The Moon - Our inner child and mother
- the most tender part of our being
What even is the moon sign?
The Moon might just be the most tender and sensitive aspects in our chart, (which is ironic since there are also so-called sensitive points, but those are called sensitive for other reasons!) which makes it a well-deserved member of the so called “big three” - especially a term used on the internet these days. Ascendant, sun and moon are part of that trio and supposed to give an already well-rounded insight on one’s personality by just knowing those three placements in the chart. A statement which – from an astrologer’s perspective – is already a little more respectable than just considering the sun in one’s interpretations, yet, it is still not more than a mere scratching the surface compared to what is actually possible when taking the whole chart into consideration.
The Moon stands for our body – which might be confusing to someone who views the body and the soul as opposites – as in physical versus the emotional plane, yet, they very much share a meaning and a sentiment when one considers our needs, wishes and things that make us human, that make us feel.
To some people’s surprise, the body and the soul are very closely intertwined in astrological belief. It is the ego, our goals and determination that is distinguished from them, those are the traits that the sun usually resembles. Those are often intentions free from needs, free from love and free from what connects us all – being human. The moon is our body, as well as our pain and our joy in the way that we all possess and experience them. The sun represents us as an individual, the things and thoughts and actions that make us different from the rest, whereas the Moon reminds us of how similar we all still are.
This is a big reason for why I personally can often observe the “big three” playing the biggest part in our physical appearance. The Ascendant being obviously the kind of charisma and “aura” our outside world perceives us with; the Sun being all the kinds of things and people we want to be and portray and lastly the Moon representing our literal, carnal self - the vessel through which all of this is even possible. There are a lot of interesting books of the physiology of astrology, and the accuracy of many of those generalized and general features can almost be comical sometimes. So do fire signs often have a warm undertone, a certain glint in their eyes and an impulsive as well as energizing aura to them. Earth signs often carry a lot of visual weight; either because of strong, prominent bones or because they tend to be rather short. Opposite to Air Signs who are usually more of a tall and slender nature, making them look agile and sly. Water signs on the other hand have something calm and comforting about them; they are easy to trust and have often rounded features. Obviously, these are very bold and stereotypical statements and one needs to consider all three of the “big three” to connect the dots in the right way, as well as any major emphasis in the chart on one specific element. We always need to remember though that those observations might be interesting but even if we did master them, being able to create a formula, a rule every single person falls into, it would serve us really little. Because at the end of the day our face and body are what they are and don’t need predicting.
About the symbol
The symbol of the Moon is probably the easiest to recognize for any astrology-beginner, since it is the only one to resemble the actual body in the sky which we can see with our very eye. Maybe you remember my article about the sun in which I stated that the symbol of the circle represents the spirit, furthermore the symbol of a half circle stands for the soul and feelings. It is an ever-changing face, just like our own. One day it is full and proud, the next it is hollow and dark. It is the quickest reminder of the fact that cycles dominate our life day in and day out.
It is the symbol of fertility as well as trust. Other than its counterpart the sun, the moon does not emit its own light, it is merely reflecting the one that is shining upon it. Which is also an easy way to remember how sun and moon differ from each other. One of them is active, it shines, the other one is passive and merely reacts. Just like our identity is being reflected by how we look and how we feel. This pair is our pathway to the vital concept of yin and yang, about which I will go into more detail at a different time.
Its significance in day-to-day life
Circling back to the title of this article: The correlation between mother and child might seem odd, yet, you might already start to understand why both of them are represented by the same symbol. I personally like to describe the moon with one single word: nurture. What do we need to fuel our bodies and nourish our souls? What makes us feel comforted and comfortable in our own skin? Our very first contact with exactly those things is usually through and with the help of our mother. She feeds us, gives us comfort and appreciation – basically all the things our soul and body need to flourish and thrive at a young age. This is especially interesting when we are derived from those things. It might seem impossible to grant every single child on this earth a warm chest to lean on, strong arms to hold it and comforting words whenever and for as long as it needs them – but if those things are not ensured or taken away too early for the child to come to terms with it, it will leave scars that only grow deeper with time.
Challenging aspects in the chart including the Moon can not only hint to a perhaps difficult relationship with one’s caretaker at some point, but also be the key to issues that really only start to show years later. Now people might feel reluctant towards things like physical or emotional proximity, are unaware of their needs, and therefore unable to feed themselves emotionally and in extreme cases therefore also physically. I will not dive deeper into the topic of eating disorders here, but its correlation between the Moon, the relationship with our mother and how aware we are of our needs can be very eye-opening.
