Full Moon in Aries

“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” Maya Angelou

Our lives, and our experience of the earth, are bound up with different natural rhythms from the cellular, tidal, seasonal and cosmic. Humans have their own biological rhythms, which are the natural cycle of change in our body’s chemicals or functions. These biological rhythms are like an inner master clock, which coordinate the other various clocks within. While the sun is the most important source of light and synchronizer of circadian rhythms – one of our four biological rhythms – moonlight also modulates our nocturnal activity and behaviour.

Studies have now shown that we get significantly less sleep, and that the onset of sleep is delayed during a full moon. We are more ‘switched on’, alert and sensitive; inhabiting a space that feels heightened in relation to both definitions of consciousness. We can often feel emotionally intense and charged during a full moon. This is probably one of the reasons why, traditionally, full moons have been a time for release, and ritual around release. We can – and have been for thousands of years – actively working with this amplified state of being. This full moon in Aries – the boldest first sign of the zodiac – is all about amplified, expansive, BIG energy.

Aries (I am!) is a cardinal fire sign ruled by the warrior god Mars. Masculine and yang (in a Traditional Chinese Medicine framework) this Arian/Martian energy is initiatory, and quest orientated. It not only wants us to start something; it wants us to complete it. Even if this involves endurance. This moon is a fiery call to action. Aries wants to push us out of our comfort zone and into our authenticity. It is communing directly with our inner warrior; with our inner truth, strength, drive, resilience and determination. Ask yourself: is my outer world a reflection of who I really am? Am I in touch with my inner warrior, that is, with courage, willpower and motivation. Do I stand in my power? Do I feel I have agency in the world? If not, what are the obstacles to this? What do I need to release? This moon is inviting us to release limitations and inhabit our full integrity. It is only from this place that we can truly create.

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Audre Lourde.

During a full moon the sun and moon are in opposition astrologically speaking (in astronomy, they are considered to be in alignment). The sun inhabits the sign of the season, and the moon its opposing sign. The Aries – Libra axis speaks to the relationship we have with ourselves (Aries), and the relationship we have with others (Libra). We may experience tension between this inner and outer reality, particularly if we’re not showing up as our authentic selves in our most important relationships. Tension may feel unpleasant, but it offers us great learning and can be revelatory.

More learning is happening through intense Uranus (the disruptor) squaring Venus and trining Mercury. This Venus square feeds right back into the theme of relationships, the impact of which may be experienced as sudden shifts in and around our most intimate relationships. The trine to Mercury is a highly supportive aspect, which gives us insight into how we communicate with the world. What is the ratio of authentic to performative? Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron are also all still in retrograde, which could create tension between the desire to initiate (Aries full moon) and the internalised, introspective energy that retrograding planets bring.

How to work with the energy of this full moon in Aries? Letting go is the first step of tapping into our inner warrior. As Aries is the fieriest of the fire signs, we can use this metaphorical energy to illuminate what we need to release, then purge and purify it. This could take the form of meditating on what we need to release with this: The Powerful Release of Letting Go! Guided Meditation, or writing a list, then burning it.

Tapping into to anything that helps you experience passion and fire is also a great way to channel the energy of this full moon.

Image credit: malith d karunarathne

Lynsey Allett28 September 2023