Moon Mondays: Don’t let the raspberries rot

Crazy as it sounds, I used to buy precious organic raspberries — the good ones, that cost extra — and then let them rot in my fridge. Why? Because they felt too special. I was unconsciously saving them for an imaginary rainy day, awaiting the perfect raspberry-eating moment to come. Of course, raspberries don’t wait — they mold fast. I’d return to the fridge, finally “ready” to relish them, only to find them pitifully ruined, again. Weird, right? Yet I kept doing it over and over.

If you can relate, you probably have your own version of “raspberry madness.” There’s a vulnerable, battered part of us that withholds gratification — that whimpers we need to earn life’s sweetness. Sure, we’ll mindlessly eat a sleeve of Pringles before we even leave City Market, but those organic raspberries? They’re “too good” for us to enjoy right now.

Tuesday night’s Taurus full moon is calling out our self-denying beliefs. 

Taurus’ energy is earthy, embodied, and devoted to savoring life’s richness — the simple sensual joys that anchor us in our bodies, here and now. The full moon is exact near sunrise Wednesday morning, so you early birds might appreciate getting outside to watch the moon set as the sun comes up. The moon is especially big and bright when it’s near the horizon, illuminating a perfect Taurus moment: corporeal, grounded and eye-pleasing.

Out my backyard, on the Rio Grande trail, I once had the surprising treat of watching the full moon set and the sun rise at the same moment over the mountains — both just touching the ridgeline simultaneously. I’ve never seen that since, due to our jagged horizon lines. It was breathtaking, a reminder of how Taurus invites us to be fully present in our senses — to touch, taste, smell, and move through life with delicious appreciation.

Of course, Taurus has a shadow side, too. It swings between overindulgence and self-denial — just like me with those dang raspberries. The sweet spot is that Goldilocks zone of “just right.” Two glasses of wine make you glow pleasingly, not three that give you a headache. One slice of pumpkin pie satisfies, not half a pie that leaves you queasy. Taurus teaches us to listen for that moment when something truly feels good — not too little, not too much.

The deeper question I ponder: Why do we deny ourselves the good things in the first place? What’s so scary about letting ourselves enjoy something simply because it feels yummy? Maybe we fear being selfish, indulgent, or unproductive. For me, those raspberries were tied to unworthiness — I didn’t believe I was “there yet.” But saving them only ever left me with a big, moldy mess.

What “moldy mess” are you left with when you postpone your joy? Do you skip skiing because of self-imposed busywork? Say no to lunch with a friend because it feels unproductive? Put off a massage because you haven’t “earned” it yet?

Loving ourselves enough to enjoy what brings us delight is not frivolous — it’s essential. When we deny ourselves life’s pleasures, we grow resentment and breed burnout. This is Taurus’ teaching for us.

Under tomorrow’s Taurus full moon, I invite you to ground into your body and revel in what feels good. The full moon is naturally a time for celebration, so relish in what brings you pleasure. Let your senses lead. Do something simply because it nourishes your soul — no justification needed. 

I’ll see you next week when Mercury goes retrograde (ooh, ominous!). Really, it’s nothing to worry over, especially not for your creative side. 

I’m happy to report that when I buy raspberries now, I eat them that same day. I’ve learned I’d rather savor them immediately than end up with a moldy mess — in my fridge or in my life.

Sheridan Semple guides women to examine why they withhold pleasure, so they can feel free to enjoy life. She is an astrology life coach, a feminist astrologer, and founder of Moon Sisters Circle. Find her work at sheridansemple.com or email her at sheridan@sheridansemple.com.