Happening Monday, August 19, 2024 at 2:25pm ET

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Here's a mantra for you for this full moon: 🌕

you don't get good at dancin' by not dancin' 💃 🪩 

This sentiment, while simple, holds a profound lesson for this lunation. Let's delve deeper into why this is an invaluable mantra to carry through this full moon in Dhanishtha Nakshatra (and read on to find out what that even means!).

Understanding the Full Moon’s Energies

The full moon, peaking on Monday, August 19th, at 2:25 PM Eastern Time, is all about culmination and realization. When the moon and the sun are exactly 180 degrees apart, it creates a vibrant, fully illuminated moon—a perfect time to bring matters to their full circle and focus on releasing what no longer serves us.

Navigating the Aquarius-Leo Axis

The full moon lights up the axis between Aquarius and Leo. Aquarius is about the collective, the greater good, and embracing individuality, often outside societal norms. On the other hand, Leo represents individuality through a different lens—more about personal expression and shining as the life of the party. This dynamic interplay reminds us to balance our unique contributions against the backdrop of community needs.

With the Sun moving through the Gandanta Zone of Leo at the time of the Full Moon, the day will present powerful moments to practice choosing a different pattern, therefore undoing any "karmic knots" (or, as it may be, pulling them tighter). The journal prompts & sign-by-sign horoscopes below should help you sort out what "karmic knots" might be presenting themselves for you, specifically.

Saturn's Influence in Aquarius: A Time for Reflection

Saturn, which rules both Capricorn and Aquarius, plays a significant role in this full moon. Currently retrograding in Aquarius, Saturn invites us to revisit and refine structures and habits that impact not only our personal lives but also the collective. It's an opportunity to address past issues and implement more sustainable, community-focused frameworks. 

Reflect on the lessons Saturn has been teaching you since its retrograde started (the link takes you to the Saturn retrograde resources I mentioned on the podcast), particularly regarding your responsibilities and long-term goals. How can you use this full moon to reassess and realign with your true path?

You may also go further back and reflect on previous periods when Saturn was retrograde to identify recurring themes and patterns in your life. As promised on the podcast, here are those dates:

• The last full moon in Dhanishta was in August of 2021
• Saturn retrograded through Dhanishta in from June- October 2022 (moved back to capricorn, but still in dhanishta)
• Saturn's 2023 retrograde thru aquarius ended at 6 degrees 20 minutes in dhanishta (this full moon is at 3deg3min) That particular retrograde started in shatabhisha, and went from 

The important takeaway here is that although all of those astrological events had different particulars (different degrees, different other things happening, etc), similar themes may have been coming up in your life during those times, and it would be worth directing your awareness to choosing the pattern you hope to reinforce, rather than any potential defaults that will be reinforced if you don't make a different choice.

Rhythmic Harmony: The Role of Dhanishtha Nakshatra

This full moon occurs in Dhanishtha Nakshatra, symbolized by a drum, embodying rhythm, wealth, and fame. The concept of “marching to the beat of your own drummer” resonates here, emphasizing the importance of finding and following your unique rhythm--given Aquarius unconventionality and Dhanishtas connection to rhythm, drumming and music. Which brings us back to what I said about dancin' 💃 ...

Importance of Practice: Dancing Through Life’s Challenges

The essence of improvement in any sphere of life lies in practice. Whether it's dancing, a new skill, or cultivating a beneficial habit, the principle remains the same: effort and repetition lead to mastery. With saturn's deep influence over this full moon, it's crucial to embrace this mindset.

As you navigate this full moon period, remember that embracing your individuality and aligning with your natural rhythms are key. The dance of life requires us to show up, practice, and embrace our unique beats. 

Now, for a recap:

Overall Energies of this Full Moon:

• March to the Beat of Your Own Drummer: This Full Moon in Aquarius, especially in the Dhanishta Nakshatra, invites us to fully embrace our unique rhythm and authentic self-expression. Aquarius energy is about innovation, originality, and breaking free from the mold. The drum, as a symbol of Dhanishta, represents not just rhythm but also the idea of marching to your own beat—following your inner guidance rather than societal expectations.

• Letting Go of External Expectations:

  This is a time to release any pressures or definitions of success that others may have imposed on you. The Full Moon’s light can illuminate areas where you’ve been conforming to expectations that don’t truly serve you. Ask yourself where you might be holding back due to fear of judgment or failure and how you can courageously step into your true path—espeically with the sun going through the gandanata zone in Leo!

