Depending on where you are in the world, you may have seen or felt the effects of the Full Moon in Scorpio over the last few days. Here in Australia it peaked today on 30 April at 10:58am.

Whilst the days before and after a Full Moon are generally an emotionally charged time, this one has been particularly intense and profoundly transformative. You may have found yourself or people around you to be anxious, impatient, emotional or unsettled. Perhaps you experienced disrupted sleep patterns, vivid dreams or physical fatigue. As a Cancerian who is sensitive to the effects of the moon cycles, I know I have.

The sign of Scorpio represents death, rebirth and unconditional love and is known for depth and mystery. We are therefore inspired to dive deep (beneath the surface) and find renewal by bringing subconscious patterns and behaviours into light. This month is an invitation to peel back all layers and create an opportunity to cleanse, let go and start new.

Impact on relationships

And as if that would not be enough already, the Scorpio Full Moon is said to have an impact on relationships. As we cleanse and start anew, some relationships may be left behind while others might evolve and transform through clearing out and letting go of old patterns that have played out. Through awareness of old wounds, rebirth and unconditional love a deep healing may take place.

Mysticmamma says, ‘the question we’re all dealing with in some form or another is, do I trust you enough to show you all of me? The only way we can find out is to reveal ourselves… The more we learn to trust both ourselves and others, the greater the chance for commitment and longevity in all our relationships.’

No biggie, just a small thing to work with this month…

How do we bring this understanding into the practice?

Scorpio Full Moon brings a need for deeper connection, empowerment and transformation.

The focus in our practice will be on bringing the attention inward through slow-strong, simple movements, Drishti (single-point of focus) and meditation. We will be working into the hips and chest-shoulder area to shift and transform the immense emotional and intensive energy we may be feeling around this time.

How can you harness the power of this Full Moon?

The key is to turn to what is the truth for you.

How we nurture our own heart, maintain our boundaries and step into our own power, will determine how we love another as another form of Self.

Pay attention to your feelings and where they are coming from. Bring your focus inward and observe new insights, thoughts and feelings that may emerge. Make some time for introspection and, if you feel the need, allow yourself to retreat and protect your energy.

Make self-care a priority and say no if required and possible. Clear out what no longer serves a purpose and let go of things that are blocking you from finding and feeling your truth.

Surrender and accept

It is through the process of surrendering that you can genuinely let go. By peeling off the layers and uncovering what’s deep down, you’re being led to your truth. The energy of the Full Moon in Scorpio runs deep and is going to touch us wherever it needs to touch us. All we have to remember is to surrender, accept and keep on loving in a way that feels right for us.

As always, I hope it goes well for you this week. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

*NB. I’m not an astrologer – never have been and probably never will. However, I am a Cancerian woman who finds herself deeply affected by and attracted to the moon cycles and/or meanings. That’s a personal choice and not based on any scientific evidence. All the above is a personal collection of words and meanings from the following sites:

MYSTIC MAMMA

Forever Conscious

Conscious Reminder

All of these are great resources that are part of my regular reading. However, I don’t take responsibility for anything published on those sites, nor do I claim any of those concepts as my own.

Last week’s classes where themed around Ahimsa, the first of the Yamas and the overarching ‘law’ in yoga philosophy.

What does Ahimsa mean and how does it show in our day-to-day life?

Ahimsa suggests the practice of non-violence or non-harming behaviour including physical, mental and emotional violence towards others and the self.

You may think now: “Well, I’m not violent. This has nothing to do with me.”

Right. If you’re reading this post, chances are you are not walking around physically beating other people up. I’m very glad you don’t. I don’t either, in case you were wondering.

However, there is another concept of violence you may not have considered yet: Negative self-talk.

Negative self-talk is one of the most humiliating and violent experiences we can have as human beings. From my own experience and from talking to others, I know how cruel it is and how we’re all affected at times.

Our mind (the ego) has the capacity to tell us we’re bad, not getting it right, not good enough or even worthless.

For some, these thoughts or inner voices begin the moment we wake up in the morning and only cease the moment we go to sleep or move into one of many distractive patterns (material obsessions, new partner, new job, substance abuse and so on).

No one on this earth deserves to be spoken to like that. Ever. Would you ever speak to your best friend in the way your mind does speak to you at times? Of course not.

So, it is our responsibility to step back, stop the process and redirect the thoughts. Just as you would comfort a friend, it then becomes your responsibility to comfort the Self. The opposite of Ahimsa is (self-) love.

But what if I find myself having a day full of negative self-talk and I simply can’t seem to stop it?

Well, a day and an experience like that is a gift. Just imagine the amount of serenity, patience and strength you’re building up during this time to put up with shit like that.

This will serve you well further down the road and in many other life situations.

It is easy to love ourselves and everyone else around us when the sun is shining, we had a good breakfast and all is right in our world.

But on a day like this, where the sun is hidden under dark clouds and where there was no breakfast whatsoever, the real practice begins.

So, what do I do on a day like this?

Choose love. Love always wins and is the only way to drive change or anything really. And if you feel there is no way to find love, choose it anyway.

Become aware of negative thoughts and meet them with self-love. Notice the voices, listen to what they have to say and release them in gratitude.

Turn “I am not good enough” into “I’ve done ____ [fill in the blank] well this week”.

Turn “I am unable of ____” into “Instead, I am able of _____ ”.

Turn “I am useless and have nothing” into “I am grateful for ____ in my life”.

It may not seem easy or even ridiculous at first, but it’s possible. Remember, no one on this earth deserves to be spoken to like our mind does to us at times.

I took this picture during a beach walk on the morning of 4 November 2017 – the day of the Full Moon in Taurus. During moments like this, the little things put my bigger picture back into place and bring meaning into all I do and believe in.