Dear Friend and Reader:

In just less than four days, we will experience the third eclipse in this year’s rich spring eclipse season. This eclipse is along the Gemini-Sagittarius axis: a Sagittarius Full Moon, with the Moon opposite the Gemini Sun, exact at about 12:25 am EDT Saturday. (View full chart here.)

Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

Genevieve Hathaway has interpreted this Sagittarius Full Moon lunar eclipse for each of the 12 Moon signs in today’s Moonshine horoscopes below, and we’ll be running her post on this Full Moon eclipse in Thursday’s Daily Astrology blog. Your Moon sign is where the Moon was when you were born, which you can find out by entering your birth data into Serennu.com. It helps to have your birth time but often that is not necessary. You can also try reading these horoscopes for your Sun and rising signs for additional layers of insight.

Visually, this will not be as noticeable or dramatic as the first lunar eclipse of the trio or the solar eclipse that we experienced two weeks ago. With a penumbral eclipse, the Moon (or part of it) passes through the outer edge of the Earth’s shadow, not the core of its shadow. Even if you watch it carefully, you might not notice a difference in the Moon’s appearance.

Astrologically, however, this eclipse still carries plenty of mojo. The Sun and Moon will be square Neptune in Pisces. Both Sun and Moon square Neptune can bring up cautions about illusions and disillusionment, and questions about your inner sense of integrity. Neptune can also offer us a way to dissolve inner obstacles. In a season of three eclipses, which are about releasing old patterns and setting new ones, this is helpful.

In addition, there’s another little-used, Pluto-like planet exactly aligned with this weekend’s eclipse: Orcus. Orcus was named after an ancient Etruscan god of the underworld (the Etruscans pre-dated the Romans); it is the namesake of orca whales (so-called killer whales) and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Orcs. This planet carries some associations of ‘that which comes up from below’.

The planet Orcus is located in early Virgo, opposite Neptune and square the Sun and Moon, making the T-square into a grand square.

In this position, Orcus in Virgo feels like a lurking fearful thought-form (perhaps an existential fear of death). Opposite Neptune, Orcus is opposed by what we tend to do, culturally and individually, in response to these thought-forms: escape with distracting illusions (entertainment) and other mind-altering substances (alcohol, drugs). Yes, there is a higher, universal-love manifestation of Neptune, but many people find that a lot harder to access.

So many of our fears are these mental-level (Virgo) obsessions; there are many very scared people out there, and it’s easy to get caught in a mental loop when we’re scared. The daily news is full of reasons to be afraid. It’s natural to want to escape the fear.

When you add the Sun and Moon at right angles to this dichotomy of obsessive, fearful thought-form versus escapism, you get a very useful question: If a thought-form is frightening, how do you deal with it? You probably have more choices than you think, since it is not reality.

That’s the thing that this eclipse is breaking open and stirring up: the limiting idea that fear and escapism are the only options. They are not. So ask yourself: what else can you do? What breaks up the false dichotomy, the mental loop and the feelings of powerlessness they engender? Hint: squares urge us to take action. At eclipse moments, even small acts can get you far.

Yours and truly,

with minor planet research by Eric

 

These Moonshine Horoscopes are written by Genevieve Hathaway. Genevieve is an astrologer and Planet Waves contributor. She is available for astrology readings. You can contact her at genevieve@venusinblue.com.

