Moon Talk
Part Two - Mother Moon
By MELANIE REINHART
For many cultures, the Moon is the Great Goddess present through the waxing and waning of life in all its manifold forms, her shape-shifting but predictable cycle embracing the paradox of continuity within change
Each day, the very cells of our body are dying or being born, and the Moon reminds us of what remains: the Unknowable Mystery of Life. Indeed, in the 16th Century English mystery play called Mary Magdalene, the Moon is specifically described as the Mother of Jesus, the vessel...in whom he rested before he ascended to the Sun.1
Weaver of light
The luminous thread we may imagine the Moon tracing around the Earth symbolizes the protection offered as we attune to her cycles. In our busy world, currently so wracked with strife, we may lose contact with the larger cosmos we inhabit, the cycle of seasons and indeed the very language of our bodies. However, whatever our location, spiritual beliefs or life-style, we can experience a profound dialogue with the Moon's cycle, and in so doing facilitate our direct connection to the energy of the Cosmic Feminine. Here are some practical suggestions.
Aries – Initiative
Taurus - Value
Gemini - Intelligence
Cancer - Feeling
Leo - Dignity
Virgo - Humility
Libra - Balance
Scorpio - Will
Sagittarius - Truth
Capricorn - Manifestation
Aquarius - Brotherhood
Pisces – Compassion
At New Moon, the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth,
together in the same zodiac sign. At Full Moon, the Sun and Moon are on either side of the Earth, in opposite zodiac signs. In each case use the Moon's sign if you want to contemplate the zodiac themes.
A list of the dates and exact times of New and Full Moons and Eclipses follow below, times shown in GMT.
2 The Moon's zodiac position is shown first, then the Sun's.
3 Eclipse times note maximum coverage only.
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Using this information
These meditations are best done at the exact time of the New and Full Moon. If that is not possible, within 6 hours: before Full Moon is preferable, and after New Moon. Keep a journal handy; your experience may be clear at the time but is easily forgotten. You might like to create a special Moon Journal for the purpose. A minimum of 15 minutes is recommended, but allow as much time as you need, as it is important not to rush.
Preparation for both meditations
Create a beautiful, clean space without clutter or interruptions. Light a candle if you wish. Sit cross-legged on the floor, or in an upright chair with your feet touching the ground. Place your hands in your lap, fingers interlinked, with thumb-tips touching. Your arms make a Moon circle. Become aware of your breathing, and allow due time for yourself to settle into quietude. From your coccyx, your tailbone, stretches a beam of soft light, like a tail, which connects you to the very centre of the Earth. Feel yourself supported. Now sense the top of your head, where a beam of soft light connects you upward to the celestial realms. Rest in the grounded spaciousness and earthy clarity available in your own unique heaven/earth connection. Know that you belong in Life, and are nourished.
New Moon meditation
Imagine the round space of the dark moon, covering the bowl of your pelvic girdle from below the navel up to your brow. Rest in the feeling of warm inviting darkness, velvety, empty, peaceful and full of potential. Enjoy the sense of containment offered by the curving circle which encloses your body. Allow it to become a sphere. Reflect upon the last two weeks of your life, since the last Full Moon...use your diary if your memory needs jogging. Bring your life into this space, and allow some digesting time as you let go. As the space empties, contemplate the quality of the zodiac sign in which the Moon is currently placed, or simply enjoy the space. Invite and welcome the subtle sense of a new impulse arising. End with a dedication.
Full moon
Imagine the round space of the radiant moon, covering the bowl of your pelvic girdle from below the navel up to your brow. Rest in the feeling of fullness, luminosity, fruition, creativity and radiance. Enjoy the sense of containment. Reflect upon the time since the last New Moon. Bring your life into this space, offering appreciation and gratitude for what has arisen. Contemplate the quality of the Moon's sign, or simply enjoy the space. End with a dedication.
Dedication
Open and close each meditation with a dedication, in your own words. Here are some examples to work from: I dedicate this meditation to the Highest Good…May I be nourished so I may nourish others…May my gratitude for any healing or benefit gained be expressed in service to others…I offer this meditation in praise of the Unknown She.
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New and Full Moons and Eclipses
At Full Moon, the Moon's position is shown first, followed by the Sun's. At New Moon they are in the same sign.
New 29 Jun 2003 18:38 07°Cancer37'
Full 13 Jul 2003 19:21 20°Capricorn59' 20°Cancer59'
New 29 Jul 2003 06:52 05°Leo46'
Full 12 Aug 2003 04:48 19°Aquarius05' 19°Leo05'
New 27 Aug 2003 17:26 04°Virgo02'
Full 10 Sep 2003 16:36 17°Pisces34' 17°Virgo34'
New 26 Sep 2003 03:08 02°Libra38'
Full 10 Oct 2003 07:27 16°Aries35' 16°Libra35'
New 25 Oct 2003 12:49 01°Scorpio41'
Full 9 Nov 2003 01:13 16°Taurus13' 16°Scorpio13'
(LUNAR ECLIPSE at 01.18)
New 23 Nov 2003 22:58 01°Sagittarius14'
(TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE at 22.43)
Full 8 Dec 2003 20:36 16°Gemini20' 16°Sagittarius20'
New 23 Dec 2003 09:43 01°Capricorn08'
Full 7 Jan 2004 15:39 16°Cancer40' 16°Capricorn40'
New 21 Jan 2004 21:05 01°Aquarius10'
Full 6 Feb 2004 08:46 16°Leo54' 16°Aquarius54'
New 20 Feb 2004 09:18 01°Pisces04'
Full 6 Mar 2004 23:13 16°Virgo43' 16°Pisces43'
New 20 Mar 2004 22:42 00°Aries39'
Full 5 Apr 2004 11:01 16°Libra00' 16°Aries00'
New 19 Apr 2004 13:21 29°Aries49'
(PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE at 13.33)
Full 4 May 2004 20:32 14°Scorpio42' 14°Taurus42'
(LUNAR ECLIPSE at 20.29)
New 19 May 2004 04:51 28°Taurus33'
Full 3 Jun 2004 04:19 12°Sagittarius56' 12°Gemini56'
New 17 Jun 2004 20:26 26°Gemini57' ++
Endnotes
- Marjorie Malvern, Venus in Sackcloth. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press, 1975, p121, as quoted in Barbara G. Walker The Woman's Encyclopaedia of Myths and Secrets, New York: Harper & Row, 1983, p672.
- In UK during summer add one hour Daylight Saving (30.03.2003 - 26.10.2003).
- Data computed with Solar Fire V5 software. For general purposes, the precise degrees and minutes can be ignored. However, readers familiar with their astrological charts can check whether a New or Full Moon exactly touches a natal planetary placement, which increases its significance.
- For duration and visibility of forthcoming eclipses, see:
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/UpcomingEclipses.html
- See the article by Hilary Hart in Caduceus issue 59, pp30-33.
Main picture artwork: Eclipse Full Moon Meditation
by Anna Mackenzie
Continued from Moon Talk Part One
(Caduceus Issue 60 -- Summer 2003).
All website contents copyright © Melanie Reinhart 1989-2025 [except where alternative attribution is noted]. All rights reserved.
