238,300 miles away, what is it the moon represents; intuition, emotions, inner life, the female principle, the ying energy, initiation into the mystery systems? Just what is her celestial purpose as she changes her appearance in the night sky effecting our moods, behavior and emotions. Numerous mysteries surround the moon. Two days before the summer solstice the moon will be in opposition 180 degrees to the sun a “full moon” Venus will enter the star constellation of cancer who is ruled by the moon and remain there spreading her influences.
Legends from the earliest times of man veil the moon in superstition and fear. Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum she has been venerated revered and honored the Dogon of Mali in West Africa. The Yoruba of Nigeria acknowledge the moon through the deity Yemoja spirit of the ocean with many attributes one being the moon. She is associated with the feminine mysteries as well. Other cultures acknowledge this celestial body as well despite her being over 238,300 miles away from us. These moon goddess worshiping cultures include the Caelestis of the ancient Carthaginians of North Africa, the Suk and Pokot of Kenya and Uganda in East Africa. In ancient Iran the Elamites acknowledges in their scriptures the moon god Napir. The Fon of Benin acknowledged Mawu or Gieti as a deity associated with the moon. In 2500BC during the new kingdom in ancient Kemit the moon deity of the time was referred to as Khonsu the wanderer a revered deity.
These early astrologers/ astronomers predated Western civilization. By observing the night sky they recognized the moon had eight phases it cycled through within 28 and a half days similar to a woman's menstrual cycle.
238,300 miles away with a diameter of 2,155 miles and mass of 8.09x 10 19 tons it isn't difficult to locate in our night sky as she rotates on her axis every 27.2 days and orbits our planet every 27.3 days; measuring 12 degrees; 55minutes. This lunar body traverses the celestial sky transiting through numerous star constellations of the zodiac contributing her influences intensifying that particular zodiac's energy pattern every two and a half days along her; was it any wonder the ancient Kemites referred to this celestial body as Khonsu the wanderer that blessed the heavens. The moon's subtle influences intertwining with those energy patterns of the zodiac make for an interesting out come; for instance her influence during a full moon on fire signs tends to intensify urges, needs and restlessness. While in air signs the focus is concentrated on conscious awareness and the intellect. Her effect on earth signs intensified their tendency to focus more on practicality and applying usefulness in a meaningful way to their daily lives. The water signs feelings, emotions and creativity were somewhat expanded. Like the rising tides of the ocean an everlasting ebb and flow the moon's energy is effecting us regardless of our beliefs, those subtle influences are reflected in our moods and behavior. Can you imagine what it would be like to have more than one moon orbiting our little piece of the solar system? Mars has 2 moons, Jupiter has over 16, Saturn 19, Uranus 15, and Neptune the planet of dreams, inspiration and illusions has 8, all of which makes their orbits and transits according to their cycles.
To the contrary of our most basic beliefs there is no denying of the presence of celestial influences throughout our solar system; are we the third planet from the Sun, and first planet from the moon, and how does this celestial body influence our emotions according to our individual zodiac? The sign that the moon resides in the moment we enter this material word determines the way were act to the events, people and circumstances emotional while the sign that occupies the house determines the area of life in which we act the most instinctively. Man, mineral, plant, bodies of water; the moon has her undeniable affect over it. In West Africa our ancestors the Fon people of Togo knew when to plant seeds in the earth by considering the moon phases, the ancient Yoruba of Nigeria knew when to perform certain initiations according to the phases of the moon. Those seafaring ancestors in Mali knew the strength of the tides varied greatly with the lunar phases. Its affect on mineral is fascinating. The moon stone for instance with its pale yellow appearance possesses numerous metaphysical properties; tending to grow stronger or weaker as the moon waxes or wanes. As a symbol of hope it was carried by seafarers for protection. In regards to medicinal purposed it was said to reduce fevers. In India the stone was considered sacred for lovers. Being a feminine it was also used to help with menstruation and child bearing. It also maintained emotional balance, and was beneficial in dream interpretation, all these things were in connection to the moon.
