“Figure in Moonlight,” chalk pastel study by Maria Theresa Maggi
The moon is full at 13 degrees Sagittarius of the tropical zodiac on June 3, 2023 at 8:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time. Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the tropical zodiac and the last fire sign. Its companion planet is Jupiter, which helps it expand our sense of story and the big picture.
Sagittarius is symbolized by the archer, who is represented by a single arrow pointing outward at an upward angle. The archer shoots his arrow far and wide, hoping it will land in a place of discovery and wonder. But to shoot that arrow, she must pull back on the bow with all her might. That strength suggests the strength of the past and history that Sagittarius calls us to embrace when we venture out into the world. Our own history and the history of our culture, our religion, our systems of law, education and philosophy all inform how we see the world and Sagittarius wants us to be aware of that, at the same time it wants us to take the chance on shooting that arrow into the uncharted spaces, knowing others before us have done the same and we walk in their footsteps.
All full moons bring us the opportunity to be aware through the significance of the sun and moon in opposition to each other. This full moon we have an opportunity to be aware of the deep connection between the momentary and the historic, the immediate and the distant, stream of consciousness and memory, our siblings and extended family, our neighbors and those not with us, and duplicity and honesty.