Connect with the Full Moon in Leo

February’s Full Moon in Leo will take place on Sunday, February 1 at 5:09 pm EST/4:09 pm CST. Full Moon energy is always a kind of push-pull energy between the expression of the Sun and the Moon in exact opposition in the sky. With the Sun (and so many other planets) in Aquarius at this time, we are focused on humanitarian issues that serve the greater good, but that energy may seem too remote and abstract.  The Leo Moon balances this out by giving us opportunities to exert our creative energies on a more personal level.

However, the Sun is not the only heavenly body in Aquarius right now. There is also a stellium of planets in Aquarius: Pluto, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. This means that there are multiple Aquarius oppositions to this Leo Full Moon So what does that mean and how can we best work with this energy?

Basically, Sunday’s full moon highlights an intense, high-stakes battle between the personal, heart-centered, and creative expression of Leo opposing the Aquarian energy of collective, rational, and revolutionary change and the strong need for independence.  Leo operates from the heart and wants to do things in a big, dramatic way, while Aquarian energy is intellectual and prioritizes progress for humanity at large over self-achievement.

The key here is finding balance. How do I serve my own needs and my fellow man as well? As Rick Levine, a popular astrologer, often says, “Think cosmically but act locally”. Doing small, meaningful things can help shift the balance for everyone. Full Moon rituals are one way to do that. Everyone can - and should - have their own approach to creating full moon rituals, but here are a few suggestions for specific actions that can help us make the best use of this special Leo Full Moon.

·      Charge crystals and other spiritual tools (like tarot cards!) by placing them outside under the moonlight (or on a windowsill inside for those dealing with the mid-winter cold). Once they are cleansed, you can select crystals that represent Aquarius and Leo to work with: amethyst, sapphire, jade, garnet for Aquarius and sunstone, tiger’s eye, and clear quartz for Leo.

·      Charge water with moonlight in the same way to create Moon Water that will hold the powerful Leo-Aquarius vibe. You can use Moon Water to enhance spells and rituals, improve your meditative practice, purify the house, water plants, consecrate crystals, and many other things.

·      Clear the energy field with smudging, palo santo, or scented candles, especially just after the peak time of the opposition. This is a good ritual to practice on a daily basis. For those of us in the U.S. it might also be a good time to release the overwhelming energy we are all carrying from the constant onslaught of political events.

·      Similarly, we can release energies that no longer serve us by listing fears, limiting beliefs, or toxic patterns we want to let go of on a piece of paper, then we can safely burn the list under the moonlight to symbolize their release. (Wait until after the moon is officially waning again.)

·      We can focus on setting new intentions for the coming cycle. We can concentrate on answering questions such as what do we need to do for ourselves that will also serve the world at large.

·      Finally, although the exact full moon will occur during daylight here in the U.S., it’s always a magical thing to just spend time gazing at the beautiful moon if you have clear skies that evening to appreciate its other-worldly beauty.