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Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Libra ♎ Mar 23, 2016

Wednesday, March 23 at 6.47 am EST - above photo by Jimmy Westlake

Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Libra.

A lunar eclipse follows our Supermoon Solar Eclipse in Pisces. This particular phase is called the Full Pink Moon because, according to The Farmer’s Almanac, it “heralds the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.” This eclipse is a follow-up to the Supermoon Lunar Eclipse in Aries of September. Yes, this is just one in a series of eclipses falling on the Aries-Libra axis that began in October 2013 and culminates NOW NOW NOW. Any themes/conflicts that predominated during these eclipses will resurface, I promise! The Moon will rise at sunset, peak at midnight and set at sunrise.

It is important to make changes before the eclipse rather than wait until something comes hurtling at you; eclipses reveal information suddenly, so you won’t have time to prepare! Having said that, any revelations or events at the eclipse are not novel – they’ve been bubbling below the surface for a long time and your intuition is probably well aware of them. Act accordingly, avoid the mess. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate even for a moment! Although it still makes me nervous sometimes, speaking up for myself is my utmost priority now - that’s the lesson I’ve pulled on a personal level after all these Aries-Libra eclipses.

The Sun and Moon in total opposition between Aries and Libra: Self vs other. The Aries-Libra dichotomy is known as the relationship axis. The Universe is pushing us to address issues related to this polarity. Each eclipse is a check-up on our progress. Let’s meditate on the ruling planets of each sign, Mars and Venus respectively. Venus the Goddess of Love, ardent keeper of the peace, has difficulty with masculine Mars, the self-assertive warrior drawing us back again and again to the ego. Take this opportunity to balance independence vs. dependence. How well are you meeting your own needs? As this eclipse falls in Libra, it seems to suggest a conflict with women rather than with men.

At the Libra eclipse last year I quit my job and was then propelled on a journey of unimaginable detail. This past autumn at the Aries eclipse I embarked on a whirlwind psychedelic experience which I still cannot properly describe. Both of these events have their origins in previous lifetimes - in any case, it is safe to say that no eclipse in this realm is quiet or ordinary.

This full moon will be INTENSE and POWERFUL and PASSIONATE just like all of the other eclipses have been. Think long and hard about what’s going on in your life. Do not wait until it is too late to act. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of following your gut feelings.

The conflict seems to lie outside of the Self, and yet is really only a reflection of inner conflict. We enter into toxic environments and relationships because we have a toxic relationship with the Self, truth be told. With infinite love I encourage you to immediately disengage from anything or anyone which is dragging you down - if you don’t do it now, Luna will do it for you, without a doubt, and she can be quite forceful in her lessons! If you’re not in the right place or doing what you’re supposed to be doing, prepare for a very abrupt change in direction, my star friends.

Celebrate with Libra Yoga.

To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra: Truth

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse in Aries ♈ Sep 27, 2015

Photo by Jimmy Westlake

The Supermoon Lunar Eclipse in Aries comes exact on Sunday, Sep 27 at 10:50 pm EST

Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Aries.

I need to get something off my chest: aaaAAAAHHHHH! Ok, that’s better. All this lunar business…and it’s not over yet! Next up, a powerful Super Full Moon Lunar Eclipse following our Solar Eclipse in Virgo. This particular phase is known as the Full Hunter’s Moon and also as a “Blood Moon” as it will appear dark red at the time of the eclipse. This eclipse is a follow-up to the Lunar Eclipse in Libra of April, which was itself a follow-up to the Lunar Eclipse in Aries of October 8, 2014. Yes, this is just one in a series of eclipses falling on the Aries-Libra axis beginning in October 2013 and continuing through March 2016. Any themes/conflicts that predominated during any of these eclipses will now resurface. This phase also marks the midpoint of the astrological year, beginning in late March with the Super Solar Eclipse in Aries. The moon will rise at sunset, peak at midnight and set at sunrise.

The Sun and Moon in total opposition between Libra and Aries: Self vs other. Luna rounds herself to total majesty less than a week after the Sun enters Libra. I see this as a continuation of an energetic theme that’s here to stay for awhile: speedy manifestation, coming up to base camp sooner than expected. We’ll be meeting in the flames: primordial fire, rebirth, return to square one. We are rapidly entering a time of major Self-evaluation.

Axis of relationships

The Aries-Libra dichotomy is known as the relationship axis. The Universe is pushing us to address issues related to this polarity. Each eclipse is a check-up on our progress. Let’s meditate for a moment on the ruling planets of each sign, Mars and Venus respectively. Venus, ardent keeper of the peace, has difficulty with Mars, the self-assertive warrior drawing us back again and again to the ego. Mars charges full speed ahead with his brilliant personal agenda; Venus remains egalitarian and diplomatic. Mars would rather be brutally honest than tactful! We now have an opportunity to achieve balance between independence vs. dependence on others. How well are you meeting the needs of all? This does not necessarily mean that we are automatically aligned with Mars in this cosmic battle. In fact, if you’re like me, you might lean heavily toward Venus.

I remember very well how potent this eclipse was last year. I waited until it was too late to voice my truth and ended up leaving my job and apartment on unsavory terms. Although it still makes me unbelievably nervous, speaking up for myself is my priority at all times now. I never want to put myself in such a defensive position again. So this year I’m going to be ahead of the curve! If something comes up that’s bothering you or doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to open your throat with words of peace and understanding.

