We all need to recharge our energy from time to time, especially when life is hectic and we experience a lot of stress. But what happens when our partner’s way to recharge is different from our own? How can we make the differences into an asset instead of something that tears at the relationship? And what about those times when a person in your family or close to you is going through a tough time, but whatever you try to do to help, they just seem to push you further away? Lets take a look at the moon and see what clues we can find there.

First of all, everything with the moon has to do with instinct and our instinctual behaviors and needs. From our time in our mother’s womb, we needed to feel secure and safe. No matter how much we evolve and work on ourselves, that instinct is going to be there. We learn a lot from understanding it, and we can be aware when our moon is activated but we cannot suddenly change our “coding” just because we or someone else wants us to. We just have to deal with it and become friends with it.

If you don’t know your moon sign, there are plenty of online resources, such as astro.com, for finding out based on your birthdate, time, and location.

There are many layers and ways to work with the moon both in astrology and magick, but lets begin by looking at some basics when it comes to recharging our energy system and emotional health.

• The moon in Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Saggitarius)
• The moon in Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

They are extroverts in their moon energy. If you upset them, they will tell you so. If you park your car blocking their path they may yell at you. Usually you don’t have to guess what’s going on and it blows over rather quickly.

The extrovert or outgoing moon signs recharge by meeting other people, going out, getting fresh air and a fresh perspective. If stressed out they can feel trapped, locked in and like they can not breathe.

• The moon in Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)
• The moon in Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

They are introverts in their moon energy. If you upset them, they withdraw and go within. It may take a while before you understand what’s going on, and it will probably take some time before they get over it.

The introvert moon signs recharge their energy by staying home, eating, sleeping, and spending time alone or with family. If stressed out they can become very drained in their energy, grumpy and sad. They often need “alone time” before they can meet people again.

Sara, Sven and the mountain bike

When Sara and Sven met, sparkles were in the air. Sara has her moon in fiery Saggitarius and she works a travel agent. She met Sven at work when she was arranging an event that needed a chef. And there he was, Sven. Warm and friendly with a big heart and a king in the kitchen. Sara is the adventurous type and she loves her mountain bike and hiking in the mountains.

When they first met, Sara was telling her friends that it was like coming home. She could finally relax at home and enjoying late evenings together, eating good food and being at peace. Sven was very happy, too. He told his friends that Sara brought out the adventurer and daredevil inside of him and that he met a lot of new friends and saw many new places.

But lately there has been trouble in paradise. Sara has a lot of stress at work and Sven is doing many extra hours at work as well. They are both very tired at the end of the week. Sara’s reaction to this is to want to mountain bike more and blow off steam. When she comes home, it feels like she can not breathe and if Sven has cooked dinner it’s even worse. She feels trapped and works later and later.

Sven feels like Sara is avoiding him. Every time he has made extra effort to reconnect over homemade dinner she disappears on her mountain bike. He is beginning to hate the bike. He’s too tired to hang out with the whole mountain bike team in the weekends.

So what can they do? Sara’s need for activity and meeting up with new energy is not going to change (moon in Sagittarius) and Sven’s need for peace and privacy (moon in Cancer) is not going to change either. But what if they can give each other space to recharge in their own way and also find a way to combine their needs? What if Sven and Sara eat dinner up on the roof-deck instead from time to time? Have space to look at the stars and plan for the future. And what if they can cook together with a smaller group of friends when hiking? Or just the two of them sometimes.

Emma and Magnus, baby happiness and the worst present ever

Emma has her moon in Gemini (air) and Magnus in Aries (fire). They have just become parents for the first time. Lovely baby Danielle is 4 months old and has her moon in Virgo. She has had problems with her tummy (virgo rules that area) and routines are important for her. The baby is also very close to her mom and it’s not so easy for Magnus to assist and help at the moment, something that he has told his mother Agneta. Now Agneta has her moon in Taurus and she is a very resourceful woman who has raised four kids more or less on her own. She is a bit “old school” and believes raising children is not the men’s best function in society. Agneta decides to help a bit and make plans with Magnus.

Suddenly an early Saturday morning Emma gets a real surprise when she opens the door. On the doorstep is her mother and father-in-law with lots of bags with everything from food to baby clothes. Mother-in-law Agneta rushes into the house and declares that they will have a wonderful weekend with lots of together time, making food and cleaning the house. Just staying home and being with the baby.

Agneta says that Emma does not have to worry about dressing up or going out. Just rest and relax. Then she says that the men got tickets to go out and see a game. That’s just to much for Emma, and she starts crying. Magnus get stressed out and starts yelling, which upsets the baby and Agneta the Mother in Law looks like she’s having a panic attack because of all the turbulence and chaos.

Now, what went wrong?

Emma with her moon in Gemini wants to go out with her family and her baby. To see other people and get fresh air. Best way to help them could be by just being an extra set of hands while eating outside in a restaurant. She wants to dress up a bit, and as a Gemini (air) to have an opportunity to talk with her husband. Staying home more is not recharging her moon. Being able to do things with her family and her partner is. Bringing things to the home without asking is not the best way either. Shopping together out on the town is. If we see the moon as a way of processing emotions and digesting them you could say it like this:

• Extrovert moons need to digest things out there before bringing them inside.
• Introvert moons need to digest things inside before bringing them out there.

This moon energy constitution is extra-sensitive during periods of stress when recharging is essential. A partner with an extrovert moon may need to run after work or go to the gym so that he or she can have a relaxing evening. A partner with a introvert moon may need to take a long bath and not talk to anyone before being able to socialise in the evening.

If we understand this about ourselves and our loved ones a lot of misunderstandings can be avoided and we can meet up energized and recharged with more energy and love to share.

Blessings.

Karin Ugander is a spiritual channeler living in the south of Sweden. In Scandinavia she is known for the AstroNumerology and Psychic readings she’s been doing for over 20 years. Together with her husband Niklas, she runs KaniSkolan, a school of astrology, numerology, tarot, StarCode Healing, and natural medicine. They are also the founders of Alven Inner Ring tradition, a Scandinavian mystery school with roots in shamanism and magick. Karin loves to create magickal oils, flower essences and sigils she combines in her “Karin Victoria” sigil candles and flower sprays. In her spare time she likes to travel, walk in the forest with her dog, and spend time by the ocean. Karin is a high priestess and graduate of the Temple of Witchcraft’s seminary program.

You can find Karin Ugander at Instagram @flowerpowerwitch and @karinuganderofficial