FULL MOON IN LIBRA – You can’t make this stuff up! (April 7, 2020)

by Anne Reith, Ph.D.
Astrology

Astrology-New-Moon-Full-MoonIn the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 7:34 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.  With this Full Moon, the Sun in Aries will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Libra.  To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 19° of Aries and 19° of Libra in your birth/natal chart.  The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence.

With all Full Moons we are being asked to evaluate how effectively we are balancing two seemingly opposite areas of our lives.  With this Libra Full Moon, we need to look at the balance between Aries and Libra:

  • The Sun is in Aries. The higher expression of this sign includes being independent, enthusiastic, direct, courageous, confident, and energetic.  These can be signs associated with good leaders.  The lower expression, though, can include being competitive, impulsive, and even aggressive.
  • The Moon is in Libra. The higher expression includes being cooperative, harmonious, diplomatic, gracious, and refined.  These can be signs of an excellent mediator or diplomat.  The lower expression can include being indecisive, dependent, and wishy-washy. 

For those who regularly read my Moon Updates, you probably have figured out that I do my best to not discuss anything political, and don’t worry . . . I’m not going to do that now!  I know there are those reading this from all political parties, as well as many different faiths, belief systems, etc.  I truly believe that diversity makes us stronger . . . as a family, a community, and a nation.  I celebrate everyone! 

However, right before writing this Moon Update, I was doing what many of us should be doing right now . . . staying informed by keeping up with a reasonable amount of news.  We do need to be aware right now (but please don’t overdo it).  I tend to watch both local and national reports, which often include interviews with different governmental leaders.  I naturally had the Libra Full Moon on my mind as I watched, because I knew I would be writing this Update immediately afterwards. 

As I watched and listened, I saw perfect examples of what we are talking about when it comes to the importance of finding a balance between the qualities of Aries and Libra during this Libra Full Moon.  Talk about Divine Timing!  Again, don’t worry; I’m not going to start getting political on you.  I’m just an astrologer who is going to use something political to explain this Libra Full Moon.  No politicians or political parties will be named.   

Again, with the Libra Full Moon, our goal is to find a balance between the two signs (i.e., Aries & Libra).  I always view Full Moons like a teeter-totter; you want to find balance.  When someone goes to one extreme or the other, the teeter-totter is out of balance and cannot move.  It’s stuck.  When someone displays this one-sided approach during any Full Moon, the lower expressions of the signs are often displayed.

As I watched the news, this imbalance was clearly displayed by two politicians: 

  • One politician was too far into the lower expression of Aries. This person’s approach to the current pandemic was to become combatant, accusatory, and a warrior for the geographic area in which they were located.  It was “us against them” or based on a scarcity mentality.  Yes, we all are in a battle (Aries) with this virus, but the energy of Libra was not present (e.g., seeing the needs of others in addition to their own).  
  • Another politician was displaying the lower expression of Libra. This person had a “let’s all play nice” attitude, which might seem to be a good approach during a crisis.  However, their solutions to the current pandemic was to do nothing.  They were concerned that placing any restrictions on their constituents would result in them being unhappy.  The interview showed an indecisiveness (lower expression of Libra) that will very likely backfire in the long run.  This time, the energy of Aries was not present (e.g., courageously setting boundaries).

Then there was another political leader who displayed what I found to be a very healthy balance between Aries and Libra.  This person was clearly in control, not afraid to make decisions, and willing to take a leadership role (Aries).  However, the compassion that was displayed for all those impacted by the restrictions and by the pandemic was clearly present and heart-felt.  More importantly, he presented all of the information in a very well-thought out and a gracious way that acknowledged all sides of the situation involved (Libra). 

Isn’t it interesting that this Libra Full Moon is happening at a time when we need it most!  We do need the firm leadership and boundary setting provided by Aries, but we also need the graciousness and diplomacy of Libra.  Although I was viewing local and national news reports, this applies to us in our homes, businesses, and local communities.  We are all being given a wonderful opportunity to find a healthier balance between these two signs. 

Before this Full Moon, two planets changed signs, and both could potentially aid us in exploring and, hopefully, achieving this balance between Aries and Libra: 

  • On Monday, March 30, Mars left Capricorn and entered Aquarius, where it will remain until May 14. We are seeing the impact of this right now.  Yes, the lower expression of having Mars in Aquarius can be erratic energy levels and expressions of anger that don’t take into consideration how others will be impacted.  However, I personally am witnessing so many people taking the higher expression of Mars in Aquarius, which is becoming team players.  I see so many acts (Mars) of kindness and humanitarianism because people are recognizing that we are all interdependent (Aquarius).  We are joining together to create networks that support each other.  People want to cooperate and are less concerned about achieving individual recognition or personal power.  This placement of Mars also encourages taking unconventional approaches (which is so necessary during this unprecedented pandemic), and the courage to take actions that we might normally shy away from. 
  • Usually, Venus will remain in a sign for about one month. Well, not this time!  On Friday, April 3, Venus leaves Taurus and enters Gemini; and it will remain there until early August due to going retrograde during May.  Again, the timing of this is pretty amazing when you take into consideration what we are all dealing with.  When Venus is in Gemini, we often have changes to our social relationships (can you say “social distancing”), as well as our communication patterns (can you say ZOOM!).  We are all having to find ways to make new social connections, and with Venus in Gemini we often become very creative with how we communicate.  But the Venus energy can also make our words (Gemini) more loving (Venus), which I think we can all agree is critical right now.  One final note:  Venus in Gemini often correlates with changing how we think about our finances.  (Wow!  You just can’t make this stuff up!)

