Full Moon Fatigue?

"We used to be so deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature that we were able to plan, react, and connect to the shifting world around us."

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I was wondering about the moon, and how some months I have an extra dose of energy, which sometimes tips into rather frantic to-do energy. And then other months, I find my eyes growing so heavy I have to slope off to bed to grab a power nap.

This April, I am TIRED. My brain is whizzing around, I’m dreaming up all kinds of mad and magical things. Perhaps I'm holding a little anxiety around the future, so my brain is being a little trixy and not turning itself off....

I was wondering how you are all getting on this full moon?

HOW MIGHT THE MOON AFFECT YOUR SLEEP?

So, I took to the internet and did a bit of research, here's what I found:

Research suggests that the full moon can indeed impact sleep, potentially leading to feelings of tiredness.

Studies indicate that people may take longer to fall asleep, experience less deep sleep, and have shorter overall sleep duration around the full moon.

This effect has been observed even in laboratory settings where participants were shielded from external light.

A lunar-centred study— which was published in early 2021 by scientists at Yale, the University of Washington, and the National University of Quilmes in Argentina — looked at the effects of moonlight on sleep. “We designed our study to look at sleep rhythms over one or two lunar cycles,” says Horacio de la Iglesia, Ph.D., the University of Washington biologist who led the research team that published the study.

In all three Toba-Qom communities and with the students in Seattle, there was a pattern. Not only did all participants in the study have later bedtimes and shorter durations of sleep about three to five days before the full moon, but on average, participants also took about 30 minutes longer to doze off, resulting in an average sleep loss of 46 to 58 minutes.

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WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING TO YOU THIS SPRING FULL MOON?

So we can also start looking at what is happening to us during this full moon, the seasons are always having an effect on us; we used to be so deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature that we were able to plan, react, and connect to the shifting world around us.

The Pink full moon is about growth, The Celts in particular have several names for April’s full Moon, including “Budding Moon,” “New Shoots Moon,” “Seed Moon,” and “Growing Moon.” Nature is making a big push to burst through from the buds and into full bloom. The warming sun is easing the strain, and giving permission for Spring to come alive.

If we think of this for ourselves, we might be doing the same?

Maybe you're busy? Maybe a plan is coming into action? Maybe you're dreaming, creating, helping, connecting. That might mean you need to re-charge and switch off to help sustain the change and growth.

This Libra full moon is also about balance. It will shine a light on where you are possibly depleted or over-functioning. Recently I've been pushing in all directions of my life. I'm still trying to get so much done this year, I'm actively trying to achieve a dream, a big dream, that feels like spinning plates and juggling all at the same time. But I can feel my brain has been tipped over into 'go' mode. Thinking, planning, creating, achieveing, not fucking up, making sure things are good enough, holding space, resting etc etc.

Perhaps the exhaustion I'm feeling around the full moon, is the moon reminding me, and maybe you too, that we need to rest and switch off sometimes.

I do have moments of stillness, I read, walk, meditate, do my yoga. But I can't remember the last time I had 2/3 days off in a row. This can often happen when you're self-employed. I love my job and my work. but the boundaries can feel hard to maintain.

'Oh moon. You always glow bright in the places we have neglected.'

This April full moon, might show up some deep and old wounds(Chiron asteroid, known as the wounded healer is present during this time).

If you feel this, know that it's ok. Some sadness and grief might rise to the surface(I've been feeling my losses more acutely, too). Hold yourself with kindness, acceptance and love. You do not need to be fixed, or perfect. But connect to your heart and find time and space to feel love.

Maybe find a patch in the sun with a cup of tea and read a book, reach out to friends, or book an extra session with your therapist.

NEW CHAPTERS

April is shaping up to be a turning point month for so many of us. As we reach the end of the transformative Eclipse Portal and the end to a slew of retrogrades, this Full Moon may help to bring about a shift in how we have been feeling.

We may feel more forward momentum or perhaps a greater sense of clarity when it comes to our path ahead. In the days and weeks following this Full Moon, we may feel that we have finally shed an old cycle and are ready to enter the new.

So maybe look at stepping into Spring with more balance, where has your attention been. Here are just a few prompts that you can reflect or journal on:

Life being serious vs creating fun or joyful moments(even in my darkest times, I booked into see comedy, or got to the theatre/Cinema for distraction).
Being busy for the sake of being busy vs planning carefully your breaks and time off.
Connection! getting caught up in the wellbeing message of constantly needing to be fixed or hyper self-focused (unpopular opinion I know but It's something I often talk about) what if you knew you were already enough, connected to your heart and kept on choosing love? What if you helped out a neighbour, or found community locally...
Creative self, is there a craft, something creative, mindful you can do that has NO OUTCOME, colouring in, doodling, singing, dancing in the kitchen?
active rest vs stimulated rest. Watching the TV is bloody brilliant, I love it, the creativity, the art, the humour, the writing, I'm so grateful we have it. HOWEVER, it won't help you feel better. If you're exhausted, active rest will tend to make most of us feel better. Why not try yoga nidra(I have tons of free guided meditations on the podcast) or a soundbath, the parasympathetic nervous system wants to reset, but often we have to help it get there.
NATURE. Get outside, look at the new bright green leaves, notice 5 things, observe them, list them in your mind.
Write down at least 20 things you are grateful for.
MUSIC. Put your favourite tunes on, loud if you can, and really listen.