This Moon was known by our ancestors and indigenous people as the Snow Moon and the Hunger Moon, as it comes in this most lean and wintry time of year.
This is the last Full Moon before the Solar New Year, which arrives at the Spring Equinox. Many cultures and traditions celebrate around the time of this Moon, with some of the most raucous, joyous festivals of the year. The idea is to chase out Winter’s grip, as well as any ill will and bad memories, dispelling them with games and comedy.
One of the very biggest and arguably best of these is currently underway. In India, the festival of Holi is the second most important holiday, after Diwali. It is a celebration associated with Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are famous, with some similarities to Carnival, also associated with this Moon time (but connected to the New Moon, not the Full one).
In India and Hindu communities worldwide, there are massive parties in the streets, social taboos being dropped, special food and rites, and most famously, the wild practice of everybody splashing dyes and watered down paint on one another for blessings and goodnatured mischief.
The Full Moon in Virgo occurs when the Sun is in the sign of Pisces. That’s because Full Moons are always in the opposite sign of the zodiac from the Sun’s position. New Moons are always in the same sign as the Sun. Thus we see a kind of role reversal in which the solar extroverted intellect side is turned more psychic, receptive and intuitive; while our lunar, more emotional side is is being influenced by a more practical mentality.
This alignment is therefore highly favorable for men who seek to develop their gentle, nurturing qualities, and for women who wish to claim their adventurous and courageous side. (There is more information about some of the specific astrological energy of today’s lunation in my current newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe and receive one, just sign up in the box at the top of the right-hand column.)
The energy of this lunar time is great for steeping yourself in innocence; to receive an initiation; or to experience something familiar in a completely new way. If the weather is clear, enjoy the Moon’s unobscured beauty tonight, for in many places, by the time of Her next fullness, new leaves will have begun lacing the skies once more.
In addition, of course, this is the last day of the month and so is sacred to blessed Hecate, Queen of the Night and mighty Guardian of the Crossroads. It is the Triple Goddess Hecate who protects women and those who are outcast, and She teaches us the ancient Mysteries. Honor Her this night by giving to those who are in need.