On a sweltering May afternoon in 2015, D’Arcy Downs-Vollbracht heard an unearthly scream. She ran out of her Bullhead City, AZ ranch house and saw three neighboring dogs viciously attacking her pet goats. The protective mama managed to save one of the goats, but then the dogs turned on her.
During the melee, the horses in the nearby pasture froze – all except Fortune. An American quarter horse born with a deformed foot, Fortune had been saved from the slaughterhouse by Downs-Vollbracht. And now it was time to return the favor. The six-year-old, 1200-lb. mare smashed through a steel gate, ran to her mistress, flung one dog into the air and bit and stomped the others, driving them away.
“She came back all sweaty and stood by me,” said the grateful woman. “Horses are flee animals. To stand and fight against a pack of dogs goes against their nature. I’m sure she knew what she was doing.”
The breeder who’d sold this brave horse to Downs-Vollbracht had called her worthless, but Fortune proved her worth. When love is received, it is given back in turn – even if that means going against one’s instinctive nature. Fortune lived up to her name by not only saving her mistress, but by also raising thousands of dollars for charity by providing rides at local events.
Bravery, speed and devotion are all hallmarks of an Aries Full Moon (Sept. 29, 2:57 a.m. PT). Aries is the sign of the warrior and the athlete. It challenges us to step up, strut our stuff – and defend what’s most precious to us. But Aries can also be a hothead, so a little discretion goes a long way. Luckily, the Sun is in rational Libra, sign of the scales, opposing the Moon. And, the Moon’s dispositor, Mars, is also in fair-minded Libra. There is plenty of pluck and derring-do to be had, but cool-headed action is available too.
If you’ve felt like things have been dragging lately, with Mercury in Virgo taking its sweet time to get up to speed after its retrograde, this fiery lunation can act like a tonic. You may feel inspired to take action on long-delayed priorities, or find the energy and courage to fight for what’s important to you – and bulldoze through anything that stands in the way. Or at least get back to your workout routine.
But what if your get-up-and-go is nowhere to be found? What if there are no immediate fires to be put out or folks to be rescued? Your inner flame may need tending in subtler ways. Maybe, for you, this Full Moon is about taking time out, lighting a candle and going within. Aries is a solitary sign, after all. If the Libra season that began last weekend has thrown you into social overwhelm (as it did for me, thanks to my three-day 50th high school reunion extravaganza) you may need to take your introverted self out of circulation for a bit and restoke your fire. Let those extroverts save the world for the time being. But if, as happened with Fortune, your karmic moment arrives unexpectedly and you’re called upon to rescue someone or otherwise make your mark, go for it! Otherwise, let this Aries Full Moon be playful and restorative. Just remember: There are many different ways to light your fire.
What a beautiful, inspiring full moon message. Thanks Simone!
You’re so welcome, Deborah! I hope you have a wonderful Full Moon…
Hi Simone, Great story and glad to hear you had such a great time celebrating your 50 year high school reunion! I am going to mine up in San Francisco next week! Hoping it is a happy, healthy, and healing experience.
Well, it can be a mixed bag with these reunions (mine was not all love and light!) but it’s worth celebrating that we’ve come this far. Sure hope you enjoy yours!
What a great story! The Aries Full Moon has me a little worried as it makes me think of people being a little too assertive and/or charging ahead without thinking as they fight for their cause. I love your take on it. I’ve been feeling the need to take action and “bull-doze” ahead on a couple of projects I’ve put off. I’m going to take advantage of this energy!
Yes the Aries Moon can bring out some peoples’ anger and impatience, but there’s always a choice to be made with these things, eh? Glad you’ve got some projects to channel the energy into!
Beautiful and touching/loving story; thank you.
You’re so welcome, Kirsten! Happy Full Moon!
Love your horse story and I’m happy you got to get together with old friends. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it, Brenda! Happy Full Moon…
I’m already feeling the Aries moon influence! Yesterday a friend called from Maui asking if I could ‘take charge’ of her daughter’s situation here in San Diego. This is a developing situation, we’ll see what has transpired by Friday. Hopefully Venusian energy will diffuse this, as my San Diego friend is a Taurus sun sign however I don’t have her data. Prayer requests
Meanwhile, I love the horse story about Fortune! Being a wood sheep, I’m well suited to horses, and they’ve been around me again recently in myth, fable, and living stories of friends and departed souls. Thanks for sharing this one, and I always look forward to your colulmn!
Glad you enjoy my essays, Randi! Good luck with the ‘taking charge’ situation…how very Aries Full Moon!
How ever did you find this one in a million story?
It is awesome, brings one to tears.
Thank you, Simone.
I have been saving this one for years waiting for the right lunation to feature it. Part of the story was told in Science of Mind magazine, then I did some digging and found out more details. So glad you loved it as much as I did!
This Aries woman loved this story, Simone. I love warrior and rescue stories. BTW, also appreciate the Science of Mind magazine. It mysteriously appeared in my office mail many moons ago and I have been a faithful reader since. Have a beautiful autumn, Simone.
Glad you liked it, Lisa! I, too, am deeply moved by rescue stories – especially involving animals. I’ve found another one, equally moving, that I may feature for the upcoming eclipse unless something even more compelling and appropriate comes along. Happy autumn to you as well, and enjoy your Science of Mind!