The Dance of Durga & Lakshmi with Libra's Full Moon Yod
The Libra Full Moon graces us with her presence at 23° 19' on April 12th at 5:22pm Pacific/8:22pm Eastern, creating a Yod, or "finger of God," with planets in Taurus and Pisces.
Cloudy skies open to reveal a graceful, luminous moon whose clear light emanates celestially through the atmosphere, reminding us of the innate beauty hidden in plain sight when we choose to look. The Moon of the lover, the mediator, and the diplomat, this comes at a time when our world could use just a bit more of these virtues and the peace they inherently contain. Yet we must first open ourselves to receive the magic that this Full Moon in all its aspects is welcoming into both the inner and outer atmospheres. Aided by the planets inconjunct this moon in Pisces — Venus, Saturn, and Mercury — as well as Uranus in Taurus, the ideals of softening and becoming receptive, opening to the inherent intelligence that is available in each moment, as well as that which already lives in our bodies, loom large. Even with Chiron and Eris conjunct the Sun in Aries and Mars squaring the Moon from Cancer, this time is an opportunity to lean into the auspicious energies enlivening the cosmic dance.
As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries always needs us to be daring and bold when it comes to doing the things that we know we must, but that are daunting and leave us shaking in our boots in the midst of their presence. Like the goddess Durga whose energy is linked with the sign of the Leader and Warrior(ess), and for good reason, this archetype asks us to fiercely claim a boundary in ourselves, our relationships, and our lives in order to find the equanimity that its counterpart, Libra, is encouraging us to. If we continue giving our energy away to media, relationships, or activities that have us coming away feeling frayed, depleted, stressed, or anxious, this boundary is even more important for us to assert.
Chiron, known as the wounded healer, wants us to reclaim our capacity to do just this so that we can get after what feels vital and important in our lives, especially when we’re made uncomfortable thinking about said task and making it so. In the natal chart, Chiron shows us where we have given up a part of our aliveness and what gives us power, only so we can recover these facets of ourselves again to remember our innate capacity to be passionately engaged with life and the things that drive us, giving us clear-pointed focus and direction.
Eris, in the sign of Aries from 1926 until mid-2044, reminds us that we must have the courage to see, sit with, and integrate the wounded feminine parts of ourselves, those that have been disenfranchised and alienated due to cultural conditioning, but that must be brought back to the fore in order for us to access our full potential. Especially if these wounds have us competing with others in an unhealthy way, not sharing our voices because we’ve been conditioned to think that what we have to share doesn’t matter, or letting envy win out over an innate trust in our interconnectedness with all of life, we are meant to face and heal these wounded pieces that are ready to be alchemized.
Libra, whose association with the goddess Lakshmi cannot be overlooked, is the sign of receptivity, connection, and reciprocity. It is an energy that must have soul-mated connection with those it holds dear, calling forth a grace in others due to that it carries and wields so benevolently. Lakshmi, the goddess of what is inherently auspicious, innately beautiful, and supremely exquisite, draws these qualities out in all whose lives she touches, reminding us that when we open to the grace that is woven into the fabric of our universe, we are able to tap into the sublime nature of reality no matter how long we’ve been disconnected from it. Lakshmi lives in the simple beauty of life wherever we choose to see it, whether it is the fresh buds growing from the now-fecund earth, the brilliant moon in her full form on a clear night, a tender moment with our child, a sweet one with our beloved, or a warmhearted one with our dog(s) or cat(s).
This moon beckons us into the aforementioned realm, yet sometimes we have to create this strong, clear boundary in ourselves in order to prioritize these moments and this perspective. Claiming a boundary and holding this ground is key, especially if we haven’t done this recently or perhaps ever, making ourselves available to the enchanting aspect of life, which is always available if we choose to sense its presence. Yet if we are constantly choosing to interact with that which brings chaos, fear, or suffering over and again, we are barred from the realm of the equanimous for longer than we likely enjoy. This does not mean that we put our heads in the sand, but instead, that we mindfully and heartfully choose to create healthy boundaries in our lives, ones that allow our nervous systems to function in an optimally regulated way rather than continually interacting with life from a dysregulated place — something we’re seeing more and more in our modern world.
Now for the Yod, often translated to “finger of God,” which in a natal chart always signals an important facet of the chart that a person is meant to direct their energy toward, one that has the feel of a destiny that is meant to be completed. This is generally related to something a soul has cultivated within themselves through the course of many lifetimes, something they are here to bring to a place of resolution in the current time. Though transiting Yods are different than natal ones, their composition remains the same: 2 inconjuncts and 1 sextile, forming an isoscoles triangle, often called a witch’s hat.
Uranus in Taurus forms an inconjunct relationship to the Full Moon, encouraging us to embody our most peaceful selves, drawing on the practices that are most authentic for us and those that leave us feeling connected to our animal instincts, safe in our bodies, calm in our nervous systems, and comfortable in our own skin. This inconjunct relationship between Taurus and Libra is one of my favorites, as both signs are ruled by Venus, each hitting on a facet of the spectrum that invites us to true equanimity. Taurus does so through the body with embodiment practices and exercise, as well as by connecting with animals (and our own animal instincts) and the natural world, while Libra does so through meaningful and reciprocal relationships in which we feel seen and understood. Both signs need vagus nerve stimulation that welcomes tranquility and ease, and both are alive and present for this Full Moon.
Venus, Saturn, and Mercury inconjunct the Moon from the other direction in the sign of the Mystic and the Dreamer, and both Mercury and Venus have just recently been retrograde — Venus goes direct the same day as the Full Moon! Libra and Pisces share some commonalities despite their interesting relationship to one another, both able to tune into the harmonious dimensions of life, those that soothe our souls and connect us with our cosmic hearts. These Piscean planets also form a sextile with Uranus in Taurus, inviting mystical understanding into our embodied lives, likely most especially available when we’re communing with the Great Mother Earth herself.
Mercury reminds us that sometimes our perception is meant to be shifted and expanded, insights gleaned and revelations recognized, when we make ourselves available to the Piscean flow of life, taking time to honor the inherent intelligence that moves in all things and that exists at the core of all of life. Venus needs reciprocal relating with others, and in this position, with those who also perceive of the magical features of life, those who encourage us to dream into the life and world that is possible so that we might bring a bit more of this mystical lens to bear in our world. And Saturn, creator of bounds and keeper of time, reminds us that walking the long, slow path of the wisdom-holder is one that is worthy of traversing, that when we take the time and put the energy and attention into the things that connect us with the majestic movement of life, we are carried by its current, no matter how turbulent its flow becomes. Our perception and relationship to life are transformed by this simple yet powerful choice. And when we find those whose paths have led them into similar wisdom-producing terrain as our own, the connection is even more reciprocal, the relationship even more genuine.
Lastly, Mars sits in a square to the Full Moon in the sign of the Healer, echoing a bit of Durga’s sentiments that remind us to assertively claim what we need when it comes to self-care and healing through feeling. Mars also defends boundaries, and when in the sign of the Healer and Mother, we are called to nurture ourselves in ways that we know will give us exactly what we need to be held, thereby softening and opening us to commune with Life. And sometimes we are meant to be fierce with those with whom we are closest, creating bounds that support all involved, as Cancer inevitably deals with family, be it biological or chosen. But Libra reminds us that we can do this firmly and gracefully at the same time, respecting others’ dignity as well as our own.
While the sky is sure to stir our beings into a plethora of possibilities during this Full Moon, my wish is that yours is filled with the beauty, grace, and magic that remind you of what matters most and invite you to live that knowing in the world.
