If you’ve been feeling confused lately, wrestling with big ideas but can’t quite get them into focus, or struggling to get forward momentum on a bold idea that has you fired up, it fits the current planetary alignments.
Mars, the planet of action, is retrograde in Leo and Mercury, the planet of communications, has been retrograde in Sagittarius — both fire signs.
When planets are retrograde, they appear to be moving backward.
Fire is an element that needs to move and breathe. What happens to your fire when you feel stuck in place?
Having both Mars —the planet of action — and Mercury — the planet of communication — retrograde at the same time, while both are in fire signs, can lead us to get a little hot under the collar — stoking our irritability and anger.
The Full Moon in Gemini (December 15, 4:01 am ET, 23º52’) can illuminate what’s really burning us up from within, how we are reacting to it, and how we can heal it.
Full Moon: A Peak Moment
A Full Moon is the peak moment in the lunar cycle. The Sun and Moon are sitting opposite each other in the sky, causing the moon to be fully illuminated by the light of the Sun.
Full Moons are energizing and activating. Some people find it harder to sleep, and emotions tend to reach their peak. This is where the word “lunacy” originates.
Just as the Sun completely illuminates the side of the moon facing us, full moons offer us an opportunity to see what normally is hidden out of our view.
Big Picture vs the Details
Each full moon brings focus to a polarity on the zodiac wheel represented by 2 opposing signs. At the Full Moon in Gemini, the moon is in Gemini while the Sun is in Sagittarius.
Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is the sign of big visions and high ideals. It seeks wisdom, higher knowledge, and bold adventures. Symbolized by the centaur, it aims its arrow far. This is not a place for the detail-obsessed.
On the other hand, Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is that place. in Gemini we like to gather the data and sweat the details before moving forward.
While the Sun in Sagittarius encourages us to dream big and craft an idealistic vision for our future, the Moon in Gemini reminds us that the details matter too.
Mercury Retrograde Trine Mars Retrograde: Frustration in Thoughts and Action
We can get more color on this full moon by looking to the planet in charge, which is Mercury. Mercury is in Sagittarius, finishing up a 3-week retrograde period. It will station direct shortly after the Full Moon.
It is sitting at a trine to Mars, which is retrograde in Leo.
The trine is a supportive aspect that helps both planets in their purpose. With Mercury and Mars both in fire signs, this can signify support in taking bold action (Mars) toward big visions (Mercury). But with both planets retrograde, we might not see much movement.
Because Mercury is ending its retrograde and stationing direct with this full moon, it’s not moving at all.
It will take a few days before Mercury starts to move forward again. Until then, plans, visions, and life in general might feel stuck in a holding pattern. You might find yourself confused or overwhelmed by too much information, unable to parse the details that matter, or to articulate yourself with clarity.
This can cause us to feel stuck, and lead to frustration, irritability, and anger.
Square to Neptune: An Opportunity For Healing
Adding to this dynamic is that at the full moon the Sun and Moon are a square to Neptune in Pisces. This can be a signature of fogginess, delusion, or overwhelm.
Although the square to Neptune can create conditions for confusion, it can also create an opportunity for healing. Neptune in Pisces invites us to release our ties to the mind to explore the yearnings of our souls.
By diving within, we might discover clarity at a deeper level, beneath the chattering mind that obsesses over details or projects visions that aren’t truly aligned.
When the mind/intellect — represented by the moon in air-sign Gemini — is at odds with the fire of our heart — represented by the Sun in fire-sign Sagittarius — turning to the emotions deep within — represented by Neptune in Pisces — can help us find true alignment that will help us get back on track.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...