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The answer to what we really need to feel fully at ease and comfortable usually lies within the house-placement of the moon in our chart, which is obviously why I can’t do an in-depth analysis of every single constellation (Moon in 4: the family, the home; Moon in 7: a partner, a friend, someone else; Moon in 2: security etc.). As always, I try to keep the little insights on the placement rather short and general, which is why one should refrain from using them directly in/as an interpretation. Please note that aspects with other planets can reveal whether we have issues experiencing and expressing our emotions as well as further circumstances and connections. As always, each placement in a sign has a developed and undeveloped side, which I will be highlighting here in a very brief manner:
How do you experience and express emotions?
Aries: An undeveloped form of this has issue controlling one’s emotions and impulses. They come in strong, unexpected waves and fade out just as quickly again. In a developed form you are direct and honest. Feelings don’t touch you too deeply and you find it easy to move on from them. Just remember how important it is to let them out!
Taurus: In an undeveloped form this person can feel almost numb to emotions, since it’s hard for anything to faze them, really. They might get stuck in habits and their own comfort zone, yet being this resilient can also have its perks. You are a good and loyal friend that others can lean on and know how to relax and enjoy yourself.
Gemini: In an undeveloped form these people care more about a good image than anything else. This can lead to them completely transforming when they change environments e.g. as soon as they leave the house or are at work. On one hand they are really good and reading others and knowing when it is appropriate for them to show certain emotions, on the other hand this can also feel very restricting and unnatural.
Cancer: The issue that can arise here might be being over-emotional. Feelings might feel to overpowering and drown any sense or thought out. Here it is easy to lose yourself in anger, sadness but also euphoria. Although this makes you authentic and true to yourself, it’s going to be important for you to take a step back, give yourself space and not project your feelings onto others.
Leo: You are a very passionate person, yet it can happen that you focus mostly on yourself and your own issues rather than being able to see the big picture and others that might be suffering. Once you learned to be attentive and open you show to have the biggest heart and be a loyal friend to many.
Virgo: Order and peace make you feel at ease. But over-thinking and categorizing will only widen the gap from your feelings and yourself, as you might find it hard to actually experience them rather than trying to rationalize them. While like this you can protect and explain yourself well, you will need to learn how to actually feel your feelings and let them out from time to time.
Libra: This constellation is often carried by the biggest people-pleasers in the world. You are quick when it comes to doing things your counterpart might like or expect from you, yet, that often leads to you being left behind. These people are good in bonding with others and making them trust them, like this both parties could benefit from sharing their feelings with each other.
Scorpio: The emotions of this placement go incredibly deep. Like a lake you cannot see to the ground of, it is hard to not be swallowed by their feelings. It is not unlikely for them to experience more suffering because of a situation others brush off easily. It is simply how they feel. But there also lies a gift and a talent in being able to feel and look so deeply once one finds a way to not let it drag one with it.
Sagittarius: This is a very erratic kind of emotion that is being experienced. They feel their best when they are free and without any boundaries. They never linger long on a feeling, which to others can sometimes seem a little naïve or superficial, yet it can be of great benefit for oneself to not take things too serious sometimes and be able to move on quickly.
Capricorn: This sign probably has the hardest time accessing its emotions. While it can be convenient sometimes to be rather unaffected by most things coming their way, it can also be a weight on one’s shoulder, maybe aching to feel more connected with oneself. One needs to realize that achievements can just offer short-term contentment and that an unattached – and therefore lonesome – life is not necessarily what one truly wants.
Aquarius: You seek most for validation although you are a very independent being. You might experience issues in the world and in society very personally. While this can be debilitating and alienating - since your own issues therefore quickly become secondary – this can help you make and be a big change in the world and also broaden the consciousness of others.
Pisces: Since this sign combines the water element and the mutable quality, overflowing emotions and taking onto the feelings of others are united in this sign. It is hardest for someone with a Pisces Moon to set boundaries and not be pulled into the emotions of their counterpart. While this makes them the most empathetic out of all the sign, it is important to not always put oneself last.
As you can see, the Moon is one of the most basic planets in the chart and can yet already teach us a lot about ourselves – conscious or not. Just like the night is calm and easy to hide it, so are our emotions often lying still within us, yet affecting our actions and thoughts greatly when the sun is out – who doesn’t know how important our sleep at night is for our performance the next day – and sometimes harder to get a grip on, almost frustrating, since the issues they cause don’t lie within anyone else but ourselves.