Prelude to the Eclipse

The upcoming lunar eclipse in 25 degrees of Libra on April 15^th has earned the moniker of “Blood Moon” because it ushers in a Lunar Tetrad.  A tetrad is four successive total lunar eclipses, with no partial lunar eclipses in between, each of which is separated from the other by six lunar months (six full moons). The dates of these blood moon eclipses are April 15, 2014, October 8, 2014, April 4, 2015 and September 28, 2015.

In Biblical times it was referred to as the end of the world in Joel 2:31in the Common English Bible with this prediction: “The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.”

Is the world coming to an end?  NO WAY!   I don’t buy into that.  It may be the end of an outworn way of life and the old order of business, but in my book that is a good thing.  We are just experiencing some severe growing pains.  We survived the last lunar tetrad in 1967-68 and lived to tell the tale of changing times.   In June 1967 Israel fought the Six Day War and regained control of Jerusalem for the first time in nearly 2000 years.  We all know that the 1960’s was a time of immense change and many astrologers are comparing today to the 1960’s.  What is the thread that links the current time to the 1960’s?  Well, back in the 1960’s, Uranus and Pluto were conjunct in Virgo.  And now we are dealing with the Uranus in Aries/Pluto in Capricorn square.  When Uranus and Pluto tangle, there is upheaval.  Period.  You cannot avoid it, so don’t even try.  At one point this week, I tweeted that the only way out is through. The Uranus Pluto square also triggers the Grand Cardinal Cross later this month, so change is inevitable.  Personally, I think the biggest challenge with this energy is the ego resistance.  We have to release our expectations of how things should turn out and ride the wave of change, no matter how uncomfortable that may feel.  That is no mean feat!

How has this energy been playing out so far?  Well, on April 8, 2014, the Sun in Aries opposed  retrograde Mars in Libra.  On the following day, April 9^th, news broke  of the high school student who went on a stabbing spree with kitchen knives in Murrysville, Pennsylvania that injured 22 people.  The chart for the time of the stabbings revealed that the Sun, Uranus, Mercury, Juno, the ascendant and the south node were all in Aries. The Sun and Juno were opposing Mars.  It is a sad commentary that we are almost used to hearing about shootings in April, but this is the first stabbing.  Stabbings are much more personal than shootings. 

I have also heard about lot of people having health problems: women having miscarriages and other gynecological health issues in addition to car accidents.  April is one dangerous month and it’s not even half over. People are seriously stressed out these days.  Astrologer Jeff Jawer tweeted that “The Sun opposite Mars has brought out the knives, yet cutting through the limits of ourselves is healthier than attacking others.”  Sage advice.  A far more productive use of this energy is to focus on our own personal goals without harming others.  I can personally attest to the veracity of that statement.  The eclipse on April 15^th will be conjuncting my Neptune and I truly feel that the only way I have maintained a modicum of sanity in recent weeks has been through my Reiki work at the clinic, and doing my astrology and tarot readings.  It has been my saving grace.  I certainly have my issues and wounds to deal with now as transiting Chiron in Pisces squares my moon in Gemini, but by focusing on giving others the tools to heal, I am being healed as well.  Transiting Jupiter in Cancer is our secret weapon in this cardinal energy configuration.  Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and supplies the faith we need to get through this challenging period.

Pluto will turn retrograde in 13 degrees of Capricorn on April 14^th and will remain retrograde until September 23, 2014.  Pluto retrograde forces us to reexamine shaky structures and relinquish power.  It is all about regenerative activity and is an optimal time to reflect on change and transformation.  The key to handling this transit is to be flexible. 

As for the buildup to the eclipse, retrograde Mars in Libra will be its closest to the earth on April 14^th, the same day that Pluto goes retrograde.   I am never comfortable when both Mars and Pluto are retrograde, as I think it increases the likelihood of violence.  The lunar eclipse in 25 degrees of Libra will also conjunct the north node, so we can expect changes in the direction of relationships.

But we have yet another secret weapon to support us through this lunar eclipse.  Venus and Neptune are conjunct in Pisces on April 11^th at 10:23 p.m.  The themes of this aspect are forgiveness, compassion in relationships and heart healing.  How sweet is that energy!  Rely on it to keep you strong through the weekend and the eclipse.