Full Moon October 2014

October 8^th, 2014

Full Blood Moon in 20 degrees Sidereal Pisces

6:51am EDT

may the tide

that is entering even now

the lip of our understanding

carry you out

beyond the face of fear

may you kiss

the wind then turn from it

certain that it will

love your back    may you

open your eyes to water

water waving forever

and may you in your innocence

sail through this to that – Lucille Clifton

The shadow may very well be the symbol of this time, as the Autumnal period is the season of ancestors, going inward and thanksgiving for reaping the bounty of the seeds we harvested in Spring. We have several shadowy influences creating dynamic forces around us at current: an full lunar eclipse- indicating the moon’s passing through the umbral shadow of the earth, Mercury’s retrograde- where it appears to stand still, forces us to look back and examine our own shadows, and Mars in Ophiuchus- who recently returned to our psyches, our astrology and the reemergence of female power. This is the second in the tetrad of blood moons that began in April. For those who subscribe to the Abrahamic traditions, this tetrad may signify the end of times and refer to the prophecies of the four blood moons- for us who subscribe to the cyclical, never-ending nature of time, it represents the end of an age. We are now in the Age of Aquarius (again referencing that backward/forward movement, as we went from Pisces to Aquarius in terms of astronomical age), as the pit of emotions exemplary of the Piscean age has come to it finale. We move from the irrational ambiguity that comes with a surplus of feeling into the age of higher mind. This blood moon in Pisces is magnified by its involvement in a grand aspect- a Kite- making its influence all the more pronounced.

During the major shifts that we are currently experiencing and will continue to see through the end of the year, now is the optimal time to rethink our relationships to our bodies and how we care for ourselves. With the North Node in the second decanate of Virgo, we have seen disease and infection spread around the world (the blood moon in Pisces adds to the wide spread paranoia, as evidenced by the media’s handling of the Ebola “crisis”). In Virgo, we focus on diet, health, hygiene, healing, self-care and mind/body awareness. Focus on how you take care of yourself and family. Be careful of infections and hygiene, particularly things that are contagious. Raw, unfiltered, unprocessed coconut oil is a wonderful thing to have in the kitchen right now. Here is a little tip: to help prevent inhaled airborne pathogens from entering the body, rub a bit of coconut oil on the inside of your nostrils daily.

In the spirit of maintaining health, I am sharing my recipe for Fire Cider (a classic staple in the herbalist community). This can be used as a preventative by taking a teaspoon or two daily. Should you become ill, take 1-2 tablespoons ¾ times daily. This can be added to tea, soups, salads or whatever else if you would like to incorporate it into your cooking:

1 whole bulb garlic
1 large white onion
1 organic horseradish
1 whole ginger root
½ cup of astralagus root
2 tsp elecampagne (I use the powder)
¼ fresh scotch bonnet pepper
1 teaspoon raw, unfiltered pure honey
Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother (I use Bragg) to cover

*I use organic ingredients as much as possible. Also, I order from Mountain Rose Herbs for great prices.

Peel and mince the garlic, onion and ginger. Chop the horseradish and scotch bonnet pepper. Add all of them to a 1 qt mason jar along with the astralagus root and elecampagne. Cover the ingredients in Apple Cider Vinegar and add the honey. Close tightly and shake. For those who need a visual reference, check out Herbalist Goddess Rosemary Gladstar making her recipe here.

Shake daily for 2-4 weeks, then strain. Your tincture is ready! Some people prefer not to strain but that can get funky and your mix can start to get too thick. But hey, if you like it, run with it!

Now back to this moon

Lunar eclipses are known by many names within the astrological community. Personally, I like to call them the Revealers and End-bringers. Lunar eclipses tend to bring out all the stuff we’ve been hiding- collectively and individually- while simultaneously bringing about endings. Sometimes those endings are rough, sometimes bittersweet, but always necessary.

