January Full Moon - Lunar Eclipse, Sparkle!

​Leo Full Moon
Total Lunar Eclipse
Wed, Jan. 31, 2018 at 5:27am
11 degrees Leo

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There will be a Total Lunar Eclipse tomorrow morning (1/31, Wednesday) at 5:29 am and it may be visible, depending on cloud cover, here in the Seattle area (see this link for more information). This Full Moon is special, not only because it will be a Lunar Eclipse but also because it is a Blue Moon, the 2nd Full Moon this month and a Super Moon, meaning it is unusually close to earth! 

In a lunar eclipse, the earth slides between the Sun and Moon and casts a shadow over the Moon, making the Moon appear red, sometimes called a Blood Moon. Eclipses generally start having an astrological effect up to 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the actual eclipse. 

Solar and Lunar eclipses typically happen in pairs and mostly in the same signs for about 2 years.  We have been in the Leo-Aquarius cycle since February 2017.  The last one of the cycle will be January 2019.  Eclipses bring things to culmination, think the end of a chapter or the beginning of a new chapter. 

Since these eclipses are in the Leo/Aquarius Axis, their highest expressions are about being a shining bright individual (Leo) and also about the Community (Aquarius).  So, the conversation is about how being our best, brightest self creates healthy vibrant communities.  Of course, the manifestation of this theme from a shadow perspective can be really quite dangerous.  In the shadow perspective, the value of the individual may be trampled upon for the good of the community or vice versa. Either way, neither is harmonious.

This past summer we had two new moons in Leo.  Having two new moons in the same sign is relatively rare, occurring about once every 2-3 years.  This is significant because the second new moon in Leo this summer was also the Great American Solar Eclipse in August.  These new moons laid the foundation for the work that is coming to fruition now, during this Lunar Eclipse, because this Lunar Eclipse is a Full Moon in Leo!

Leo’s highest expression it is about self-love, personal sparkle and vibrancy, children, games, romance and creativity. Leo’s shadow side of course is narcissistic and shallow, solely focused on self.  Full Moons (and Lunar Eclipses) are always opposed by the Sun.  This brings on an opposite energy, in this case Aquarius.  Aquarius is about the community at large, serving the greater good and innovation.  The shadow side of Aquarius is sacrificing the individuals needs for the ‘betterment of the community’.  This past summer, the Leo new moons (and Solar Eclipse) were asking us – what makes us shine? How can we be bright?  This was really an inner exploration though, because many planets at that time were retrograde, which basically turns the energy of those planets inwardly.  Now, with this Lunar Eclipse in Leo, all the planets are moving in direct motion and therefore all the internal work we did this summer is now revealing itself in a more external way.  The question this Lunar Eclipse – Full Moon is asking is, “how can you be bright and shine your unique special light into the world to make your community (Aquarius) better and more vibrant?

There are a few other difficult relationships in this chart, one in particular I want to be sure to mention. Neptune is an incompatible relationship with the Moon.  Neptune represents things that are powerful but intangible, hard to grasp and hold.  Think of water.  Water is very powerful, but it is hard to grasp with your hands and hold it.  It leaks through things, drips and ripples its way around boundaries.  Water often represents spirituality, imagination, the sub-conscious, illusion and delusion – just think how water can be murky or clear. With Neptune and the Moon not getting along, there is the possibility of being disillusioned about something or for addictions to surface.  To combat this, be sure to take time out for yourself to sit and settle.  When you can sit and settle, you can let the sediment in your inner glass of water sink down to the bottom, leaving the remainder of your glass clear.  It is from the settled, ‘clear glass’ space you will be able to discern what is true.