Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus
Here are my insights for tomorrow's lunar eclipse, which occurs over the full moon in Taurus: 19th Nov, 8.57am (UK)
A lunar eclipse significantly intensifies the energy of a regular full moon. For the past 18 months we have been seeing eclipses in Gemini and Sagittarius, but the eclipse season we are entering now (which includes a solar eclipse on 4th December) sees a shift to the Taurus-Scorpio polarity. And this is occurring while the moon's nodes, which point to where eclipses will happen, are still just in Gemini-Sagittarius. It gives this eclipse a cuspal feel, as if we are collectively transitioning from an 18-month period characterised by ideology and information, to one whose themes are more centred around the issues of embodiment and psychological truth, ownership, posessions, the stuff we can claim as our own, versus the stuff have to share with others.
Two Opposite Perspectives
We are entering a period when we must experience the tension between what is embodied through the senses and through our material existence (Taurus), and what is imagined in the psyche and through our psycho-spiritual existence (Scorpio). The two represent opposite perspectives, Taurus as the abundance of Spring's renewing, blossoming life force; Scorpio as the gathering shadows of autumn and the journey to the Underworld, where the realisation of the deeper truth of existence will transform and ultimately sustain life.
Holding the Tension
These two perspectives are, of course, inevitably woven together, and the raising of awareness comes when we are able hold that tension without collapsing to one or other pole and demonising its opposite. So over this full moon eclipse our practice is to appreciate what we have, while we have it; to be present to the gift of life, and to enjoy it for what it is, without becoming attached to it. It is an invitation to connect deeply with the sensorium of the body, and to take ownership of that, to slow down and to relish and experience the great-fullness of each moment. Even in the midst of the dark and difficult times we face, that might appear to threaten all that is good in the world, we can call upon this moon to remind us to keep things simple. It can assist in bringing our awareness back to the present, back to a sense of who we are, as ensouled beings living through an embodied experience.
The Fierce Protective Power of Medusa
This Moon is conjunct the fixed star Algol (if we project its position onto the ecliptic), the star which represents the head of the Gorgon, Medusa mythologically. Being temporarly eclipsed by its binary star, which causes it to 'blink' every 72 hours, a lot of superstition built up around Algol representing the evil eye, or, as Medusa, the look that turns you to stone. Yet, what is usually overlooked in consideration of this star, and the mythic figure of Medusa, is the protective power of the Gorgon. She is fiercely loyal to the pursuit of truth, and especially in times of loss or bereavement, when we are grieving, she is the one you would most want on your side to offer counsel and support.
Overstretching with Jupiter / Going Deep with Pluto
The Sun and Moon form a t-square with Jupiter in Aquarius, which tends to make us more optimistic but with the square aspect we can also get carried away, and miss the mark. We might react in too exaggerated a way, or enthusiastically support a venture which we haven't properly examined. We can tend to be greedy for the 'big catch' under stressful Jupiter aspects, so we should be wary of putting too much blind faith in grand narratives or catch-all solutions. The more harmonious aspects to Pluto (trine the Moon, sextile the Sun) will tend to intensify our emotional sensitivity and psychic powers; this could also prompt us to dive deeper psychologically in pursuit of integration, and a transformed perspective on ourselves and the world.
Getting Real
The power of an eclipse tends to reverberate for six months, until the next eclipse season, so these themes are part of a process that we are undergoing for a significant period of time. This eclipse season feels to me like a rallying call to action. The time for speculation is over, and we must now stand behind what is necessary in order for us to move forward with integrity. That will mean different things to each of us, of course, but however we interpret it, there is a greater necessity now, I would say, to confront the nature of our embodiment, the reality of death, and the processes of decay and renewal that are definitive of life. We cannot continue pretending that we can push death away, any more that we can pretend to live sustainably in mere abstract, disembodied space. Taurus is telling us to get real and connect with the earth, while Scorpio demands that we examine who we are beyond the mere physical form of our existence. I am reminded of a saying from the bible that goes something like...'when you fully behold what is before you, what is hidden will be revealed to you'.
My Taurus mantra runs: "I am fully embodied here, in the sensuality of this present moment."
Full moon blessings to all.