To say this Pisces full moon has affected me is an understatement. I knew it was coming. I know I have a deep sensitivity to the moon cycles, and I can work with them rather, then against them. I knew the sun was shifting to gate 40 and the moon was shifting to gate 37. With all this knowledge and gentleness, I was prepared to give myself, it hit me with an intensity that I was not ready for.

Here I am awake at 4am processing the day before and unable to sleep as the energy of the moon, beams through my window, so bright that it looks like there are lights on outside of my house.  Yes, I love keeping my curtains open to look outside at night. As a Human Design Manifestor, I have a deep sensitivity to the cycles of the moon. The truth of the matter is, we actually all do if we choose to pay attention.

I was on edge yesterday, feeling off all day. Then it happened. I was triggered. I felt alone and like my family does not see what I do for them. There it was…the shadow I had just told my student’s the previous evening to look out for! Bring on the waterworks! The moon is in Gate 37 which creates an emotional channel that I do not usually have access to. The feeling was overwhelming, until I settled into it.

In the Human Design system, each gate is associated with an I Ching hexagram. The I Ching is the ancient Chinese astrology system that has been around for thousands of years. When planets like the Sun and Moon transit through these gates, they infuse their energies into our lives and the world around us.

The Sun in Gate 40: The Aloneness Gate

Gate 40, also known as the "Aloneness" gate, is associated with the energy of isolation, individuality, and the potential for profound insights. This gate can trigger feelings of solitude, but it also holds the key to tapping into one's unique perspective. With the Sun's recent placement in Gate 40, there is a heightened focus on self-discovery and embracing the wisdom that comes from spending time alone. This period encourages us to introspect, detach from external influences, and find our own truths.

The Moon in Gate 37: The Family Gate

Gate 37, the "Family" gate, embodies themes of community, relationships, and interconnectedness. This gate highlights the importance of finding our place within various groups, whether it's our biological family, social circles, or broader communities. With the Moon currently in Gate 37, there's an emphasis on nurturing our relationships and understanding how our personal connections contribute to the larger tapestry of human interaction. This phase prompts us to explore our role within our chosen families and how we can positively impact those around us.

I suddenly was interwoven into the shadow of both gates. Feeling isolated and alone, trying to make sense of my emotional response to a situation, I normally navigate fine. Crying is healthy. Even when we may not understand, the “why” of our emotions, if we can just feel into the emotion, we can move the energy. Cried, moved on, and communicated my needs.

I went to bed fairly early, only to not really sleep and but then to be buzzing awake at 4am with energy coursing through me. No need to cry but I need to move the energy. My mind writes.

 We are a force that can wake dormant souls, shining light on their hidden roles.

 Embrace your fire. It is here to inspire beyond your walls an unknown path, opening in the fall.

 For you are the spark that breaks the night, Guiding all towards their inner light.

This is your reminder to gentle if tense energy comes up today. Take some time to be creative Pisces are very sensitive, compassionate, and creative beings. Let yourself ride in the wave of energy and see where the universe takes you.

- Amanda (@luxhealingarts)

Cancer Full Moon

With Mars in retrograde and Cancer being the most sentimental sign in the zodiac, the first Full Moon of 2023 brings some intense emotions with it. Cancer as a sign is ruled by the Moon. The moon represents our intuition, emotions, and our unconscious minds. Such a gentle reminder that if we embody the energy of the universe, we can find alignment and rhythm deep inside our bodies on a cellular level.

Cancer asks us to communicate our needs to those around us. Be vulnerable without hesitation to truly dive into what your “needs” are. How often do hide your needs because you are scared to say out loud what they truly are? Where can you find forgiveness? Where can you find softness? Where can you find the space in between truly going for your desires with full ambition and aligning with the pieces of you that are not quite ready yet?

We are in the energy of Gate 54 in the Human Design Chart. Karen Curry Parker refers to this as the Gate of Divine Inspiration. This is the energy of inspired action that asks us to wait for the right timing. Although this energy can feel confusing when we are not in alignment, we can use it as a tool to tap into what inspires us. Are you feeling an extra pull of inspiration right now?

The full moon energy is a great time to release and let go. This Cancer full moon is especially a great time for release and forgiveness. Cancer is a water sign, and you may feel the emotional water of your body, tears, begin to flow. Let them. Let your tears cleanse your spirit and release what you need to set yourself free.

What inspirational pull are you feeling after allowing yourself the freedom to feel?

- Amanda ( @luxhealingarts )

For those of you that have followed my blog for a while, I have had to start new chapter of words and hide the previous stories for personal reasons. Don’t worry, the book is being written and the healing journey of empowerment and resilience will be shared again in the future.

Till then I am faced with starting a new chapter……again. I could feel defeated, or feel empowered, the choice is in my hands. That is what the lesson of life is. Starting over, so you can learn and grow. Thich Nhat Hanh said “Most people are afraid of suffering. But suffering is a kind of mud to help the lotus flower of happiness grow. There can be no lotus flower without the mud.” I have had discussions this week with a few people that have mentioned they feel “stuck”. I sometimes feel like I am stuck. But that is when I must surrender and realize I am growing. People try to hold you down or limit your voice when they feel threatened by you, but next time that happens, I want you to ask yourself; “Are they really holding me down or am I becoming empowered to learn and grow?”

This Leo Portal Energy and the Full Moon energy this week has been a giant push and pull for me. I was confused by all the Instagram posts of manifestation because It didn’t feel all “big dreams and let’s manifest” like it has in the past to me. It has reminded me of my life the last year. Some of the most amazing moments that have had me feeling so grateful mixed in with hate and darkness that has tried to drag me down.

When I looked up the planet energy this month, I understood why I was feeling this tension. This month alone: Mars clashed Uranus, Mars clashed Saturn, the Sun clashed Uranus, the Sun clashed Saturn, and at the end of the month Venus clashes Saturn. This energy creates and intense, uncomfortable energy, depending on where these planets are in your chart.

As we step into the Aquarius full moon we are in a clash between the sun and Saturn Retrograde. We feel a pull to step into our individuality and evolve but it is creating a pressure that is asking us what we have learned so we can grow. When I look at where the Aquarius energy is today and where it shows up in my chart, I find Gate 13.1 (Human Design, if you don’t know about this yet, reach out for a 1-1 reading and you will never be the same).

Gate 13 is the line of the narrative. Where are my old stories holding me back? The power of this gate is to forgive my past so I can learn from the lessons and show up as the best version of myself. I am here to create a personal narrative that is empowering. Karen Curry Parker says to master this gate you have “the ability to use the power of personal narrative to create with power and intention”. The gate being in line 1 means I need the fact and details. I had to investigate the energy so I could feel empowered to share my story around it.

So here I am on this Aquarius Full Moon changing the narrative with power and intention. It doesn’t feel like rainbows and butterfly’s but instead feels like I am a lotus growing in the mud. In our world of believing in magic, manifesting our dreams, and truly raising the vibration of humanity we must remember that we need balance. Only through the understanding of suffering can we set ourselves free.

• Amanda (@luxhealingarts)