New and Full Moons

 

 New Moon, Full Moon, Eclipses and SuperMoons

 

The NEW MOON – New beginnings, focus and concentration

The Sun and the Moon are conjunct (at the same degree and sign in the zodiac). This cycle happens every 28 days. An astrological chart erected at the exact time of the New Moon provides information on the general feeling and trends for the next 28 days. Our intentions at the time of the New Moon are seeds that will grow and flower as the cycle proceeds. Some people like to do a New Moon intention ceremony each month. The new moon is strongest for a day or so after it is exact. From the new moon to the full moon the moon is called a waxing moon. It is building and getting stronger. It is a time of outer activity as it builds to a climax at the full moon.

 

The FULL MOON – Culmination, expansion of awareness, intuition and emotion

The Moon is full when the Sun and the Moon are opposite (in opposite signs 180 degrees apart in the zodiac). This is the time when the intentions planted at the new moon are in full flower. The full moon is strongest for 2-3 days before it is exact. From the full moon to the next new moon, the moon is called a waning moon. It is a time of inner focus and harvesting the results of our efforts.

 

SOLAR ECLIPSE

A solar eclipse always occurs at the time of the New Moon. This makes that particular new moon very strong. It indicates a shift in circumstances. You may feel this coming a few weeks ahead of time. The house in which it occurs in your birth chart and any planet it contacts is likely to be a focus of energy and attention for you over the next 3 to six months.

A solar eclipse occurring within a day or two of your birthday indicates your year ahead will be a significant one. You may re-examine your current life path and end up making significant changes in direction. You may feel a little tender (kind of like a new sprout) around your birthday. Take care of your health and get extra rest at that time. A new you is starting to develop.

Special Note: In astrology, the areas on earth where the eclipse shadow falls, are believed to be where the eclipse will be most strongly felt and will mean there could be significant changes for those areas in the months ahead. The Total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 will be the first solar eclipse visible in the contiguous US since February 26, 1979 – 38 years ago! This eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota. However, only parts of those areas will be in the 65 mile wide zone of totality. In Idaho, we will need to go north of Boise to be in the full shadow. There will be lots of information about this in the media as the time draws nearer.

 

LUNAR ECLIPSE

A lunar eclipse always occurs at the Full Moon. This increases the strength of the Full Moon and indicates a shift in circumstances regarding something we have already set in motion, possibly a few months before. This will now reach a culmination over the next three months. We may become aware of something that had been hidden. Emotions and intuition are heightened. Pay attention to dreams, hunches and intuition. We may also begin to feel the emotions of the eclipse a few weeks before it actually occurs.

 

SUPERMOON

We all know about new moons and full moons, but you may not be familiar with the term “SuperMoon”. SuperMoon is a term originated in 1979 by astrologer, Richard Noelle. A SuperMoon happens about 4 to 6 times a year when the new moon or the full moon occurs while the Moon is at (or within 90% of) its closest approach to earth (perigee).

Some feel a SuperMoon increases the possibility of strong tidal forces in the earth that can result in extreme high tides, severe weather, earthquakes or tsunamis. The effects last from three days before to three days after the new or full SuperMoon. If the SuperMoon is also an eclipse, its influence is stronger – up to a week before to a week after the new or full moon. There have been some earthquakes and tsunamis close to Supermoons, but obviously, we do not have a natural disaster every time we have a Supermoon. Still, the Moon does have an impact on the earth (e.g. it does increase the tidal force of the ocean), so it seems like it could be reasonable to think that the closer it is, the stronger its affect will be. We can also say from an astrological standpoint, that a SuperMoon could have a stronger effect on us as individuals than a regular new or full moon.

 

SUPERMOON X

SuperMoon X is an extreme SuperMoon because it is at 100% or greater mean perigee. In other words, it is extra close and therefore extra strong. Here is some intriguing information about some previous SuperMoons:

Supermoon X – January 10, 2005

This was a New Moon. (It was preceded by a normal SuperMoon on December 12, 2004)

Event: Indonesian 9.2 earthquake and Tsunami occurred on December 26, 2004.

SuperMoon X – December 12, 2008

This was a Full Moon. No major earthquake, but there was a significant flood and mudslide in Brazil on November 23, 2008. (Another note: a normal SuperMoon occurred on May 5, 2008 which was followed by an 8.0 earthquake in China on May 12, 2008.)

SuperMoon X – January 30, 2010

This was a Full Moon. It was followed by a normal SuperMoon Full Moon on February 28, 2010.

Event: Chili 8.8 earthquake on February 27, 2010

SuperMoon X – March 19, 2011

This was a Full Moon. (It followed a normal SuperMoon Full Moon on Feb 18, 2011)

Event: Japanese 9.0 earthquake and Tsunami occurred on March 11, 2011.

SuperMoonX Full Moon on November 14, 2016. It was preceded by a normal SuperMoon on October 15, 2016.

Event: The USA election and its aftermath?? Click here:  See October 15, 2016 Supermoon

 

Setting Intentions at the New Moon

 

At the New Moon

This is a good way to state your intentions to the Universe each month. You can do your intention ceremony anytime from a few minutes after the New Moon up to two days afterwards. You are planting seeds. It will take care and attention for your little seedlings to grow. This is an inner, spiritual and tender time. The seeds will blossom at the Full Moon a couple of weeks later.

Some New Moons will be more powerful for you than others, depending on your own birth chart. The New Moon that occurs in your birth sign each year will be one of those times. If the New Moon actually occurs on your birthday, the year ahead will be significant in your life. A new or revitalized life direction could begin in the coming year.

Solar eclipses also occur at the New Moon. There are at least two solar eclipses a year, but there can be up to five (this is very rare, the last time was 1935 and the next time will be 2206). A Solar Eclipse/New Moon indicates the end of one set of circumstances and the beginning of another. Surprises and unsettled conditions can occur around this time. In fact, a Solar Eclipse will be in effect for at least three months and sometimes up to a year. If you have a Solar Eclipse on your birthday, the year ahead will be a time of change for you. Be gentle with yourself and let things unfold naturally.