What Do You Need?
In the past few blog posts, I’ve been talking about our many conflicting needs in relationship. Yesterday, I described how our relating function - symbolized by Venus - can challenge our sense of self and life purpose, indicated by the Sun.
Today, I want to introduce another player in the celestial drama, the Moon. We don’t usually think of the Moon as an indicator of relationships - it’s more about home, family, our origins, the physical body, and more. The Moon symbolizes our comfort zones, and our need for security.
It’s that need for security that brings the Moon into relationships, in a big way. While we have many images of relationship and what it could or should be, one very common facet of our partnership picture is that it should provide security. Very often, we’re willing to trade excitement, romance, and passion for stability and a sense of safety - and that might be very appropriate.
The sign that the Moon is in often tells us a great deal deal about the security needs a person has, and how likely they are to be projected into partnerships and onto partners. Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are often very sensitive and cautious, and all else being equal (and it isn’t always) they often have high security needs. On the other hand, Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) tend to thrive on action and change, and can be willing to trade security for excitement - because that’s what makes them feel safe.
Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) often thrive on communication, and they may think their way through emotions as much as feel them. Security needs vary with Air Moons, but they tend to feel safest when they understand what’s going on. Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) tend to be more or less secure, aware of the abundance of the physical plane and therefore less in need of reassurances.
The Moon can conflict with the relating function of Venus, or with the self-image and life purpose of the Sun. For example, a sensitive, empathic Pisces Moon might have some difficulty taking in the swirl of activity that Venus in Sagittarius is looking for in her social life. A cool, rational Aquarius Moon might not be happy with the more passionate approach of a Scorpio Sun. Venus in Aries wants a night out on the town, the Cancer Moon wants to order in and veg on the couch.
Of course, while the Moon may be irked by the wants and needs of other planets, those planets can also be challenged by the needs of the Moon. Yet the function of the Moon tends to be more primal and less conscious than the other planets, and it is among the most receptive points in the chart. That’s why the Moon also indicates where and how we react to stress - even if it is other parts of ourselves that is creating it.
-AD