 

Aries (March 20-April 19) — At the moment, you may be questioning an attitude you’ve held for a long time. This viewpoint has become so ingrained it feels more like a habit than a conscious manner of thinking. As you make contact with the opposite perspective, it feels at odds with what you’ve held to be true, like you are being pulled in two different directions. I suggest not spending too much energy or time worrying about this sensation; rather take the longer view that there are two ways to experience existence, part of the same spectrum — one through the emotional body and one through the mind or ego. What you are restructuring is your attitude toward the concept of freedom and the role it plays in your life. Freedom to be yourself is an important component to a genuine sense of being in charge of your life. As you work this fine edge it may feel bold, even a bit dangerous. That’s a sign that you are making contact with something authentic. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — As you’ve moved through this series of eclipses, your astrology has been highlighting an emphasis on your desire nature. This has been firing up a lot of passionate emotions for you. It may have felt like something intense was pushing up from within you, needing to be expressed in the physical world. This was accompanied by a sense of urgency, like you had arrived and it was time to act. What you have been working through has reconnected you with one of your deepest desires; you may have dismissed it in the past as unrealistic or not valid. You are connecting the dots between that and what it means for you to live daily from a place of inherent self-worth. As you act consciously, take note of the internal sense of strength that comes with these actions. That strength can also be thought of another way — as a more permanent sense of self-esteem. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Pressure is building to clear the air surrounding an important relationship situation, like you are reaching the culmination of a shift you and a partner have been making for some time. What you are learning about your relationship has much to do with what you are learning about yourself; both are growing in tandem. Space you have been holding for you and your partner to explore who you are has rippled out into the relationship itself, bending and shifting its structure to fit where you both have grown. Your sharp, quick mind may be pushing to resolve the developments quickly. I suggest taking the slow and steady approach to iron out all the details. As more information becomes available in the coming weeks the pressure will ease and a clear path forward will appear from which you will both benefit. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — At the moment, your imagination is like a prism — it contains a multitude of facets, shapes and surfaces to reflect what is coming up from your subconscious into your conscious mental space. Like a prism refracting light, it breaks the information passing through into its different components, letting you see the complex nuances of the various ideas moving through your mind. This process is providing you a rich vein of creativity from which to draw. You can utilize the entire rainbow of ideas or just draw on the individual components and pieces. Like an already full bottle, all these new ideas will overflow and take up more and more of your conscious mental space if not burned off in the form of creative expression. I suggest allocating time and space to take what’s bubbling up inside of you and expressing it tangibly into your projects. You can draw much inspiration and innovation from the well of your imagination now. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The Sagittarius Full Moon takes place in the area of your chart that has to do with fun and erotic sexual interactions. Sex is supposed to be a good time and you’re getting a reminder of that at the moment. I suggest being open to what opportunities arise this week and seeing where they lead. A Full Moon in such an adventurous sign as Sagittarius is a reminder to experiment. Hold space for both your own curiosity and a partner’s desire to try new things. Use this opportunity to try a fantasy or two. I realize that sex is one of the most personal acts we humans do and sharing a fantasy with a partner can be a very vulnerable experience. As you expand your sexual horizons this week, remember: the truth is erotic and so is vulnerability. Approach the topic of breaking out of your usual mold from a place of genuine curiosity and authentic desire to share the experience with your partner. You have the support you need to share what you want to try and take the step into the realm of experimentation. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — As you collect information during this weekend’s Full Moon, double- and triple-check the facts. There’s something you are trying to work with or get a handle on that is particularly slippery at the moment. I suggest being especially discerning about what you see, hear and think. Facts may be distorted, incorrect or only partial. As you investigate what’s coming to light, try to use multiple sources of information; double-check the story and the sources. Note where information seems incomplete or does not quite fit and dig a layer deeper. What you are gaining insight into is how certain family patterns and beliefs affected your attitude toward your career or the career you think you can have.  As you work through this material, a number of new options will become available. Proceed with an open sense of curiosity; a willingness to try will get you a lot further than you may think. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — An aspect of your local environment is challenging you in a constructive manner. Pay extra attention to what you are learning in clearing a small hurdle. Whatever you are working through is pushing you to find new resources to get where you wish to go, and in the process, you are discovering a resource in yourself that may not have seemed like one before. What you are connecting with is your ability to see the larger picture in situations. You can think of this as having a greater perspective instead of getting lost in the here and now. This viewpoint can both help you see where you’re going and also where you’ve been, and how the two are related. Holding this kind of vision for your life and the challenges you run into will aid you in moving with intention, keeping your energy and emotions focused on your end goals. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — A particular doubt keeps arising surrounding your ability to deliver creatively on a project. A certain problem or challenge has presented itself and you may feel you don’t have the resources within yourself to find an innovative solution. I suggest you consider it just that: a feeling, not a fact. Plans come to fruition through preparation, a workable strategy, and the flexibility to shift with the plan as it evolves over time. You innately know how to proceed with a path you’ve recently started down. This journey may seem relatively new, but it comes from years of preparation. As you move forward with intention and a steady vision, trust your intuition. Honor the work you’ve done prior to this moment, both with an honest assessment of how much you’ve completed and by recognizing how many tools are in your tool belt. One of the biggest assets is your authenticity; that is, being in line with your truth. As you take each step, answer one question: Is this completely true for me? — by Genevieve Hathaway

