Full Moon in Pisces: A Ritual to Step Into a New You
A full moon over a body of water in the depth of night.
Quick note, I usually share these intro details in my newsletter but I will be keeping the extra aspects and ritual to members only. So feel free to jump to the next section if you read the newsletter.
The full moon is Pisces falls on September 20th, at 4:54pm PST which will grant us the evening to work with. You’ll likely feel the energy building up to this for a couple of days as the moon moves over Jupiter and then Pallas Athene and Neptune. This Pisces full moon has minimal aspects touching it, and in general, I don’t feel that this has overwhelming energy attached to it, in comparison to other previous moons and those that are coming up. As all moons, with this falling in the sign of Pisces and opposing the Sun in Virgo, those who have natal placements ranging from about 18° through 29° Virgo or Pisces will be feeling it more so.
This full moon gives you a chance to diffuse the identities you hold, to really take a look at how you step out into the world and decide for yourself whether it’s time to step into a new you. People exist in a state of continuous evolution and growth, so I’m inviting you this moon to embrace that energy consciously and work with it.
This full moon is taking place in the third decan of Pisces with the Sun in the third decan of Virgo. This face is ruled by Mars. While Pisces energy is generally an energy of feeling in-between or floating in a formless space, I like that this decan gives us a final oomph to push through whatever lessons we’re exploring with the moon in this sign. What I like about exploring the rulers of the decans is that it gives us more insight into the shifts and how planets belnd their energies. When we pair Jupiter, a planet of expansion, divinity, the pursuit of knowledge; with Mars the planet of drive, initiative, and passion, we witness a fire with purpose inside of ourselves. This full Moon may bring about an energy of restlessness that can be both positive and heavy. You’ll feel driven to gain clarity around where you’re headed as we prepare to move into the start of Fall (here in the Northern Hemisphere), you may wish to exert your presence into the world more by starting a project or putting yourself out there. The downside comes with the Pisces energy, especially with Jupiter being retrograde still in Aquarius. This energy is about staying internal, about exploring meaning and purpose but in a way that is about making adjustments not about initiating. When we mix this energy with the general conflict of the sun opposing the moon, I definitely feel like most of us will have an internal push to just DO something without really knowing what exactly we want to do.
A screenshot of the chart of the full Moon on September 20, 2021 @ 4:54 pm in PST in Nevada.
Aspects of this Full Moon
Now that I’ve given you a general understanding of the new moon’s placement, let’s explore some of the other important placements and aspects.
Aside from the aspect from the Sun to the Moon, the Moon in Pisces is also in an applying sextile to Pluto which will be felt as it works to an exact aspect. Pluto is used more often in Mundane astrology to see how it affects the larger collective, but when it makes aspect to the moon, a personal planet and luminary, it does bring influence especially on a lunar event. With the moon applying to sextile Pluto, you may find that your inner world is swirling with a desire to be done with all you believe to be holding you back. Pluto and the moon are working together not to move you to action, necessarily, but to push you to decide once and for all what you truly want. What is the ideal vision you’ve been denying yourself and what are the systems in place that are working towards that and those that aren’t. We’re going to be working with a bit of this Pluto energy in our ritual.
Along with the aspect from the moon to Pluto, we have two other close and applying aspects that are going to influence the energy of the day. Mercury in Libra will be making a square to Pluto in Capricorn within the following two days. I see this square as relating more to those around us and our relationships. As with all full moons, most folks tend to be more open and outspoken, and with this square having an influence on the moon as well, we can imagine that it may bring to light a truth within your friendship(s) or relationship(s) that needs to be acknowledged and faced. Sometimes this type of transit can manifest as an inner truth being revealed to you, but it will also depend on where this falls in your natal chart.
