Shine On Harvest Supermoon
The last of the three Full Supermoons of the summer season will occur on Monday, September 8, at 6:38 PM PST under the astrological sign of Pisces. The final full moon of the Summer is known as the Harvest Moon.
The Harvest Moon occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox each year. This full moon has earned its name and reputation by providing more light at the right time to assist in the harvest of the bounty of summer’s robust growing period.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit brings it closer than average to the Earth. This phenomenon makes the moon look much larger and brighter in the night sky as result of atmospheric distortion.
The magnified effect of a Supermoon is even more pronounced when it occurs at the same time as a full moon, which is already time of heightened sensitivity. When the moon is closer to the Earth its influence is further amplified. The September Full Supermoon will appear 16% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons.
It’s All About the Orbit
The lunar orbital pattern assumes the shape of a flattened circle, called an ellipse. At one end of its elliptical orbit, called the perigee, the moon is about 31,000 miles closer to Earth than at its farthest point, the apogee. Another name for a Supermoon is a ‘perigee moon’.
Lunar perigees and apogees vary in terms of their proximity to the Earth from one orbit to the next. Full perigree moons occur approximately every 13 months and are not considered unusual.
What made this summer special was that we were treated to three of these events in a row. This last full Supermoon represents a particularly potent time of harvest and celebration of what the summer has reaped.
Planetary Effects of a Supermoon
The orbital pattern of the moon exerts a constant influence on our planet. The closer proximity of the Summertime full moons has accentuated the tidal ebb and flow of our oceans, giving rise to what is called a perigean spring tide. Those of us who live along an ocean coastline have experienced particularly high tides associated with these full moons.
The lunar gravitational pull can also cause small but measurable fluctuations in the ebbs and flows of the continents, called ‘land’ or ‘solid Earth’ tides. These tides are greatest during full and new moons, when the sun and moon are aligned either on the same or opposite sides of the Earth. Solid Earth tides are also amplified by the closer proximity of the moon.
Bodily Effects of a Supermoon
Our bodies are primarily comprised of liquid and like the Earth we are subject to the gravitational pull of the moon. During a Supermoon phase we may experience heightened levels of tension within our physical bodies. This may manifest as a sense of ‘nervous tension’ with possible erratic fluctuations of emotional energy rippling through our bodies. Stress levels may be high and for some there may be eruptions of volatile behaviors during this period.
Just as the Earth releases tension during an earthquake, we are encouraged to find ways to release stress, anxiety, and internal imbalances should they occur. If we choose to be proactive, we can utilize these powerful celestial energies to initiate a healthy period of cleansing as we consciously release negative habits and tendencies that no longer serve our highest good.
How Do We Release and Let Go?
The best way to let go of stress is to engage in tension-releasing activities that feel good. There are many options to do this including: vigorous exercise, a hot bath, breath-work, spending time in nature, connecting with friends, expressing heightened emotions (crying, laughing, letting go), and practicing rituals. We can burn away whatever we wish to release under this full moon.
My favorite stress-releasing activity is heartfelt, belly-shaking laughter. This stimulates a release of endorphins and serves to cleanse my emotional and energetic field. The key to restoring internal balance is to engage our conscious awareness as we clear our bodies of physical, emotional, mental, and energetic tension.
Metaphysical Significance of a Full Supermoon
The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is a period of emotional sensitivity when romance, intimacy, and relationships are highlighted. Full Moons are also about illumination, endings, and the actualization of our fullest potential. The closer proximity of the Supermoon to our planet magnifies these powerful themes.
In order to harness the full potential of this lunar event, we can ask ourselves the following questions:
What needs to be illuminated in my life in order for me to grow and evolve?
Have I successfully harvested my heartfelt desires?
What do I need to conclude or let go of in order to pave the path towards a more fulfilling life?
During this illuminating moon phase, what we need to have revealed to us will be uncovered. What we do with that information will determine the direction of our unfolding lives.
Supermoon in Pisces
Each lunation (new or full moon) embodies a feeling-state that exerts influence upon our general energetic and emotional well being. The September full moon is in 16º Pisces, in opposition to the Sun in Virgo.
Pisces is the most romantic and dreamy sign of the zodiac. Her influence heightens our energetic and emotional sensitivity as well as our spirituality. She revels in a relaxed state of disorder and prompts us to place our emphasis on broader, open-ended, Universal themes including contemplation of ‘the infinite’. Pisces prioritizes our spiritual health and is concerned with our dreams or visions of the future. Under this particular full moon, we are prone to be especially sensitive to family matters and may experience a strong (and unrealistic) desire for all family members to get along and be happy.
Virgo is more practical, organized, and discerning. She is grounded and detail-oriented. Virgo rules the personal set of tools and techniques that we use to deal with daily life including day-to-day functions and routines, physical health, and the need for order. Her focus is on work, discerning what is right and wrong, and taking action to align with what is right.
The Virgo-Pisces polarity between the Sun and Full Moon represents an axis of service. It deals with the balance between the characteristics of these two very different signs. Neglecting or overemphasizing either end of the axis will backfire, causing us to live in extreme chaos or in excessive order. The key to balance lies in identifying, expressing, and evolving our spiritual needs while maintaining order in our everyday lives.
During the Pisces Supermoon, are inspired to dream big and reach for our heartfelt desires in alignment with our spiritual values, while taking practical measures to ground our goals into our daily existence.
Tap into Supermoon Power Now
Full Moon energy peaks on the day of the event but is potent for 2 full days before and afterwards. The period between Sept 6- 10th represent the best days this month to harness the heightened spiritual energy of Pisces.
Wherever you are on the planet, go out and view this final Supermoon of the Summer!