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You are experiencing what may feel like a rift in your internal landscape, dividing one kind of territory and experience from another. Initially this may feel a bit disorienting, like you don’t have solid ground to stand on. I suggest viewing it rather as something that is helping you recreate some stagnant internal patterns. Take time to move through this process of reworking an emotional response. As you get clear on where you have been and where you have grown, you will be able to share this new aspect of yourself and your needs with a close partner. Having clarity yourself is the first step in being able to communicate the changes you are undergoing. Trust that you will find the vocabulary to convey how your emotional space has changed. Apply patience as you bring a close partner up to speed with these changes and growth. It may take a few conversations, but what it will bring you both is a deeper sense of intimacy and connection. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Imagine that you have a special space inside yourself: a sacred room that no one else can access. This internal hidden compartment is your own safe area for experimentation, a part of you where you are completely honest without any constraints or worry of ramifications. It’s a place in which you don’t pull punches or propagate denial. During the coming weeks, spend time in this hidden inner area investigating what self-esteem means to you and how your level of self-worth changes in response to external situations. Take note of what you learn in this safe space of honesty. You are learning a lot about family patterns that have affected how it feels to be you. Rather than seeing any negative self-perception as a ‘self-esteem crisis’, recognize that this is a miscommunicated family message you were imprinted with at an early age. Once you see how the message got scrambled or incorrectly passed down generations back, you can rewrite the script to build a stronger sense of permanently feeling good being you. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You’re reworking a perspective regarding what you have to give back to the world. I propose an idea — that your visionary nature is one of your assets. To you this may seem a normal way to live, though for many people around you how you perceive the world can be hard to grasp. Many people struggle with stepping out of the pre-constructed boxes of tradition and status quo. For you, though, it’s like slipping behind the wheel of a different car; it takes little effort to step out from a previous way of thinking. Living so far ahead of others at times can feel isolating or like the sensation of being present in your own world is hard to grasp. I suggest you keep putting your vision out there, easy for others to see. An opening is arriving that will help connect you with people who share your unique viewpoint; turn on your neon sign of ‘you’, and you’ll attract a network of people who share your vision. — by Genevieve Hathaway

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Your connection with a meaningful career may feel slippery, like it’s there one moment and gone the next. Your vision for your career is quite far-reaching, so I suggest not getting distracted by any sense of murkiness that seems to obscure useful information. Instead, focus on your independence. You are free to adopt any point of view you wish. What you are facing now is a more conventional approach to career versus what actually suits your unique situation. Don’t get sucked into other people’s perspectives or seeing yours as lacking because it differs. Don’t be surprised if you see the world a particular way and others don’t quite get it — that’s temporary. At the moment, you’re meeting your career in a way that fits where you wish to go. Proceed boldly, holding onto your sense of adventure. For you, part of living a meaningful life is having a career that speaks to your soul. That is the ultimate criteria by which you gauge which ways to move along your career path. — by Genevieve Hathaway