As many of my readers may remember, Solar Eclipses (new Moon) and Lunar Eclipses (Full Moon) always occur in pairs. The order between them changes, but they always occur within two weeks of each other. In this case, we had a Solar Eclipse on November 13th which is about to be followed by a Lunar Eclipse on November 28th, 2012. The key to understanding a Lunar Eclipse is to note that it affects our emotions and subconscious attitudes most of all. What this means is that the emotions are heightened right now, which gives us the chance or opportunity to discover what we are really feeling. The Moon is not about the thinking process except that we may find ourselves ‘thinking ‘ about what we are feeling. I’ve noticed that Lunar Eclipses are the most difficult for people who, at the time, are not aware of how they feel. This is why the symbol of the Moon in astrology is often associated with the subconscious, feelings that are either buried or repressed.
Catharsis – Because this period sometimes brings up submerged feelings, many people find that this upsurge is quite painful. This is what this type of eclipse is known for the most. But, as painful as it might be, we do benefit from its cleansing nature. As the feelings are fully sensed, the crisis of emotion does bring about the potential for a powerful release. That’s what can happen on the other side, once we acknowledge what is actually already present in us. The more we allow ourselves to be truthful about what we are feeling, the better the outcome will be in the long term. Obviously, it’s much easier to say than to do, of course.
The Lunar Eclipse will affect those who have planets or angles at 6° of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Specifically, the Sun will be at 6° Sagittarius and the Moon will oppose it at 6° Gemini. Mutable signs are about communication, sharing information, and adjustment. So, whenever it is possible, it is best to deal with any stresses the eclipse brings up by talking with the person(s) that you are having intense feelings with. It may or may not work out the way you hope, but the best goal is to reach a state of clarity that can’t emerge if we repress what we’re feeling. You won’t feel good if you try to hold back and avoid communicating what is now in the forefront of you mind or heart. Oftentimes, though, it can best to wait a bit until you have processed what is coming up before you wildly express it. It is fine to take whatever time you need so that you can ensure the best possible outcome once you do begin to express yourself.
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury returned to its normal direct motion on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 2:48pm PST. This means that the review process has ended so that you can feel confident that what you’ve been thinking about is now completed. I find that Mercury retrograde periods are very important as they demand that we stop and take note of things we have not looked at for much too long. Most of that work is done now and since this particular cycle is immediately followed by a Lunar Eclipse, it may seem that we are completely going through both a ‘thinking and feeling’ transformation. Well, we are doing just that. It’s a double whammy, but also can be doubly helpful if we dedicate ourselves to seeking the truth that is now emerging. This can mean that we will make a break with others or them with us, if our destinies no longer coincide. That can be painful, but very possibly unavoidable. It also suggests, however, that if a break is to be avoided, a great deal of clear communication would have to occur to either work things out or clarify matters. It will be up to you to decide what is best for you.
U.S. Politics and the Uranus/Pluto Square
I want to stick to my occasional look at how the U.S. is being affected by the very powerful and transformative transit of which we are now in the middle. Specifically, I have to continue to mention the issue of secession. For many years, I have been writing that as much as people might want to dismiss such a possibility, I can’t do it. The chart of this country has a in its birth chart a square between the Sun and Saturn that is utterly activated by this outer planet square. It will test the Will of the people to remain unified as one nation. We have seen for many years now an increased widening of emotional distance between what has been labeled as the red and blue states. This election demonstrated the two extremes more than ever. Now, immediately after the election, the secession movement has gathered steam. Petitions in all 50 states have begun and Texas has over 100,000 signatures demanding that one of the largest states in the U.S. be allowed to secede. No one is taking any of this seriously right now. It seems unimaginable, doesn’t it? I’m sorry to say that I don’t think it is. The transiting square between Uranus and Pluto amps up beginning in May, 2013 and then strongly affects the U.S. chart in early 2014. The question we may all be asking is this: Do we have enough in common to remain together as a nation?
