Each month the Moon meets Spica, the star of abundance in the region of Virgo stars ~
beginning with the first Full Moon of Autumn 2024, and culminating with the first Full Moon of Spring 2025, the Moon brings a particular accent mark to this star offering us all an invitation to research
In this post’s cover image, note the position of Sun and Moon(s) on left side of this tri-wheel. The inner circle shows where Sun was during “Michaelmas Full Moon” October 17 (29* Virgo); the middle circle shows the position of the waning crescent Moon at sunset Christmas Eve (29* Virgo); and the outer circle shows the position of the first Full Moon of the Spring, April 12, 2025 (28* Virgo), which I have labeled the “Lazarus Moon” because that Moon, which is used to determine the date for Easter 2025, will occur on the Saturday preceding the Holy Week.
This 28/29 degrees of Virgo is where the star Spica is, the star of abundance, often depicted as a shaft of wheat, an ear of corn, or as a divine child, held in the arms of the Virgin. The Vernal Full Moon (first full Moon of spring) will always occur among the Virgin’s stars, though not always right at the star Spica, as it will in 2025. Here we find an invitation to “activate” the scene in our hearts and give this divine feminine a place to stand (upon the Moon), clothed with glory of Easter Sun. If we imagine Virgo upright, then the starry crown (Corona Borealis) appears upon her head.
The Moon moves through this region of Virgo stars each month, but in the current cycle, the star Spica is being uniquely activated. The Michaelmas Full Moon occurred exactly opposite Spica (as shown in the chart at the top) and the Vernal or Lazarus Full Moon (at 8:22 pm ET) on April 12, 2025 will appear with Spica.
Coming up on November 27, 2024 the Moon will “occult” or stand in front of Spica (like an eclipse). There is some mystery of abundance, fertility, resources here. Follow this link to see a map of where this occultation will appear, and to check times.
The dates when the Moon meets Spica, for consideration in one’s own research:
October 17, 2024 ~ Sun conjunct Spica; Michaelmas Moon opposite
November 27, 2024 ~ waning crescent Moon occult Spica, morning sky
Christmas Eve 2024 ~ waning crescent Moon at Spica as the Christmas Eve Sun sets (how perfect!)
January 21, 2025 ~ last quarter Moon passes by Spica, morning sky
February 17, 2025 ~ waning gibbous near Spica, morning sky
March 16, 2025 ~ waning gibbous
April 12, 2025 ~ Lazarus Moon, rises in the East as Sun sets in the West (check local times); at this moment the Earth becomes the castle that lies East of the Sun and West of the Moon…
As we follow the good star,
~Mary
…When she had rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and cried until she was tired, she set out on her way, and walked many, many days, until she came to a high cliff. An old woman sat under it, and played with a golden apple which she tossed about. The girl asked her if she knew the way to the prince, who lived with his stepmother in the castle east of the sun and west of the moon, and who was to marry the princess with a nose three yards long.
“How did you come to know about him?” asked the old woman. “Maybe you are the girl who should have had him?”
Yes, she was.
“So, so; it’s you, is it?” said the old woman. “Well, all I know about him is, that he lives in the castle east of the sun and west of the moon, and that you’ll get there too late or never; but still you may borrow my horse, and you can ride him to my next neighbor. Maybe she’ll be able to tell you; and when you get there just give the horse a switch under the left ear, and beg him to be off home. And you can take this golden apple along with you.”…
~ East of the Sun and West of the Moon ~