By Amanda Painter
We’re entering the home stretch of the current eclipse season: on Monday, Jan. 21 (Jan. 20 in some time zones), we’ll get the Leo Full Moon and a total lunar eclipse. This occurs one day after the Sun enters Aquarius — which happens at 3:59 am EST (8:59:25 UTC) on Jan. 20.
Lunar eclipse between the statues of Hera and Apollo in Athens, Greece, on July 27, 2018. Monday’s event will be visible from North and South America, Europe and western Africa. Central and eastern Africa and Asia will see a partial eclipse of the Moon. Photo by Aris Messins
So there will be a shift in tone accompanying this event — fitting enough, given the way modern astrology views eclipses as times for releasing what has run its course and for moving into a new pattern or toward a new phase of development.
This is also the last eclipse on the Leo-Aquarius axis for the time being. In whatever way it relates to the eclipses of this past summer for you, there may be a sense of closing a chapter or springboarding into new territory.
That said, I have to level with you: I don’t feel like I have a clear grasp yet on the chart for this particular eclipse. There are some curious minor objects and points in close aspect to the Sun and Moon, and I have some inchoate thoughts about them, but their story is not speaking to me coherently. I going to list them here and see where it takes me; feel free to comment if you have some ideas:
Nestled near the Leo Moon and lunar North Node in Cancer are Varuna and the Uranian point Vulkanus in Leo, and Dionysus in the last degree of Cancer. Tucked between the lunar South Node in Capricorn and the Aquarius Sun is the asteroid Karma in Capricorn (that, at least, seems to underscore the South Node’s themes). Square the Moon and Sun are Requiem and Rhadamanthus in Scorpio, and Phaethon in Taurus.
It’s an interesting combination — since Varuna, Requiem and Rhadamanthus all have rather somber themes, relating to various forms of judgment, assessment, honoring and loss; and then we have Phaethon, Vulkanus and Dionysus relating to very energetic outward expressions (with varying results). There seems to be something here embodying the dual expressions of Aquarius, also: the revolution and innovation of Uranus, and the restraint and crystallization of Saturn. As you may know, those two forces must work in balance with each other, ideally, for sustainable growth.
Incidentally, the Sabian symbols (channeled symbols relating to each of the 360 degrees of the zodiac) appear to reinforce this dynamic. According to astrologer Dane Rudhyar’s version:
1 Leo: “Blood rushes to a man’s head as his vital energies are mobilized under the spur of ambition.” It receives the keynote, “An irruption of bio-psychic energies into the ego-controlled field of consciousness” (“irruption” being similar to “eruption,” but occurring into something rather than out of something). Also, “Conflagration.”
1 Aquarius: “An old adobe mission in California.” Its keynote reads, “The power inherent in all great human works to endure far beyond the workers’ lifespans.” Also, “The concretization of an ideal.”
So, I offer you those images to play with — bearing in mind that, although Full Moons can be marked by interpersonal conflict or stalemates, as an opposition it also indicates the need for negotiation: to move back and forth between the two sides of the equation in search of a workable solution. Generally, that solution (or some form of resolution or dissipation) comes after the Full Moon has passed by. The Leo Full Moon peaks at 12:16 am EST (5:15:58 UTC) on Monday, with Serennu.com listing the eclipse peak about three-and-a-half minutes earlier.
In these days leading up to the eclipse, what should you do? Standard guidance is to try to touch on or set in motion things you love and wish to cultivate in the coming six to twelve months. That doesn’t mean you need to cram every waking moment full of ALL THE AWESOMENESS. In fact, that sounds rather stressful and is not likely sustainable.
By all means, note your priorities; but you’ll also want to stay open for things that come to your awareness seemingly randomly, or by synchronicity, and which just seem to ‘fit’. If you’re struggling emotionally or physically this might look quite different compared to when you’re feeling in top form. That’s okay. None of these tips are a guarantee of anything; it’s simply about doing what you can, where you are, that might help you to move forward. After all: even if you have a specific goal in mind now, that goal could change shape tremendously as you develop toward it. That may be one of the more fascinating and exciting things about growth and healing.
In the meantime, there’s some attendant astrology that could prove useful as we approach this eclipse. For one thing, Venus is moving into a conjunction to Jupiter in Sagittarius and is currently trine Mars in Aries. This looks quite supportive of optimism (possibly more palpable next week than now) and sociability; and it should assist female-male relating, especially in cases of mutual benefit. That said: do beware of overspending, especially on ‘fancy’ or ‘fun’ stuff.
Mercury is in a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn and a square to Eris in Aries. This is a good day for research, investigative work, and penetrating communication. Yet there’s also a caution here about how you use your powers of persuasion; tread lightly there, and don’t even think of misrepresenting yourself or using other subversive tactics in the process.
We also have the Capricorn Sun in a sextile to Chiron in Pisces and a square to Uranus in Aries. Note that the Sun is aspecting these two objects simultaneously, just as all three are preparing to leave their current signs. (The Sun does so sooner, but Chiron and Uranus are bigger news.) There may be an added edginess to this, along with potency.
