Full Moon in Sagittarius: Discovering Your Personal Myth
A full moon in Sagittarius on June 9, 2017 encourages us to explore the realm of the religious function of our psyche. Often overlooked, or pushed aside in favor of science and certainty, this mystical heart of our being is bereft of attention. Because of a lack of connection to a personal mythology, we suffer from constant overwhelm of life’s circumstances, and an unknowing of how to make sense of them.
The importance of religion in our lives cannot be underestimated.
Just because we may have rejected the religion of our origin, does not mean it’s not important to us. The word religion originally meant to “relate back” to something. Without the presence of some way for us to “relate back” to ourselves, we are lost trying to make meaning of our lives. This psychological pressure prevents us from fully experiencing joy.
The good news here is that if the religions of your upbringing no longer serve you, it’s time to create your own. The development of a personal mythology is a wise and worthy task, and perhaps the most important any person can undertake in his or her lifetime. It begins by asking simple questions of yourself, and connecting to the mystery that is life and this universe.
For a start-to-finish guide on personal myth making through yoga, read Yoga Beyond the Mat.
Luckily, both Pluto and Neptune are on our side in this pursuit. Pluto encourages us to explore our depths, while Neptune challenges us to find a spiritual connection to something…ourselves, the mystery, or another. Fueling the pressure to look deeply within to fill yourself with personal myth is Saturn. Saturn is right next to the moon and asking us to fulfill and manifest the myth within us.
Stop looking for meaning outside of you in fleeting things. Stop pursuing the calcified certainty that is always elusive. Stop resisting the call to fall into the mystery that sustains life.
Start making meaning from the myth that you live by.
Alchemical Ritual for the Sagittarius Full Moon
As a fire sign, Sagittarius has a lot of energy, and vivacity. This energy is both bright and engaging, but is also overwhelming if not reigned in. Sagittarius, applauds higher thinking and philosophy, and religion often intrigues the archer. This full moon ritual for Sagittarius draws out the high side of Sag and illuminates the spiritual connection within the religious function of our psyche, so we feel less adrift and know we are not alone.
Sagittarius’ ruler is Jupiter, the great centaur who aims true for the target. Our work here is to shoot for the source—the heart—of connection. This is the ultimate target, and the ultimate goal of any philosophical, religious or spiritual pursuit. Gather a blue stone such as topaz, amethyst or turquoise. Clear quartz crystal is effective in this ritual, too. Simple flowers such as daisies or carnations are pleasing to Jupiter, and enhance ritual. If you have clove or anise spice, sprinkle it into a bowl and place it in your ritual space. Clove and anise essential oil may be used to anoint your third eye, and your hips (Sagittarius rules the hips) before and after the ceremony. Use sage, sweet grass or palo santo to cleanse yourself and the space by casting the smoke over yourself and encircling your own body three times. Light a few candles and dim the lights. Locate a religious item, or one that holds profound philosophical properties for you (an icon, a book, a statue, etc.). Place this item in the center of the ceremonial circle. Step inside, sit down, and close the eyes. Place your mental focus on the object and its meaning. Visualize it in your mind’s eye. Say the following invocation out loud:
Sagittarius and Jupiter, allow me to feel the deep connection to source that comes from within, even as I seek the means to express that connection on the outside.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation. Clear the mind of thoughts completely.
See the object you’ve brought with you into the circle and silently ask it to give you a message. Religion is most powerful when we make it personal, commune with it, and allow it to speak to us. Wait patiently, and allow the message to arise. It may be a simple image, one word, or a feeling. Accept all things that come. Do not anticipate or second guess the message, simply allow it to arise on its own. Once it does, take three deep breaths and feel the message in your body, as you slowly open your eyes and see the external embodiment of the message in the item before you.
When complete, chant Om three times, and snuff the candles. Place the sacred item in prominent view and allow it to be a touchstone of the message you received in this ritual. This is an outer representation of the inner connection you have to spirit. This ritual is the beginning of building a personal mythology—one where you find your own way through the outer trappings of religion and philosophy to connect with yourself. In doing so, rather than looking for meaning in your life, you bring meaning to it.
