Lunar Eclipse Astro-Tarot; Power and Compassion
The full moon in Capricorn brings a lunar eclipse, supercharging the energy of the Capricorn Cancer dynamic. A lunar eclipse can be a peak point and a release of energy, a time to accept what has come to an end and what needs to be released. we may be harvesting the seeds planted during the eclipse cycle six months ago or releasing emotional baggage from around that time. The eclipse chart also has Saturn conjunct the South Node in Capricorn, emphasising a need to purge the past and let go of structures which are perpetuated by "that's just the way it is" or "that's how it's always been". We are releasing stagnant energy, reinforced by a wide (for an eclipse chart) conjunction between the Moon and Pluto in Capricorn. It might feel karmic, this eclipse, especially if you have planets in the cardinal signs. We may not be letting go of what we want to get rid of, but what we need to get rid of, which can be very different things.
Saturn conjunct the South node is also giving me a strong image of all those old white men who think they rule the world, resisting the knowledge that change is coming and digging their heels in ever more deeply. All part of the Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn process. Maybe what needs to be released is the idea that power = power over somebody or something else. So often this kind of power is based on fear and insecurity, on imposed rules and rigid hierarchies. If each of us could connect with our inner power, our ability to find what we need within, perhaps we wouldn't need to impose our will on others to make ourselves feel real.
The eclipse cycle across Capricorn and Cancer has been raising these issues around security for a while now. Does our security come from material possessions, money and social status or from the bonds we share with our loved ones? Do we rely on people or things? And what can we do to balance the need to rely on externals to keep us safe (because we all need physical shelter and food) and our emotional resilience, our ability to find what we need within ourselves? The Capricorn Cancer dynamic reminds us that we need boundaries but also that those boundaries need to be flexible. This eclipse cycle asks us to face up to reality, emotional as well as material, personal and also collective. Cancer is the sign of nourishment and I can't help feeling that consumer society is a kind of collective emotional eating, with so many people relying on material "stuff" rather than genuine emotional connection to feed our soul hunger.
Luckily, the eclipse chart also has Venus conjunct the North Node in Cancer to show us the way through. Genuine compassion and empathy can help us to move beyond our assumptions, our tendency to accept consensus reality simply because it's safe and familiar. Venus is opposite Saturn, softening the boundaries and gently questioning the structures of the hierarchy.
So what does the tarot have to say about all this?
Moon in Capricorn (top left) - What emotional structures can we release? - Two of Wands
Ooh, here's that extrovert = good bias again - the Two of Wands is generally seen as a positive card, of taking decisive action and moving forward. But here we are asked to release these ways of being, to be less fiery, less proactive, less driven. Being busy seems to be a badge of honour these days, a way of making ourselves feel important and indispensable. It's almost expected that we are always on the go, rushing around, afraid of missing out. This card asks us to let go of the constant movement and action and to balance it out with a different way of being.
Sun in Cancer (top right) - How can we nourish our true being? - Page of Cups
In contrast, the Page of Cups shows a more introverted, reflective energy. We nourish our true beings by exploring our emotions, by giving ourselves space to feel without the need to do. This card reminds me of the energies of Mercury retrograde as it moves into Cancer (of which more later this week). The Page of Cups is the messages bubbling up from our unconscious, from our dreams and intuition. We nourish our true beings by slowing down, by engaging our imagination and letting it fly.
Saturn conjunct South Node (bottom left) - What are we releasing from the past? - the Sun
Once again what needs to be released is fiery, active and traditionally positive. I think this card is asking us to move beyond our human egos, our assumption that we are central to life on earth. We need to stop acting as if the earth is ours to rule, as if other people are ours to rule. Taking pride is good until it becomes hubris. Perhaps we've become the victims of our own success, constantly having to come up with new ways to convince ourselves we are in the right.
Venus conjunct North Node (bottom right) - How can we embody compassion? - Queen of Stones
I love this card (usually the Queen of Pentacles), it's one of my favourites in the whole deck. We embody compassion by protecting and nurturing our emotional bonds, by caring for and supporting those we love. Which in this case can mean all beings, no need to divide between "our people" and everyone else.
I love the symmetries in these cards, the patterns they make. The top two cards are cooler colours, the bottom two warmer shades. The two Capricorn cards in the left-hand column ask us to release our extrovert, action-focused ways of being. The two Cancer cards in the right-hand column ask us to embrace more receptive, responsive ways of being.
Saturn conjunct the South node is also giving me a strong image of all those old white men who think they rule the world, resisting the knowledge that change is coming and digging their heels in ever more deeply. All part of the Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn process. Maybe what needs to be released is the idea that power = power over somebody or something else. So often this kind of power is based on fear and insecurity, on imposed rules and rigid hierarchies. If each of us could connect with our inner power, our ability to find what we need within, perhaps we wouldn't need to impose our will on others to make ourselves feel real.
Luckily, the eclipse chart also has Venus conjunct the North Node in Cancer to show us the way through. Genuine compassion and empathy can help us to move beyond our assumptions, our tendency to accept consensus reality simply because it's safe and familiar. Venus is opposite Saturn, softening the boundaries and gently questioning the structures of the hierarchy.
Moon in Capricorn (top left) - What emotional structures can we release? - Two of Wands
Ooh, here's that extrovert = good bias again - the Two of Wands is generally seen as a positive card, of taking decisive action and moving forward. But here we are asked to release these ways of being, to be less fiery, less proactive, less driven. Being busy seems to be a badge of honour these days, a way of making ourselves feel important and indispensable. It's almost expected that we are always on the go, rushing around, afraid of missing out. This card asks us to let go of the constant movement and action and to balance it out with a different way of being.
Sun in Cancer (top right) - How can we nourish our true being? - Page of Cups
In contrast, the Page of Cups shows a more introverted, reflective energy. We nourish our true beings by exploring our emotions, by giving ourselves space to feel without the need to do. This card reminds me of the energies of Mercury retrograde as it moves into Cancer (of which more later this week). The Page of Cups is the messages bubbling up from our unconscious, from our dreams and intuition. We nourish our true beings by slowing down, by engaging our imagination and letting it fly.
Saturn conjunct South Node (bottom left) - What are we releasing from the past? - the Sun
Once again what needs to be released is fiery, active and traditionally positive. I think this card is asking us to move beyond our human egos, our assumption that we are central to life on earth. We need to stop acting as if the earth is ours to rule, as if other people are ours to rule. Taking pride is good until it becomes hubris. Perhaps we've become the victims of our own success, constantly having to come up with new ways to convince ourselves we are in the right.
Venus conjunct North Node (bottom right) - How can we embody compassion? - Queen of Stones
I love this card (usually the Queen of Pentacles), it's one of my favourites in the whole deck. We embody compassion by protecting and nurturing our emotional bonds, by caring for and supporting those we love. Which in this case can mean all beings, no need to divide between "our people" and everyone else.
I love the symmetries in these cards, the patterns they make. The top two cards are cooler colours, the bottom two warmer shades. The two Capricorn cards in the left-hand column ask us to release our extrovert, action-focused ways of being. The two Cancer cards in the right-hand column ask us to embrace more receptive, responsive ways of being.