What is your awareness being drawn to, no matter how inconveniently? Does it feel like a disruption? Whatever it is, you may be able to get some traction with some matter of healing now, but it will take some initiative that’s in line with the opportunities you have available. With the Sun square Uranus, the more you can be intentional about consciously changing your routine — without creating total chaos around you — the easier it may be to use this energy. Does that feel exciting or scary? If you’re feeling especially restless, what is it you need to do?
All of this could easily help you to look where you want to go, and take steps — however small — in that direction over the next several days. Your spark of inspiration might feel like it could start a conflagration, but there’s something to be said for laying a foundation that can last. How you integrate it all is up to you.
As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.
How about “Responsibility for Creative Self Expression” as a blend?
Thank You again Amanda for another example of delightful insight. I have been catching up. Both my eyes underwent cataract surgery within the 1st 2 weeks of this year. I began my year of healing and great health with the restoration of my Clarity and a world of color. I chose new lens that were near sighted. I can enjoy reading again.
My outlook is great. It’s also positive. What I’ve also learned in so many waiting rooms and interacting with the public is that I may be old but I’m not an old person.
Judgment? To me, “Judgment” quite often carries a quantification. As in good/bad and right/wrong. I might suggest we stop it, Judging that is. It is the very foundation of conflict, separating the Whole into parts. Maybe it would be Wise to seek Discernment, instead? Ask “Is it Loving?”
That’s the only thing that counts to a Soul. Some of our Value systems are aligned with it while others are not. Do we honor being a Soul? And what kind of loss to our sense of Self Respect and Worth do we experience when we don’t?
What we’re going through right now as far as I can see, is a transition in our World’s and Humanity’s Value system. It is shifting to come into alignment with a Higher Reality or that of a Soul. It’s a time of heavy lifting. Our societies have been deeply mired in glamour. When we see Souls instead of just bodies, then what are our Ideals and concepts of Beauty going to be?
Maybe that’s how “ambition” shifts to “aspiration”?
“It’s a time of heavy lifting. Our societies have been deeply mired in glamour. When we see Souls instead of just bodies, then what are our Ideals and concepts of Beauty going to be?”
Indeed, Sue. Sounds like an accurate assessment — and an excellent question.
Also: Welcome back! I’ve been wondering about you. Very happy to hear that your cataract surgeries were successful, and that so much vision has been restored to your insight. 🙂
Congratulations on the restoration of your Clarity, Sue. May this year be the start of many clear-sighted opportunities and adventures for you. Incidentally, I wonder at what age it was decided that Methuselah was getting on a bit.
“What we’re going through right now as far as I can see, is a transition in our World’s and Humanity’s Value system.” That’s a statement that to me reflects Uranus’s transit through Taurus. We had a small taste of it recently and now we’re due for seven years of the real thing. Heavy lifting it will be, I’m sure. Ever tried to lift a bull? It would seem that at least a little magic might be needed.
I can’t help but wonder if the entry of Uranus into Taurus is reflected in the current rise in public awareness of Veganism. Could it be that, at the end of this transit, the modern ruler of Aquarius will have lifted us out of our unsustainable reliance on eating meat?
Thank You Geoff. It was getting bothersome reading a book with one eye shut and the book 12cm from my face. And I’m all for finding out why Methuselah’s telomeres worked so Well.
I hadn’t thought about Uranus’s movement until you mentioned it. Yes, absolutely. Following in precision after Uranus in Aries, an Identity crisis. As I Identify myself, so do I identify and define my Value system.
Aries also has a mental tone, broadcast in the realm of ideas. One of the major themes I’ve observed happening, is the collapse of ideas being supported. Ideas of conformity. Like getting kicked out of the tribe for committing a taboo. The mood has changed from one of fear of getting kicked out to Being True to ourselves. Alternate ideas ideas about everything. Most especially how we relate to Life. Starting with ours.
It’s easier to simply lead the Bull by its nose.
Or for the especially mule-headed and stubborn, the ole’ carrot and stick routine.
Many thanks, Sue. After I’d posted my reply, I realised that Uranus was completing its transit of Aries the Ram, and it brought to mind something I’d read in a food magazine recently to the effect that sales of lamb had declined markedly in the last few years due to the onset of austerity in Britain. It’s certainly a very expensive way to buy meat protein now. Uranus is green in colour, isn’t it?
I’m not sure that bulls are susceptible to the temptation of carrot but I take your point. As for leading a bull by the nose I am reminded of an incident from my childhood. My cousin Jesse and I dared each other to cross a field of “cows” who were contentedly munching their lunch. About halfway across we stopped, looked at each other, then looked at the “cow” that had stopped mid-munch and was now staring at us. As he lifted his left foreleg and started to scrape the ground beneath his hoof, both of us said: “That one’s a bull.” We ran for our lives which triggered the bull to give chase. Fortunately we managed to reach the barbed wire fence and slide under the lowest strand without consideration of any possible snags on clothing or tears on skin. Miraculously unscathed, we let the bull snort his triumph at us through the fence, much admired by the cows that had interrupted their eating to watch the chase. We never did that again.
“Freedom without responsibility is license and not liberty”
Bravo Linda.
With all the aspects of this time in Mind, Claiming Responsibility for the use of our Free Will and it’s impact and cost on Humanity might be a Wise consideration. License has been taken by some at an expense of the many and the Whole. Treason against the Sovereignty of We the People has been and continues to be committed everyday.
Good one, Linda May.