Only The Shadow Knows
Published: Thu, 04/07/22
Happy Black Moon Day! No, it's not a typo. :) I did mean to say "Black Moon".
It appears that we are almost always talking about the New Moon or the Full Moon and we don't seem to pay enough attention to the Black Moon.
But what is the Black Moon and why should we even care?
First off, let's define our context so you do not just assume that I am completely unaware of all major laws of nature and decide to stop reading.
Astrology observes the planets geocentrically. In plain English please, says Tim. :)
Astrology operates as if the Earth is the center of the Universe, and rightfully so. Since the ultimate goal of astrology is understanding us as human beings, we should be the object of observation, and therefore the center of the Universe.
Based on that point of view, the Moon travels along an elliptical path around the Earth. In geometry, an ellipse has two focal points (as opposed to a circle that has just one). The one focal point in this case is obviously the Earth.
The other focal point is what is called the Black Moon or Lunar Apogee. So the Black Moon or Lunar Apogee is not a star or a planet, it has no "physical body". It is an astronomical position that has statistically been associated with certain cosmic behaviors and events that are incredibly worthy of attention.
This takes us to the "why should we even care" part.
Historically, the Moon itself has been associated with our mind, as in all aspects of our mind, emotional mind, thinking mind, discerning mind, in other words conscious mind, or aware mind. That's why we pay attention to New Moons, Full Moons, Lunar Eclipses, etc. It helps us understand our mind better and as a result be able to control it, more often than not.
There is however another whole aspect to our mental existence that tends to be consistently neglected. And that is our subconscious mind -- what we are not aware of and what we have been desperately trying to bury as deep down as possible, into the shadows of our psyche.
According to Ayurveda, this is the realm of the unaware thoughts and mental impressions that have embedded themselves in the abyss of our cellular physiology. Yes, according to Ayurveda. our cells have memory.
I can already hear Tim saying, Vie you are still not answering the question of why we should care!
Ayurveda says that every aspect of our existence affects every other aspect of our existence. As crazy as this may sound, the condition of our bones for example, affects the way we think about a dog. Tim says there is no way he would ever give any dog any of his bones. :) But you know what I mean.
The cellular memories, regardless of whether we realize it or not, and certainly regardless of whether we believe in them or not, operate at a very subtle level. This means that they can either work with us, in our favor, or against us. So the more control we acquire over our subconscious behaviors, the more we can use them in our favor.
But how can we control them if we don't know what they are or how to even access them?
Well, the first step is to accept that they exist. Denial will get us nowhere.
This is where the Black Moon or Lunar Apogee comes to the rescue. The Black Moon is a symbolic representation of the shadows that make up our subconscious mind.
So around April 7, when the Moon reaches the position of the Lunar Apogee in Gemini and while in harmony with the great conjunction of Mars, Saturn and Venus, we have all the celestial help we need to take the next step and start digging into our subconscious.
Where do we start from? Well, it is said that people fear that which they do not understand. I say that is a good starting point. What are you mostly afraid of?
The answers may not come easy, and that is perfectly natural. However, it is worth persevering, since on April 12 we are going to have the opportunity of lifetime! On April 12, Jupiter is going to reach Neptune and create a very unique conjunction in Pisces. Last time we had a similar conjunction was in March 1856.
Ayurvedicaly speaking, this conjunction is fully associated with our emotional world, and more precisely with an emotional upheaval, shakedown and realization. Remember Neptune (aka Poseidon) is the God of the seas, of the floods and of the earthquakes.
So, from now and until the Full Moon of April 16, don't be surprised if you find yourself knowing exactly what to say and how to say it, or what to do and how to do it. This is your subconscious in action, while working on your side!
However, from now and until the Full Moon of April 16, don't be surprised if you find yourself saying the wrong thing, or doing the wrong thing. This is your subconscious in action, while working against you!
But Vie, how do I know which way it's going to go? Only the shadow knows.
Until next time...
Much much love from both of us!
Na’maste Kala! (Which in Greek means, may we all be well!)
-Tim and Vie | Ayurveda Outlaws