The phases of the moon are among the most fascinating astronomical behaviors we can observe with the naked eye and deeply rich sources of thought and interpretation in Astrology. Among the 9 phases – New, Waxing Crescent, 1st Quarter Half, Waxing Gibbous, Full, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter Half, Waning Crescent, and Balsamic – the New and Full Moons capture most of the attention. This article will look at the current Full Moon and talk about the kind of “harvest” you should bring in emotionally during this full moon.
Full Moon – Reap What You Have Sown!
There will be two Full Moons in October, one on the 1st and one on the 31st. Because there is a second Full Moon in the same month, it is given a special name, the Blue Moon (as in, “Once in a Blue Moon”). The first Full Moon of this month will occur at 9 degrees and 8 minutes in the sign of Aries; in my Eastern Standard Time zone, it will happen at 5:05 pm.
It takes 29.5 days from one Full Moon to the next, spending approximately 2 and ½ days in a sign. The day before and the day after comprise what would be the peak time of the Full Moon energy. The Full Moon is the time of “the harvest” when what began with the New Moon reaches full potential before waning and fading and preparing for a new cycle.
Each month has a certain type of Full Moon; October’s Moon is the Harvest Moon (as it is sometimes named in September). In the northern hemisphere, this name reflects the time when farmers would use the light of the full moon as additional time to bring in crops. This Moon has other names: the Hunter’s, Dying Grass, and Blood Moon. This moon name is determined by its proximity to the Fall Equinox.
There are also several special types of Full Moons: the Blood Moon, which happens during a total lunar eclipse; a Supermoon, which happens when the Moon is full and closest to the Earth; and the Blue Moon (“once in a blue moon”), which is a second Full Moon in a calendar month (occurring once every 2 and ½ years). The previous Blue Moon was March 31, 2018, and the next one will be October 31, 2020.
Full Moon in Aries – Harvesting Identity
This Full Moon will take place in the 1st Decan (first 10 degrees) of Aries, making it an Aries/Aries Full Moon. The planetary influence is Mars, as the ruler for Aries. Thus, this Full Moon will be about individuality, maverick action, and independence (Aries) and our desires and drives (Mars) at the emotional (Moon) level. What do you want most for yourself during this Full Moon?
If we look to Mars, which is also in Aries, then we must feel deeply about who we are and what we want. This Full Moon is intensely focused on the self because it is a double Aries by decan, the ruler is Mars, which also happens to be in the same sign as the Moon. Self “ness” and Selfishness will be “off the charts” during this Full Moon.
With this Full Moon at 9d08m, the Sabian Symbol is 10 Aries, “A man teaching new forms for old symbols”. Jones says, “This is a symbol of the continuous and necessary rectification of understanding through direct and everyday experience, which brings every factor of inner realization into immediate and personal significance.” (The Sabian Symbols, 158) The keyword is INTERPRETATION.
This Full Moon is also known as the Warrior’s Moon. According to Raven Kaldera, “The Full Moon in Aries sees the daring Adventurer become the full-blown Warrior, who fights in honor for a good cause” (Moon Phase Astrology, 189). We will all be asked “to become one of those brave souls, and devote ourselves to training for that work” during this Full Moon (189).
The Numbers of This Full Moon
This Full Moon will occur on 10/01/2020, so the number for this date is 6 (the same number as the previous Full Moon date). 6 is the number for service, so this Full Moon encourages us to think about how we can be of service to others if we are able to serve. Since the Moon is in Aries, this service will be individualistic and unique to our talents and interests.
The number of the day of the Full Moon is 1, the “pioneer, the leader, the captain, and the planner”. We should look for those people with positive energy, ready to act, and do what needs to be done. It is a time to be “original and creative and possess the aggressive qualities necessary to put your productive ideas into practical, material form” (Modern Numerology, 21-22).
The Full Moon in Your Chart
The Full Moon will occur in a specific location of your chart and in a special relationship with various points in your chart if you have points near the same degree in the same sign, at the opposing degree (180 degrees away from a point in your chart), three signs before or after the Full Moon degree and sign (90 degrees away), or four signs before or after the Full Moon degree and sign (120 degrees away).
Respectively these would be a conjunction (the Full Moon merging with a point in your chart), an opposition (the Full Moon seeking balance with a point in your chart), a square (the Full Moon challenging a point in your chart), and a trine (a point supporting a point in your chart). It is possible that the degree and sign of the Full Moon may not form any of these relationships and its effect, for this time, would be minimal or difficult to observe.
If you happen to be born during a Full Moon, then you will feel every Full Moon in some significant or acute way because it is consistent with your birth Moon phase. It is well worth your effort to find out the Moon phase at the time of your birth. If you learn your birth Moon phase, you will likely discover that the same phase each month has a strong impact on your emotional state.
With this Full Moon, I get the impact of its energy in my 6th House of Service (Moon placement on 10/1/2020) and my 12th House of Spirituality (Sun placement between 9/22 and 10/22), so this Full Moon will energize me to think about and activate my day-to-day work (6th House) and my spiritual beliefs (12th House). My natal Sun is Aries and my natal Moon is in Libra, so this Full Moon will be powerful for me.
As this Full Moon approaches, think about what you want to “harvest” with regard to your Self, your survival, and your actions.
