When the Moon comes around to oppose the Virgo Sun from late Pisces shortly after 7 am EDT Thursday, there will be another way to look at it. It will possible to see it as a conjunction of the luminaries (Sun and Moon), as well as an opposition. That may not seem possible, but it is. What makes it possible will distinguish this particular Pisces Full Moon as a valuable object lesson for you.
Early Thursday (or late Wednesday depending on where you are) Earth will be between the luminaries. That’s what a Full Moon is in three dimensions. You see it with your own eyes as the Moon rising in the East while the Sun is setting in the West.
It looks very much the same on a tropical astrology chart. Sun opposite Moon is the prototype for all oppositions, illustrated as the glyphs for the respective luminaries on opposite sides of the zodiac circle. That’s how it is for every Full Moon, but this particular Pisces Full Moon will have something more. In a rare concurrence, the luminaries will simultaneously be what is called parallel, an aspect not apparent on a chart because of the second of the Two Great Fudge Factors Of Astrology.
Have you ever noticed that astrologers equate the 365 days of a calendar year with the 360 degrees of graphic travel necessary for the Sun to complete a cycle of the zodiac? That’s the First Great Fudge Factor: 360 equals 365. It works just fine most of the time. As such, it’s an object lesson in not getting all hung up on details of precision while doing astrology. It is understanding the Second Great Fudge Factor, however, that will allow you to see this week’s Full Moon in another way, deriving a separate object lesson with applications beyond just astrology.
Just as with the idea of a Full Moon as an opposition from the the three-dimensional perspective of standing on the Earth, the Second Great Fudge Factor is also based on what you can see for yourself. All the planets visible to the unaided eye (and a good many others) orbit the Sun in about the same geometric plane we do. Because of that, other solar system objects in direct motion appear to follow much the same path across our night sky that the Sun’s apparent motion traces during the day: basically from East to West.
That single fact makes it possible to represent the three-dimensional solar system on the two-dimensional zodiac diagram you see so often. It’s a form of shorthand similar to that used by mathematicians, canceling out the constants and focusing on the variables. It’s fudging out near constants of latitude, leaving them unstated, emphasizing the variable longitudinal position of other objects relative to Earth.
Just like the First Fudge, the Second Fudge works pretty well most of the time. Go back to the visual of the Full Moon. The Sun setting in the West and Full Moon rising in the East at the same time translates to 180 degrees apart in longitude. If one of the luminaries is a little further North or South of the other (a difference in latitude, which is nearly always the case), it does not change the fact that it’s a Full Moon. Still, unstated does not necessarily mean unimportant. That is where declinations come in.
What variation of latitude does exist between objects in the solar system is usually represented separately from the zodiac circle as a relation to the surface of the Earth, measured in degrees of declination above or below the equator. Objects in the same degree of declination while also on the same side of the equator are said to be in parallel.
A parallel is interpreted as a conjunction of latitude. This week, during the Pisces Full Moon, the luminaries will be in parallel, and that is how it will possible to see it another way. The question is whether it will be symbolically important, or just another one of those details of precision you should not get hung up on. Other principles of astrology, which are not fudge factors, provide a clue.
Celestial events that do not take place very often are meaningful to astrologers. For example, Full Moons happen monthly, but lunar eclipses (which take place only during Full Moons when the luminaries are proximate to the perpetually opposed lunar nodes) do not take place every month. Hence, a lunar eclipse is always seen as a very special and important Full Moon, corresponding to special and important times in your life based on the principle of “as above, so below.”
By the same token, it is not often that the luminaries are in longitudinal opposition and latitudinal conjunction at the same time. When it does happen, the principles of astrology indicate that it’s both a good idea, and a good time, to look at everything another way.
You may see it as something like looking underneath an automobile rather than just walking around it. It’s not only more information, but information that helps you to distinguish between two cars that might otherwise look alike.
You might also view the situation implied by this particular Pisces Full Moon as a good time to interpret the old information you already have in a different way. For example, scientists recently interpreted old information they already had in another way to realize that the Voyager 1 spacecraft entered interstellar space more than a year ago. If it worked for scientists, it could work for you.
