Moon phases

The magic of the new moon is that for one day each month - the sun and the moon are on exactly the same page. This is not the normal state of affairs astrologically, and it isn't the normal state of affairs in human life. Balancing the relationship between our wants and needs, conscious and subconscious minds, our drive to do and our craving to reflect and find meaning is an ongoing process, dynamic, always in flux. It is normal for every person to experience a continuing range of compromises and adjustments in dealing with both needs and wants. It is, in fact, so normal, that many of us take it for granted and don't give it a second thought.

For one day each month, however, both the moon and the sun are willing to get together and have a brief conversation about how wants and needs can be merged, how the subconscious and conscious minds can work together. This is a great thing! It does indeed represent a wonderful opportunity.

Here's how you might take advantage of it: On the day of the new moon each month, allow yourself to experience the full intensity of your biggest or most immediate want. Perhaps it is as simple as the desire for a sexy new car - or an overarching desire to succeed in your career. Just allow yourself to feel how much you want it. That night, take fifteen minutes to allow your subsconscious to reflect on and talk to you about that want. What does it feel like, what are the hesitations, doubts, and fears, what need does it represent? You may write out your thoughts, or think quietly to yourself.

This is an important step. It wouldn't be a want or a wish if you had already fulfilled it! Since you haven't, there must be something blocking that fulfillment. The moon, the subconscious, is the key to finding out what that block is. Your conscious mind may tell you the reason you don't have a sexy new car is because you don't have the money right now. Your subconscious mind may tell you it's because your family will ostracize you if you become a sexy new person instead of the responsible, self-denying, practical car driving person they expect.

Ask your subconscious and conscious minds what they would like to do about fulfilling your wish. Your Sun may say - now that it knows what the problem is - let the family adjust. Knowing you'll probably get some flack, just be prepared to deal with it. Your Moon might say - wouldn't it feel so good to see that sexy symbol of your sexy, confident inner self sitting in the driveway.

Now that you know what's at stake with this particular wish, your Sun can go off and do it's business of calculating out how you are going to pay for this car, and your moon can on about it's business of reminding you that you need to validate yourself as a sexy, deserving person sometimes. The sun can help deal with the moon's fear of alienating family members, and the moon can help give the sun the motivation it needs to take the actions that will meet your needs. Perhaps you don't need a car at all - perhaps you need to adjust your relationships with your family members. The two luminaries working together can help you figure this sort of thing out.

This is something all of us should do anyway. Taking 15 minutes once a month to problem-solve and take stock of our desires is something any success guru can tell you is the minimum investment you should make in your future. Your Sun can take you many places - but none of them will be worth visiting unless they meet the needs of your moon as well.

A couple of other tips: You can use keywords associated with the sign and house position of the month's new moon to choose a desire to focus on. (Sometimes we have so many it's hard to figure out where to start!). You can also use the new moon in your own sign as the equivalent of the traditional 'birthday wish.' This is the one to just shoot for the moon (so to speak) and dare to believe you have a shot at it.