Astrologically speaking full moons are the culmination of everything that has been manifested since the corresponding new moon that was associated with it. We can look at this in two different ways. One way is to look at the archetype of whichever zodiac sign the moon is currently residing. The other way is to see which house the sign lands in your birth chart. The first one is what you see most out there in the world because it’s easier for collective readings. The latter is for a more personal understanding of how all these archetypes influence your life on a more micro level.
The symbol of Gemini is illustrated by two pillars, duality and communication. It is related to Buddha or Krishna by ancient Hindus, as the search for knowledge and disseminating of all that was learned, the knower and the known giving rise to a third pillar, knowledge itself. Gemini invites us to experience the world through a different lens, one that consciously integrates the soul with the spirit. The twins Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology represented that duality between our higher and lower selves, our individuality and personality. Our job on this planet is to bring the two together into our own physical embodiment, one that represents us in all of our earthly glory.
Moon names, at least in North America, come from the various Native tribes, colonialism, or other traditions passed down in our culture. Full Cold Moon, a Mohawk name, describes the frigid conditions we have come to expect this time of year. Long Night Moon, a Mohican name, conveys the fact that the winter solstice is approaching, transitioning us into a time of longer nights and shorter days. It is the Drift Clearing Moon, the Frost Exploding Tree Moon, or the Hoar Frost Moon to the Cree. Both the Haida and the Cherokee call it the Snow Moon. The Ogala tribe refers to it as the Moon of the Popping Trees. To the Western Abenaki it is the Winter Maker Moon. It is the Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers to the Dakota and the Little Spirit Moon to the Anishinaabe.
If a snowstorm begins when the moon is young, it will cease at moonrise.
Moon Folklore
According to Pagan traditions the full moon in December is referred to as the Moon Before Yule. The Yuletide Festival, which was traditionally celebrated during the Winter Solstice, originated in the Gothic calendar in 600 AD. It wasn’t until the 9th Century when is became associated with Christmas. King Hakon of Norway, who was a Christian, passed a law declaring that Yule and Christmas were to be celebrated on the same day. This moved the celebration from December 21, the first day of winter, to December 25. Yet another example of how the Church steals traditions from other spiritual practices.
Terrible Twos
Harvey Dent is the ultimate pop culture personification of the archetype of Gemini. Originally a district attorney for Gotham City, his mental state was broken in two when Sal “Boss” Maroni threw acid in his face. He became Two-Face, a criminal mastermind obsessed with duality and the number two, often flipping a coin to determine the fate of his victims. This is some abstract phenomenon, as we too have inner demons at a constant battle within ourselves. The only different between Harvey and us is that his has manifested itself onto his outward appearance. We can simply hide ours from the rest of the world.
The Gemini archetype can also lend itself to one becoming of two minds, not being able to make a decision about something. When this occurs too often we become stuck, stuck in our ways, but also unable to move forward. The times that I have found myself in this place, I find journaling to be the answer, as I was never one to make pros and cons lists. They don’t really work for me, often confusing me even more about the decision at hand. (Insert shameless plug to buy my journals here.)
Monkey Business
Occasionally Gemini has been represented not by the two pillars, but by the Chinese Monkey of the Three Graces. Their names (Mizaru, Kikazaru, and Iwazaru) literally translate to “see not, hear not, speak not.” Originating in Japan, the moral message was to not look at, listen to, or say anything that was deemed to be evil. It has evolved into a sarcastic proverb to encourage people to turn a blind eye to something happening that is considered to be a moral wrongdoing. The idea is that if you don’t know that it’s there, you can’t be held accountable for it.
It’s fitting that Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the messenger planet, is considered to be the storyteller of the zodiac. Whether that means to tell a tale or to spin a yarn is up for debate in my book. It often, as so much does, comes down to the intention of the individual person. We can act in accordance to what is best for the greater good, the collective, or for what is best for our own individual selves. These things often can seesaw between self-love and self-care to down right selfishness. All in all it comes down to the choices we make.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. . . .
Mad love, Jenna
The final verse is the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
To See More…
Happy New Year | Playing with Fire | Daddy’s Little Monster
