FOOD FOR LOVE

Full Moons are a regularly recurring status report on the state of our emotions. In Taurus, the first of the earth signs, the November 2017 Full Moon measures comfort with worldly existence.

What we have, how this feeds us, what we want and to what extent we share are all up for review at this moment. With a twist or two. And more than a little magic.

Let’s look at how astrologers around the Web weigh in on the topic. window.addEventListener(‘LPLeadboxesReady’,function(){LPLeadboxes.setExitIntent(‘14269aff3f72a2:9447e3ade’,{dontShowFor:’1d’});});

Taurus Full Moon

The sign of the Bull is all about sensuality and physicality – perhaps to an extreme. Marina Macarino of Darkstar Astrology explains:

“Full Moon at 11 degrees Taurus can be very indulgent, but when we have overdone it, the hangover the next day shows us how far we have intoxicated ourselves. The sensitivity of the Full Moon can work in a positive manner too, where artists can pick up the mood of the audience and modulate their performance to fit. This is a sensuous and empathic Full Moon, so it is a great time to book a massage and recover from any over-indulgence.”

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Let Go and Let God

Boosting the potential for sensitivity is the Moon’s exact sextile to Neptune in Pisces, which trines the Scorpio Sun. While supportive, a sextile presents an opportunity that requires accepting it to receive its benefits; it does not, as Taurus might prefer, drop into your lap.

This one invites, and possibly rewards, sweet surrender.

“Neptune can take some of the needy edge off, if you’re able to transcend the immediate anxieties of ‘not enough.’ Neptune encourages you to take a step back from this ending/result. As you do, some magical expansion can happen. Neptune dissolves limits, but only if you’re able to let go of the craving for immediate satisfaction. You may get more, but it probably won’t be what you initially had your eye on.”

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, also sees potential for transcendent experiences.

“Full moon sextile Neptune heightens your level of sensitivity and emotions. You will be more in touch with the feelings of other people and should enjoy the company of pleasant people in nice surroundings. The Full Moon will help you connect at a deeper level with your loved ones, especially family members, partners and women. Your intuition and psychic abilities will be stronger and more accurate than usual. Dreaming and imagination will be more vivid and creative.”

However, Marina Macarino, Darkstar Astrology, sounds notes of caution:

“Full Moon sextile Neptune wants to make things as perfect as possible, so perfect that it looks quite surreal against the backdrop of the real world. In relationships we will need to guard against putting partners on a pedestal. The chosen god or goddess only has to slip a tiny bit and the disappointment is palpable. This insidious Neptunian dissolving can seriously erode a partnership in the long term. On the positive side Neptune’s self sacrificial tendency brings a flowering of affection and care. But there is a deceptive side of Neptune as well, so [it] can came across as the holy rescuer only to shatter the disciple’s dreams when [the] Moon/Neptune person shows they are merely human.”

“Sun trine Neptune can be a wonderfully glamorous, charismatic, musical, poetic and highly imaginative combination… that comes with a price! Surprisingly even a trine can also be tinged with tragedy. It goes so easily with the flow that one’s ego becomes too easily porous and suggestible. This makes it hard for us to resist drugs, alcohol and temptations of escapism at this time. “

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A Loaf of Bread, A Jug of Wine, and Thou

With this Venus-ruled Moon in synch with dreamy Neptune, love may well be in the air. The skies are encouraging friendships to blossom, falling in love and maybe, just maybe, finding your soul mate.

Venus is nearing the end of her stay in her second, relationship-focused home of Libra. (She enters Scorpio on Nov. 7.) Before she leaves, she’s making contacts that set a tone for our own social calendars. Mostly beneficially.

One contact is an offer of support (sextile) from commitment-loving Saturn in Sagittarius. Elsa Elsa calls this combination “real love.”

“For some this may mean, you have a pleasant, comfortable (Taurus) evening at home with your partner. Others may very well experience ‘love at first sight.'”

Other aspects continue the promise of last month’s Libra New Moon, which was also ruled by the goddess of love. Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, draws the connection.

“The Oct. 19 New Moon at 26°35′ Libra brought opportunities for wealth, honor and success because of its alignment with the extremely fortunate fixed stars Spica (24°04′ Libra) and Arcturus (24°28′ Libra). Aspects to Saturn trine Uranus from the New Moon mean you should stay patient but also open-minded and flexible to unlock the treasures of the New Moon.

