Well, this Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse is quite an event, that’s for sure! We are in the midst of Eclipse season, which is a time of major shifts in consciousness and transformation when there is the potential for major endings and beginnings. This total Lunar Eclipse is the third in a series of four which started last April, all occurring in the Aries/Libra axis. As such, the way we relate with one another is up for review and we are being encouraged to become more conscious of the way we interact with those close to us, especially our intimate partners. This is the axis of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine and these eclipses will make it all too apparent where there is a lack of balance between the two principles, both in the world and on a personal level. This Eclipse is linked to the Total Lunar Eclipse on 8 October 2014, so it is important to look back and contemplate what might be being repeated now. It is also linked to the Lunar Eclipse 19 years ago, on April 4th 1996, which is the last time there was an eclipse in exactly the same degree of Libra. We may now experience something similar in energy to whatever was going on for us at that time, which could have been an ending, a beginning, a shift or some kind of culmination within the realm of our relationships.
The Sun, Mercury, Uranus and the South Node of the Moon are all bunched together in independent, assertive and courageous Aries, while the Moon and the North Node are sitting opposite in balanced, peace loving and harmonious Libra. A Full Moon represents the time in the month when the Sun and Moon directly oppose each other and bring to the surface whatever may be out of balance in our lives between the energy of the two signs. Often whatever has been bubbling below the surface comes to a head as the Moon becomes full, bringing any underlying tension out into the open for us to face full on. It is important to be aware that the moon is not rational and represents our unconscious emotional patterns, so whatever comes up might come from a very emotional place which doesn’t make an awful lot of sense! It is far better to get things out into the open, however, rather than having it simmering below the surface, as that is far more destructive. In the case of Aries and Libra, it is quite simply the way we relate to others that will come into focus.
Aries is ruled by Mars, the warrior, the pioneer, the Divine Masculine. Libra is ruled by Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, the Divine Feminine. As our relationships come into focus this week we are being asked to find a healthy balance between the energy of the two signs. Aries is adept at the art of self-love and tends to put his own needs first. In the extreme he is selfish, inconsiderate and ego driven. His is the sign is “I am”. Libra is adept at the art of compromise and tends to put the needs of others, and the relationship, before her own. In the extreme she is a doormat and overly dependent on other. Hers is the sign of “I balance”. Somewhere in the middle is the key to a healthy relationship; knowing when to be a bit selfish and when to focus on the other’s needs. It is a fine balance that takes consciousness and awareness!
Aries is very independent and assertive and can be a bit pushy or aggressive in the extreme. Libra is relationship oriented and likes to keep the peace at all costs, which means that she can be guilty of giving way too much for the sake of harmony. She can always see both points of view, while Aries has a tendency to think he knows best. Again, it is important to make sure we assert ourselves, but in the spirit of love and not simply because we want to get our own way. This axis brings up the issue of co-dependency, reminding us that a healthy relationship involves us having our own independent life and identity while at the same time having a genuine desire to do whatever we can to make sure the relationship itself and our partner both flourish. Two independent (but not too independent!) people who know how to make themselves happy and fulfilled is ideal, for we all should know by now that another person is not ultimately going to do it for us, as much as they may try.
The infamous Pluto Uranus square is a huge part of this Full Moon, as Uranus is sitting right next to the Sun in Aries, while Pluto is forming a T-square to both the Sun and Moon, creating dynamic tension. We had the last of the seven squares on the 17th of March, but the energy lingers on and is very much brought back into focus for this Eclipse. The Square has been breaking down the structures of our lives and forcing us to let go of anything which is no longer serving us so that we can be more aligned with our soul’s purpose. Old, entrenched patterns have had to be released so that we are free to be more completely who we truly are rather than who we have been conditioned to think we should be. What does this mean for our relationships, however? Here we are, standing in our truth and authenticity, more resolute and empowered than we have ever been and becoming more aligned with our true purpose. Now we have to navigate our way through our relationships with conscious awareness, because two people standing in their truth and power are not as likely to simply acquiesce for the sake of peace and quiet! This Moon is going to highlight this question, and the answer is, I believe, to remain as self-aware as possible and to always listen to our hearts. We are learning a new way of being and relating and each day involves yet another step into uncharted territory.
During this Full Moon/Eclipse, there is definitely a predominance of planets in fiery, independent, assertive Aries. This includes Mercury, the planet of the mind and communication, who entered Aries on Monday and who will be making our minds race somewhat and will bring a tendency to talk first and think later! Just something to be aware of during this Moon, as Aries is quite impulsive and so it will be hard not to speak our minds and assert our point of view during this time. Aries is very honest and forthright and so this could be a really good time to get everything out into the open. We just have to remember that sometimes the truth hurts and be aware that we might be a bit more pushy with our thoughts and opinions than usual. Aries isn’t exactly known for being sensitive in his delivery, as he prefers the direct approach.