The energy of this moon is hyper-sensitive, psychic and erratic. Under stress this could manifest as paranoia, neurosis and drama. It is conjunct Uranus- the dynamic, unpredictable revolutionary- and the South Node, both retrograde in the sign of Pisces and in opposition to the North Node in retrograde, Mercury retrograde (which again, has been in effect since the 4^th and has been taking no prisoners) and Venus all in Virgo. Venus here is weakened in the sign of its fall, which could bring relationship issues to the fore and make for some dramatic exchanges in the midst of all this stuff happening. Uranus’ involvement could mean sudden surprises and revelations, or even the ending of relationships with women or female-figures in our lives (Moon). Uranus, the Moon and South Node are all opposite the Sun- meaning, it’s time to let go of what doesn’t work for US and our ultimate goals. Black Moon Lilith makes her way into this narrative as well, as she is in Leo and also trine the Moon in Pisces, adding the fiery, ego-focused sensitivity of that sign to this combustible mix. Things may seemingly happen out of nowhere causing distrust and confusion. With all these major shifts that sense of anxiety and discomfort is almost inescapable but this ultimately is a good thing. Within the next 30 days, life will completely transform.

Drawing down this energy 

There are many prophecies around this blood moon and it is not hard to see why many spiritual traditions choose to perform special ritual in honor of Her eclipse. Beaming bright with Her fiery red glow she bears the name “Ruler of the Stars”.  Stationed in the watery feminine of Pisces, her glow casts rays on all that we need to see.  The trine involving the Moon in Pisces, Mars in Ophiuchus and Jupiter in Cancer – brings ether/spirit and the power of water in harmonious rhythm, opening the gate to communications of a spiritual and philosophical, higher-minded nature- from the sacred feminine forces. If we can silence the noise in our heads and hearts long enough to listen very carefully and tune in, our spiritual instincts will be keen- albeit super emotional- and if we can direct these instincts through empowering and self-affirming methods, we can develop by leaps and bounds. Or, if we give into the negative shadowy side as represented by Mars in Ophiuchus, “The Warrior”, which gives her the powers of mind control, mesmerism and manipulation, we can engage in deceit, delusion and vibrations that rid us of our true power. As always, there is choice.

Black Moon Lilith, another vehicle of revelation and change agent, gives us the opportunity to grow. Here she challenges us to push our own boundaries and stop fighting for the wrong things. We cannot fight change but we can shape and direct it for our highest benefit. Adding to the feminine energetic influences around the Moon at 20 degrees of Pisces is the star Markab, located in the constellation of Pegasus. In Greek mythology Pegasus, is born of the blood of Medusa, after Perseus had cut off her head and was then  tamed and ridden by Bellerophon. Being weary of earthly affairs Bellerophon attempted to fly to heaven but fell off, and Pegasus continued his course, entered heaven and took his place among the stars. [Robson, p. 56.] This star is said to give an influence similar to Mars and Mercury, and the constellation helps us gain ambition, intuition, and sometimes, bad judgment. [Robson, p. 56.]

Now is the time to harness this energy through water. Pray over a bowl of water and set it out under this moon to catch the fullness of this energy. Add some of that water to a spiritual bath consisting of:

Sea water
Blue or white flowers
Jasmine or bergamot essential oil
Fresh basil

Scrub the basil leaves in the in the water/oil mixture well to extra the essence. As you prepare your sacred bath, pray for clarity, calm and peace. Pray to be assisted and uplifted by your guides and to be released from anything that no longer serves you. Allow the Ruler of the Stars to bring your true desires to the surface by removing the superficial blockages that cloud your vision.

When it is time to take your bath, be sure to smudge your space (advice on scents below) and create a sacred environment for your cleansing. This can be added to your bath water as you sit in, soak and pray.

Additional stats:

Herbs/Plants: basil, lemon balm, irish moss
Scents/Oils: bergamot, jasmine, ylang ylang
Stones: lodolite, moonstone
Tarot: 9 of Cups
Color: greens, browns, burnt orange

For additional information on how these things will directly affect you look to your first house and where the moon falls in your chart. Also look to where Pisces may fall in your chart. If you would like your 13 sign chart drafted just contact me.

As always, I leave you with a musical offering to mellow the vibe and ride this wave. Enjoy!

Until next time Beloveds.

-Ty Shaw

*Star info lovingly sourced from "The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology" by Vivian Robson
**These images are not mine and sourced from google.com. If you are the owner I would love to credit you. Just shoot me a message and I'll get that info up!