There are many other issues this transit will be bringing forth. The Middle East, a hotbed of rage and anger along with the looming threat of Iran’s development of a nuclear bomb are also potential casualties of the ‘transform at all costs’ energy of this unpredictable transit. The effects of this transit will soon become obvious for everyone to see.
To AP:
No, the transit you are asking about does not have only negative effects. I am referring only to the U.S. chart and that we are already seeing here is a prelude to even greater extremism in the next few years.
So, we should be aware that the combination of the Sun-Saturn square in one’s chart will always be negatively activated during the Uranus-Pluto square periods, right? I wonder, does the planet Earth have a chart, in astrological terms? Can we become aware of the inclinations embedded in the destiny of the planet and humanity as a whole? Earth seems to be a hodgepodge of political, economic, and cultural entities in a continuous flux, at least through known time. What is the end game of all this struggle and carnage that is going on around the world and has been for all known time? It all seems to be vain. The cycle of oblivion repeats itself. Some claim, and there is tangible evidence, that the “leaders” of humanity have been working to institute a “world government” (and it doesn’t matter whether it is in recognized or invisible form), and we are arguing about whether U.S. will come apart or not. In either case, it seems that none of the “states” will be able to leave planet Earth. So, I would hope people would strive to achieve a higher purpose, then merely engage in petty (self-interest driven) skirmishes. It’s about time, no?
Jim, It makes sense to me that you would feel that seceding could be more real than people are willing to concede, about seceding. ( At times like this I love having taken Latin in HS; the root “cede” comes from the Latin word “cedere” for “go” and “con” means “with”, namely “go with” while “se” means “apart” so that “secede” means “go apart” but I digress) However, I think it points more to a different kind of pulling apart, namely, that the holy (the fundamental religious right) and unholy alliances (the tea party to name one) that the Republican or conservative side of politics have had to make to have any semblance of a party cannot hold. This less individual state driven pulling apart is already apparent in the gradually increasing of the disowning by some once powerful Republicans from Grover Norquist (who Frank Bruni in a recent NY Times op ed, has pretty much labeled a total crazy) who insisted they sign that no increases in taxes ever (and to quote Taylor Swift “EVER”) pledge a while back. It is my belief that our country is mainly moderate when all is said and done and that allying with groups that are totally moving toward the fringe does not sit well with most Americans; to me this is why Kucinitch (sp?) does not get more traction because he seems to have good ideas but they strike most people as just too extreme in the other direction (sometimes the extreme right and left can go so far to the edge, that the meet on the other side on some issues-odd)–I see similarities in Kucinitch and Ron Paul. I guess they might both be Libertarians. But I digress, again!; the pulling apart of the coalition that became the Republican party this go round is what is seceding from one another. I think that the moneyed interests that support the idea of there being a Republican party (banking interests, insurance companies, drug companies, the NRA) are not going to continue with the current coalition because it did not work and they are nothing if not Machiavellian pragmatists and will have to come up with something new. The thing is, they have not been able to come up with a credible candidate even with their last coalition that would be acceptable to the majority of the American people who as I have said I believe are moderate. Tough to put up a candidate who supports preserving a small, extremely wealthy upper class, that wants to tout their interest in preserving and expanding their wealth, only, above the majority and that supports business interests to an extreme–even if adverse to the health and welfare of the people of all states in our country. Sure they frame it as being in support of small business and against “big government” but that is just the spin. Take for example, the US being oil independent (pushed by the oil rich Koch brothers who threw load of money at Romney)–that can only happen if we abandon commitments to our environment and go wild drilling for more oil of our own. Similarly cheap “natural” gas prices as the way of the future–“fracking”–being pushed quickly as an energy alternative, when evidence and common sense strongly suggest that forcing chemicals at super pressure into the bedrock can’t be good for the water supply and health of those living nearby. So the possibly disparate groups and individuals who supported the Republicans by being pulled in by the various forms of spin, or being socially conservative, may have had the veil at least partially lifted. Republicans to survive as some kind of party, require a regrouping (or respinning) that will mean, I think, a pulling apart of groups of people in that way. But what will re-coalesce? Hard to know.