🔥
Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison.
The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.
-Paracelsus
🔥
The Opening Act
For a brief moment on Friday evening a shadow will pass over the Moon. This is the first hint of what is to come in a series of eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis. These eclipses will take us all the way to January 21st, 2019 and this particular Full Moon is the opening act. 10 minutes after the Full Moon peaks on Friday evening so will the penumbral lunar eclipse. The Moon will spend more than 4 hours coasting through Earth’s outer shadow and it will appear darker than normal.
”Like other lunar eclipses, penumbral eclipses occur whenever the Earth passes between the Moon and Sun, such that it obscures the Sun’s light and casts a shadow onto the Moon’s surface. But unlike other kinds of eclipses, they are extremely subtle events to observe. In a penumbral eclipse the Moon passes through an outer region of the Earth’s shadow called the penumbra. The Moon will first enter Earth’s shadow at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT), and its moonlight will slowly but surely grow dimmer for a little over 2 hours. After the eclipse peaks at 7:43 p.m. EST, the bright glow of the full moon will take about another 2 hours to return to normal.” -Dave Reneke’s World of Space and Astronomy
🌚
The Lunar Nodes
The Moon’s Nodes are actually the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they travel in the celestial sphere. The Moon crosses the ecliptic twice each orbit around the Earth – approximately every 13 days – creating the possibility of an eclipse. However, eclipses can only occur when the Moon is new or full: that is when the Earth, Moon and Sun are in perfect alignment.
In the early European and Oriental astronomical texts these Nodes are referred to as the Head of the Dragon (North Node) and the Tail of the Dragon (South Node). It the same tradition, it is generally believed that Caput Draconis (North Node) is more beneficial than its counter part Cauda Draconis (South Node).
In the Vedic tradition these Nodes are called Rahu and Ketu and are ascribed significance equal to that of a planet or more specifically as a ”shadowy planet”. Their function is one of karmic retribution and together they represent the great cyclic law of manifestation which sustains the universe. In fact, the Nodes are said to be so powerful that even the Sun and the Moon obeys them. Eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon are at one of these Lunar Nodes. In most traditions (if not all of them), a celestial monster – a demon- or a serpent- is depicted eating the luminaries and causing the eclipses.
What makes you bold
This first eclipse in the sign of Leo occurs close to the North Node of the Moon, or ”Rahu”.
In the Vedic tradition, Rahu is sometimes compared to a poisonous black serpent. This black serpent is considered both wise as well as deadly and the poison is used for both destructive and regenerative purposes. Rahu is said to bring about opportunities to anchor us deeply into matter so that we can fully take part in the material and physical experience. The Head of the Dragon, with its mouth open, is said to have an insatiable appetite for the things of this world. Symbolically, the changes and opportunities that are brought with eclipses are said to appear and disappear in and out of the void (or darkness) of the eclipse. Eclipses are almost unanimously thought to be linked to changing circumstances. Whether these changes will affect you more directly depends greatly on your natal disposition.
“Anything which you have in profusion is poison”
― Amit Kalantri
Luna
The Moon in astrology holds a passive role as she receives and reflects the light of the Sun; she does not create her own light. Here we enter the realm of projection; what is being reflected under her rays remain elusive. In this world of projections, shadows quickly turn into bizarre creatures as the imagination is given free reign. One must wonder if what he sees is real or if it is a mere trick of the light.
The shadow of the Earth crossing the Moon symbolically represents the regenerative process that occurs in the dark. The many projections accumulated overtime are briefly obscured to enable a new type of awareness. In this darkness a truth is revealed helping us move forward and out of these accumulated projections. A skin is shed, a baggage is dropped, an egg is broken, a face emerges from under the mask for a short moment revealing something that had escaped us until now.
Laughter, poison to fear
The Full Moon takes place in the flamboyant sign of Leo which is ruled by the Sun. Here we find the dramatic urges of the ego who desires acknowledgement for its sovereignty and royal powers. While the Sun will be illuminating the Moon from the perspective of Aquarius, this brief intermission is brought to us by Kings and Queens. The language of Leo is one that directly links us to the heart, which it rules. The heart’s language is commanding and bold and links us to the creative fires. From this starting point everything is born. The Sun is the central heart of our solar system and Leo is closely linked to this archetypal image. For now though, Leo will have to content itself with a mere reflection of the Sun’s rays and will even find itself briefly eclipsed by a passing shadow. A hint of what is to come in the coming months.
The heart knows what it wants and this Full Moon will briefly illuminate its investments which will be hugely magnified by the sextile from Jupiter in Libra. Should those investments be of a more poisonous nature, the need to undergo a purging process will be necessary and this eclipse could trigger the process. However, if the poison is used as medicine, a courageous disposition will be necessary if one is to seize the opportunities offered at this time. This could be further thought of as having the strength of mind and spirit to face adversity with bravery while remaining true to one’s convictions.
This Full Moon will also be locked for a brief moment in a Grand Fire Trine with Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Sagittarius. Revolutionary changes are brewing and whether we are able to perceive the sparks or not, the process is underway. Whatever it is, it might not become obvious until August’s Solar Eclipse in Leo but a story is being weaved and this is the starting point.
Take Note
This first eclipse falls at 22º of Leo. If you have important planets or if your Ascendant is between 17º and 27º of a Fixed sign (Leo-Scorpio-Aquarius-Taurus) this Full Moon/eclipse will be felt more directly, especially if they are in Leo or Aquarius. The fundamental changes being birthed at this time are linked to the next eclipse on the 22nd of August and more extensively to the ones in 2018. Be prepared to let go and be willing to receive the unexpected blessings, difficulties and fundamental changes in the coming months.
“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. In this state of god-like awareness one sings; in this realm the world exists as poem.”
Henry Miller
References
1. Myths & Symbols of Vedic Astrology by Bepin Behari.
2. Avebury Cosmos: The Neolithic World of Avebury henge, Silbury Hill, West Kennet long barrow, the Sanctuary & the Longstones Cove by Nicholas Mann.
3. Star Gods of the Maya: Astronomy in Art, Folklore, and Calendars by Susan Milbrath.
9th House 