• Community and Collective Good:

  Aquarius also represents the collective, the community, and the greater good. Consider how your unique contributions can serve others. This Full Moon might reveal how you can balance your individuality with your role within the larger group. It’s a great time to collaborate, share ideas, and connect with like-minded individuals.

• Manifestation and Material Success:

  Dhanishta is known for its connection to wealth and prosperity. With the aim of Artha (material success) being prominent, this Full Moon is a powerful time for manifesting your desires into reality. Focus on bringing your visions to life, particularly those that are aligned with your higher purpose and true values. The energy of the eight Vasus can support you in manifesting abundance, not just materially but in all aspects of life.

• Rhythm and Timing:

  Just as a drummer keeps time, this Full Moon asks you to consider the rhythm and timing of your actions. Are you in sync with the natural flow of your life, or are you pushing against it? Reflect on how you can better align with your natural cycles and the cosmic timing of the universe. This is a great time to start or refine routines that support your goals and well-being.

  “Right Place, right time”: luck is where preparation meets opportunity. everyone has BAD luck, the ones who have GOOD luck have prepared to be ready when the right opportunity strikes. this full moon is ripe for good timing, if you’re prepared ;)

Yoga Practices for the Full Moon in Aquarius

• Sound Journey with Drums: incorporate a sound healing session using drums or other rhythmic instruments to resonate with the energies of Dhanishta. The drum’s beat can help you connect deeply with your inner rhythm and release blockages. This practice can be particularly powerful during the Full Moon, amplifying your intentions and aligning your body and mind with cosmic energies.
  • If you can’t GO to a sound journey facilitated for you, try a drumming meditation: Engage in a seated meditation where you play a drum or listen to drumming sounds, allowing the rhythm to guide you into a deeper state of consciousness. Focus on the beat as a way to connect with your heartbeat and the pulse of life itself. This practice can help you attune to your inner wisdom and the cosmic rhythm.
• Rhythmic Vinyasa Flow: Design a vinyasa sequence that emphasizes rhythm and breath synchronization. Flow through poses with a steady, rhythmic breath, mimicking the beat of a drum. Focus on transitions that flow smoothly, symbolizing the harmony between movement and stillness, action and reflection.
• Kumbhaka Pranayama: Practice this breathwork technique to cultivate pause and reflection and connect with the energies of Saturn! (p.s. Aquarius is Kumbhak in Sanskrit!!)
• Grounding Poses: to remedy any potential troubles with Saturn, who is connected to Vayu, the wind diety (so potentially very ungrounding!), include asanas that stabilize and ground you, such as Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Virabhadrasana (Warrior Poses), and Malasana (Garland Pose). These poses can help you connect with the earth, reinforcing the manifestation energy of Dhanishta.

Journal Prompts for the Full Moon in Aquarius

• What unique qualities or ideas do I need to embrace to march to the beat of my own drummer? Reflect on how you can let go of societal expectations and tap into your authentic self. Where have you been conforming to others' definitions of success, and how can you break free?

• What are my true aspirations, and how can I bring them into manifest reality? Think of this as furthering your response to the last question to be more in-real-life rather than ideals or qualities. Both are important considerations! Tap into the Vasus here - which elements will help you get to where you're going?

• How can I honor my natural rhythms and cycles?

  Take time to consider how you can align your daily life with your natural energy levels and rhythms. What routines or habits might you need to adjust to support this?

For Your Rising and Moon Signs

Each interpretation below will be accurate for your Vedic rising (ascendant) and moon signs. If you don’t know your Vedic signs, you can calculate your birth chart for free here.

Struggling to know what any of it means? Grab this free birth chart decoder worksheet and you'll be well on your way to living in alignment with your cosmic blueprint!

Remember, as a Vedic astrologer, I use the sidereal zodiac, or the astronomically precise placements of the planets. So these will likely be different than your (western, tropical) Sun sign--you know, the one that is based solely on your birth date. You can read more about the differences between the two systems here.

🚨 Note: Personalized horoscope portions are offered only to members of the Vedic Astrology Club. If this feels like it would be helpful to you, and you want this kind of support every week, consider becoming a member of the Vedic Astrology Club by clicking the button below.