Leo Full Moon: Take Heart
Although Rex died in November of 2019, his heart still beats.
My 17-year-old nephew loved helping people, so after his unexpected and tragic passing, arrangements were made for organ and tissue recovery. My brother and Rex’s mom and siblings wanted to take their devastating loss and create something meaningful; the hope was that their decision would help dozens of people go on living.
It was one last contribution from the boy who was, fittingly, a Life Scout – the second-highest rank, a step below Eagle Scout – and it was offered, without hesitation, to the collective.
As we approach the Leo Full Moon on February 16th (10:57am CST), I’ve been thinking a lot about Rex, and about the person who received his heart.
The name Rex, in Latin, means king. And Leo, the sign of the king of the jungle, is also symbolic of royalty, and of courage (from Latin – cor – meaning heart). Leo rules the heart, and at its highest expression, Leo is a warm, open-hearted, generous sign.
Leo also represents what we give life to – not only our birth children, but also what we put out into the world. It’s our creative self-expression. By offering our individual gifts, we serve the whole – we serve humanity. The Sun, which rules the sign of Leo, gives to everyone, after all.
In your worst moment, what would you offer another? Could you take something you created, and give it to the world, even while losing what you love? That takes an act of courage, of heart.
Creation is honored when combined with giving.
And that’s the point of this lunation. Full Moons always strive for balance in some way: Here, the Moon is at 28° Leo, and the Sun sits opposite that point, at 28° Aquarius. Aquarius represents society, and the groups to which we belong. We innovate with Aquarius. We view humanity with the future in mind.
How can you share your gifts with the world? How will they continue on, long after you’re gone?
Recently, the person who received Rex’s heart sent a letter.* It’s a beautiful, touching piece of writing, full of empathy from someone who is a spouse, a parent, a friend, and more.
“Rex has given me another chance at life, and I am forever grateful and sad… as a parent, I can only imagine the loss and grief you are enduring,” it begins.
And it goes on to share life lessons, all from the experience of being near death, and then receiving a donor heart.
“One of the biggest things I have learned throughout this walk is that one of the most important things in life is people. We cannot take the material things with us, but the impact we have to serve and better others is probably the most important thing we can do in this lifetime.”
Perhaps, somewhere in these words, we can find the wisdom of this Leo Full Moon, too: Life is not about living from fear with a clenched fist, but instead it’s for living with an open, generous, loving heart.
And that’s such a beautiful sentiment.
So at this Leo Full Moon, take heart, and ask yourself: How can you shine in your wholeness, your love, your integrity? How can you take the spark of your light and share it with others? How can you creatively express yourself in a heart-centered way?
As Rex’s heart recipient points out: You can’t take it with you, so give well, and love generously.
In doing that, you may just find that by lifting up others, you also lift up yourself.
❤️❤️❤️
A big thank you to Rex’s parents, who gave their blessing to post this essay.
©2022 Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC
Photo credit: Alyssa Lund Photography
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*With organ donation, certain information may be shared with permission. And – at least in our case – if both the donor’s family and the recipient want to be in touch, then the lead agency can connect everyone involved.
Read my previous essay about Rex, Leo New Moon: The Path With Heart (Content warning: Suicide)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
