Lunar Eclipse in Libra & Eclipse season themes

From an Astrological perspective March has been a big preparation month for the Eclipse season now underway with today’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Libra. Visible from the Americas, Japan, western Europe and western parts of Africa at moonset and Australia and Eastern Asia at moonrise, this Lunar eclipse will be followed by a new Moon Solar eclipse on April 8th During a penumbral eclipse the Moon only appears darkened, a subtle effect that may be easy to miss! But from an astrological perspective all eclipses, Lunar and Solar have a greater impact than the regular Full Moons and New Moons we have every month. On an individual level Eclipses can indicate pivotal life developments if they hit planets and points in your birth chart.

Pivotal energy is what March has already brought about with the seasonal shift of Equinox happening almost a week ago. Equinoxes mark the day between the Summer and Winter Solstices when the pendulum begins to swing from the the Yin energy of Winter to the Yang energy of Summer (or vice versa for us in the Southern hemisphere) cyclical portals in time which invite us to rebalance physically, mentally and emotionally. There is also an opportunity to experience where we are out of balance in our relationship with ourselves, each other, and the Earth.

The theme of balance is emphasized further today with the imminent Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Libra (March 24th/25th depending on where you are). Libra is symbolized by the scales of equilibrium. As an Air element sign it connects through the mind and communication but being a Cardinal sign and ruled by Venus Libra can- when operating at a higher octave level of consciousness- excel in negotiation and lead the way for equality based harmonious relationships.
 
However this particular Lunar Eclipse may invite us to look at the shadow side of compromise in relationships! This is due to the karmic South node of the Moon in Libra lined up with the Moon ( Eclipses occur when New and Full Moons are aligned with the Moon’s Nodal axis).

And every Full Moon when the Sun and Moon oppose each other, a relationship between polar opposite signs gets illuminated, in this case Aries/ Libra. Aries being the first sign and beginning point of the Zodiac cycle is essentially the journey of the Self. So this is where imbalances in our ways of relating may arise at this time, with the North Node of destiny in Aries asking each of us to be honest or true to our own needs even if being“selfish” or risking the displeasure or disapproval of others is required!

Plus Eris, Mars’ warrior sister in mythology, is aligned with Mercury at this Full Moon- supporting us to give ourselves permission to voice our needs. Eris isn’t afraid of the to-ing and fro-ing of opposite views and when consciously integrated, she reminds us to rise above the battle to include all perspectives and value all who are part of the debate
As Venus is the ruler of the Lunar Eclipse AND the South Node let’s pause to evaluate what true partnership, mutual give and take, inclusivity or collaboration means. If you’re not considering yourself as an equal worthy of love in the process of giving to another maybe you’re settling for something out of dependency rather than mutual love and respect. Waiting for external validation is a disempowering tango if you can’t give love and honors to yourself first.
With the ruler of the Sun- Mars- just moved into Pisces and the North Node in an ongoing conjunction with Chiron wounds around how to assert ourselves or be in our power are close to the surface on a collective level.
Venus in Pisces calls us to embrace compassionate viewpoints- to put ourselves in others shoes. And on March 28th Venus will sextile Uranus in Taurus- a supportive aspect for relationship shifts and breakthroughs.
There’s more to this Aries/ Libra relationship axis story over this Eclipse season  and the coming months which I will cover in my next post. For now think about what can be released at this Lunar Eclipse around these themes- it’s a potent time to do this! You may want to consider the following:
 
Relationship of the self versus another- how are you honoring your own needs? Do you default to putting others first?
Are you keeping things harmonious on the surface while feeling anything but underneath?
What baggage from the past may you be carrying that is affecting your current relationship/s?
What does love mean to you? Explore this by writing it down and weigh up if this is something that helps or hinders your connections with others