Lunar Eclipse Astro-Tarot; Overcoming Resistance with Consciousness
The full moon on January 10th forms a lunar eclipse with the moon, earth and sun aligned so that the earth's shadow covers the moon. A lunar eclipse carries all the energy of a full moon, with the added intensity triggered by that closer alignment. Events may come to a head, something from the shadow may come to light (or perhaps be pushed further into the darkness), polarities and oppositions are highlighted. We're already seeing so much of that happening, it worries me what the eclipse itself will trigger, especially only a couple of days before Saturn meets Pluto. World War three would not be a surprise and this leaden energy makes it hard to be optimistic. The Moon and Sun are also both making tense aspects with Mars in Saggitarius at the time of the eclipse, adding a willingness to take risks to protect ourselves. These actions may be hasty or not thought through, based on ideals rather than reality. We're already seeing these actions and effects on the world stage, not just military action but also the terrible fires raging across Australia - Mars in Sagittarius is hard to contain.
The lunar eclipse in Cancer highlights issues around belonging and tribe, the "us and them" thinking which brings so much conflict as well as reassurance. We all have an urge, even a need, to know who we are and who our people are. This affects how we relate to others, who we include and who we exclude, who is "like us" and who is "different". Ideally, the watery energy of Cancer reminds us that we are all one, there is no "them and us" as we are all human, all beings living on the same planet. But our need to feel safe and secure can put us on the defensive so that we fear what we don't understand or shut out what is outside our comfort zone. The strong Capricorn energy around at the moment makes building walls especially easy and this lunar eclipse may highlight where we are blocking ourselves in.
The Sun in Capricorn is closely conjunct Mercury at the time of the eclipse, giving the trickster planet a big influence on this eclipse energy. Communication is likely to feel intense and might be more emotionally driven than we realise. We may find ourself speaking from insecurity or fear, keeping news or information to ourselves rather than allowing it to flow. The ways that our ideas and opinions are manipulated, the ways that words are carefully chosen to evoke an emotional response, these are likely to be coming to light or perhaps being buried still further. Holding to the truth and to what is tangible is especially important right now. The Cancer Capricorn dynamic is one of emotions versus practicalities and can mean that we think we are being logical or sensible when actually our actions are driven by deep emotional responses. These instinctive responses often have their roots in early childhood and may be even less conscious than usual around this time. Mercury close to the Sun helps us to find "logical" justifications for our actions but we may be choosing our "facts" carefully. Capricorn tends towards the conventional and our thinking around this time is likely to be more concerned with fitting in and feeling secure than with genuine questioning or criticism. There's a tendency towards thinking inside the box, staying safe and protecting ourselves - but at whose expense? The Moon in Cancer (a double whammy of lunar energy as Cancer is the Moon's home sign) asks us to consider everyone's needs, not just our own. Cancer embraces, but Capricorn imposes barriers and the dynamic between the two is likely to be felt more intensely than usual. We have a chance for empathy and genuine connection but the fear and insecurity often experienced under strong Capricorn energy may get in the way.
So what wisdom does the tarot have around all this? To me, this reading has a clear contrast, between the optimism and hope of the first two cards and the darker energies of the last one. Both of these are possibilities right now - we are surrounded by intense planetary configurations which hold the potential for genuine, authentic transformation to a new way of being, collectively as well as individually. But the final card shows the potential consequences of holding on to stagnant energy and refusing to change. The sequence as a whole might also show that we have good intentions and positive feelings but that the actions we are taking based on those feelings are misguided or confused.
Moon in Cancer - How are our emotions guiding our actions and reactions? - Dancer Three
The Three of Cups shows a desire to be in our happy place, even a comfort zone. This is a card of finding "our" people, the ones who support us and who we support in return. Under the Moon in Cancer, we instinctively seek out these connections. This card suggests that we can align our energy with others in positive ways to create change inspired by love and empathy. Or our need to fit in and find "our people" can lead to us allowing fear of the "other" to guide our actions in more divisive ways.
