Saturday, May 21 at 5:14pm EST
Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Sagittarius.
The Algonquins called this particular full moon the Strawberry Moon as it coincides with berry ripening season. In Europe, it is often called the Rose Moon. The Moon will rise at sunset, peak at midnight and set at sunrise.
The Sun and Moon are now in total opposition between Gemini and Sagittarius: words vs. wordlessness, motormouth vs. adrenaline junkie. Whereas Gemini abides effortlessly (although a bit nervously) in the mindspace, the Full Moon in Sagittarius feeds our endless desire for Truth.
Gemini and Sagittarius are both restless, forever seeking, but the twins think too much, as though incessantly squabbling. The centaur sees the best in everyone and everything, always the optimist; Gemini would rather critique than hope for something more idealistic.
The twins resort to logic/conversation/writing in order to understand life intellectually, yet Sagittarius innately recognizes that some things must be experienced to be known: as Tao master Lao Tzu decried, the way that can be named is not the Way. The twins stick together, deeply intertwined in the familiar; the archer shoots bow after fiery bow to illuminate the darkness of the unknown. The Full Moon in Sagittarius is pure spontaneity, like fire rippling in the wind: a force of breadth fanning the spirit’s embers.
Let’s meditate for a moment on the ruling planets of each sign, Mercury and Jupiter respectively. Mercury rules the waking/conscious mind; his duty is to discern, identify and communicate. Jupiter rambles and yearns. The two celestial bodies can be oddly similar in the sense that they switch roles rapidly between escapee and realist. The conflict of the Full Moon in Sagittarius revolves entirely around acceptance - either we see and know, or adamantly deny. We just have to stay honest - abundance comes only when we have first mastered the Self, and in so doing, become fully aware of our thoughts, habits and behavior.
There is a certain seriousness to the unemotional, ultra rational twins. Gemini is well acquainted with so-called “reality.” The twins pick apart everything that happens to/around them. Indeed, the archer is anything but serious. Too much Sagittarius makes life feel hurried, vague, careless, uninformed; too much Gemini makes us tight and rigid. It is unhealthy for spirit to lean so heavily on reason alone, unwilling/unable to relax and allow room for uncertainty and the joy found therein, yet the twins remind the centaur that there is much to be gained from tuning in, finding the realness and figuring out what’s actually gravy and what’s not.
Gemini has a well-defined comfort zone, but lean in to hear him recount at light speed a cornucopia of far-flung experiences. The Gemini cycle is an epic journey filled with twists and turns. Imagine people gathering from all directions to light an enormous bonfire as the full moon rises. Presiding over the flames is Jupiter himself, resplendent in robes of brilliant gold and purple. He laughs and drinks, boogying round the vibrant circle; a drum beat vivifies the forest, feet pound the earth. The Full Moon in Sagittarius reminds us that when the road seems to stretch infinitely and our pack is becoming impossibly heavy, this is cause to celebrate – burning muscles, strain in the heart, dripping sweat – these are all signs that we are ALIVE, so DANCE.
Celebrate the full moon with Sagittarius Yoga.
To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.
Mantra: Truth