I wrote my insights on the power of our emotions and the opportunity to connect with them in an inspired way for our February Full Moon. Here’s what I shared in my newsletter:
I grew up in a culture that wasn’t very accepting of emotions. Well, that’s not entirely true. I can remember several of the elder church men telling us little girls to “smile”. So I guess it is more accurate to say that it was only acceptable to display certain, more pleasing emotions.
As a little girl, I naturally had a pretty cheery disposition. As I grew older, I remember experiencing more anger and frustration at the limitations and doctrine of my culture. What was acceptable behavior for a girl, and what wasn’t. Then, of course, I was conditioned to experience guilt, shame and fear as a way to control my thoughts and behaviors. Thankfully, I was given full access to the outdoors, and was eventually introduced to sports.
Anyone who watched me play sports as a kid and had some awareness of astrology would have probably guessed that I’m ruled by Fire. Even though I was in peak physical condition, my face would always turn BRIGHT RED. Always.
Looking back, I believe sports probably saved my life. They gave me a physical outlet to release all of that energy (i.e. emotion) that I wasn’t allowed to express.
Emotions are one of the ways energy moves through our bodies. They are a vital part of our experience as humans on this earth. It is through our emotions that we feel connected (and disconnected) from the world around us. {If you haven’t read Brene Browne’s book Atlas of the Heart, I highly recommend it as she tried to put language to this vast and diverse aspect of human experience}
The full moon this weekend is in an area of the sky associated with emotions, with energy.
Today, at 12:28pm CST, Chandra Devi (the Moon’s Sanskrit name) will reach her peak fullness in the constellation of Cancer, and nakshatra (Vedic star sign within the constellation) of Ashlesha.
The Moon is the ruler of the sign of Cancer, and is associated with our mental and emotional bodies. As she waxes and wanes across the night sky, she teaches us about the pulsation of Life that is inherent in all of us, the spanda, or the expansion and contraction.
As women under the patriarchy, we have been led to believe that our emotions are our weakness. That they make us less capable, less professional, less productive, more unpredictable and therefore less reliable.
This Full Moon reminds you that this is a lie. Your emotions are your POWER.
This moon falls in Ashlesha, a nakshatra that is associated with Naga, or serpent, energy. In the vedas, the serpents are representative of the wisdom keepers and of shakti/prana/life force. (You’ve heard of Kundalini referred to as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, yeah?)
Energy carries wisdom within it.
Translation: we can glean much understanding by unpacking unexpressed/repressed emotions (in safe containers) and by allowing ourselves to feel our lives fully. This goes for men and women. Under the patriarch, we have both suffered.
This full moon is fully supported by a strong and benefic Brihaspati (Jupiter’s Sanskrit name). So, if you’re feeling the intensity of this Full Moon - beautiful. FEEL it FULLY.
Pranic Practice:
Get outside today, sit down and put your bare feet on the earth. Breathe, deep into your belly. Remind yourself that it is safe to feel your intensity. Take in your natural surroundings through the senses - what do you see? colors, shapes, birds, bugs.... What do you hear? see how many sounds you can identify.... As you breathe deeply, what do you smell? How does the earth feel beneath you - cool to touch, damp, soft, hard, feel Her. As you connect to her, sense the weight of your body against Her and remember how supported you are. You are safe.
Listen to Jai Jaigadeesh’s “Here comes the rain”
