Making Use of Lunar Rhythms

The Moon passes through the twelve signs of the zodiac in its monthly orbit. You can track it through an astrological calendar or an ephemeris. There is a substantial body of knowledge about the best Moon signs to pursue a variety of common tasks. Housewives and farmers once relied heavily on this lore and got better results in gardening and other important domestic activities. Llewellyn's annual Moon Sign almanac is full of articles about these practices as well as best and worst dates. Astrologically-derived appointment calendars such as Jim Maynard's Celestial Influences or Llewellyn's Daily Planetary Guide give the Moon's sign and major aspects each day. (You can buy one in a metaphysical book store or ask them to order it.) The word zodiac is Greek and means "belt of life," so the circle formed by the twelve signs encompasses all areas of life. Watching the daily Moon sign helps you attune to inner rhythms, that ebb and flow of energies we all experience. By observing yourself as the Moon moves through different signs, you can learn the best times to tackle various activities. Following it through your birth chart would produce the best results. Even without that, you can get useful information from the Moon's position each day. Over time, observe how each Moon sign affects you personally, including your best ones and those where you are at a disadvantage. This is a highly individual matter, stemming from the natal placements of planets in signs and houses. As you learn the nature of each sign, avoid wasting energy by taking advantage of its most constructive qualities. For example, the Moon traveling through Cancer seems to put many people in a domestic mood. They may enjoy working around the house, cooking, visiting family, or just being quietly at home. A Cancerian who goes off on a business trip then might feel especially homesick. Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn--the earth signs--are good for taking stock of your financial situation or embarking on small business endeavors. A party? Moon in Leo, Libra, Aquarius, or another outgoing fire or air sign. Wanting to organize the closets or files? Try Moon in Virgo. If you did it while the Moon was in Pisces, you'd probably never find anything again! Moon in Gemini isn't the greatest for closets either. You'd spend the day on the phone and at the end shove everything back in a worse mess than before . . . but at least you'd catch up on the gossip. This technique can help with much more important issues than that pile of junk at the back of your closet. I'm using these small matters to show how much more productive it is to work with the zodiac than against it. To give an example, the Moon in Gemini produces the urge to communicate. Being stuck at home alone with dreary, routine tasks will only create frustration and restlessness. It's a good day to do lunch with someone you'd like to know better. If you're homebound at a time like that, ditch the routine and pursue worthwhile Gemini activities. Catch up on correspondence or write that story that's been rumbling around in the back of your mind. If you do want to write, I'd suggest you deliberately block off communication so the verbal energy will pour out in words on paper rather than in a big phone bill. Ah, but you say, "If I butterfly under Gemini, how will those dull household tasks get done?" The zodiac to the rescue! The Moon goes into Cancer next and you'll feel more like tending the home fires. That's the fascinating and profound thing about the zodiac--the sequence of the signs seems to take care of problems like these. If your thinking about an issue is too rigid and traditional while the Moon is in Capricorn, wait a day or so. When the Moon goes into Aquarius, you'll be more innovative. Moon in Pisces got you dreamy and a bit lazy? That's because you need to rest, regroup, and be in touch with your spirituality. Don't worry or feel guilty. The Moon hits Aries next, and you'll spring into action with all those creative ideas you dreamed up under Moon in Pisces. Signs following each other are related in meaningful ways. Let's say the Moon is in Scorpio, and you've withdrawn into yourself, analyzing some problem. The apparent solution hits you, and BAM! You're off into BIG IDEA Sagittarius, all fired up with enthusiasm for a few days. Next, the Moon moves through Capricorn and brings you back to earth so you can sort out the practicalities. While the Moon is in Aquarius, you talk it over with your peers and get some feedback. As the Moon moves into Pisces, you're a bit disillusioned with the grand plan. You drift off to Never-Never Land for a few days, while your unconscious sorts out what's happened. But another fire sign, Aries, comes next, and you're reenergized. Around and around we go, through all four elements and all twelve signs but there is perfection to the pattern, a logic all its own. (My book, Moon Signs, has several chapters about the daily Moon signs and their uses, as well as the new and Full Moons.) A major influence on the prevailing emotional winds occurs when the Moon aspects other planets. Watch those aspects with astrological calendars or an emphemeris. Their effects seldom last longer than half a day. The most powerful modifications are produced as the transiting Moon crosses over the outer planets. The energy then corresponds to the nature of the outer planet rather than the sign. Even by observing the public mood, you may be able to guess that the Moon is touching off the current position of a planet. If the phone is ringing off the wall and people are talking a mile a minute, the Moon may be aspecting Mercury, the planet of communication. Moon/Venus aspects often put us in a warm, sociable mood, since Venus is the planet of relatedness. If it's one of those days when everyone is irritable, the Moon may be aspecting Mars, the planet of anger. If people are rebellious or erratic, it's probably Uranus. Moon/Neptune is spacey, so watch out for drunken drivers. Moon/Pluto is a decided case of the heavies--the climate is often intense and brooding. I'm not advocating that you become a slave to astrology, so that you won't even go to the hairdresser without consulting your astrologer. But do develop the willingness to let things slide until the time is ripe, rather than being hounded by the shoulds. When you do things at the wrong time, it takes longer and much of the effort is wasted, spinning your wheels. As you discover your own lunar highs and lows, you can plan more effectively and reduce stress.