In the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 10:21 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. With this Full Moon, the Sun in Virgo will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Pisces. To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 11° of Virgo and 11° of Pisces 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 whether or not we are effectively balancing two seemingly opposite ways of approaching our lives. With this Pisces Full Moon, we are being asked to explore two very different ways to access information. With the Sun in Virgo, we can be analytical, practical, efficient, and precise with the information that we gather. However, we also need to avoid being perfectionistic or critical, which are the lower expressions of Virgo’s energy. With the Moon in Pisces, we have access to emotional information, including compassion and intuition. However, we do need to avoid using information to support playing a victim role or engaging in escapism.
With Virgo, we are using our five senses to gather information and analyze it using our mind. With Pisces, we are using our 6th sense, which often defies both explanation and logic. The challenge isn’t to use one over the other but to find a balance between these two approaches. We need to use our intuition, but we also need to apply our analytical abilities to evaluate those intuitive insights (Pisces) to make sure they are practical (Virgo). Another way to look at this is to find a balance between our physical world (Virgo) and our spiritual world (Pisces).
At the time of this Full Moon, we have support for finding this balance due to the presence of an earth grand trine configuration (i.e., equilateral triangle) that involves both the Sun and Moon. The Sun in Virgo is in an exact trine (120°) to Uranus in Taurus and in a wide trine (120°) to Jupiter in Capricorn. Because the Sun and Moon are in opposition (180°), this means that the Moon is in an exact sextile (60°) to Uranus and a very wide sextile (60°) to Jupiter. Without the grand trine and sextiles in place, all this grounded earth energy (i.e., Taurus, Virgo, Carpricorn) could potentially overwhelm the sensitive, intuitive energy of the Moon in Pisces. However, trines and sextiles are very supportive aspects, so it’s likely that we will be able to access those intuitive or spiritual “hits” and then ground them in reality.
At this juncture, I will be honest. When moving past those basic pieces of information and diving deeper into this Pisces Full Moon, it is extremely complicated. I’ve been sitting here for some time with my fingers lightly resting on my computer keyboard feeling uncertain where to begin because there are so many different aspects that could be discussed. This is one of those times when I am going to choose to forego talking about specific aspects and try to provide some insights and advice regarding how to navigate the diverse and often contradictory energies.
- In general, Full Moons are known for being emotional times, and this one is no exception. Given the Moon is in watery Pisces, emotions could be flowing. Luckily, we do have the grounded Virgo energy to help us sort things out, but we don’t want to go too far and suppress our feelings. To do so can cause psychological and/or physical problems. Additionally, our emotions can provide us with amazing intuitive insights, if we allow them to surface. However, if we feel that our emotions aren’t just flowing but are causing a flood, be sure to reach out for support. Again, balance is key during this time.
- There are several astrological aspects that have to do with relationships and finance, and their potential impact is mixed. We may need to deal with issues of resentment, defensiveness, insecurities, or mistrust in ourselves or others. This may have to do with a conflict between our need for togetherness versus autonomy. Sometimes it may even feel like we are sticking our foot in our mouth, so to speak. However, there are supportive aspects to help us untangle any messes we’ve created, but only if we are willing to graciously admit when we are wrong. We also have support during this time for seeing that differences can exist without a relationship necessarily coming to an end.
- Whatever changes are occurring in our lives around the Full Moon will likely involve thinking differently, and we need to allow that evolution in our thought processes to occur. It will likely involve tapping into the wisdom we have grained from the past and then using that to guide and support us toward new ways of looking at a situation or at ourselves. We need to be willing to leave behind any beliefs and/or feelings that aren’t currently serving us.
- There are also some indicators that we could be feeling pretty spacey. Again, we need to use this time to tap into our intuition because it could provide sources of information that our rational minds cannot access. Therefore, feeling spacey and allowing our minds to wander away from what is “real” or “provable” could prove very profitable. In fact, we may find that these insights come when we are involved in very down-to-earth activities that have nothing to do with the issue(s) we are dealing with (e.g., while washing the dishes). Distraction can be very helpful when we are hoping for intuitive insights. Meditation could also be helpful right now.
- We are still in the middle of a season of retrogrades. Therefore, as discussed in the last Moon Update, although we may feel like we want to take action, it might be best to spend this time gathering information, reviewing, reflecting, revamping, reevaluating, etc. if they are viable, then whatever solutions or ideas come to us now will be just as effective later. We can increase our chances of success by taking the time now to sort everything out and use the Virgo Sun to analyze everything carefully. Just be sure to capture all those intuitive sights by writing them down when they come to you so they don’t get lost in the ethers.
