Full Moon in Anuradha

by James Kelleher May 17, 2019

There will be a Full Moon on Saturday, May 18th at 2:11 pm in Anuradha nakshatra. Full Moons are a culmination of lunar energy in a cycle that begins and ends with each new moon. Each cycle expresses the theme of energy symbolized by the nakshatra in which the New Moon occurs and then comes to fruition and overflows in the nakshatra that the Full Moon occurs. After the Full Moon, that energy diminishes until it disappears completely at the next Amavasya, or waning, dark moon.

This particular cycle began in Bharani Nakshatra on May 4th. Bharani's theme is dharma, the deepest aspect of truth and sense of purpose. One of the culminating expressions of dharma is found in relationships, which is what Anuradha Nakshatra is all about. Anuradha's shakti is the power of devotion. The desire of Anuradha is to be a friend and have friends. But Anuradha is not the nakshatra of the social butterfly. Instead, it is the nakshatra of commitment and intense devotion to our friends and loved ones.

The name Anuradha, in sanskrit, means "after Radha" referring to a duplicate of Radha, the consort or girlfriend of Krishna. Radha was the embodiment of devotion, and together, Radha and Krishna were the perfect couple in Hindu mythology. So the period of a few days leading up to this Full Moon, and especially the day of the Full Moon, is a good time to connect with the people you care about. When you do, remind them that you are there for them, and that they can count on you. Real devotion is expressed in action. Friends in need are a dime a dozen, but friends in deed, friends that have your back, friends that are devoted to you are a rare and precious thing.