“Every step taken in mindfulness brings us one step closer to healing ourselves and the planet.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
This month, the silvery light of the full Moon illuminates the 1st decan of Virgo, reflecting the Sun’s rays as it shines through the 1st decan of Pisces. The distinctly saturnine vibration of this lunation, with its underlying implications of death and resurrection, is distilled from the Moon’s application by opposition to a combust Saturn, the ruler of the first face of Pisces. Mercury, the ruler of this lunation, is also approaching combustion, which gives an overall flavour of the end of the road. Despite this atmosphere of trepidation, there is also a background tone of optimism, despite everything, an indication that as Saturn begins his yearly encounter with the solar deity, he will undergo the symbolic cleansing that occurs as he passes through the heart of the Sun.
Bringing reassessment to all those areas that come under the dominion of Saturn in the natal chart, this process will be more significant for those with natal Saturn in Pisces. This time, the manifestation of this yearly transit may be experienced as a push to gain mastery over some area of life that has been problematic in the past; at this stage, we might feel the urge to finally sacrifice things that no longer seem meaningful in comparison to the importance of the emerging theme. A sense of refinement and perfection may be in play, with a solid desire to de-clutter, off-load and travel light into a new future, more welcoming and exciting even, unburdened by the troubles we wish to leave behind.
As this Full Moon perfects, we may feel a growing desire to experience life’s profundity, to rise above the boring details and to look for opportunities to gain a greater sense of personal fulfilment, and to do that through our connection with the greater whole. This yearning is part of an expanding realisation in our journey towards self-discovery and an awareness of the dynamism and potential inherent in the universal connection. Right now, the growing recognition that we can actively engage with these life processes, and cultivate a sense of fulfilment is a crucial motive, the understanding that we, as an infinitesimal part of the greater whole, actually contain the greater whole within every atom of our being.
On a collective level, we see the growing power of social movements, powered by the far-reaching engines of the World Wide Web. Humans have an innate desire to belong to social groups and communities and participate in activities which strengthen our bonds with others who share similar values or goals. As we surrender our personal preferences, we ignite a sense of belonging, invoking feelings of positivity, social acceptance, and validation. We see this desire playing out in the ever-rising importance of social media as time-honoured methods of social cohesion through familial bonds and physical location crumble and dissolve under the auspices of the age of Air.
As it becomes increasingly popular and fashionable to forge global connections based on beliefs, viewpoints, tastes or interests, whether artistic, cultural, political or otherwise, we can find ourselves experiencing feelings of connection and belonging with people we have never met, and in many cases unlikely ever to meet; indeed, there is often no guarantee as to who these people are, what they look like, and even, in some cases, if they are even human at all.
In the struggle to foster this strong sense of social cohesion and unity, we may surrender our personal comforts or opinions in favour of group objectives to create a shared sense of solidarity. We are, however, strongly influenced by social norms and peer pressure and may feel compelled to conform to group expectations or behaviours, even if it means sacrificing personal preferences or comfort to avoid rejection or disapproval from others.
Through surrendering our individuality for the benefit of others, we can activate feelings of altruism and empathy, generated by prioritising the collective. In promoting a sense of meaning, beyond personal self-interest, we feel powerful and energised; it seems as if our life has meaning, and that we count, although it would be a mistake to believe that this kind of group will be there for us personally in return.
Humanity resonates with powerful narratives and symbols, ideologies that invoke emotionally charged values or aspirations, and charged appeals that motivate us to overlook personal dissent in pursuit of a greater cause or a shared vision are powerful calls to arms. It becomes essential to recognise that this group-ego satisfaction is not necessarily synonymous with lasting happiness or fulfilment. True fulfilment often involves a more profound sense of meaning, purpose, and connection with oneself first, and it would be foolish to believe that the intoxicating high and sense of righteousness in being part of the tidal wave of popular opinion is a real and lasting state.
At this Full Moon, as Saturn embarks on its yearly renewal, we are called to reassess all areas of our lives connected with, and under the dominion of Saturn. This is the perfect time to gain mastery over problematic areas, and to let go of those thorny and troublesome burdens that we have grown out of. Romantic relationships that have been hovering in the background since early last year, by now, should have chosen their ultimate direction. Loaded with their recent encounter with Pluto, Venus and Mars are finally moving away from the long promised conjunction in Aquarius and will not reconnect until mid-June.
As we travel lighter into a new future, we are reminded to seek a greater sense of personal fulfilment through our connection to the greater whole, but rather than be swayed by the intoxicating high of popular opinion, better we seek true fulfilment through a purposeful connection with ourselves and others. Although activities that require the surrender of individual resources to the greater good can activate feelings of altruism, empathy, and cooperation, if we prioritize the collective to the detriment of our individual needs, we actually fail to promote a sense of purpose or meaning beyond personal self-interest. Our world is only as healthy as we are, and at this pivotal time in our history, it is a powerful message.
This tarot images for this month’s lunation are drawn from the Smith Rider Waite Tarot. The Full Moon, falling in first decan of Virgo, highlights the hard work that has been done so far, but that the job isn’t yet finished. The Sun falling in the first decan of Pisces, speaks of the necessity of leaving behind something that, through no fault of your own, is no longer relevant. Despite all the love, care and attention that may have been lavished on a particular situation, it seems that you may have outgrown it, with the challenge being to take what you have learned, leave the rest behind, and take to the road once again, this is not the end of the journey, but the next chapter in the book. With their planetary rulerships being the Sun and Saturn respectively, this pair really do channel; the planetary energy of this Full Moon, with its themes of purging, cleansing and healing. Mercury, the ruler of this lunation is currently in Pisces, it’s sign of fall, as we see the figure on the Eight of Cups, following the banks of a meandering river, probably unsure as to his precise destination, but bravely heading into the darkness nonetheless.
Sources of inspiration for this months piece:
SABIAN SYMBOL: The 6th degree of Virgo
A MERRY-GO-ROUND-The first experience of the dynamic intensity of life processes and of the possibility of using them to reach a characteristic ego-satisfaction.
Decan images from The Picatrix
The Sun in the First Face of Pisces
A man who has two bodies and is like he is going to salute with both hands. And this is a face of peace and humility, of weakness, of many journeys, of misery, of seeking wealth, and the lamenting of one’s manner of living.
The Moon in the First Face of Virgo
A beautiful girl covered over with a woollen sheet and holding in her hand a pomegranate. And this is a face of sowing, of ploughing, of the making of trees to sprout, of gathering bunches of grapes and of the good life.
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Joanna-Kate Grant 