BEST REACTION FOR ANXIETY- BY MILDRED ATIENO

What do you reach for when you feel anxious? This is the realm of the moon, so check your moon sign. The moon is the celestial body that is usually associated with the realm of the emotions, by virtue of its association with water as well as the feminine.

The astro-nomical moon's gravitational pull influences the tides of the earth's waters. The astro-logical moon, on the other hand, is associated with enhanced states of feeling or emotion, which is attributed to the water element. 

The moon's zodiac sign, Cancer [a water element], is similarly symbolic of deep feelings that have to do with one's roots, family, tribe, and even nation.

On the flip side, it should be noted that water signs are represented by cold blooded animals [crab, scorpion, fish]. They are from a whole different realm, so to speak. This means water signs are also capable of emotional disconnection and coldness when it comes to above mentioned themes.

The moon is also the ruler of the fourth house in astrology; this is the realm of the home, the mother, the family, and one's roots. The survival of the family was initially the preserve and duty of the mother, in her capacity as the Womb and also as the nurturer of life. 

It is said that ancient matriarchies existed in an age where the preservation of life was the focus. We'll discuss patriarchies when we explore the sun at some point. 

The moon is also said to rule the material realm and the body. For the new born child, Mother is its first love, and embodies the qualities of the moon [and to some extent Saturn] by teaching the child in its formative years about the boundaries and limits of its body. 

In its first few months of life, the Mother's body is the infant's entire world and source of nourishment. It is only much later that the child is able to fully separate from Mother and embark upon their own solar [hero's] journey.

The moon's metal is silver, according to alchemy and astrology. Interestingly, silver is said to be the only metal capable of dispatching the werewolf in ancient folklore. 

A werewolf is defined as a man that is turned into a beast during a full moon, which is a metaphor for lunar hunger or lunacy. In some cruel twist of fate, the werewolf only attacks those he loves. The connection between the metal of the moon and the werewolf, who is also influenced by the moon, is quite clear here. 

Because the moon rules the body, it also follows that it should rule the realm of the instincts. The transformation of man to beast in myth represents the instincts taking over the rational mind, sometimes into lunacy and self destruction. 

In my culture though, it is said that lunacy strikes during the dark moon. This is very compelling, because goddesses who were associated with inflicting states of madness were essentially dark lunar deities; I can think of Hecate and Artemis. 

These dark moon goddesses also held such titles as Mistress of Animals, meaning they could turn men into Beasts [turn them mad] and also tame wild animals. This is with regards to my earlier reference to lunar consciousness.

MILDRED ATIENO