If you’re the kind of person who pushes yourself hard, relying on the off-gassing of harsh self-talk to propel you, it’s especially difficult to live in a world that mirrors this pitiless inner landscape. It’s a very human instinct to meet brutality with greater force… What … might happen … if I were to go gently?
Astrologer April Kent, BigSkyAstrology.com
These words from April Kent resonated deeply with me, and speak to the heart of the work of today’s Lunar eclipse in Libra (March 25, 2024 @ 3 am ET 5º07’ Libra).
Today’s lunar eclipse in Libra invites us to examine the patterns we show up with in life and relationships and liberate ourselves from these patterns to create a more conscious way of living.
What to Know About a Lunar Eclipse
Lunar eclipses — especially at the South Node, as this one is — are like full moons on steroids.
A full moon happens when the sun is directly opposite the moon. Full moons bring the brightest light into the night sky, illuminating shadows and what has previously been unseen.
At it’s full point, the moon is at the culmination of its cycle — the peak moment before the light it reflects begins to slowly diminish.
It represents a swelling. At a full moon, high tides are higher; rain storms that arrive at full moons are more likely to produce flooding. Emotions are heightened.
Because the moon is at its peak, a full moon is also a point of release. Nothing stays at the peak forever. The culmination point begins a period of releasing and shedding what no longer serves, until the moon is invisible. In a lunar eclipse, the earth’s shadow obstructs the light of the sun reflecting on the moon, blotting out the light for a period of time.
Because of this temporary darkening of the sky, the ancients considered eclipses to be ominous signs. Eclipses create instability in the fundamental energy source of our universe: the light we live by.
A lunar eclipse — which always happens at a full moon — is like the power outage that often accompanies a big storm.
In the dark, we must slow down to acclimate to the dimmed lighting. When the lights are out, we are forced to confront the shadows in our nature and in our experience.
Eclipses happen at new or full moons when the sun or moon is close enough to one of the lunar nodes, which are points on the moon’s orbit. The North Node (currently in Aries) is considered a point of increase, symbolizing our hunger and desire for more. The South Node is a point of release, pointing us to where we are being called to let go.
So a lunar eclipse at the South Node is like a super-charged full moon: it might bring up heightened emotions or extra deep shadows for us to release.
Eclipses tend to mark major beginnings and endings, and often bring surprise shifts in direction.
Lunar Eclipse in Libra at the South Node
The tone of any lunation or eclipse is set by the sign where it occurs and the condition of the planet that rules that sign.
This lunar eclipse happens in the sign of Libra, which is where the South Node is.
Libra is the sign of harmony, balance, justice, and relationships. It is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, relationships, and harmony.
Venus is currently in Pisces, a sign where it is exalted — it has access to its resources. In addition, Venus just completed a sextile to Jupiter, a supportive aspect between the two benefics, which lends some support during this shadow-y time.
What Are Your Patterns in Relationships?
This Lunar eclipse in Libra is an invitation for us to gain a deeper understanding of our patterns in relationships, including our relationships with ourselves.
It’s an opportunity for us to liberate ourselves from cycles of repetition and suffering that often result from living within patterns that no longer serve us.
Perhaps, like me, you can relate to the pattern of being harsh on yourself, pushing yourself too hard, only to wind up disappointed with yourself.
The relationships we have with others mirror the relationship we have with ourselves.
If you’re constantly pushing against yourself, it’s likely you push back against others too.
If you have no patience for your own mistakes and missteps, how likely are you to have patience for others?
Identifying the pattern is the first step; digging into what lies beneath the pattern is the deeper work that the eclipse invites us to do. What fears and emotions have we pushed into shadow that propel these patterns?
Seeking Harmony Through Boundaries
Full moons bring our awareness to the polarity with the opposite sign and ask us to mediate the tension.
Sitting opposite the moon in Libra is the sun in Aries, a sign that’s about assertiveness and independence.
Libra is a sign that wants harmony and peace. It’s common for this desire to devolve into people-pleasing, which is the disempowered archetype of Libra.
This eclipse reminds us that we can have gentleness and assertiveness.
We can stand up for ourselves and create boundaries while also pursuing peace and harmony.
In fact, it’s often through the establishing of boundaries that we find true harmony and peace.
Prompts for the Libra Eclipse
The energy of this Libra eclipse will last while the moon is in Libra — for approximately 3 days. During this time, it’s best to lay low and devote some time to contemplation.
Here are some journal prompts:
- What patterns do you notice coming up repeatedly in your relationships?
- What emotions, fears, or identities are in shadow that might be propelling these patterns?
- What relationships are you ready to release because they drain your energy and keep your light dimmed?
- What identities, patterns, or habits of self-talk and showing up are you ready to release?
Receive Support
Supporting women through these cycles of life is part of my mission and calling. If you want to receive support through this eclipse season, get in touch to schedule a discovery call!
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