Sun conjunct Mercury in Capricorn - How can clear boundaries help us instead of holding us back? - Dancer Ten
This card shows the positive side of having clear and flexible inner boundaries - they allow us to make genuine connections with others, based on authenticity rather than projections or assumptions. The image here is one of a strong community. The mountains of Capricorn are in the background of the card and the embracing energy of Cancer in the foreground, strengthened by those inner boundaries.
Tense aspects with Mars - What or who are we seeking to protect? - Dreamer Ten
More usually known as the Ten of Swords, this card suggests that we are protecting something which has outlived its usefulness, something which has had its time and needs to move on. I can think of a few things - patriarchy, growth capitalism, dualistic thinking, I bet you can think of a few more! There is resistance here, resistance to change and the need to transform thought patterns and consequently society as a whole. Sooner or later the tension will break and it needs to be done consciously if we are to avoid conflict.
Phew. It's all a bit intense right now, with Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn following a couple of days after this eclipse. There's another blog post in the works with more detail on that one so watch this space!
The Sun in Capricorn is closely conjunct Mercury at the time of the eclipse, giving the trickster planet a big influence on this eclipse energy. Communication is likely to feel intense and might be more emotionally driven than we realise. We may find ourself speaking from insecurity or fear, keeping news or information to ourselves rather than allowing it to flow. The ways that our ideas and opinions are manipulated, the ways that words are carefully chosen to evoke an emotional response, these are likely to be coming to light or perhaps being buried still further. Holding to the truth and to what is tangible is especially important right now. The Cancer Capricorn dynamic is one of emotions versus practicalities and can mean that we think we are being logical or sensible when actually our actions are driven by deep emotional responses. These instinctive responses often have their roots in early childhood and may be even less conscious than usual around this time. Mercury close to the Sun helps us to find "logical" justifications for our actions but we may be choosing our "facts" carefully. Capricorn tends towards the conventional and our thinking around this time is likely to be more concerned with fitting in and feeling secure than with genuine questioning or criticism. There's a tendency towards thinking inside the box, staying safe and protecting ourselves - but at whose expense? The Moon in Cancer (a double whammy of lunar energy as Cancer is the Moon's home sign) asks us to consider everyone's needs, not just our own. Cancer embraces, but Capricorn imposes barriers and the dynamic between the two is likely to be felt more intensely than usual. We have a chance for empathy and genuine connection but the fear and insecurity often experienced under strong Capricorn energy may get in the way.
Moon in Cancer - How are our emotions guiding our actions and reactions? - Dancer Three
The Three of Cups shows a desire to be in our happy place, even a comfort zone. This is a card of finding "our" people, the ones who support us and who we support in return. Under the Moon in Cancer, we instinctively seek out these connections. This card suggests that we can align our energy with others in positive ways to create change inspired by love and empathy. Or our need to fit in and find "our people" can lead to us allowing fear of the "other" to guide our actions in more divisive ways.
Sun conjunct Mercury in Capricorn - How can clear boundaries help us instead of holding us back? - Dancer Ten
This card shows the positive side of having clear and flexible inner boundaries - they allow us to make genuine connections with others, based on authenticity rather than projections or assumptions. The image here is one of a strong community. The mountains of Capricorn are in the background of the card and the embracing energy of Cancer in the foreground, strengthened by those inner boundaries.
Tense aspects with Mars - What or who are we seeking to protect? - Dreamer Ten
More usually known as the Ten of Swords, this card suggests that we are protecting something which has outlived its usefulness, something which has had its time and needs to move on. I can think of a few things - patriarchy, growth capitalism, dualistic thinking, I bet you can think of a few more! There is resistance here, resistance to change and the need to transform thought patterns and consequently society as a whole. Sooner or later the tension will break and it needs to be done consciously if we are to avoid conflict.
Phew. It's all a bit intense right now, with Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn following a couple of days after this eclipse. There's another blog post in the works with more detail on that one so watch this space!