Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way on some days? All of a sudden you throw all your plans out the window and do something completely different from what you'd arranged! Suddenly you're going on an unexpected road trip. Or a friend you haven't spoken to in a while pops into your mind and you pick up the phone to see how they're doing. Maybe you woke up and feel like cooking or tidying up your home, or you jump out of bed, inspired and ready to put some plans into action! Your subconscious is tapping into the energy of the Moon.

There are four elements in astrology: fire, earth, air, and water. Every planet in the chart is in a particular sign, which is ruled by an element. The Moon represents our emotions as well as what nurtures us and makes us feel safe and secure. The Moon moves quickly through the sky and the zodiac, completing its journey approximately every 28–29 days. Then she begins her voyage all over again. The astrological signs are paired with one of the four elements. The Moon acts differently in each element and each one has a distinctive feel and wants to express itself in its own way. By paying attention to what sign the Moon is in on a particular day, you can tap into the sign and its element and work with it in a conscious manner.

The Moon in a Fire Sign
When the Moon travels through a fire sign, you can expect to feel more energized. Fire is hot, energetic, impulsive, passionate, and determined. You can be excited, ready to take a leap and just go for it. You may also feel more generous and want to share your joy and bounty with others. When the Moon is in a fire sign, you're more apt to take a chance on something. You feel brave and courageous and a part of you wants to be seen, to be noticed. It can also be dramatic and burn you if you're not careful. Let’s look at the signs that are ruled by fire.

When the Moon flies through the sign of Aries, you could use this energy to start a new venture! You feel inspired and enthusiastic about your ideas and are eager to get started. Your passion for a project or even the spark of an idea can help you begin, but if you don't keep adding fuel to the fire, you could run out of steam. When the Moon is in Aries, you could be quick at initiating things but have a hard time finishing what you began. Try and persevere if you're able, or delegate the rest of the job to someone who can run with it. Exercise is a great way to move fiery energy through your body. Any exercise that makes you feel alive and excited would feel fantastic.

When the Moon is in the sign of Leo, you could feel more playful. You may feel like you're in a buddy movie and all you need is a supporting player, aka an admirer, to accompany you on the ride for some fun and adventure. You're living in the moment and want to be noticed and celebrated. There's a need to express yourself and say, "Here I am, world!" Getting the attention of others feels like a balm. You want to express yourself by creating something, whether it's poetry, pottery, or telling a good joke. You need to say, "Look at me; see what I can do." When the Moon is in Leo, you can feel more generous and supportive, wanting to give your friends a helping hand.

When the Moon rides through the sign of Sagittarius, you feel like you're fired up and want to travel and explore. It could be the exploration of a new subject. You want to immerse yourself in learning something spiritual or mystical, or anything with a psychological framework. If you do decide to delve into a subject, it will be something that fascinates and inspires you. Maybe you feel the open road is calling your name. When the Moon is in Sagittarius, you could feel pulled in a few directions, as there are so many things to do, learn, and soak up. You feel like you're on a quest to discover something big! Optimism and enthusiasm stoke your fire while you endlessly move and search for more.

The Moon in an Earth Sign
You can feel the shift when the Moon meanders through an earth sign. There's a desire to build something substantial. It's a good day to get things done. It's really all about planning, making lists, organizing, doing chores, and working on projects. The adage "slow and steady wins the race" is fitting when speaking about earth energy. You want to get your hands dirty, to build something. It’s about perseverance and doggedness, wanting a tangible result after all the effort. It’s a great time to deal with the practicalities of life. Organizing parties, closets, and checkbooks can be easier when the Moon is in an earth sign. Getting in touch with your body, being stable and grounded helps you be present. You may take on a lot of responsibility when the Moon is in an earth sign. Remember to balance work with play and have some fun.

When the Moon is in the sign of Taurus, it has a sensual feeling. Touching and being touched is a nice use of this energy and feels fabulous. Going for a massage or any bodywork would be beneficial. Spend some time in nature by strolling through a forest or a park, or go out into your garden and feel the dirt between your fingers. There's a desire to build something, to leave a legacy, to have something to show for your hard work. Taurus is ruled by Venus, so if you make money from your efforts, that's a bonus. Venus is also about beauty and art, so sitting down to doodle, make jewelry, paint, sing, or any other artistic pursuit would bring its own rewards.

When the Moon is in the sign of Virgo, you may bolt out of bed to get started on that to-do list. Making lists and checking them off feels satisfying when the Moon makes its home here for a few days. Be conscious of taking on too many projects at once. It's easy to get bogged down with too many details and think you're not doing a good job. Let go of the need to be perfect and just get the job done. You may have an urge to clean the house—go for it. You can accomplish a lot when you follow the energy, tap into it, and use it constructively. Making nutritious meals to nurture yourself and others would be perfect, as Virgo is concerned with health matters. Studying up on a modality related to health concerns could be helpful. You never know when this information will come in handy.

