“Picture this (philosophically paradoxical pondering) if you will…”

Traditionally, (amidst many more associations/connotations) the Sun is a Masculine symbol that actively projects itself to expressively radiate itself on outward display. The Moon is a Feminine symbol that is passively impressed by a stimulus that is received, digested, assimilated, and reflected upon within.

As such, the Sun also represents what something “WANTS” (to project for recognized expression), and the Moon also represents what something “NEEDS” (to receive to feel FULL-filled).

Esoterically though, the Moon is equated with the physical, form side of life and earthly personality; it is the “shell” which acts as vessel to the soul. The Sun is then equated with the “light” from within that shines as the “higher self” of an individual. The way in which these two concepts can “work” as both “inner” and “outer” significators can help shed light on how Feminine/Masculine, ying/yang, passive/active polarities are capable of “flipping” in various contexts, as each part can play both roles in different ways, and such sets of two can be consolidated into a more unified and dynamic whole.

Look how these two dimensions also link up! It is the (esoteric) Moon’s personality/form/body drives that compel it to “take in,” which then comprise the way in which the (traditional) Sun expresses itself towards the end of satisfying the cravings of the personality/form/body nature. Likewise, it is the make-up of the “substance” taken in and assimilated by the (traditional) Moon that determines the degree and caliber of light which the (esoteric) Sun is capable of shining. There is a “refining” process that takes place as everything the Moon “eats” becomes the “fuel” that the Sun can “burn” in order to glow.

Curiously, when the ego-self is served by a focus on the Moon’s ravenous cravings for form security, the Sun’s expression is more ego-inflated. When the Moon is calm and properly satiated without indulgence (“needing” nothing), the Sun’s expression is more akin to that of the “higher self” and spiritualized dimensions.

Consider how the Moon is the traditional ruler of Cancer (food, emotions, nurturing) but esoterically belongs to Virgo (nutrition, improvement, perfection); the Moon must be “trained” in an orderly fashion to discriminate and discern what it “takes in” to optimize its efficiency. The Sun is both the traditional and esoteric ruler of Leo, and this points to the way in which it can be a vehicle to express both the ego-inflated sense of self a person may identify with or the more refined qualities of the “higher self” that exist beyond the smaller self. (It’s a matter of whether or not the Sun must be a central “core” unto itself, or if it can respond [like a “mini-moon”] to higher and lighter callings and vibrations [via Uranus and Neptune it seems…] that are not as personal.) Basically, if the Moon is “driving,” we are enmeshing into form/personality, whereas if the Sun “drives,” we aspire more towards light/spirit.

The differences between planets when considered traditionally or esoterically is that the traditional astrology focuses on what they do, how they act, and what they like/dislike or want/need. Esoteric astrology focuses on why they do what they do, what the purpose behind their actions is, and how what they like/dislike or want/need works towards a perpetually progressive unfoldment of cohesion and growth. The same is true for the signs as well. For a planet or sign, it’s the different between the form/ego/personality and the soul/consciousness of the planet.

The Sun and Moon…so simple and basic but also so layered and complex ;) So much fun to swim through symbols and undress their lessons! :D