The Full Moon takes place on August 22nd 13.02 BST, at 29° 37′ Aquarius.
The Full Moon is conjunct Jupiter. In addition to this, the chart features a grand air trine between Venus in Libra, Saturn in Aquarius and the North Node in Gemini.
This Full Moon is meaningful, liberating, inspiring and future orientated.
a seasonal & astrological blue moon
This is also a Blue Moon! A Blue Moon is the term used to describe either the second Full Moon in a calendar month or the third of four Full Moons in an astronomical season (the time between a solstice and equinox). This one is a seasonal Blue Moon.
Of course Blue Moons are rare, they don’t come round everyday (just “once in a Blue Moon”!) The next calendar Blue Moon is August 31st 2023 & the next seasonal Blue Moon is not until August 19th 2024.
But, not only that, this is also an astrological Blue Moon!
It is the second Full Moon to occur during one solar month. The Sun entered Leo on July 22nd, and leaves for Virgo just after the exact opposition between the Sun and the Moon. The Full Moon on July 24th occurred at 1 Aquarius, this one is at 29 Aquarius – known as the anaretic degree or “degree of fate”.
29° is a critical degree, the last degree of a zodiac sign, and as such is associated with a peak of all there is to learn or experience about a sign. It’s a degree that can relate to challenges if there are lessons yet to be learnt, but if everything necessary has been learnt, it is a degree that can lead to success.
Astrologically this is highly significant. Full Moons are a time of culmination, when things are coming to fruition. The Sun is fully illuminating Luna, so we may see clearly how our actions and efforts are working out. The (expected &unexpected) results of our endeavours. A moment that can reveal if we are happy or disappointed with our harvest.
With two moments of fruition in the sign of Aquarius – at the start & end of the sign – something important, influential and perhaps even destined is being bought to our attention.
On a personal level look at which house/houses Aquarius rules in your natal chart, along with any planets placed in Aquarius. The areas of life that the house/houses/planet relate to are likely to be where an issue is perhaps coming to a climax. This could be be favourable or challenging. But either way we can purposefully use the available energy – the enhanced insight & altered perspective – to focus on keeping and reinforcing anything beneficial and letting go of anything that is not working.
In a mundane way
Aquarian themes – society, groups, friendships, diversity, social causes, humanitarianism and politics – and how they relate to us and our future are very much entangled with this Full Moon.
In a mundane way this speaks of the rules (Saturn) recently put in place in the world, and seems to equate with the vaccine passports. The potential of a divided, segregated world. The oppression of personal freedom & diverse points of view. How ahead, if you are un-vaccinated, essentially you will be excluded from society, perhaps even restricted from being able to buy food or access medical care – which is already happening in France.
How the future unfolds in society and the world at large is on the line.
This Aquarian lunation puts us in touch with what is honourable and ethical (Jupiter), reminds us that as a group we are strong and if we unite we can heal.
Chart
Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus. Both the traditional & modern ruler of this lunation are forming flowing trines, as also exact at the Full Moon is Mars trine Uranus (14 Virgo/Taurus).
The picture unites to suggest that the Full Moon will somehow bring a sense of release. Something perhaps becoming clear, that then makes way for progress forwards.
Will help us take in a broader vision (Jupiter) of the future. Clarify our thoughts and ideas around how to shape and structure (Saturn) the future.
Venus-Saturn will bring heightened awareness to relationships that support and encourage us. Help us handle any opposing views or disputes with others gracefully, by being prepared to find a way to compromise. Mars-Uranus will encourage the desire to do or approach something in a new or stimulating way. Innovative, perhaps even daring action, aimed at delivering useful, workable solutions.
Fixed Star ~ Gienah
Fixed Star Gienah is currently at 28° 01′ Aquarius in the Cygnus Constellation. Gienah is a yellow star on the right wing of the Swan. Bernadette Brady reminds us that whilst swans are considered beautiful and graceful, in reality they are notoriously hostile. “This natural hostility was the source of many fables and myths and, in keeping with it, the celestial Swan is seen to be in battle with Aquila the Eagle – a battle it always wins in the northern hemisphere, where it’s placed after the Eagle.”
Constellation Cygnus
“Cygnus in classical times was a dreaded constellation hostile to all things in the air. Ptolemy gives its stars the nature of Venus and Mercury. This is consistent with the spectre of Deneb Adige (Venus) and Sador (Mercury), but both Albireo and Gienah have a Martian nature.” ~ Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan
“Cygnus gives a contemplative, dreamy, cultured and adaptable nature. The affections are ill regulated and unsteady, the talents develop late. There is some love of water and swimming and the arts” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson
Tarot ~ 7 of Swords
The New Moon takes place in the 3rd Decan/Face of Aquarius, ruled by the Moon (Venus by triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 7 of Swords.
This card shows the dark side of the Moon, mystery and deception, combined with Aquarius’ independence and analytical mind.
Book T calls this card “Unstable Effort”.
Aquarius III
“There rises in the third face of Aquarius a man having a mutilated head, and an old woman is with him. This is a face of abundance, accomplishing of will, and of giving offense.” ~ PICATRIX
The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts a man silently and stealthily creeping away from an encampment. The man carries 5 Swords, while 2 Swords remain upright in the ground.
Is the man a thief? Is he the rightful owner of the Swords, sneaking in to reclaim them? Or has he decided it’s time to leave, go it alone, only taking what belongs to him?
There is complexity here, disharmony, culminating in risk taking. All we know for certain is that the man is leaving with something of value. Swords represent the element of Air – thoughts and ideas – so whilst we can’t be sure what preceded the man’s departure, he has planned his actions and is leaving the past, hoping for a brighter future.
This highlights a connection between the 5 of Swords and The Fool – the card that corresponds with Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius. The Fool depicts an adventure into the unknown, exciting – but possibly perilous – as the outcome is unclear.
“In one sense, the Seven of Swords represents courageous, albeit impulsive, effort, which results in partial or temporary success. Old projects are neglected for the actions of the present moment. This card also warns against using deceit in either business or personal affairs.
Spiritually the card suggests that the figure seeks a change in consciousness. Having selected the spiritual ideas he needs, he now focuses on his goal.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, by Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 58
aLL IN all
This Full Moon is another chapter in the ongoing stand off between Saturn and Uranus that is influential throughout 2021.
Saturn square Uranus brings up themes of oppression (Saturn) vs freedom (Uranus), the balance between the laws that govern the people and individual freedom – and this energy is clearly visible in the world.
On a personal level Saturn-Uranus brings us face to face with change. Reveals what in life we really need to let go of – should be relegated to the past – so that we can make room for something new. That may well bestow growth, vibrancy and greater freedom into our life.
The Full Moon brings us the opportunity to discover hope and confidence that we can create a better future. Has the potential to awaken our inner strength and sense of independence, and align us with where and how to focus our intentions and effort.
Wishing Full Blue Moon blessings to all.
Images
Top Image from needpix
7 of Swords from The Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schröter
References
Brady’s Book Of Fixed Stars ~ Bernadette Brady
The Complete Picatrix ~ Translated by John Michael Greer & Christopher Warnock