Moon and the rays of the Sun.

Over the Easter weekend make the effort to connect with friends and family, especially if you have been a recluse recently. Share a meal and take time to listen to a friend in need. If there is something you have needed to say to someone, don’t harbour ill feeling, find a good moment and say it without blame. The Libra energy will help you to see the other person’s perspective so you can find resolution.

This full moon in Libra also encourages us to make our surroundings beautiful and harmonious. This is the perfect time for that clean out you have been promising yourself. Use the energy to re-arrange, re-decorate and restore the balance and freshness of your home.

Be ruthless, clearing out anything that you don`t need, want or use. This can be challenging but clearing the old allows space to bring in the new. It is a liberating exercise, so really `get your house in order` both metaphorically and physically, in order to enjoy the new energy that is permeating our lives.

Mars Retrograde

1st March – 19th May

Mars is retrograde in Libra, the sign of balance from 1st March until May 19th. During this period things may feel as if they are slowing down again, as we are given a further opportunity to clear away the dross and lighten our lives. Rocky relationships, work arrangements and agreements can dissolve over this period, as it becomes harder to turn a blind eye to what is happening.

We also become more aware of our actions and responses and see where we are imbalanced so we can consciously begin righting any wrongs that we may have committed or where we are not serving ourselves. It enables us to find compassion and empathy, rather than anger and indifference so we can recognise the discord and disharmony both in our lives and in the world. We are being coerced to participate so we can decide what part we want to play in the unfolding story of humanity.