Happy Equinox Everyone! We will be having a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday, March 23rd. It will be visible in all of North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It will also be visible in most of Asia, Russia, and South America.
A Penumbral Eclipse is different than a total or partial eclipse because it is less noticeable. It looks more like a subtle shadow rather than being completely dark, like a total eclipse, or looking like a bite has been taken out of the moon, like a partial eclipse.
It will last for 4 hours, but if you are in a part of the world where it will be occurring near Sunrise or Sunset (or Moonrise/Moonset), it will be visible for an even shorter period. Click here to find out the specific timeframe for your geographic region.
In Astrology, Lunar Eclipses have similar effects to Full Moons, but are much more potent. They facilitate some sort of changes in our lives due to a shift in circumstances. It many cases it is about letting go of something, or some aspect of yourself, that is not serving you anymore to make room for something new.
The themes of each Lunar eclipse start to play out in the weeks leading up to them and are still prevalent for the following 3-6 months as a backdrop to anything new developing during that period. Also, these themes have a connection to the themes of the Solar Eclipse that happens in the weeks before or after. Our last Solar Eclipse was on March 8th; you can read more about it here.
The magnitude of the shifting effects of the eclipse in your life largely depends on how the eclipse is interacting with your natal astrology chart (based on your exact birth time). Also, those born on March 20th-26th, June 20th-26th, September 22nd-28th, or December 21st-27th will have their Sun sign in a major aspect to this eclipse and will feel the changes very strongly and perhaps in a more transformative way.
Lunar Eclipse In Libra, Opposite Sun and Mercury in Aries
We have been experiencing Lunar Eclipses in the Libra-Aries axis since October 2013, and this will be the final one of this series. Like Full Moons, this is a time when we feel a bit torn between both polarities, and need to learn to integrate them.
Libra is about relating, diplomacy, and fairness. Seeing both sides of something, considering others, and taking a balanced approach is what this sign stands for. Libra is relationships, especially partnerships and marriage.
Aries is the sign of the ‘self.’ It is independent, leading, and strong willed. While Libra’s orientation is around consideration, Aries is oriented around boldly moving ahead instinctually, without considering others.
Mercury is also in Aries applying a conjunction to the Sun. This planet rules the mind, intellect, and communication. In this position, it is symbolic of being reborn. We may be working towards new ideas or a new way of thinking or even communicating. Or we may be completely thinking about ourselves and our own initiatives.
Whatever it is we are doing in our lives, wherever it is we are trying to lead or take independant action on, we will have circumstances that come up which bring up the need for some sort of consideration. For some people it can manifest as bringing their personal ideas into a relationship or partnership.
Lunar Eclipse Sextile Mars in Sagittarius, Venus in a T-Square
Mars, the ruler of Aries, is in a harmonious aspect with the Sun, Mercury, and eclipsed Moon, emphasizing the Aries theme of taking action. In the sign of Sagittarius, it could be taking action towards fulfilling our visions and ideas, our need to seek truth, to share a perspective, or to travel and explore.
With Sagittarius being a mutable sign, this can also be a time when we find ourselves doing a variety of things at once and potentially becoming really scattered. Jupiter currently in Virgo is also showing us a similar theme and reinforces this energy.
Mars will be going retrograde on April 17th until June 29th, pushing us through a process of finding out the best ways to assert ourselves in our visions and shared interests. Much of what we are doing now, and what we are taking action on in the coming weeks, can manifest into potential challenges, and the need to make adjustments, during the retrograde.
Venus, the ruler of Libra, is in Pisces applying an opposition to Jupiter in Virgo and square to Saturn in Sagittarius. Balancing work with play can prove to be difficult. If we lose ourselves in having too much pleasure, being passive, and avoiding our workload, we can have problems. If we get too scattered in our work and avoid the beautiful and pleasurable aspects of our life, that can lead to some sort of dissatisfaction as well. Overall though, this is a great aspect for anyone who is busy with creative endeavours.
Things To Consider During This Period
As mentioned above, this is the final chapter of a series of lessons and life experiences that started occurring in the Fall of 2013. The way we do relationships has been the theme of this period. In many cases there have been lessons around balancing our individual needs with our relationship needs.
Consider the significant events that have happened in your life over the last month and especially in this last week. What is the best way to proceed forward that serves both your relationships, future relationships, and your personal needs? What is the Universe trying to show you? What do you need to let go of and what do you need to make room for?
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