- For those of us who are empaths, there is usually a caution given around the time of the Pisces Full Moon. It’s a time when our defenses are lower than usual and our sensitivities are more heightened. The result is that we are better able to get “psychic hits,” which is a good thing. However, it also can lead to absorbing energy that is not ours. For this reason, remember to protect and cleanse yourself often. Or just take some time by yourself to re-center and recalibrate. All the retrograde energy will support us in doing this.
In the days after the Pisces Full Moon, we have a number of planets changing signs or direction:
- On Saturday, September 5, Mercury begins a 3-week stay in Libra (until September 28). While Mercury is in Libra, we tend to become more diplomatic and rational. Our minds and words are concerned with issues of cooperation, harmony, and speaking with elegance and grace. We can more easily see both sides of any situation. The good news is that this might provide us with a little softening to the often more aggressive energy of Mars in Aries. The downside, though, is that we can and do see both sides of everything, which can make any decision making more challenging. Also, we may be too accommodating because we just want to maintain the peace.
- The next day (Sunday, September 6), Venus enters Leo where it will remain until October 3. Venus enjoys being in Leo because Venus and Leo are both about love and enjoyment. We may feel more generous, both with our love and our finances. We want to connect with others through love and humor. We can take pride in how we express our love, be it romantic or otherwise. The potential downside of Venus in Leo is that we could become a bit too dramatic or extravagant with our love or money. Leo does appreciate being admired, so we need to make sure that the love we are giving and receiving is authentic and coming from a healthy, heart-centered place.
- Then on Wednesday, September 9, Mars begins it’s 2-month retrograde phase. It will be moving in retrograde until mid-November. This is a big deal because Mars only goes retrograde about every 2+ years, less than any of the other planets in our solar system. We may find our lives slowing down during this time. Sometimes this happens as a conscious decision, which is the healthier way to handle this retrograde energy. If we don’t allow for the slowing down, then sometimes the retrograde energy will result in something happening externally that puts the breaks on our fast-paced life (e.g., unexpected reduction in workload, an injury, an illness). This slower pace is designed to allow us the time we need to review and reassess our activities or projects so we can be sure we are moving in the right direction. Many of us will also be reviewing our motivations to make sure our actions are aligned with our values, beliefs, needs, etc. This may include making sure we are standing up for ourselves and setting healthy boundaries, both with others and with ourselves. If this retrograde energy is not used effectively, it can result in self-doubts, internalized anger, resentment, or even depression. But if we consciously take on the tasks before us, we will be fully prepared to take the next step on the path when Mars goes direct in November. We may end up going in a completely different direction than expected, but it will be one that is better aligned with what we need at this point in our life.
- Finally, on Saturday, September 12, Jupiter is the first of the “outer planets” (i.e., Jupiter through Pluto) to break ranks with all the retrograde energy currently present in our lives. Many astrologers believe that when Jupiter begins moving direct, it can coincide with a feeling of jubilation or celebration. If we have done the work of the retrograde period (i.e., spent time looking inward), then we have reflected on our values, ethics, morals, and personal philosophical or spiritual beliefs. We feel ready to take action toward our vision and bring any revelations into the outside world. However, given Mars is just beginning its 2-month retrograde phase and we still have 5 out of 10 planets in retrograde, there’s no need to rush. Let your vision gel for a while. Later this fall, you can take a more active role in creating the life you envision.
Overall, this Pisces Full Moon is a time when we should be focusing on words like service, humility, sensitivity, and spirituality. It’s often a quiet time. We may have intuitive insights that defy explanation. Luckily, very supportive earth energy will help us use our Virgo skills of analysis and discernment to make sure any intuitive leaps are grounded in reality and worthy of being pursued. However, we cannot forget that we are all still under the strong influence of the trio of planets in Capricorn, and we also have Uranus in earthy Taurus. Therefore, anything new coming into our lives this fall will need to be something that is practical and designed to endure. After the Full Moon, we may find that our lives slow down due to Mars beginning its 2-month retrograde phase. We need to allow the pace of our lives to slow down a bit; it will give us the “down time” we need to determine our next steps. During this time, it’s important to remember that life is not a marathon. As the saying goes, “Slow and steady wins the race”!
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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 11° of Pisces
- Tuesday, September 1, 10:21 p.m. PDT
- Wednesday, September 2, 1:21 a.m. EDT
- Wednesday, September 2, 5:21 a.m. GMT