“The November 2017 Full Moon astrology chart above shows Venus at 25°55′ Libra even closer to these lucky stars. This means the next two weeks of this spiritual moon phase offers you friendship, love and romance – but only if you are patient, open-minded and flexible.

“The combined influence of a very spiritual Full Moon and a very lucky Venus means you can connect at a deeply spiritual level with your partner and loved ones.”

Still, nothing’s certain. A wild card is in play. Venus makes an exact opposition to unpredictable Uranus minutes before the Moon is full.  He’s known for throwing thunderbolts.

“This usually signals a change in your love life. If you already have a partner, an unexpected event may cause tension. It may be that your need for a change or excitement in the bedroom is rejected. A healthy relationship would endure such transgressions and a permanent separation would be unlikely. An affair at this time would more likely lead to a rapid separation.

“If dating, a new romance now would be exciting but possibly short-lived. Whatever your situation, if love is not an option then change and excitement can manifest in another area of life. Financial windfalls are possible but you should be careful taking risks with money.”

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King

“An opposition really drives home the theme of conclusion. Venus/Uranus suggests the unexpected result, or the complete reversal. The true value (Taurus) of what you’re getting or losing may be revealed. You won’t be able to keep things neat and balanced (sorry Libra).”

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology

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More, More, More

Any or all of the Full Moon’s bounty could be larger than life and charged with desire, thanks to magnifier Jupiter opposing the Moon and closing in on the Sun. Jupiter is heightening urges for deep and meaningful connecting and sharpening perceptions of where that is and is not occurring. Redefining, reshaping and releasing comes easily, with a trine from the Moon to Pluto.

The new contours settle in over the following week, as stabilizing and disrupting influences converge in a trine between Saturn and Uranus on November 11.  This is the final bow in a dance that began last December. It ends with the outer planets making uncomfortable aspects to Chiron, embodiment of our abiding wounds. The impact pushes for evolved approaches, individually and collectively and echoes this Moon’s Neptunian tint – and its fixed star connection to the communal psyche.

Other Considerations

Astrology is such a vast study, the opportunities for reflection are endless. Let’s turn to a few more commonly used tools for adding nuance and flair to our understanding:

Fixed Stars

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology, notes this Moon’s proximity to the fixed star Menkar, at 14 Taurus in the constellation Cetus, the whale or the sea monster.

“Cetus the whale is symbolic of the communal psyche of world. What you get then is an over-absorption of everything that is out there in the cosmos, seen and unseen and from dimensions that may have a positive or negative agenda.

“Menkar can be problematic as described by Vivian Robson. ‘Mental anxiety, hatred of the vulgar, ill-will of women, danger from thieves, sickness to native and family, loss of marriage partner or near relative, quarrels, legal losses, legacies and inheritances attended by much evil.’ 

“Bernadette Brady sees Menkar more positively however. She writes: ‘Emotionally committed to, or responsive to, the needs of the collective. One’s actions have far reaching effects. Emotions run high in general public.'”

Fixed star Acrux is opposite the Moon at 12°06′ Scorpio.

“[This] adds conscious spiritual awareness through the Sun. Elsbeth Ebertin said this magical star gives: ‘intuition, a grasp for the inner nature of one’s fellow man, a preference for occult studies , the gift of successful investigation of the hidden side of things, an inventive mind, and a deeply religious nature connected with mystical and theosophical interests. ‘”

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King

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Asteroids

The Moon squares Ceres, goddess of grain, in Leo.  Nadia Gilchrist of Ruby Slipper Astrology calls this a crisis in nurturing.

“[T]he tension between look-at-me Leo versus stick-to-the-basics Taurus suggests the drive to nurture may be distorted, due to lack of recognition and appreciation. This is the hug that demands acknowledgement, or the domineering (Leo) mother. Love and care are definitely not unconditional. Ceres’ association with the cycle of life and loss may amplify the nurturing grip, as fears of losing appreciation/the spotlight are triggered. Food issues (hunger based on unmet needs) may also be prominent.”

The square may also spur productive action and championing underdogs – but take care not to go overboard.

