The Celestial Dance of Samhain 2020
This year has been particularly interesting astrologically. This year we have been scheduled to have 13 full moons, and this upcoming moon on October 31, 2020 is going to be full. In fact, it’ll be even more unique. It is technically considered a Blue Moon, which is when a second full moon occurs in a calendar month. So, what’s the big deal? Why does this warrant a whole blog post? Well, I believe that the celestial forces that move the tides and dictate the changing of the seasons have a powerful and visceral impact on every living being on our planet. For example, if the moon’s distance and cycles can control the rise and fall of the tides, then why can’t we acknowledge the powerful magnetic and gravitational influence it has on each of us? If we are mostly comprised of water, then we must acknowledge the power of the closest celestial body, the Moon, at the very least.
In Astrology, the Moon represents the Divine Feminine, the Goddess. It is connected with the element of Water, and it is often associated with the powers of Dreams, Psychic Energy, the Unconscious, Intuition, Past Lives, Hidden Knowledge, Illusion, Transformation, and the Soul. In antiquity, the Moon has been associated with various divinities such as Selene, Artemis, Hekate, and Luna to just name a few. In regards to the body, it is also connected to the stomach and the womb.
A full moon has always represented manifestation to me. It was about bringing in the fullness of our dreams or goals. In the nights leading up to a full moon, it slowly grows from darkness into a luminous silver orb. A full moon is the height of power on one side of a the spectrum, and it also relates to the realization of desires and the peak of clarity. It’s the silver light that reveals the hidden things in shadows or the darkness. However, the light of the full moon can confuse and obscure as much as it reveals.
Now that we understand the power and influence of the full moon, let us consider the astrological sign the Full Moon will be in on Saturday, October 31, 2020. The moon stations in every zodiac sign for at least two days. On that day, the Moon will be in the sign of Taurus, which is a fixed Earth sign. I’m sure all of us know someone who is a Taurus, and keep in mind, accurately interpreting an individuals astrological signs can’t be easily reduced down to a simple stereotype. Keep in mind that zodiac signs are far more complex than a collection of key words and terms, but for the sake of brevity, I use it in this post. For further reading about the zodiac signs, I highly recommend reading Kathleen Burt’s, Archetypes of the Zodiac.
Taurus is the bull sign of the zodiac. It is famously stubborn but also gentle. Once it gets into a rut, it’ll trod that path over and over, hence it’s fixed designation, and woe to the individual who waves a red flag in its face. Taurus just wants to work and be content, but when it’s temper is finally roused, it is frightening. Taurus is an energy of Earth, which is about creation, abundance, and prosperity. It also has connections to ancient bull worship, which I recommend researching, and the bull plays a prominent role in a famous myth concerning Zeus who appears in the form of a bull and Europa, a beautiful Phoenician maiden associated with Demeter. It would seem then that the Moon, Divine Feminine, is expressing her power as the Benevolent Earth Goddess through the power of Taurus for Samhain.
Interestingly enough, the celestial theater isn’t finished with putting on a show for us this Saturday. The Taurus Blue Moon will also be conjunct Uranus. In astrological terms, conjunction is an aspect wherein two astrological bodies occupy the same position within a chart. This is considered the strongest blend of the two energies of the planets. Now, we know about the Moon, what She represents, reflects and governs, and we also know about Taurus, manifesting earth force of abundance and creation. However, what about Uranus?
Uranus is associated electricity, genius, intellect, technology, science, Astrology, and lightning. The discovery of the planet coincided with the discovery of Electricity. According to the eminent astrologer, Jeffrey Wolf Green, Uranus is the force that represents “freedom from known thinking”. I’ve always thought that it was a planet that represented the Promethean person, the original thinker that defies the rote and accepted way of thinking and creates a new paradigm by their actions or creations. Aldous Huxley, Steve Jobs, Nicola Tesla, and Hedy Lamarr are a few such pioneers and names that come to mind. Additionally, Uranus is also connected to the Greek Primordial who shares the name of the planet. Uranus was the husband of Gaea before he was slain by his titan offspring, Kronos. Lightning is also the favored weapon of his Grandson, Zeus, who in turn slew his own father, Kronos. So then, how would we consider the presence of Uranus in this mix?
I would argue that the old paradigms and ways of thinking (Uranus) and being (Taurus) have been falling apart, and now, with the power of the Full Moon, bringing the seeds that were planted during the early part of this month to fruition. The hidden things will be brought to light, and the things we have all been working towards creating will finally be birthed into this world. New ways of thinking and being are being created, and we have been working towards making it our reality, which is one that is good and decent for all.