New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra
This New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Libra arrives on October 14th at 11:55 AM Mountain Daylight Time, sitting only three degrees from the south node, making this a nearly exact eclipse. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is at or near its furthest point from Earth, so it appears smaller in the sky to us, causing a shadow on the Sun that is smaller in circumference. This results in a ring of light around the dark moon as it passes in front of the Sun. This phenomenon will be visible in the Americas, including the western United States - I’m sure you may have heard it is ill-advised to watch an eclipse, as traditionally they were believed to be ominous. I personally don’t find it helpful to bring fear in, and I think you should do whatever sparks joy for you. Back when astrology was first being developed, eclipses were not fully understood. Now that we understand, I think there is no reason to fear. I mean, look what we’ve already gotten through! We’re in it, baby!
South Node conjunct Moon conjunct Sun in Libra
Libra is about relationship, about compromise, about understanding that it’s not all about you. That life is made up of a web of connections, the whole of which is humanity. Dane Rudhyar says of Libra, “Here one contributes a stone or a pillar, a rose-window or fresco to the Cathedral of Humanity… Here every leaf and branch of the plant of Humanity finds itself integrated in the seed of universal Humanity.” Libra can get caught up in images, in people pleasing, for fear of being rejected, or not needed, of having no value. Libra wants to see and understand, and to be seen and understood by the other - the friend, the lover, the coworker, the roommate…
As the south node of the Moon transits through the sign of Libra for the next year and a half, and we consequently experience eclipses in this zodiacal sign, we are being invited to release worn out, harmful ways of relating. This could manifest, if it didn’t already during the Venus Retrograde, as romantic endings, divorce, friend break-ups, job terminations or resignations… we, or those we are in relationship with, may come to realize that enough is enough - we may come to a point where we decide that remaining silent in toxic ties is more painful than confronting them. In some cases, we may be able to reset, to establish new boundaries and create ground rules for communication and cohabitation. The nodes of the Moon are still in a too-close-for-comfort square to Pluto, who has been assisting in fulfilling necessary dissociations, by whatever means necessary.
I believe these Libra south node themes are showing up in the news and in social media right now, with the ways in which people are responding to the current situation between Israel and Palestine. Some are taking sides, because it seems like the right thing to do. Many are blind to the injustices of war because our leaders have told us again and again for centuries that there is a “good” and an “evil” - we stand with the perceived “good side” instead of recognizing that the real evil is in the assault against innocent bystanders, and for what? We should stand not with the corrupt structures that incited and created the violence, but with those “pawns” who suffered and lost as a result. THIS is humanity. In recognizing that we are not a country or a political party or a religion. We are humans. Trying to survive in a crazy f*ckin world that’s falling apart in front of our eyes.
Venus as Ruler of Eclipse Season
Venus is the star of this whole eclipse season, as she is the ruler of Libra, and also of Taurus, where we will have our lunar eclipse in two weeks. Her retrograde through Leo took center stage this summer, which commenced our journey in digging deep into our energetic hearts to find who and what we truly want to express, to eliminate what was keeping us from embodying that, or to begin to intellectualize what it will take to get there. We remembered our authentic individuality, and from here we are now prepared to step into equitable relationships - the evolved expression of Libra.
Venus recently entered Virgo (after being in Leo since June!) which is not a comfy place for Venus. Virgo is exacting, critical, meticulous - Virgo isn’t necessarily sexy, but Venus in this sign offers devotion to the finer details which will set us up for more ease, abundance, and pleasure in the long haul. Be very mindful in the way this energy comes through. Notice when you get triggered, or when you are motivated to correct someone, especially at work or at home, and see how you can focus your energies on being of service and/or effectively and kindly communicating your needs. Mercury is in Libra (in mutual reception* to Venus) giving us the pause to convey our thoughts and ideas in a way that is curious, kind, and fair. Try to show compassion to others, we’re all doing our best (I know, some people’s best is really… rough). We don’t always know the right thing to say, or the right way to act… Be gentle with yourself, too! Let go of perfectionism, let yourself be wrong, and apologize only where it is due.
My prayer for the transit of the south node in Libra is that we will see justice for women, for our queer family, for trans, gay, lesbian, two-spirit… justice for all the mamas, and the women that don’t want to be mamas, and the ones who can’t be mamas… justice for Earth. I pray that we release the toxic work paradigm, that we abolish the 40 hour work week. I pray that we recognize the ways in which corporations extract value out of us until we have nothing left to give or feel, and make us believe that we are lucky to be a participant. The way we are expected to work in America is Unjust. The amount of money entry level workers are paid in comparison to executives is Unjust. I pray for justice as the south node of the Moon moves through Libra. I pray for a world where no one has to fight for justice. Because it inherently is.
Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus
I believe that Jupiter’s and Uranus’ transits through Taurus are helping us on this journey of Justice, in relation to our resources, how we make money, where and how we assert value. Jupiter is helping us to expand here, to give us faith that we are abundant, that we can rely on ourselves, and each other, and that we bring immense value to the table. Jupiter is helping to show us the way towards the resources we need to make our dreams manifest. Uranus is helping us to collectively shake things up, to strike and dismantle the systems that are not life-affirming, the systems that continue to poison our water and the Earth for bigger profits, the systems that keep us sick and addicted to “health care,” the systems that keep housing costs and homelessness skyrocketing - so that we may build systems that are sustainable and regenerative. I said it before and I’ll say it again - something big is coming our way in April when Jupiter and Uranus make their once in a lifetime conjunction in Taurus.
Pluto’s station Direct and Mars’ ingress into Scorpio
On Sunday, while Mars was finishing up his transit through Libra, he squared stationing* Pluto in Capricorn, which may have increased the pressure on any issues you may have been delaying confronting. Now that Mars is in Scorpio, Pluto is direct, and the square to Pluto is releasing, we can more easily release the need to “play nice” and get sh*t taken care of.
The nut of the nutshell
During this eclipse, you may experience pain and discomfort in the area of your chart that contains Libra. Eclipse seasons can be tumultuous, but they can also be the most magickal times of the year, if you allow - these are the periods of time where we step back and let everything work itself out (which does not negate your responsibility in such matters, or imply no intentional action is required). It’s an opportunity to release the illusion of control, and restore our trust that the Universe is conspiring in our favor. Serendipitous connections will be made, kismet encounters will be had, as a result of Divinely inspired action. There is so much auspicious energy on your side - let Venus in Virgo and Mars in Scorpio help to give you the focus and stamina you need to take on the most daunting of endeavors. Let Jupiter infuse you with the faith and resources you need to attain the stability you crave.
Keep your head up, your heart open, and be open to detours. Let Spirit guide the way this eclipse season!
Take the time to check out Venus in the morning sky shining bright before the Sun rises. Behold the Goddess, ruler of this Auspicious Eclipse Season. Listen and see what messages She has for you!
Sending ya’ll SO much love! Stay kind, stay curious, and stay weird!
*mutual reception - when two planets are in each other’s ruling signs. Venus is in Virgo, ruled by Mercury, and Mercury is in Libra, ruled by Venus.
*stationing - a “station” refers to the moment, time, degree in which a planet is changing direction - either retrograde or direct. The moment a planet stations retrograde or direct, especially in terms of outer planets (like Pluto), is typically the most dramatic moment in the retrograde cycle.