When the Moon is in the sign of Capricorn, there's more of a structured feel to the day. Again, you might want a list, but it's all about business. How can you create more business or further your career? You need to contact the right people who can help you advance. There's a more serious "get to work" vibe when the Moon is in the sign of the goat. It's about putting one foot in front of the other and then doing it again and again. Career, money, advancement, and prestige take center stage. Capricorn energy is very dedicated and focused, so remember to schedule a coffee break during the day. It will all get finished, so don't push yourself too hard.

The Moon in an Air Sign
When the Moon is in an air sign, the energy shifts gears—it's quicker. It's about communication and connection. It’s time to call up a friend to catch up. Since air is so fast, you may rush in with questions without waiting for a response. Remember to take a breath, slow down, and listen to what's being said. You could write in a journal, give a lecture, sing—anything where you let your voice be heard in the most authentic way you can. Be curious, reading and studying a subject that captures your interest. Turn inward, listen to your intuition, let it guide you, and make a vision board of your hopes and dreams.

Working with the Moon in Gemini is easy and complicated at the same time. You could wake up and have a million great ideas, but if you don't write them down or do something with them, they could just evaporate. That's the thing with Gemini—you can easily get distracted. Pay close attention to your thoughts, and carry a notebook to write down all your ideas or use your phone to record a voice memo. You're like a wordsmith, collecting information and sharing it with others. When the Moon is in Gemini, you should have no problem entertaining yourself; pick up a crossword puzzle or a sudoku puzzle to play with. There's so much information on the internet and social media that discovering new ideas is not the problem; it's learning when to shut it off. You may get information overload, and that's when you might want to do something physical to shut off the noise and get out of your head.

Friendships and relationships take center stage when the Moon travels through Libra. Call up a friend and go for a coffee or just gab on the phone. This is the time when you're drawn to be with others. Sharing stories, learning what's happening in their lives—it's what makes the world go 'round. When the Moon is in Libra, you crave harmony above all else. You want fairness and balance and go out of your way putting others' wants and needs before your own. Remember, relationships are about an equal amount of give and take. I'm not saying you want to keep score, but pay attention if the scales seem unbalanced in any way. You might want to add some beautiful touches to your home at this time, a few special items that add a homey quality to your surroundings.

Freedom and excitement are calling your name when the Moon lands in Aquarius. The air has an electric quality to it, and you're up for anything new and bizarre. If it's got a bit of a weird or odd slant to it, all the better; it’s like it has your name written all over it. Socializing with groups, specifically the people closest to you, the ones who understand you, is part of the function of the Aquarian Moon. You could rebel and be argumentative for the fun of it or just because. A good use of this energy is to enjoy hanging out with friends or visit someplace you've never been before and explore.

The Moon in a Water Sign
Feelings abound when the Moon swims through a water sign. Your psychic antenna is tuned in to the frequencies of the watery Moon. Your sensitivity and emotions are amplified so much that you can't distinguish if what you're feeling actually belongs to you or to someone else. Water absorbs, and you can easily absorb other people's feelings and energy. Learning to create good boundaries is vital to your health during this time. When the Moon is in a water sign, you may want to have some time alone to meditate or just sit quietly, turning inward. A watery Moon can bring your creativity to the surface. Listening to music can get your juices flowing and help your creativity. Tuning in to your body at this time is also great, either with meditation, yoga, qigong, swimming, or any exercise where you are bringing awareness to your activities.

When the Moon is in Cancer, spending time at home can look inviting. Having some time to yourself to retreat, rest, and rejuvenate is important for you to restore your energy sources. Whatever nurtures you is the perfect thing to do with the Cancer Moon. It could be cooking a favourite recipe that is comforting and nourishing. Maybe it's curling up in a corner with your herbal tea and a good book or watching a favourite sentimental movie. You just want to slow things down and bring them down a notch—some quiet and solitude looks good about now.

The Scorpio Moon could bring up some intense feelings. Passions may run hot when the Moon is here. You could channel that heat by expressing it through dance or any physical activity, such as running, martial arts, or boxing. Another great outlet is sexual expression. Sexual expression is physical intimacy, but it's also creation in all its forms. There are times when you want to know more about life and the secrets that it holds. Spend time exploring a subject where you find out more about human nature. Digging below the surface is one of the ways to tap into this energy. Another avenue is to be hypnotized. Some insights may be uncovered when you're in a trance, and you never know where they could lead you. Think of the Scorpio Moon as a treasure hunt: so many things to explore and discover.

When the Moon is in the sign of the two fishes, Pisces, there is a dreaminess to this time. The veil is thinner, and you could get more intuitive hits during this time. Which makes this a fantastic time to write in a journal and see what messages come through after you meditate. It's also the perfect time to play with tarot cards or any other divination tool that grabs you. You may want to think about keeping a dream journal by your bed to record your dreams; you never know what insights you'll receive. Feelings of empathy and compassion may surface, as you want to help those in need. Ultimately, you want to connect with a higher power, whether you're meditating, praying, or attending a spiritual or religious gathering.

Final Thoughts
Have fun playing with the Moon and the elements. Keep a journal and pay attention to how you're feeling when the Moon transits a specific sign. Figure out your own particular way of communicating with the Moon. You'll soon see a relationship building between the two of you. Above all, enjoy riding the lunar waves.

Excerpted from Llewellyn's 2023 Moon Sign Book.