Our modern lifestyle has brought with it a disconnection from the self. It’s this disconnection that allows for the destruction of our natural resources, hatred, prejudices, and fear of the “other.” Through knowing ourselves, we find compassion for the darker aspects of our nature. We connect within to heal.

When it comes to healing, there is no greater teacher than the Moon. In astrology, the Moon represents needs, emotional patterns, fears, inner child, and yin energy. Unlike the Sun, which represents the more logical aspect of self, the Moon is irrational. In general, western societies overvalue logic and devalue and mistrust emotions and intuition.

If we are to come back into balance, we need to become a student of our lunar nature to integrate this energy back into our daily lives.

“Be both soft and wild. Just like the moon. Or the storm. Or the sea.”

 —Victoria Erickson

Lunar Lessons

We typically see the Moon at night. Her domain is the darkness. The night is when we find ourselves at home with family or close friends. We also spend the night sleeping and dreaming. Our mind is switched off, feelings can now easily emerge, and we can relax into the safety of our private sanctuary. If we can align with this energy, the Moon can teach us many things. Some lunar lessons include:

Self-care

The Moon teaches us how to nourish ourselves. Our inner child, represented by the Moon, holds the key to understanding the kind of nurturing we received or didn’t receive as children. Now, as an adult, we can better respond to the needs of our inner child to provide a deeper level of self-care.

Happiness

It’s essential to understand your lunar energy for happiness. The Moon helps you prioritize what needs, if fulfilled, will truly help you feel happy. Because lunar energies tend to be irrational, what you genuinely need is very personal and may not fit into the standard of happiness sold to us.

Compassion

Finally, the Moon allows us to understand and accept limitations. By embracing your limits, you can find empathy for others when they fall short of your expectations.

If you want the moon, do not hide from the night. If you want a rose, do not run from the thorns. If you want love, do not hide from yourself.

—Rumi

The Moon’s Approach in each Sign

The Moon takes about 27 days to make a complete orbit around the Earth, spending roughly 2.5 days in each zodiac sign. Because the Moon changes signs so quickly, it’s possible for two people born on the same date to have different natal Moon signs. Below I offer some insights into the Moon’s approach in each sign. 

Remember that the lunar energies will play out differently for you, depending on the rest of your natal chart. 

Moon in Aries	Feels like: Spring, optimism, courage, & a desire to bring your energy into the world Activities:  Movement that gets the blood pumping; especially sports and martial arts Challenges: Impulsiveness, anger, fatigue
Moon in Taurus	Feels like:  Comfort, pleasure, contentment & calm Activities:  Those that calm or bring pleasure to the five senses; cooking your favorite meal, feeling the sun on your skin Challenges:  Overindulging, playing it too safe, stuck in a rut
Moon in Gemini	Feels like:  Wonder, curiosity, mental acuity, & fast-paced Activities:  All forms of communication and mental processing Challenges:  Distractible, impatience, ungrounded
Moon in Cancer	Feels like: Being nourished, protecting, healing & honoring one’s feelings Activities:  Anything that allows for emotional safety, such as being at home with loved ones Challenges:  Over protectiveness, depression, fear of the “other”
Moon in Leo	Feels like:  Creativity, shining bright, play, & connecting to one’s heart Activities:  Those that allows for spontaneity & creative expression Challenges:  Unhealthy attention-seeking, authentically being seen
Moon in Virgo	Feels like: Prioritizing, organizing, & getting things done Activities: Those that involve attention to detail; also cleaning and starting a new health regimen Challenges: Perfectionism, overly critical
Moon in Libra	Feels like: Beauty, harmony, fairness Activities: Initiate connection, decorating, situations involving tact, negotiating Challenges: Co-dependency, imbalance
Moon in Scorpio	Feels like: Intimacy, mystery, depth, complexity Activities:  Deep healing work done with another, such as therapy session, Tantra. Emotional analysis Challenges:  Unhealthy attachments, suspicious, secretive

Moon in Sagittarius	Feels like: Inspiration, exploration, wisdom Activities:  Anything that leads to expanding your worldview, such as travel, taking a philosophy class, learning a new language Challenges:  Righteousness, needing others to believe the way you do, being overly dogmatic
Moon in Capricorn	Feels like: Authority, responsibility, maturity Activities: Hard work of being an adult and making short-term sacrifices for long-term gain. Challenges:  Harshness towards own feelings and limitations
Moon in Aquarius	Feels like: Inventiveness, intelligence, uniqueness Activities:  Making time to be with friends Challenges:  Separation, feeling different, anxiety
Moon in Pisces	Feels like:  Sensitivity, dream-like, oneness Activities: Swimming, crying, music, spiritual practice Challenges:  Numbing, getting lost in a fantasy