Most specific to the context of astrology, a Full Moon with the luminaries in concurrent parallel indicates it might be both a good time and a good idea to realize alternate interpretations of planets are available. That’s because the Sun and Moon, in their relative aspects and motions really do serve as a reliable prototype, a template through which to interpret the aspects and motions of the rest of the solar system.
For you it could mean a form of liberation. Think of how it would feel to be liberated from fear of Mercury retrogrades, seeing them in a another way — a good way. Think of what it would mean to the quality of your life if you no longer felt it appropriate to cringe the next time somebody mentions Saturn, Neptune or Pluto. Think of seeing all of those things as could-be friends rather than have-to-be enemies.
Who knows? It could even carry over to your life. Would it not be a wonderful thing to see more in other people? Wouldn’t it be one of the best things that ever happened to you if you could see more in yourself? After all, it does not mean losing anything. Regardless of their respective declinations, a longitudinal opposition of the luminaries is always a Full Moon, but a Full Moon that is also a parallel of the Sun and Moon is something more. The same applies to you. Maybe it’s time for you, and all of us, to be something more. Maybe all it takes to make that possible is seeing yourself and others another way. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and no fudging will be required.
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
I received my gift Len today, a beautiful necklace and I looked in my solar revolution and I see that Venus has had a visit from the Sun. And on my Venus asteroid Circe, the sorceress I
I love this full moon Whoa 🙂
Len, I had never thought much about the declination tables at the bottom of the pages in my 1940’s ephemerides. I found your discussion today most interesting. I shall revisit Dec. 1945 & see what was or was not parallel etc.
The Pisces full moon will form a grand trine with my Venus in Scorpio & retro Saturn in Cancer – I suspect my poor Venus will appreciate the support, as her trine to Saturn is her only natal aspect. I suspect she feels bored & chilly a lot.
I have been looking at a number of things differently of late, & am happy to find that such pursuits may be supported at present. There are some things in my life I wish to change in tangible ways, but cannot (at this time) – sometimes the only choice available is in how I see things. Thankfully, that can make a great difference.
Your vision & your gift with words are much appreciated, Len, & call up the best in us. My thanks to you & to all whose thoughtful comments enrich the discussion so much.
Any by the way, on the “fudge” issue – having a surplus of squash, I made a chocolate zucchini cake to share with friends. I love the season of fruitfulness.
You also you Len Balance, you are the only one to answer me on this blog
If you have read my comment in the article by Amanda, tomorrow I will receive a gift for the full moon to 34 days of my birthday and I love Pandora on my Sun
Fe: Thank you so very much in turn for being the rose that found the service of this piece worthy.
Lizzy: You are most welcome.
Strawberry: You are so very welcome as well. May your own example of inspiration continue to flourish.
BAnthony61: Thank you, and welcome. While “fudge” in the context of this piece is more pertinent to a practice (rather than a product), your point is well taken that practice and product are, in practice, inherently integrated, one developing organically from the other in continuum. May your personal Full Moon integrate organically in practice with the Full Moon we all will experience.
DivaCarla: Thank you for the link and generous appraisal. It gives me joy to know that my service affirms your relationship with the lesser understood constituents of the Cosmos.
wandering_yeti: Thank you once again for sharing the insight of a true sage, and at once showing the way for each of us to be more tan we are.
P. Sophia: Thank you for the amazing Sabian symbolic concurrence, without which this blog would have been incomplete.
stormilarue: Thank you, thank you, thank you for passing on the brilliance you have received to fill out what was offered in service today.
nilou: You are so very kind, and equally appreciated.
Jann: You are very welcome. Thank you in turn for the Medicine Wheel image, as one who has walked one in amazement, my sense is that you have given us a very valuable and potent inspiration.
Lunesoleil: Thank you for bringing balance to “that which is much of men.” Your point is well taken. Your perspective is deeply appreciated and always welcome here.
be: As always, you have the meaning of the moment utterly in hand. Thank you for the look down the road (and back). Yours is an important contribution that all of us are grateful to have. You are, as always, most welcome.
aword: Delicious indeed, as your contributions always are. Thank you.
A Fudge-free Full Moon, rich with S’more! How liberating …and delicious. Thanks, Len!
