Cleanup time? This Thursday, March 1, at 7:51PM EST, the Virgo full moon is in full bloom, sounding the call for a lifestyle overhaul and helping us integrate all the changes stirred up by the eclipses.
As the last full moon of winter, the Virgo full moon is a pre-spring awakening, known as the full Worm Moon by Native American tribes. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full Worm Moon occurs as the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. It is also known as the Sap Moon, as it signifies the time when sap begins to flow from maple trees.
The full Worm Moon in purifying Virgo arrives with extra potency, being the first of TWO back-to-back full moons this month (the Libra full moon comes March 31). Life’s messy areas become illuminated under these wellness-obsessed moonbeams, bringing some much-needed order to our courts. Opt for eco-friendly, sustainable, clean and green products, and break out the sage wand to clear away any stale energy. Living things, like plants and live foods can also be restorative. As the zodiac’s neat freak, Virgo is the star sign that lives for structure, order and routine—so why not make everything cleaner and greener?
Grounded earth sign Virgo sounds a wakeup call for living more mindfully, with everything from the food we put on our plates to the footprint we make on our environments. Virgo is all about practical magic and grassroots community organizing—simple and effective. One random act of kindness could start a movement this week. Since Virgo is the astrological analyst, the full Worm Moon is also prime time for getting your taxes done. Crunching numbers into a realistic budget can also bring peace of mind now.
In case you’ve heard the false rumors that Virgo energy is boring, guess again. Ruled by speedy, communicative Mercury, our intellectual curiosity is stimulated under this lunar spell. There’s no better week to research, gather data and visual inspiration, and get to work on a DIY project—using up-cycled and salvaged materials.
Want to host a full moon ritual? Here are some tips for manifesting at new and full moons. And below, a few ways to maximize the potency of the Virgo full moon.
1. Break out of analysis-paralysis.
Procrastination is the enemy of progress! Yet, there’s always a valid emotional experience going on underneath it all. Virgo’s analytical powers can help you pierce the veil. Write down (yes, Virgo loves lists) anything in your life that you’ve been putting off. What’s REALLY going on there? A few possibilities: either you’re not feeling excited about it, you don’t know where to start, or you need to ask for help. Go down the checklist item by item and see what is revealed. Write down the ONE thing that keeps stopping you from moving forward, then identify a person or resource you could turn to for help. Then, book an appointment in your own calendar to call or email that person (or heck, just pick up the phone now). Get the ball rolling again!
2. Ignite your digestive fire.
Each sign is associated with a body part and Virgo rules the lower stomach and digestive system. Chew on this: Turning up your digestive fire can help you sleep better, prevent disease and help your body use food as the fuel it is intended to be. Digestion begins in the mouth, but with our on-the-go lifestyles, many of us inhale our food instead of mindfully chewing it. Use those molars and incisors: they are there for a purpose.
Another trick for helping with digestion? Lie on your left side, which compresses the C-shaped tummy and facilitates a self-massage. The advanced ritualists among us might even try going raw this weekend or doing a juice cleanse (or a soup cleanse, if the weather is still cold in your area). The Virgo full moon loves everything pure and earthy. Bring that straight to your plate and see how alive you feel. Read up food combining principles or add more fresh juice to your daily regimen. Read up on gut health, too, and learn about why the gut is being called “the second brain” by doctors and scientists alike. The key with the Virgo full moon is to repeat the chosen practice daily so that you can really feel its impact.
Many experts now believe that gut health is the key to overall well-being, as it governs your mental health and a strong immune system. Pop a daily probiotic—and see what happens if you swap out the refined sugar and white flour for dark leafy greens and lean proteins. Instead of the bottomless refills at the coffeepot, brew a matcha latte, or try a turmeric golden milk at night. Holistic treatments like massage and acupuncture can also realign your systems. Has it been awhile since you saw your MD? Get those routine checkups on the calendar if only to quell the rumblings of your inner hypochondriac.
