February Full Moon in Leo

February brings us a Full Moon in the fiery sign of Leo. The energy of Leo is rooted in that 5th house, awakening the exploration of creativity and the cultivation of joy. Leo is a bright energy that can bring that energy of happiness into any space, no matter how bleak. This energy also burns for authenticity, because Leo is not afraid to be bold, to stand out and to be seen. Tapping into this energy asks us to examine blocks in our ability to shine brightly as ourselves and let the full moon help to shed those layers so we can be seen again. What has been standing in the way of you being YOU, fully you? Let this bold energy ignite the fire within, giving you the courage to stand up tall as you truly are. 

The shadow side of Leo can be felt as selfish, self-seeking, and lazy. With a Full Moon, there can be an illumination of these qualities in our own lives, allowing us to see a little clearer where in ourselves we need to lean in and apply the work to. Leo energy likes to be seen and that can come at the expense of others. Take notice of areas in your life where you may have stepped over someone to get something you desire, where have you been too fiery lately? Where have you been too restful? We cannot apply the tools of change unless we take time to acknowledge and address the roots. Full Moons are a perfect time to dive into these shadows and start to illuminate the path forward, out of the shadows. 

This bold Leo energy is the perfect pairing for the energy of the indigenous teachings for February, the medicine of the bear. February holds the medicine of the bear, a symbol of courage, boundaries and of rest. 

The creator gave all the animals a special medicine to share with all the other beings, and the gift to bear was the medicine of courage. Bear felt very strong with this medicine and set out to help all the other creatures with whatever they needed. If wolf forgot how to snarl, bear would come roar for her. Bear was very helpful to anyone who called out for her, letting them lean on her and borrow her courage and strength. 

One day bear felt dizzy and tired, falling to the earth in utter exhaustion. All of the animals waiting as they watched bear crawl into a cave, slow their heart to an almost nothing beat and rest. All of the animals waited many cold winter nights, offering prayers of gratitude for their dear friend bear, the same way bear had done for them. 

The ground began to thaw and bear awoke from their slumber with wisdom to share with the other beings. Bear told the animals that it is our responsibility to listen to our own bodies and rest, to be mindful of our capacity to help others, the more we are offering, the more we will need to take time to rest. The lesson of the bear is to be courageous and listen to the wisdom of your body. Allow yourself to flow and pause, the pause is where we have the opportunity to integrate. Bear reminds us that our strongest and most wise remedy is when we can recognize our capacity and move into the cycle of rest as medicine. 

As we tap into this last Full Moon of Winter, allow yourself to truly access the medicine of the bear by resting, pausing, in these final weeks of the season of hibernation. These two energies we have of the bear and Leo are both very strong forces that both take their periods of recharge and rest to deeper integrations and insights. Let this full moon help you to shed some of the blocks in these areas and call forth your inner courage and strength to help guide you into the next phase. (of the moon and of your life).

Shadow Work:

-What was rest like for my primary caretaker? 

-What is rest like for me?

-Are these two modalities of rest similar?

-How have I dimmed my inner light recently?

-What is blocking my pathway to joy right now?

-What do I need to let go of this moon cycle?

I have been loving the affirmations from the book, You are the Medicine by Asha Frost, which is where these indigenous teachings are from as well. 

“As I let go and sink into rest, the Great Mystery moves through me. I break cycles of burnout and welcome in healing. In my restoration, I am enough, I am the medicine.”

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Happy Full Moon!

Love,

Jess