Moon in Aries, Sun in Libra

When the Sun is in Libra and there is a Full Moon in Aries, a polarity enters our zeitgeist. It’s very similar to the issues that the movie Barbie demonstrated with so much creativity. These polarities, these opposites, are now loud and clear.

The Sun in collaborative Libra – the desire to partner, to dance with the other to find our way to the bicycle built for two. Standing opposite is the Moon in independent Aries screaming, “Leave me alone. I can do this myself.” This polarity is as old as Adam and Eve, peanut butter and jelly, the Sun and the Moon – it’s all about duality. Having just watched Barbie, it is fresh in my mind and fits perfectly under this Full Moon.

No one ever told you that it’s an impossible feat to be in relationship with the ‘other’ without compromising the self – which is, in fact, the nature of the dance of partnership/marriage. We give something away in order to get closer to the ‘other.’ Do you think peanut butter holds its sovereignty when jam twists itself into every bite? No, it’s impossible.

There is no question that the billion-dollar blockbuster success called Barbie addresses the profound confusion that haunts all of us when it comes to the timeless Libra dilemma – do you love me?

The film begins with a focus on Barbie’s feet – she cannot stay on her toes anymore. Her ‘soles’ malfunction. She was the classic, stereotypical Barbie that never changed, believing that her feet were shaped with that high arch for all time – until they fell, and the pursuit of her healing began. She fears her life will be terrible forever, so she leaves behind perfection and goes on a journey to become human. She realizes during the film that, “I would never wear heels if my feet weren’t shaped like this.” This realization is not an easy one. We all have a part in all of us who just HATES change.

As in every relationship, Barbie has to discover the naked truth of herself and her authentic soul – while poor Ken, who is struggling to get her attention, is busy finding his OWN power in his relationship with her ‘as his everything.’ There is a quote in the movie that says it all: “Barbie has a great day everyday – but Ken only has a great day when Barbie looks at him.” He actually says in the film: “I don’t know who I am without you.”

She insists he find his independence, she proclaims – “It’s not Barbie and Ken. It’s Barbie. And it is Ken.” Two different beings. What a surprise in the film when we find out that Barbie isn’t in love with Ken! Who knew that he was constantly hurt by her distraction with her girlfriends and her independence?

Herein lies the truth of this Full Moon. Everyone lives under the influence of the longing to be whole by finding your other half, your soulmate, the one who will help fulfill your heart. But the point is, relationships don’t make us complete, we become complete and whole on our own – only then can we come together to form a healthy relationship – if we so choose.

During the Full Moon in Aries, we can use the message in this powerful societal film to address this: while we all long to find our metaphorical Ken or Barbie – the theme these days is to seek singularity first. I know too many people to count who are either still seeking their “perfect partner” online, at the bar, in prayers, or they are struggling in their relationship by how they are not totally fulfilled. She’s too ________ fill in the blank. Or he is way too ________ fill in the blank. All of us seek equanimity and the acceptance of what is.

As long as the Sun is coming up tomorrow – we will all be longing for love. This is the essence of every human alive. The question is: how do two people find their way to each other with ease? But more importantly, and this is the reason we study Astrology: to find our way back to our authentic selves and fall in love with our soul just the way they are.

Our souls are not flat-footed. We all have a unique way of walking in the world. I love the line in the movie when Weird Barbie (named that because she looks different) says: “You are either brainwashed or you are weird.”

In our community, in our school, we love all things weird. The more unique you are – the less fixated on assessing Ken’s personality or wanting to change Barbie’s feet – the sooner we find our way to our sovereignty – the sooner we become a self-sufficient, whole person.

This is what this Full Moon is asking. How can you fall in love with what is, who you are just as you are and then be the partner to either yourself or the other with full, conscious choice? Hello Libra – making fully conscious choices with no ambivalence or need to change a thing. Hello Aries – being authentically who you are without apologies or approval.

Happy Full Moon. I’d love to hear where you are on the spectrum of your inner Barbie and Ken.

P.S. I never in a million years would have thought a film called Barbie could be this provocative and impactful. Go see it and tell me what you think.