“Full Moon square Ceres is the aspect equivalent to the Salvation Army, seeking to rescue those in the most need. Those touched by this full Moon then must be careful however, that their saving doesn’t turn into a saviour complex. When this aspect warps, it warps big. The subject can be the smothered or do the smothering, sometimes they will be one then the other depending on the relationship. Moon square Ceres can very easily destroy life instead of saving it. It can love so hard and hug so tightly that it squeezes the life out of the beloved. At the most negative, Moon square Ceres can be one of the narcissistic mother who engulfs her child to the extent that the child doesn’t even realise she is being abused.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

Decans

Decans are the 10 degree divisions of the Zodiac the ancient Egyptians used in their calendar system. Each decan is defined by the fixed stars it contains, as well as planetary rulers assigned by various astrological systems over the years.

This Full Moon falls in Taurus Decan 2.  It’s in a happy place, according to Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology.

“This Full Moon has healing hands and green fingers due to the Mercurial influence of the decan generally. (This is the Virgo section of Taurus.) Those positively influenced by this Taurus Full Moon will make fantastic hosts and throw lavish parties, but they may pay for it the next day as this Full Moon loves to indulge. Mostly the Moon tends to be happy in this decan and is generally able to overcome the negative aspects of its fixed stars.”

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Sabian Symbols

Over the years, astrologers have devised systems to assign meaning to each degree of the Zodiac. The most popular of the past century has been the Sabian Symbols, proposed by Marc Edmund Jones.

The Sabian Symbol for this Taurus Full Moon is “A Young Couple Window-Shopping.”

Astrologer Dane Rudhyar, in his commentary on the Sabian Symbols, explained this image as representing the attention of the ego turning outward to see what its culture has to offer. He explains that the individual “is being molded by what he sees and by prospects for growth in social prestige.”

Lunar Mansion

The Taurus Full Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 4, which the Arab astrologers called Al Dabaran. Donna Woodwell of Donna Philosophica has nicknamed it The Rider.

Taurus’ physical bent shines through this mansion, which supports strength and tenacity in overcoming obstacles.

To harness the powers of this mansion, Donna Woodwell counsels just doing it – jumping in and pursuing goals, especially in business. (Don’t hesitate to travel; the rider has a horse, right?) Don’t give up in the face of hardship, and avoid partnering with the more powerful.

Summing It Up

The indications for this Taurus Full Moon are complex: Sensual and indulgent.  Sensitive and creative.  Needy. Blissful and romantic. Birthing true and lasting love, or maybe disillusionment, or a fling. Caring. Smothering.

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology offers a navigational approach that is both sensible and wise. Fixing on the Neptunian theme of letting go, she counsels:

“[Y]ou will have minimal control over what this Moon brings, so you might as well open yourself up and roll with the outcome.”

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Lunaria Datebook

Last Moon Phase: October New Moon in Libra
Next Moon Phase: November New Moon in Scorpio

November Full Moon Times and Dates:

San Francisco: Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:22 p.m. PDT
New York: Sunday, Nov. 5, 1:22 a.m. EDT
São Paulo: Sunday, Nov. 5, 3:22 a.m. BRDT
London: Sunday, Nov. 5, 5:22 a.m. BST
Istanbul: Sunday, Nov. 5, 8:22 a.m. TRT
Mumbai: Sunday, Nov. 5, 10:52 a.m. IST
Tokyo: Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:22 p.m. JST
Sydney: Sunday, Nov. 5, 4:22 p.m. AEST

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2 Comments

  1. Karen on November 3, 2017 at 2:41 am

    Thank you for the insights <3

  2. Erik Boen on November 4, 2017 at 8:28 am

    If you take this Moon sidereally, it is in Aries, which is a whole other story. Neptune is in Aquarius, again another story. Sun is in Libra, which is not the best of positions in sidereal astrology. The contact of Menkar with Moon may add to the unconscious waves that dictate this full Moon and could” carry some difficulties “as Brady also says! “The sea of the collective can be a stormy one to sail, so a great deal would depend on the presence of other fixed stars in the chart. Well, when Moon sets, at least for Antwerpen, where I live, Alphard culminates, this is another not so easy star! “Difficulties with receiving love and nurturing. A ruthless attitude towards life, a passion for one’s own pursuits.”(Brady, Star and Planet Combinations, p. 110) . Also, your times for the full Moon are off a bit, I think a whole day. But great post altogether with lots of great info ! kep up the good work and try to correct the full moon dates. Erik

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