The final aspect I want to touch on is Mercury in Libra making a trine to Jupiter in Aquarius. This is an exact trine so while it doesn’t touch the Moon or the Sun, it will still have impact. This will thankfully bring a bit of ease to the Mercury/Pluto square. I love to acknowledge trines as I find that they bring us awareness in things to be grateful for, but I also have to acknowledge that trines often go unnoticed. The nature of the trine is ease (it has the influence of Jupiter), it’s got the same energy of getting five green lights in a row. There may be more ease in communicating your truth and in embracing what makes you feel out of place in the world. When we pair this with the square to Pluto, we can see that any conflict faced has the potential to lead to growth if the truth that is being faced is acknowledged from a place of respecting our own needs and desires.
A bowl of water with a fish design painted on it set on stones with flowers next to it and a spout of water pouring into it.
The Ritual
Here are the supplies you will need:
A dark bowl or cup filled with water
(optional) A candle but this is also great if done outside beneath the full moon.
(optional) sound bowl, chimes, triangle, drum, rattle, or an instrument of some kind.
(optional) A piece of obsidian or onyx, or a blade/athame of some kind
A light skinned hand with coral nail polish touching a body of water.
Part One: Set the stage
I want you to create an atmosphere that helps you feel safe, secure, and open. We’re going to be doing a partial water-scrying exercise, but if you’re new to it, that’s okay as the bulk of the work is going to be in what follows. I suggest lighting an incense or putting on an essential oil diffuser with a scent you enjoy. Silence or soft music might be enjoyable, anything that will help you get into a mild trance state.
Gather your dark-colored bowl or cup and fill it with a bit of water. If you’d like to, you can say a little prayer over the water or offer some healing energy into it. I find that doing this just helps set the protective boundary a bit better. If you haven’t done this before, you can hold your hands over the bowl and visualize or feel a golden warm light radiating through your crown, down into your hands, and out into the water. You can also add an affirmation as you do this saying, “I am safe. I am protected.”
Once you have your bowl of water set for the ritual, you’re going to want to dim the lights as best as you can. Draw the curtains and seclude yourself. You’re welcome to light a candle if you feel uncomfortable in a darker setting.
Part Two: Call forth
Once you have your stage set, place the bowl of water in front of you in a way that allows you to see your surroundings reflected, but not your eyes. Try to zone out and stare at the bowl of water until the reflection of the surroundings starts to get hazy.
You’re going to sit in quiet contemplation as you gaze for a short bit. I want you to focus on one question in particular: “What parts of me, am I ready to diffuse and reabsorb?” Consider what parts of your identity you have outgrown. For some, this might not be fully a facet of your identity but perhaps a part of you that was formed as a coping mechanism of sorts. For example, someone who feels unheard in their workspace might start to be more outspoken and argumentative in the home space. Maybe they no longer wish to be reactive in this way. If so, they would focus on calling forth the unheard versions of themselves. See if this version of yourself wants to appear in the reflection.
In doing this work, we’re moving mildly into the realm of curanderismo and soul retrieval, so I encourage you to only do this with the parts of yourself that you’re able to navigate on your own. I would not necessarily explore heavy traumas in a single full moon ritual as that is best done alongside a healer or mental health professional.
As you call forth this part of you, sit until this version of yourself feels very stable in front of you. I know some folks can’t visualize as well as they can utilize other senses so don’t feel like you have to ***see*** this version of you, just sit until you can FEEL or sense in some capacity that this part of you has been brought forth.
Part three: Diffuse
From there, I want you to take your crystal or blade (if you have one) or your hand. Hold it steady above the water. Say something along the lines of:
“I no longer need this version of myself to stand on its own, I call it back to the whole of myself”
And as you say this, tap along the surface of the water or move your crystal/tool into the water. See the water break and see the reflection diffuse. Watch the waves ripple and feel this version of yourself begin to break down into tiny little energetic bits.
Watch as the water begins to still.
Part Four: Contemplate
As the water continues. to still, lean forward and allow yourself to glimpse your reflection. Feel the diffused parts of you come back into you. Visualize yourself absorbing these little energetic bits. As you gaze at your reflection feel free to say. an affirmation along the lines of:
“I call back to myself these parts of me. May they help me more clearly and consciously form who I want to be going forward.”
Sit until you feel that these aspects of you have been reabsorbed.