3. Streamline and systematize.
Virgo is an efficiency expert, and loves structures, systems and a sense of order. Where do we need to whip our lives into shape? Expect a megadose of motivation to come with the Virgo full moon. It’s not just about tucking stuff away in junk drawers, but rather, cleaning house, simplifying and ridding ourselves of excess. The zodiac’s Virgin likes things pure, simple and sweet. What a great opportunity to lower our carbon footprints this week—and beyond. We can apply the de-junking approach to body care, too. The full moon in Virgo brings healthy living into the spotlight and wants us to devise an empowering eating and exercise routine.
Since Virgo is the sign of service, be honest with yourself, too: Could you use a little support with your life improvement missions? It might be a worthy investment to hire a pro to deep clean your place. Want to reboot your physical health? Sign up for a wellness program with menus, workout videos and a Facebook support group. Seize any moment to share an empowering tidbit or helpful resource with someone in need of a lead.
4. Dare to dream.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (a Capricorn) said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” That’s a beautiful sentiment—as long as you have an idea where those invisible stairs are leading. This year, the analytical Virgo full moon falls during ethereal Pisces season, which activates our subconscious and spiritual sides. Talk about polar opposites! Unite your logical left brain and your creative right brain. Lists may sound dreary to most signs, but when you’re rooted in a greater vision, they’re simply the road map that will get you to your ultimate destination. Books and tools like Danielle LaPorte’s The Desire Map help you create goals with soul, to work backward from how you want to FEEL in your highest state, then to set intentions based on that. Once you’re steeped in that visionary vibe, doing the groundwork feels light and even exciting…because you know the universe is truly on your side.
5. Read your produce labels carefully.
The devil is in the details, and Virgo, the sign of health, knows that all too well. How can you bring more mindfulness to your nutritional habits? Know your codes—fruit or vegetable sticker PLU codes, that is—and how to check whether the item is organic, conventionally grown or (eek!) genetically modified. Remember this: a five-digit code starting with 9 on your banana, bell pepper, etc. means it was grown organically. If it starts with a 4, it was conventionally grown, and an 8 means GMO. Dr. Frank Lipman explains the whole system simply here. The Virgo full moon reminds us: you are what you eat!
6. Try a new word every day.
Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, brainiac Virgo flexes some serious vocab skills. Why say “good” when you can say “superlative,” “unrivaled,” or “magnificent?” This full moon is blessing us all with the gift of gab this week, so take the challenge and wax poetic. Adopt a new word per day and use it as often as you can. You might even get your friends in on the fun. Imagine the nerdy laughs as you all find ways to weave “prescient” or “sartorial” into a sentence. Seriously. And if you’re already gifted with word-power, host a Scrabble night near the full moon and let the good times roll.
7. Flex your decluttering muscles.
Waste not, want not: that’s one of Virgo’s favorite expressions. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a great week for cleaning out those closets and donating to a meaningful charity or a friend in need. But before you toss everything into garbage bags, stop and think: could this be used in a different way? Try an “up-cycling” project this week, which is a lot like recycling, except the object is given a brand new use. Our crafty crew of friends are masters of the up-cycle. We’ve seen adorable baby cowboy boots used as a flowerpot (bonus points from this earthy full moon for planting something), a bike wheel turned into a wall clock, a denim skirt made out of jeans with a ripped inseam. These projects don’t have to take hours on end. All it takes is a creative sweep of your environment. For ideas: check out theupcycleblog.com and readymade.com. Another great project? Making your own, eco-friendly cleaning products using ingredients like white vinegar, lemon and baking powder. (Here are some recipes for a fresh and nature-friendly home.)
8. Be of service to others.
Give the world service with a smile, too! The Virgo full moon lights up our inner helper-healer, reminding us of the power of being generous for generosity’s sake. Giving selflessly feels better than a week at the spa, as it connects us to the power of pure, universal love. Whether we’re helping out a friend in need or volunteering at a non-profit, this full moon will beam its light on the places where our gifts are needed most.
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