Easter Moon, Blood Moon, Pink Moon
April, the angel of the months. –Vita Sackville-West
The Sun is in independent Aries, the first sign of the zodiac and like the baby crocuses pushing through the hard earth, this ambitious sign represents self-assertion, courage and creativity. The Moon is in diplomatic Libra, the sign of the artist and the lover; its aim is to create harmony, balance and cooperation. Ruled by Mars, Aires is the lone wolf; Venus ruled Libra is associated with marriage and partnership. The Aries/Libra axis emphasizes relationships and the ongoing dance of how to honor those closest to us and still remain true to ourselves.
“All eclipses affect our pineal gland, DNA, and cellular structure, catalyzing potential life-changing insights and events.” – Stephanie Austin (The Mountain Astrologer)
A lunar eclipse is a super charged Full Moon; a Full Moon on steroids. We all feel the energy to some degree; look at the houses where you have Aries and Libra to see where the action is unfolding. But those of you with planets or angles in the middle degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn are in “the eye of the storm” and will experience its impact directly. If the eclipse falls on your birthday or within a couple days, then this year will be dramatic, even life changing. This particular eclipse is intensified by the Uranus/Pluto square (that took place on March 16). It may have been the final square but these two mega planets are still travelling within a degree of each other so the heat is still on; no coasting, no quick fixes. Uranus (in fiery Aries) is conjunct the Sun along with Mercury and the karmic South Node; Pluto (in earthbound Capricorn) makes a square to the Sun, the Aries planets, and the Moon. Something is ready to break down, break free, or break open.
“Love brings up anything unlike itself for the purpose of healing.” –Loving Relationships Training
Years ago I participated in a lot of personal growth workshops and retreats. There was one program called Loving Relationships Training created by Sondra Ray which focused on uncovering negative patterns and offered tools to heal them. This Full Moon eclipse feels like a giant relationship workshop. Emotions are triggered, issues surface and relationships are challenged – but they can also be transformed. Eclipses suggest that we’ve come to a crossroads; a window opens where there was a wall, a doorway suddenly appears and we have a chance to make new choices and change directions. This is an opportunity to explore our needs, find our voice, and ask for what we really want. Never balanced, always balancing; never centered, always centering; we are continually moving towards wholeness; the alchemical marriage and the sacred flame.
April 8 Giant Jupiter, the planet of wisdom, philosophy, and faith, turns direct at 13 degrees of Leo. During Jupiter’s four month retrograde we’ve had to look within for answers; now we can act on what we’ve learned. Expansive Jupiter is buoyant in colorful Leo and makes a positive trine to Mercury, Sun, Uranus, and the South Node. This uplifting aspect can help us manifest a creative dream or bring fresh insights and imagination to issues we’ve facing. Spring is time to set off on a quest.
When the Sun enters Aries it signals the beginning of the zodiac year and spring. Many cultures around the world consider spring to be the real New Year. The earth is lush and alive, pulsing with new life and there is a sense of hope, faith and renewal. In spring everything is possible.
“You are entitled to miracles.” –The Course in Miracles
This is one of the most sacred times of the year; Lent, Easter, Passover and Whitsuntide, followed by Beltane in May are all rooted in in ancient custom and are opportunities for actualizing our higher selves. All great religions seem to be saying the same thing; no matter what challenges we are facing, no matter how dark it becomes, at any moment we can be reborn. Love, Virginia
Do you love this world?
Do you cherish your humble and silky life?
Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?
Do you also hurry, half dressed and barefoot, into the garden,
and softly,
and exclaiming of their dearness,
fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,
with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,
their eagerness
to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are
nothing, forever?
–Mary Oliver (from her poem, Peonies)
