October 27th ~ November 3rd
“Partial Lunar Eclipse over the Temple of Poseidon in Athens” by Petros Giannakouris
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. (Strength to Love) orig. Loving your Enemies (1957)
On October 28th at 4:14 pm Eastern Time (1:14 pm Pacific; 9:14 pm Greenwich Time) we have a partial Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at 5º Taurus 03’. For the last 18 months the majority of the eclipses have been in Taurus and Scorpio. From here on the majority will be in Aries and Libra over the next 18 months. But like an afterthought, or a final statement, we have this one last Eclipse in the sign of Taurus. And through the lens of Taurus we are being reminded of what we are needing most right now. Not Revenge, Rejection, Anger, Hatred, or even Righteous Indignation. But simply and unequivocally: Love.
Because this is a partial eclipse, it will not have that signature red cast at the height of the eclipse. However, you will be able to see the Earth cast a shadow on at least part of the Full Moon in some areas of the world: Europe, Russia, and in Africa. The tail end of the eclipse might even be visible in some of the Eastern-most states of the US.
Since July, the Nodes of the Moon that mark where the eclipses will occur, have since moved back into Aries. But for the 18 months that the South Node had been in Scorpio, the effects were quite similar to having Pluto square the Nodes. Dramatic changes and endings can occur when the South Node is in Scorpio. And these periods when Pluto is square the Nodes can be so very difficult, filled with disasters on a global level, as we have been witnessing.
Know also that there are also remedies at our disposal. And the Lunar Eclipse is trying to reveal what is now needed in order to restore some of the balance. Taurus is a sign of Love. Taurus is a sign of the good provider, making sure that everyone’s needs are being taken into consideration. Taurus can hold everyone, all at the same time, without depriving one for the sake of the other. The signs of Taurus (where the Moon is at this eclipse) and Scorpio (where the Sun, Mercury and Mars are) are signs of reciprocity, giving and receiving. And so we ask ourselves at this time: Do I have enough? Do you have enough? What more do we need together?
The Lunar Eclipse on Saturday is widely conjunct expansive Jupiter. Jupiter is a planet that encourages us to connect with our highest aspirations and loftiest ideals. And in order to make those aspirations a closer reality, the Eclipse is also sextile pragmatic and realistic Saturn. This is very much about sustainability. Jupiter and Saturn are both currently retrograde. This can make us feel like we are at an impasse. Yet both Jupiter and Saturn will be direct again within the next few months. But in the mean time, the Eclipse is trying to show us what is, or is not sustainable any more. What needs to change in order to make it so. What we should or should not be investing in in order to make our goals, our dreams, our lives more sustainable.
The Lunar Eclipse occurs just before the opposition of Jupiter on November 2-3rd, when the Sun opposes Jupiter in the middle of its retrograde phase. This is also when Jupiter is perigee or at its closest point to the earth, and so will appear in the sky as a bright and luminescent star. On November 1st-2nd it will be the 4th brightest object in the sky, after the Sun, Moon and Venus. When Jupiter is in its retrograde phase, it challenges us to see things from another perspective. Not only does Jupiter encourage us to expand our horizons and expectations in the outer world, it also encourages us to expand our outlooks on moral and ethical grounds. This too is unfolding out of the Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, as we find ourselves standing at a pivotal point, both historically, and in our own lives.
When Jupiter stations on December 30th/31st, ending its retrograde phase, it will be at the same degree of Taurus as the current Lunar Eclipse. At that point it will be showing us the benefits of applying what we learn within the light of this illuminating eclipse. And if we have done our work well, we will then be in a position to reap the rewards. Jupiter aims to bring relief. And Jupiter in Taurus is large enough and generous enough to carry us all.
Eclipses are turning points. They can also be incredibly illuminating. They can bring closure, finality, and the conclusion of a situation that had been simmering on the back burner. Moral and ethical dilemmas can be brought to a head with this eclipse. And remedies for what ails us can be revealed. It can even bring opportunities to tie up loose ends, pack up the remnants of what once was, so that we can then gather our lives, and make our way to the opposite shore.
What is revealed within this Eclipse period can change the paradigm and tip the scales in one direction or the other. Note that a Lunar Eclipse such as this, has probably been building up for some time. And the ramifications and consequences of what is being revealed now, will be felt for months and perhaps even years to come. The fates are weaving their tapestries, and so we may find ourselves also caught up in their threads. This will be especially so for those who have personal points at 2-8º of the fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius. But all of humanity should be prepared to be humbled when the eclipses come to call.
It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied together into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
To see where and how the Lunar Eclipse might impact your sign or natal house, click below: