Tonight's Full Moon is HOT!

Have you heard of A Course in Miracles? It's a 20th century Christian esoteric teaching. Although I'm not Christian, I definitely enjoy studying texts from various wisdom traditions.

One of the daily lessons (108) in A Course in Miracles stood out so clearly to me that I put it on my fridge:

"To give and receive are one in truth."

The teaching isn't about gift giving, though that's nice. As an esoteric teaching, it aims higher — to giving peace, love, gentleness and the like.

This is a lesson that aims to reconcile "all seeming opposites." The understanding that "all is one," may then be extended to the many dualities we experience in life.

Huh?

Ya.

This is a really complex teaching that 1) I'm not sure I even fully grasp; and 2) requires a lot more attention than this weekly digest can give it.

But still, my intuition has been yammering at me to present it to you. So here it is!

On a most basic level, "to give and receive are one in truth," is a very simple teaching that tells us that when we give to another — a gift, an act of service or peace of mind — we are giving to ourselves, too.

Perhaps most important, the act of receiving is equally important to the act of giving. 

(Is it my birthday yet?! Gimme ALL the presents!)

When we're able to give fully or receive fully, then we're facilitating the flow of energy that paves the way for a closer and more meaningful relationship — be it with a colleague, a lover or with the Divine.

Jupiter, the Archer's ruling planet, may have the spotlight right now because it's Sag Season, but Venus's presence is definitely noted. Just think of her as the alluring woman seated center stage.

Venus is the goddess of love and harmony — and money, too!— and any conversation about giving and receiving (the holiday season, much?) falls in her domain.

The dance of Venus and Jupiter is an important one. This is the energy of being TREASURED to the point of being spoiled. They vie in pleasing one another; delight in outdoing the other. 

While there's something especially sensual to this interplay, it can definitely extend to platonic relationships, as well — just think of the grandmother with her first grandbaby or the saint writing love poems to God.

Here's some inquiries that may reveal a thing or two about how you give and receive:

•  Can you get down with the idea that giving and receiving are one?

What was your initial reaction to that statement? Were you attracted? Confused? Averse?

• Is there a relationship in your life — to yourself, another or to Divine — that could benefit from some giving or receiving? 

Is there something you've received that you can "receive" anew? Anything you're overdue in giving?

• Where do you fall on the spectrum of giving and receiving? Are you better able to give than to receive, generally? 

Can you give or receive in some situations, but not others? Are you able to give time and money but not connection? Or maybe it's vice versa — connection is no problem, but you're Scrooge-like when it comes to tipping or philanthropy?

When someone offers you something you need or want, are you delighted and eager to say "yes, please and thank you," or do you find yourself declining even as you want to say "yes" and they want you to say "yes," too?!

Today is an opportune time to reflect on this topic, as well as your thinking and actions (or lack thereof) about it, because, we've got a Full Moon in Gemini (out thoughts), conjunct Mars (action).

This week's AstroLogical Forecast:

The Moon is full tonight at 8.08pm PT.

Angry red planet Mars (in retrograde!), is bearing down on luna, ensuring that we'll all be feeling some degree of mental and emotional agitation.

Mars in Gemini is already prone toward the War of Words, quick temper and saying things it doesn't mean or believe in the heat of the moment. But when he's this close to the Moon, we're very, very prone to letting him get the best of us.

>> Difficult conversations are most definitely saved for later this week!

>> Be careful driving, too!

Remedies for this intense energy:

 Inquire and Journal. Do some Byron Katie work. 

Katie says that, "all war belongs on paper." If you're feeling volatile today, it's time to inquire into the narrative and journal it out.

Rest your Mind-Body-Spirit Trinity.

If you can't physically rest then it's uber-important that you find time to meditate — even if it's just for one minute at the stoplight.  

Exercise. 

 It's not all bad news, though. The Sun, Moon and Mars are all making lovely aspects over to Lord Saturn, the wise and steady parent of the zodiac.

If you find yourself about to blow, call upon your own wisdom — or that of a trusted friend or teacher — to tease out what you're feeling.

This supportive aspect between Saturn and Mars could also allow you to harness any volatile energies with enviable control.

>> With awareness, you may be able to channel or direct these fiery energies into an endeavor that needs some heat to get going. Just be careful not to get burned!

Mercury (on Tuesday) and Venus (on Friday), enter committed Capricorn (Saturn's sign).

The flirty and spontaneous Sagittarius energy is officially waning. You can expect your thinking and communicating — especially around relationship and money — to be more realistic and future-oriented over the next few weeks.

Thankfully, the Sun is still in Sag to help lighten the mood during this forever-long Mars retrograde!

>> Is there a relationship in your life that could benefit from some giving or receiving? Write me back, I'd love to know.

Until next week, cheers to understanding yourself better!