The power of the moon is undeniable and holds a treasured place interwoven into the human existence. Honored for its ability to keep time, to signal rebirth, and to symbolize the ever-changing nature of life, the moon is one of the most powerful metaphorical symbols in nature. Here are just some of the many ways in which the moon represents transformation, femininity, and the circle of life.
Balance of Feminine and Masculine
Modern religions and pagan beliefs usually portray the moon as a feminine symbol, but this was not always the case. The words in Sanskrit and pre-Babylonian Sumerian assign a feminine aspect to the sun and masculine association with the moon. However, as time progressed and the male priesthood became more dominant, the sun was viewed as a more powerful, male symbol than the lesser bright moon. More and more religions began claiming the sun being a masculine energy, and the moon as feminine. The truth of the matter is, the moon is a balance of both the masculine and the feminine and can lend power, clarity, and strength to all. During the first half of the cycle we see masculine energy at work, as the moon grows, manifests and shines brightly. Then we witness the moon’s feminine presences as she goes inward to rest and renew.
Symbolism
The symbolism related to the moon is seemingly endless. Some view the moon as governing emotions as it does the tides, letting both positive and negative flow of their own accord without trying to impart any control. Others equate the moon with the mysterious nighttime, its gentle glow imparting only enough light to see and yet still keeping many aspects of the world in shadow. Creativity and spirituality are also associated with the moon, perhaps because it as been looked to for centuries by scholars, artists and philosophers as inspiration for their own personal development. The best thing about the moon is that it can symbolize what resonates most with you and can be your own unique guide.
Full Cycle of Life
It’s no wonder that the moon is synonymous with the full cycle of life. Unlike the sun, which is always its full blazing self, the moon goes through daily transformations from waxing to waning and only briefly shows its true power in the full moon stage. This shows how we all move through this life and the next in an ever-repeating cycle of birth, growth, and disappearance, only to be born once again in a refreshed state and prepared to go through the entire process once more. When we see that the moon is never truly gone—even when we cannot see it—we can take comfort in the fact that all parts of the universe undergo the same cycle of renewal.
The moon is so intriguing to us because it represents the full breadth of what is possible in life. It is birth, it is death, and it shines varying intensities of light on all that comes between. When we examine the many faces of the moon and what it has meant to humanity through the ages, we can see that all can draw power and guidance from its wise ways.