Healing Well of Miriam

B”H

14 Elul 5781 / Sunday August 22, 2021

Tonight is the second full moon in the constellation of Aquarius, called a blue moon.  As the very familiar saying suggests, this does not happen very often…”once in a blue moon.”  A full moon is a time of coming into fullness of the accomplishments and lessons of the lunar cycle.  When there is a second full moon in the same zodiac sign, this energy has more time to impact our lives.  We have more opportunity to reflect on that accomplishment and integrate it.

Astrologers talk about Aquarius as the rebellious, innovative visionary/humanitarian of the zodiac.  From the Torah point of view it is seen a bit differently.   The Aquarian month of the year, Shevat, is January – February, but here we are referring to the energy of the particular constellation and the significance of the full moon—and a second full moon—in that constellation.  Aquarius is the zodiac sign that corresponds with the sephirah Keter (Crown) of Torah.

The sephirah Keter has three expressions: Emunah (faith), Ratzon (will or desire), and Ta’anug (pleasure/delight).  These are seen in Keter of Priesthood, Keter of Kingship, and Keter of Torah.  These correspond with the Tribe of Yehudah in the month of Nissan, the Tribe of Naftali in the month of Adar, and the Tribe of Asher in the month of Shevat. 

It is highly significant that this blue moon came in the Hebrew month of Elul, for this is the month in which we reflect on the past year and prepare for the coming new year.  The Aquarius energy of Keter of Torah is a heightened awareness of the pleasure (or delight) in the knowing the Torah.  Aquarius is associated with the “sense” of eating, which is about taking food into oneself and merging with it.  This is not just a surface acquaintance with Torah, but completely ingesting it into oneself to become one with it.  We taste it and savor the flavor.  Then we swallow and let it fill our innermost parts to become part of every fiber of our being.  Just as nutritious food builds and strengthens the body, the Torah builds and strengthens the Soul…on every level. 

May we all enjoy the fullest blessing of this Aquarian blue moon in Elul to usher in the new year.

Shavuah tov,

Miriam