Yaaaayyyyy!!. . . it’s finally (almost) here; the 9 month wait following 12/21/12 – the extension of time to complete the bridging into a brand new way to live is almost upon us and you, Len, have found the symbolism in all this insanity to mark the occasion. Please accept my grateful thanks for making it all (most) bearable and I’ll see you on the other side of the equinox my friend.
be
I was on the phone with a friend…
Excerpt from the book p.79 – Pierre Lassalle: practice of the holistic Astrology – Astro therapy
Full moon in Virgo (Sun/Virgin – Moon/fish): this full moon is related to the concept of service and purification as well as anxieties and any form of limitation.
Meditation: after closing the eyes, have breathed deeply and to be relaxed, lace up your conscience in your belly and ask to display your limits of your anxieties in form of symbols or images. Then, display as a light shower purifying flowing on you and on your stomach primarily and who leads all your limitations and your anxieties into the Earth where they are burned. Feel that your limits and your anxieties leave you and feel liberated and more at peace internally. After a few moments, imagine like a Sun that shines in your belly. Thank the universe.
Excellent full moon at all and be in peace, joy and love
You play Len scientists? , Ah mind logical, rational, objective that is much of men, I can give a more suggestive vision? I come back to immediately…
One fear is that there is no other way, no alternative. So, walk around the medicine wheel to another direction.
We absolutely must start seeing things differently, or we will not be seeing anything at all.
Thank you, Len, for reminding me to be creative and think of new ways.
JannKinz
Thank you, Len, for helping me, through your presence, draw and redraw the map so that i can see where i have been, where i am, and where i am going. Thank you for helping me to find my feet and not be afraid of my ‘much’. Thank you for honouring my trust. This means more to me than words will ever say and i offer my gratitude and appreciation. nilou
a friend once shared the story of his friend who used to often ask, “What would you do if you were just 10% braver?” and not in the sense of going from flawed to perfect human or supershero, but just 10% braver…
once i heard a woman talking about language and how we use the term problem solving, which always position something to be solved as a problem. her brilliant suggestion was what if we use the term creating solutions, which “shifts the crystal” (thanks mom) on how we see this whole process of solving and solutions.
last week i read an article that asked us to “imagine otherwise” – this was in the context of social justice education, but in class we talked about it as it applies to all facets of living today, and we how can imagine this world otherwise …
there is all ways always another way
BAnthony61: By your comment and your Moon’s position, in my naive interpretation of, sounds to me like you will offer, have your pick, and welcome almost any topping! Thursday’s looks the full banana split!
The Full Moon Sabian Degree: A harvest moon illuminates the sky.
The power of creative visualization by which great Dreamers transcend outer reality. Complete dominance of circumstances.
“could-be friends rather than have-to-be enemies.” Yes, this is what meditation is all about. The desire for things to be different than they are is the cause of all suffering. Life on Earth comes with the highs and the lows. Not complaining or dissing the lows makes it easier to flow into the highs. And then when we don’t clench and close down when the wave breaks even passage through the lows is just riding the currents. The Void eats everything, no guilt, no blame.
Now I understand I followed through on the uncharacteristic impulse to bake brownies with a fudgy frosting yesterday. I thought is was the full moon coming on, but it was the double fudge factor. And I love it that you suggest it means we look at what we think we know another way. I’ve been inclined for a while to look at Neptune, Pluto, Uranus, and Merc retro with friendly eyes, even in the midst of an “oh shit!” transit. I’ve wondered if I were being naive and starry eyed Today, you give me permission.
Speaking of starry eyes, this is one of my theme songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nCtGOtrPdo
And you, Len, are magnificent, a twice weekly renewal and original perspective on those planets that wander among the stars.
This Pisces full moon will be exactly conjunct my natal moon @ 26 Pisces in the 8th house. As I have a SN in Pisces and strong Neptune influence I am curious as to the “fudge.” I hope it’s organic fudge.
Len, this is a sublime, heartbreakingly beautiful gift. Thank you. And thank you also for the consistent inspiration, helping us all keep faith that there is always extraordinary to be found in the mundane, within and without.
Yes, indeed, just as Fe said, Truly beautiful. Thank you, Len.
Len:
A wonderful walk around the roses and to the real point of the piece. Thank you for the guidance. It is needed.