The good news is that both Gemini and Aquarius are air signs.  Around the time of the Libra Full Moon, having both Venus and Mars in air signs will provide reinforcement to the Moon in Libra, another air sign.  Saturn also recently moved into Aquarius, providing even more support.  This air emphasis is good!  Why?  Aries is a very powerful fire sign that has been known to steam roll over “I want to please everyone” Libra.  The air signs will help us to think things through and to take a more detached perspective so we can make sure any actions we take (Aries) are logical and based on facts (Gemini). 

However, there is an important warning here.  Air signs are great; however, they can increase worry and anxiety.  This happens because air signs have a tendency to overthink, especially when under stress.  Anxiety is most often caused by thoughts about what might happen in the future.  Although I have complete faith that humanity will eventually get through this (and be stronger for it!), there is so little that is predictable right now about the short-term future.  This can be very anxiety producing for many of us because we don’t know what is going to happen.  When we can’t predict, we often go to worst case scenarios.  We do this as a way to better protect ourselves, but if we stay there too long, then we burn out emotionally. 

The solution:  Although it is important to be as prepared as possible, it is equally important to stay in the present.  At this exact moment in time, ask yourself, “Am I OK right now?”  The answer is probably yes.  Use your breath to calm your over-active mind and emotional limbic system.  Get your body moving to vent some of those pent-up emotions.  And use mindfulness techniques to stay in the present.  There are many different guided meditations available online that will provide you with guidance regarding this mindfulness approach.  The free app Insight Timer is filled with them! 

If you are feeling anxious or even having a panic attack, here is one very simple mindfulness technique that many be helpful: 

  1. Put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach.
  2. Begin what are called “belly breaths”: Breathe into your belly and then up into your chest, and then sigh.  You can sigh out loud or silently.  Do this for 1 or 2 minutes, with the goal of focusing on your breath and slowing your breathing. 
  3. Breathe normally, and begin looking around the room or area that you are in. In your mind, name the objects that you are seeing. 
  4. If you are still feeling anxious, then look about the room or area that you are in and start naming the colors that you are seeing.

This simple approach will take your harried mind out of the future and plant it firmly in the present.  This is called mindfulness.  It’s that simple.  You will find that your peaceful mind will be much more effective at problem-solving than a mind that is amped up on adrenaline and various other neurochemicals.  BREATHE!  We will get through this! 

Before closing, three other important dates should be mentioned:

  • On Saturday, April 4, Jupiter will conjunct (0°) Pluto in Capricorn. This is the first of three meetings that will occur this year between these two powerhouses, with the others occurring on June 29 and November 17.  These conjunctions are important.  They are helping us see what the next steps are in our evolution, both individually and as a society.  This alignment in Capricorn means that we are being asked to examine the structures in our lives, leave behind what is no longer serving us, and begin creating new foundations.  Pluto is about transformation and healing, which often happens by allowing something to die and then be reborn.  Jupiter will help us see the future optimistically and seek out more meaning our lives.  It will also support us in doing so in an ethical manner. 
  • On Friday, April 10, Mercury will join the Sun in Aries, where it will remain until April 28. When Mercury is traveling through Aries, it wants to make decisions . . . now!  This can be good, as long as the decisions aren’t made impulsively.  During this time, we may feel like our minds are racing.  Ideas are coming fast and furious.  We do need to be a little careful in our communications with others because what we feel is being assertive might be experienced as aggressive by others.    
  • On Tuesday, April 14, the conjunction between Jupiter and Pluto that is described above will still be in effect, but now the Moon briefly will join them in Capricorn. The timing of this is important because the Sun in Aries will square (90°) all of them.  Squares represent turning points, so this could be a very important day.  The course of personal or societal events may take a turn.  However, it is important to realize that the Sun will remain in a square to Jupiter and Pluto for several weeks before and after April 14.  Therefore, the need for change may take time to be realized and then it may take even more time for those changes to be implemented.  But the Sun’s light will help us see what is no longer valuable to us, and Pluto will help us eliminate it.   

Overall, this Libra Full Moon is amazingly well-timed given the pandemic that we are currently dealing with on a local, national, and global level.  There is so much more that I could analyze about this Full Moon, but I will be gracious (Libra) and set a boundary (Aries) by not giving too much detail.  It is important to keep in mind that any Full Moon can lead to conflicts due to opposing viewpoints.  However, the diplomacy of Libra and a healthy dose of air signs will, I hope, help us to all agree to “play nice.”  If you are in a situation where conflict feels inevitable, then it would be best to look for things you can both agree with and work from there.  We are each individually being asked to take courageous actions (Aries), but we all need to remember that we are interdependent in many ways (Libra).  The qualities of both signs are important, and balance is key.  Hang in there! 

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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY

  • Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
  • For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable eBooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store

SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

  • The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
  • Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)

REMINDER

  • New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.

FULL MOON

Full Moon at 19° of Libra

  • Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 7:34 p.m. PDT
  • Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 10:34 p.m. EDT
  • Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 2:34 a.m. GMT

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