Upcycle that! On February 19 (at 10:53 AM EST) the Virgo full supermoon sounds the call to downsize, discern and deep-clean your life.
Mission: Living your best life—now! February’s full moon is a supermoon, meaning it arrives at the closest possible proximity to planet Earth. While it might not appear larger to the naked eye, we may feel its stirring effects in a stronger dose. Since this lunation dovetails with the flurriest time of year in the northern hemisphere, it’s also known as the full Snow Moon by indigenous tribes. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it was also known as the Hunger Moon since this was traditionally a time of year when hunting was challenging.
Speaking of hunting…where ARE those cross-country skis you invested in? And your favorite cashmere scarf? Virgo is the sign of salubrious systems. Not living your best life? This analytical full moon can also help you integrate all the changes stirred up by the January 21 lunar eclipse a month ago. What came roaring in with Leo will get sorted and smoothed by Virgo…one methodical step at a time.
Here are 6 ways to whip your life into shape under this potent supermoon:
1. Become a clean, green machine!
It’s going to be hard to ignore messy piles and overstuffed closets. And that’s a good thing! Seize the opportunity to bring some much-needed order to your court. If you’re one of the three people on the planet who’s not heard the name “Marie Kondo,” Google the Japanese tidying expert now or check out her Netflix show! Her holistic approach to decluttering includes thanking every room before you clean it (and every object before you let it go) and only keeping things that “spark joy.” Go a step further and get energy moving in your spaces with our extensive astrology and Feng Shui section.
Since Virgo is an earth sign, now’s the time to incorporate more plant life into your décor scheme—which can have the bonus effect of banishing some of those winter blues. If you have an emerald thumb and ample light, adopt a fiddleleaf fig. Or how about an air purifying ZZ plant or a pachira aquatica, AKA a “money tree” for attracting green in more ways than one? (If you’re looking for inspo, we’re huge fans of interiors whiz Justina Blakeney’s site Jungalow and “Wild At Home” author Hilton Carter whose leafy Instagram feed makes us swoon.)
Whenever possible, use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Not only are you protecting the Earth and our waterways from the chemical effects, you’re safeguarding yourself from absorbing harsh toxins through your pores. Here’s a cheat sheet for figuring out which sprays pass muster. And here are some recipes for making your own eco-loving cleaners with products that are probably occupying your pantry.
2. Upcycle it!
Waste not, want not: that’s one of Virgo’s favorite expressions. While you pull those rarely-used numbers from your closets some will fall into an obvious donation pile. But a few might leave you wondering: could this be used in a different way? Try an “upcycling” project this week. A lot like recycling, upcycling gives an object a new use. Our crafty crew of friends are masters of the up-cycle. We’ve seen adorable baby cowboy boots used as a flowerpot, a bike wheel turned into a wall clock and 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. Check out the Upcycle That blog for some mind-blowing ideas.
3. 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 you’ve been putting off. What’s REALLY stopping you? Maybe your heart isn’t in it and you need to save the project for another time. Or maybe you simply don’t know where to start. Try to identify the first steps, like mapping out a budget—and figuring out where to find the funds—or reading over some paperwork. Commit to moving the needle with this full moon. Try to make this “discovery process” as comfortable as possible. Bring a notebook to a favorite café and write your master list while you nibble on a nourishing snack.
Try journaling about your internal resistance if you feel truly blocked. Getting your emotions out of your head and onto paper can help you identify where you might need additional support. A few ideas: Book a session with a coach, ping a friend to be your “accountabili-buddy” with daily calls for the rest of the month, or sign up for a fun workshop that will teach you some basic skills in this area of struggle.
4. 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 breaking it down with our teeth. Use those molars and incisors: they are there for a purpose.
Another trick for helping with digestion is to 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 routine-loving Virgo full moon is to repeat any chosen practice daily so that you can really feel its impact. This sign is ruled by mobile Mercury, so check out app-based workouts to start your mornings. Since nervous Virgo energy can ramp up stress, swap the bottomless refills at the coffeepot for an afternoon matcha latte, or try a turmeric golden milk at night. Holistic treatments like massage and acupuncture can also realign your systems. Has it been a while since you saw your MD? Get those routine checkups on the calendar if only to quell the rumblings of your inner hypochondriac.
5. Give the world service (with a smile).
Random acts of kindness, no matter how small, are de riguer when the service-oriented Virgo full moon lights the skies. It’s little surprise that Mother Teresa was born under this benevolent star sign. In her words, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” This is a wonderful reminder that there are plenty of ways to give that don’t cost money or require copious amounts of time.
Let this full moon inspire a sense of neighborly kindness as you flow through your days. Take a moment to thank people who are serving you, from the barista to the drugstore cashier. Make sure anything you toss winds up in the proper trash receptacle (and not on the floor). Hold the door for the person coming in behind you. Offer to help someone struggling with bags to carry them up the steps. Let friends know the little things you appreciate about them. It matters!
6. Try a new word every day.
This lunar spell stimulates our intellectual curiosity. There’s no better week to research, gather data and visual inspiration, and get a jump start on your income taxes. Plus, brainiac Virgo flexes some serious vocab skills. Why say “good” when you can say “superlative,” “unrivaled,” or “magnificent?” This full moon blesses 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 approval ratings you’ll get as you find ways to weave “hegemonic” or “feckless” into a sentence. Seriously. And if you’re already a word nerd, host a Scrabble night near the full moon and let the good times roll!
Want to host a full moon ritual? Here are some tips for manifesting at new and full moons.
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