It is important to make changes before the eclipse rather than wait until something comes hurtling at you; eclipses reveal information suddenly, so you won’t have time to prepare! Having said that, any revelations or events at the eclipse are not novel - they’ve been bubbling below the surface for a long time and your intuition has probably been well aware of them. Therein lies another major lesson! Listen to your gut, act accordingly, avoid the mess. I feel it all as we wade deeper into this astrological year.

If balanced, we are confident and courageous, ready to move and do. The ram connects us with our inner leader, drive directed outward. Like a new star in the sky or a butterfly opening its wings for the first time, we bloom, stretch, reach, dancing joyously as though we have just discovered the magic of our bodies. I would like to emphasize, once again, that this full moon will be very intense. Eclipses are dramatic, forceful, passionate. How appropriate that the moon will be blood red in honor of the zealous ram! I suggest a ritual involving fire or some Aries Yoga.

To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra: speaking Truth

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aries - Oct 8, 2014

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aries comes exact on October 8, 2014 at 6:51 AM EST.

Click here to learn more about the Moon.

This is not just a Full Moon but also a Lunar Eclipse, making it even more potent. This particular phase is known as the Full Hunter’s Moon and also as a “Blood Moon” as it will appear dark red at the time of the eclipse. The Moon will rise at sunset, peak at midnight and set at sunrise.

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Click on the image for a full eclipse report courtesy of NASA.

We now approach total opposition between the Sun in cardinal air Libra and the Moon in cardinal fire Aries: Self vs Other. Aries rules our relationship to the Self and Libra our relationships to others. The Aries-Libra polarity is between me and youI and we. Indeed, this particular dichotomy is known in astrology as the relationship axis. The cardinal nature of this polarity lies in the fact that our relationships form a foundation upon which everything else rests.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and as such the ram is pioneering and fearless. I like to visualize the ram at dawn, standing proudly at the top of a mountain, ready to welcome a new day, a new realm, a new cosmological cycle. Aries is associated with physical and sexual energy, masculinity and outward action. The ram teaches us the meaning of the following, written over the temple Delphi in ancient Greece: “Know thyself and thou shalt know the Universe and the gods.”

The Aries-Libra polarity presents us with the opportunity to achieve balance between our independence and dependence upon others. Unlike Libra, ardent keeper of the peace between all people, Aries energy is self-assertive, drawing us back again and again to the ego. The Moon in Aries encourages us to be bold, to take action. Aries would rather be brutally honest than tactful. However, we may learn now that our dreams and goals are made possible only when we are gracious to others. A karmic lesson may come now when, for example, we attempt to start a big project and succeed thanks to the support of a partner.

Although the Full Moon always makes us feel more emotional and reflective than usual, Aries energy partially overrides this effect. We are confident and courageous, ready to move and do. The ram helps us to get in touch with our inner leader. Our attention is directed towards all that is external. Like a new star in the sky or a butterfly opening its wings, we bloom, stretch, reach — dancing joyously as though we have just discovered the magic of our bodies.

This Full Moon encourages us to examine how well we are meeting the needs of both the Self and others. The ram wants us to charge full speed ahead with our brilliant personal agenda; the scale asks us to remain balanced, egalitarian and diplomatic. As with any polarity in astrology, our utmost duty is to be aware of how well we are doing on each end of the spectrum. For example, Libra desires, first and foremost, that we simply recognize the supreme power of compromise, the beauty of sharing and the art of respectful negotiation.

The energy of this transit is fiery and impulsive. When taken to the extreme, we may be reckless or quick to anger. Aries favors the following activities: exploration, intense physical exercise, dancing, journaling, self-care, meditation and yoga poses that awaken the kundalini. Expect this Full Moon to be quite powerful. If balanced, we will feel enlightened, empowered and alive. How appropriate that the Moon will be blood red in honor of the zealous ram!

gif credit: Tomruen

This Lunar Eclipse is actually just one in a series of eclipses falling in the Aries-Libra opposition that began in October 2013 and will continue through March 2016. You might see this as the Universe’s way of pushing us to address issues related to this axis. Each eclipse is like a check-up on our progress. On October 23, we have a Solar Eclipse too!

I would like to emphasize, once again, that this Full Moon will probably be very intense. Lunar Eclipses tend to be dramatic, forceful and passionate. This phase also marks the midpoint of the astrological year, beginning in late March with the New Moon in Aries. In many ways, we are rapidly approaching a major evaluation of the Self and all that surrounds the Self.

From CafeAstrology:

Note that whatever happens at this time is nothing truly new. The issues have been brewing inside of us and emotions have been building.

If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

YOGA CHALLENGE

Virabadhrasana, warrior poses, are an excellent choice for this Full Moon. When our feet are spread wide on the mat in Warrior 1 and 2, Crescent Warrior or even trikonasana, triangle pose, it is important to charge up the legs. We can do this by lifting the toes and rooting deeply into the corners of the feet. Press through the center of the back foot and then energetically draw the feet together, as though you are trying to bunch up your mat. Ground down through the inner corners of the feet and then expand out in every direction so that it feels like your legs are growing longer! What makes you feel like a warrior?

Mantra: strength within