(hint: probably not!!)
As I wrote last week, the upcoming Full Moon this weekend is not only a SuperMoon (occurring when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and therefore wields a more powerful influence) but also a Blood Moon eclipse (so called because of the red color that infuses the Moon during the eclipse. It is also the final event of a Lunar Tetrad – a group of four total eclipses that occur within a six month period (read this earlier article for all the details).
(Geeky astro detail: a lunar event is said to be an eclipse when the soli/lunar relationship (Sun and Moon) aligns with the lunar nodes. When the alignment to the nodes is very tight the eclipse becomes a total eclipse and is more powerful astrologically. The lunar nodes represent the flow of life from past to future, and eclipses therefore carry with them the ability to create profound change in our fate and our destiny.
This NASA article points out that in the 21st century we have had a fair number of total eclipses, but this has not always been the case.
“During the 21st century, there are 8 sets of tetrads, so I would describe tetrads as a frequent occurrence in the current pattern of lunar eclipses,” says Espenak. “But this has not always been the case. During the three hundred year interval from 1600 to 1900, for instance, there were no tetrads at all.”
The evangelical rumor mill has jumped on the bandwagon, claiming that at the end of this current Tetrad the world will end, or Christ will return, depending on who you read. Some writers have linked their conspiracy theories to the fact that these eclipse tetrads often fall on Jewish holidays; however, since Jewish holidays are tied to Full Moons it’s not surprising that we see this effect.
All of this leads to the Full Moon lunar eclipse in Aries on September 27th. This is another SuperMoon – in fact, it is the closest SuperMoon of the year and therefore most powerful. It is also a powerful eclipse astrologically because the nodes of the Moon are in a tight conjunction to the lunation (within four degrees) and in the same sign. Eclipses occur when a lunation (New Moon or Full Moon) are within 15 degrees of the lunar nodes, but the closer they are, the more powerful the effect.
Because the lunar nodes are connected to fate and destiny, an eclipse which is tightly connected to the lunar nodes will often bring with it an event or an eruption into consciousness of a lesson that will affect us for many years to come. These occurrences aren’t always obvious when they occur – sometimes they take quite a while to manifest.
With an Aries Full Moon eclipse (Aries Moon opposite Libra Sun), the drive for individuality that is the hallmark of the Aries influence is eclipsed by the Libran need for niceness and harmony at all costs. Aries’ ruler Mars is in humble Virgo where it is not permitted to achieve all desires instantly as Mars is meant to do, and it is further hemmed in by the challenging square from Mars to Saturn described above. This Full Moon will require a conscious effort to identify and clarify our needs and desires (Mars/Aries) and develop a plan (Virgo/Saturn) to fulfill them in a way that maintains balance and harmony in our personal relationships and our relationship to the outer world (Libra/Venus).
Thank you as always Ms Lynn, My Sun is in Aries, my ascendant in Libra. This morning I finally decided that I’m developing a form for all my current & future clients will be obligated to sign before I complete any project or service work. I do phenomenal work, seriously ( fix other peoples mistakes). My current client base has just gotten casual about paying me in a timely manner. Know I’m sitting on a veterinarian bill for one of the sanctuary horses. I have just grown tired of doing great work and then chasing people to get paid. Well hopefully I am on the right track. Will lay in the backyard and watch what I can see of the Full Moon lunar eclipse. I observed the whole blood moon a year or so ago, is was great experience. Enjoy your Day!
Thanks Tracy!
Hi Lynn! Fascinating astrological insights, as always! I like to share your articles on Pinterest, and I’m able to do that from my laptop, but I’d also like to be able to share it on Pinterest from my iPad. Would you please set your blog to show the “Pin It” button at the top left corner of an image when we click on it? Thank you so much…much appreciated. :-)
Hi Mo, I will check with my web genius and see if there’s a way to do that.
Thanks Lynn for your wonderful astro info – I have Sun in Aries 1deg, Mars Lib 1 deg and Ascendant Libra and I have been seriously thinking about moving house in the last couple of weeks and now feel it is the right time. I have been in the same house for past 30 years – have Moon in Taurus – I am making plans and sounds like Mars and Jupiter in Virgo will be good for this – much appreciated Lynn
This eclipse will make a tight alignment with your Sun/Mars Kris – that ought to give you a nice kick start. Like all eclipses it could reveal something hidden that needs to be cleared before you can move through it.
The socalled Blood Moon has utterly no significance, except as a result of probable weather conditions at this time of year. We pretty much always have four eclipses in six months, due to the 28 day lunar cycle. In addition to the catalyst effect of the eclipse…and it must hit a planet or angle within three degrees to have an effect…pay attention to ongoing Mercury Rx, Pluto’s station direct, and Saturn’s entry into Sagittarius as well. And where they are making you rethink, evolving you, and making you start to do the right, responsible actions…?
We have eclipses, yes, but not total eclipses. That’s what makes this relatively rare. And Linda, I disagree with your 3 degree orb. I generally use at least 5, and if the eclipse hits a big planetary system in the chart a tight aspect to one planet will trigger the whole system regardless of the eclipse orb to a particular planet.
Hi Lynn. This eclipse and the solar one next March tie in very close to my friend K and my progressed composite chart, which has 3 degrees Aries rising. Her natal moon is at 3 Libra, Sun at 0 Aries, so I’m sure it will affect her even more strongly than me. It will be interesting to see how the next six months evolve for us.
Thanks for the article, and I hope you have clear skies tonight in Charleston. Cheers!