✴️️ SakaDawa Full Moon May 21st 2016

☼ Inner truth, outer courage – Inner light, outer brilliance ☼

Full Moon in Sagittarius

May 21st 2016 @ 21:14 UT

Stirring up courage, passion, and ardour, May’s Full Sagittarian truth-seeking Moon is most dynamic and active. And because the Moon is conjunct Mars, 21^st-22^nd (depending upon time zone), emotions can also be quick to rise – even though Mars is retrograde and slow (i.e. closest to the Earth, in a phase called ‘Mars Max’*). Therein lies the key; if/when dealing with destructive emotions such as anger or frustration, or when moving too fast, slow down, breathe deep; energy levels may be low (or easily drained: Mars rules the adrenal ‘fight or flight’ glands) and reactions may be awkward. So take time if making major decisions (such as buying property) and practice patience, because ‘more haste is less speed’. Or as one of my spiritual teachers says “speed is aggression”.

The Moon not only joins feisty, freedom-loving Mars during this philosophically inclined Sagittarian Moon, but on the last of the three Full Moon nights (23^rd), Luna then conjuncts weighty Saturn, bringing reality to the fore. There are many astrological significators which indicate sensitivity is seriously heightened during this particular Full Moon, with excitement quickly followed by karmic payback (good or bad). Events/situations/plans that possibly link as far back as August, and/or November 2015, could even come home to roost for a final time. Yet still, due to Mercury also going forward within a day of the exact Full Moon (@21:13UT), the heart mind has the potential to realise the value of living a good and healthy life, where needs are met in an uncomplicated manner. 

Be that as it may, the Moon, and all she symbolises (empathy, the feminine, water, the people, etc.) could feel besieged by seemingly forceful influences. This Full Moon illuminates soul’s longing for a greater understanding of life’s more abstract concepts, and is actually a good time to consider the long-term: because warrior Mars and no-nonsense Saturn do not ‘perfect’ at this moment in time (i.e. they do not conjunct, but are now brought together by the Moon), far-sighted Sagittarian issues, such as mind-expansion, deeper-meaning and faith, are highlighted. A Full Moon in the sign of the centaur accents the Spiritual Warrior who lives in the ‘now’, even when presented with a glimpse of future concerns that are cosmically bound to be prominent at the end of August 2016, when Mars and Saturn finally meet (@ 10° Sagittarius).

With Moon conjoined to Mars, it also means Sun is opposite Mars.  Sun opposition Moon and Venus opposition Mars sees both sets of relationship planets on other sides of the sky. This can be the classic marriage of ‘opposites attract’ or just that others can repel; either way these two oppositions spark a creative (and sexual) tension that could all-too- easily feed ego competition. Rise to a challenge by all means, but remember that any merit in your karmic credit bank is wiped-out in one fell swoop if anger is negatively expressed. In the words of the Buddha “Anger is like holding onto hot coals – you are the one who gets hurt!”  

Luckily, Sun at 1Gemini is conjoined to harmonious Venus, still at home in Taurus. Venus helps the non-stop whirring mind of the Gemini Sun to generate a positive mental attitude with the kind of enthusiasm that fuels inner warmth and de-light. Though this is no ‘ordinary’ Venusian Love Goddess the Sun shines upon; she is combust (behind the Sun) revealing how unconditional, self-love also now means loving the wild side of the feminine and honouring the woman who runs with wolves and hunts in moonlight.

Currently at the 26^th degree of Taurus, Venus aligns with a fixed star called ‘Algol’, which represents the ‘Gorgon’s Head’, the snake-hair dreadlocked Medusa, whose name originally meant ‘sovereign female wisdom’. Fixed stars pinpoint certain intensity. In this case, it is a concentrated primal feminine passion which, if obstructed or repressed, severed or feared, has the potential to dramatically turn to stone (situations and or people)– or, not-so-surprisingly, to heal, especially when the powerful feminine force is revered. Bear in mind that each one of us has an intuitive feminine side – even if you’re a guy; and Mars only disarms for Venusian charm (made especially poignant as Venus and Mars oppose each other as the Moon wanes on the 25^th),  which, when embraced, restores an internal balance that inspires our natural radiance and true identity to shine. 

For many people the world over, who live in accordance with the rhythm of lunar lore, this is also a most important Moon in the Buddhist calendar, as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gothama Siddartha Buddha. Buddha was a historically real person, who lived over 2500 years ago and taught that we are all born with an inner-light we can grow, to dispel darkness specifically through sharing our love and happiness. This ‘Festival of Light’ is known as ‘Wesak’ throughout Far-Eastern Asia, ‘Buddha Purnima’ in India, and ‘Saga Dawa’ in the Himalayas. It is a Full Moon is considered to be a ‘Karma Multiplied day’, encouraging a mindfulness of our own natural brilliance during this glorious light-filled Silver Moon, to be enhanced by planets Scarlet Mars, Golden Saturn, and Rosy Venus. Shine on dear astro brothers and sisters. May this be a Moon when the luminous clear light of (self) Love (not in an egotistical way) beams and radiates from within, and all around…  

Lastly, as Sagittarius is the zodiac sign of philosophical understanding and spiritual practice, I close this Full Moon report with a prayer from our great esoteric (Gemini Sun) astrologer, Alice A.Bailey, to invoke the light within.

The Great Invocation

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ** return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men –
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

**Many believe in a World Teacher, a “Coming One”, knowing him under such names as the Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, the Kalki Avatar and the Bodhisattva (which we can all be, by aspiring to live a life that benefits others). These terms are sometimes used in versions of the Great Invocation for people of specific faiths.

*Astologer Richard Nolle, who termed the phrase ‘SuperMoon’, also invented the name ‘Mars Max’, for the phase for when Mars is closest to the Earth and brightest in the midnight sky.