Blood & the Moon

The Moon is in Cancer today and, like I always do when the Moon is in Cancer, I have my period.

I can’t pinpoint when my menstrual cycle decided to sync with the Moon’s monthly stay in Cancer, but it’s kind of funny (& honestly a little awe-inspiring) because my natal Mars — the planet of BLOOD — is in (you guessed it) Cancer.

Talk about a Blood Moon.

O Mysterious Moon!

We’ve been trying to figure out the Moon for a while now. We know some things, but she continues to evade true plumbing of her mysteries!

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The Moon acts as a trigger.

It’s the celestial body closest to Earth, and it quite literally affects our human bodies, which are composed of so much water. (If you want to get your mind blown re: the Moon, give this Emerald Podcast episode a listen. You won’t regret it.)

There could be a many-planet astrological storm a-brewin,’ but it needs the Moon to set it off.

That’s why witches, herbalists, farmers, healers, and all manner of other in-tune-with-the-universe folks have historically “manifested” according to the cycles of the Moon. They knew; we have mostly forgotten.

Since the Moon affects us emotionally and physically, keeping track of her cycles helps us better plan our own lives. For example, I try to keep my schedule as light as I can during a Cancer Moon. It’s the single most challenging area of my chart for several reasons and I know I won’t be my most sparkly self!

Understanding how the Moon affects you doesn’t have to be complicated.

Try it for one month: take a few minutes each day to record how you feel, and see if you notice any patterns. Are you more emotional or tired when the Moon is in one particular sign? Do you feel happier, more energetic when it’s in a different one?

This is incredibly valuable information.

Here is my method for tracking the Moon:

Let me know if you try it!

(I also have a free Moon Tracker Worksheet you can download.)

• What sign is the Moon in?

  The Moon acts as a gate to your internal world: the realm of emotions & the subconscious. Each sign of the zodiac has their own style of doing that — the Moon in Cancer has a different vibe than the Moon in Libra!

• Do you have any planets in that sign?

  If so, what are their functions?

  Let’s continue to use the Moon in Cancer as our example. As I have Mars in Cancer, themes of action, initiative, aggression, separation & injury are activated. The Martial energy is triggered, but I have control over how it manifests.

• What part of your chart is the Moon in?

  Cancer is my 8th house of shared resources, deep bonds & symbolic underworld journeys. That plays a huge role in my emotional state. I also often end up spending more money than I want to during a Cancer Moon!

  When the Moon is in your 7th house, you may feel more emotionally connected to relationships. Same goes for career when it’s in the 10th house. You get the picture.

• What phase is the Moon in?

  A New Moon feels different than a Full Moon. A waning Moon brings decrease; a waxing Moon brings increase. How do you feel during each different lunar phase?

Selene approves.