Uranus is also in Aries, sitting right next to the Sun, so we could find ourselves a bit more wilful and reactive than at other times. Uranus in Aries demands the right to have the absolute freedom and to be utterly and unapologetically ourselves! What might this bode in the arena of our relationships?! His energy can be quite erratic and even shocking at times and he will not tolerate restriction or stagnation of any kind. This Moon could make us all too aware of where we might be in a rut or lacking the freedom to be ourselves and we could potentially experience some upsets or a bit of a shake-up in the realm of our relationships. Ultimately it will bring a breath of much needed fresh air and we could find ourselves breaking through to some kind of next phase of our relationships. They could potentially break up altogether, but only if they are already on unstable ground. Again, it is important to remain conscious, aware and heart centred during this time of shifts and change.
Pluto is bearing down on both the Sun and Moon during this whole affair, which could make things quite intense! He is getting ready to turn retrograde at the moment, so his energy will be much stronger, more apparent and obvious than usual. Pluto is the planet of the Soul, Power, Transformation and he has a tendency to break down or take away anything which is not serving us on a soul level so that something healthier can be built in its place. He digs deep and finds the rot, making us all too aware of the not too pretty parts of ourselves. Our relationships, intimate ones in particular, can provide us with quite an uncomfortable mirror to look in at times, because the closer we get to someone the more of our guard comes down and the more we show of ourselves, warts and all. Methinks that this could be one of those times! Pluto in tense aspect to the moon could bring up some very intense emotions which could cut very deep. We have the potential for some emotional honesty that could leave us feeling quite raw and exposed but which will ultimately allow for some deep cleaning to occur on a soul level.
Our shadows, fears, destructive habits and unconscious patterns could be much more apparent than at other times, as we get a good long look in the ugly mirror! As we are forced to face our fears, vulnerabilities and the darker parts of ourselves we also have an opportunity to find some buried treasure! Pluto’s presence could also help us see our tendency to control or be controlled and the role that power, persuasiveness and manipulation play in our relationships. There is a big difference between being empowered from within and making ourselves feel more powerful by making someone else feel small. We may also gain real insight into how we keep ourselves small. There is amazing potential for some deep healing here, as whatever we see in the mirror is then able to come into the light of our awareness instead of eroding our relationships in the form of unconscious emotional patterns. We have an opportunity to move past our fears, bringing the darkness out into the light. While the process could be quite uncomfortable, ultimately it has the potential to free us from old entrenched patterns, beliefs or habits which quite simply have no place in our lives anymore.
The good news is that Jupiter in Leo is on hand to help us through any stickiness we may experience! The planet of hope, wisdom, expansion and growth is forming a positive aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, helping us to see the bigger picture and remain in our heart’s centre. Jupiter in Leo is very joyful, optimistic, confident and playful, so his presence should help us to maintain a sense of humour and, above all, approach whatever comes up with genuine kindness and generosity of spirit. He reminds us to be true to the calling of our heart and to do what brings us joy. We should be able to embrace whatever comes up during this Eclipse as a learning experience which will ultimately help us grow and shine more brightly. He will also help us understand the deeper meaning underlying anything that may come bubbling up, ensuring that we have a philosophical attitude towards the whole process. Above all else, however, he will help us stay connected to our hearts.
So, this is quite a moon! It has the potential to bring a lot out into the open in the realm of our relationships, especially anything that may be holding us back from soul growth or unconsciously sabotaging the relationship. If you like drama then this could be the Moon for you, as it certainly brings the possibility of some intense emotions, catharsis, power struggles or battles of will! It could, however, be quite a powerful detox of our relationships, highlighting where we are out of balance in the way we relate and making us all too aware of any destructive tendencies we may have. We have been through a series of significant shifts in consciousness, breakdowns and breakthroughs in the past few years and we are not the same as we were before. As such, our relationships are a whole other ballgame now and we are learning how to navigate through them as the empowered, authentic beings that we are becoming. As long as we keep our hearts open and are willing to look at ourselves honestly then this process has the potential to be incredibly healing and opening.
As we go through the shifts and changes that a Lunar Eclipse combined with the Pluto Uranus Square will inevitably bring, we must remember to go with the flow and be as adaptable as possible. To resist the tides of change will only make it harder, because change is only necessary when we are out of alignment somehow and something is preventing us from truly blossoming. To resist change is to prevent necessary growth. There is a sense that we are completing a process which began six months ago, during the last Lunar Eclipse in October of last year. In the same token, the effects of this Eclipse will last for another six months, until the next Lunar Eclipse in October of this year.
Stay heart centred everyone!
Much Love
Amy
xoxo
http://www.amybirdartandastrology.com/
Picture - Balancing the Divine Masculine and Feminine by Lisa Hoffman - https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/503769908291199115/