Planetary news this week: Mercury retrograde and the time between eclipses
Astrological update for the week of March 25 - April 1
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Lunar eclipse March 25. The Libra full moon on Monday was eclipsed by the Aries Sun at 3 am Eastern, but the energies of the eclipse will linger for a couple of days until the Moon leaves Libra for Scorpio early Wednesday morning. The shadow cast by the Aries Sun over the Moon forces the Libra need for compromise and collaboration to submit to the instinctive need of self preservation as represented by Aries.
Fortunately the Sun and Moon are well aspected by Pluto to help us to power through challenges and come out on the other side, intentions intact. The Moon in this eclipse is near the south node of the past, and the Aries Sun and North Node dominate the astrological landscape. This eclipse is pushing us forward into the future, not dwelling in the past, but the Moon at the south node could bring up our old subconscious patterns.
Preparation for the April 8 solar eclipse. In this eclipse, the first of a pair of Aries season eclipses, the eclipsed Moon conjoins the south node of the past. Something has been released - perhaps a revelation has occurred. The total solar eclipse at the New Moon on April 8th will reveal the lunar instincts of pure need and desire (Aries Moon), potentially obscuring the conscious intentions of the Aries Sun. That eclipse, at the lunar north node, shoots us like a rubber band towards our fate. The release of the south node eclipse helps set the stage for this.
Both of these eclipses fall along the Aries/Libra nodal axis; the polarity that expresses our ability to balance the Self (Aries) with the Other (Libra). How grounded are we in our own beings and how much do we give of ourselves to be accommodating? Alternatively, do we put our needs first rather than compromise for the sale of equality? Where Monday’s eclipse amplifies the Libra Moon and its need for equanimity and collaboration, the second of this eclipse pair will fully embody the principles of Aries. Ruled by Mars, Aries cares less for compromise than for winning at all costs.
Eclipses often serve to unmask an unpleasant truth, and this eclipse may blow up a dream or hope that we have held dear if it does not serve the highest good of all concerned.
As we navigate Monday’s eclipse we may want to keep this thought in mind. How can we maintain our equilibrium (Libra) while speaking up for ourselves (Aries)? How can we enjoy the thrill and fire of adventure (Aries) when we are sensitive to the needs of others? These are issues that often come up at the Libra Full Moon, but when an eclipse is involved the drama may become more intense. This is especially true because the ruler of the Aries Sun, Mars, is in the watery sign of Pisces where our resolve can become weak and flabby. When Mars is in Pisces we may start out with clarity of intention, but run out of steam if we hit a road block.
Mercury turns retrograde April 1. Mercury and the Sun, both in Aries, are the only two planets in fire signs in a watery sea of Pisces planets. Where watery planets encourage feeling and going with the flow of life, Aries is perfectly willing to push the river. Sometimes the natural flow must be dammed up in order to bend it to the desires of man, reasons Aries.
Mercury in Aries encourages us to have confidence in our needs and desires and make things happen, so we can easily see that Mercury is not so happy when retrograde in Aries. The retrograde cycle of Mercury is a natural pulling back and reevaluation before resuming normal activity, and this may feel somewhat frustrating. Understanding the natural ebb and flow of the Mercury cycle can help to limit frustration and make it easier to use this time for reflection, renovation, repair of things that are broken.
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