With a Lunar eclipse, we’re observing Luna coming between us and the Sun right on the ecliptic, blocking (or at least partially blocking, in this case) our view of Sol, and so blocking the Sun’s light. Symbolically that speaks of emotion or intuition temporarily overwhelming our ability to see/ perceive, or to cause us loss of identity, awareness of our role, or loss of a familiar sense of Self. We lose the light we’re accustomed to, and we’re plunged into shadows that specifically stir an emotional reaction. This is the time when we might find those around us (or even ourselves) acting in a way we’d describe as ‘out of character’–but is it, really? There are very few times in life when we get to experience the extremes of our own individuality, so it’s only logical that any behavior originating on the peripheries may surprise or shock us, delight us (as it sparks other parts of the psyche), or horrify us–hence those ‘That’s not me!’ moments (or, in the case of startlingly positive behaviors, we may wonder if we can duplicate or sustain such a display of talent/ wisdom).

Eclipses are meant to disrupt–and in blocking the Solar light, they interrupt the sense of Self. It’s transitory, but begs the question, what takes the place of our usual Self-image? We can’t unsee or unknow what’s been revealed by eclipse extremes, once it’s over, but degree of integration depends on how we process things. Whether we’re capable of absorbing what we see, and whether we’re able to fit it into the existing Self-image, determines how much internal change the eclipse may require–and if we’re incapable of accepting what’s revealed, we may trigger external events that will force that acceptance or change. Every once in a while, eclipse revelations completely shatter how we think of ourselves–but if we accept that the new factors are just as genuine to our identity and Beingness as any other thing we see as ‘our traits’, we’ll much more quickly and deftly incorporate this new eclipse knowledge and put it to work to our advantage (and that’s doubly so if what is revealed is, at least at first glance, unflattering).

The Lunar eclipse occurs on the 27th @ 4 Pisces 54 at 21:18 (9:18 PM PDT), with the dominant dynamic aspect a T-square formed by Uranus square the Sun-Moon axis. Note that the Sun is conjoined Mercury, which is just past perfection of the Superior Conjunction; that suggests we’ve already had the ‘Big Idea’ or gotten the message (and it’s critical assessment, taking inventory, or sharing of ‘the harvest’, with Sun and Merc meeting in Virgo), and now the eclipse wipes out the old identity, or at least questions it, likely to make room for inclusion of what we’ve recently assessed or discovered. The mechanism for that wipeout may be harsh (the square), with Uranus in Gemini playing with our minds or our communications. What happens is a shock or surprise, unexpected and unanticipated, perhaps delivered by a group to which you belong or via a leadership position you hold, or possibly is delivered by a friend (or maybe frenemy?)

Neptune quincunxes the Sun and so semi-sextiles the eclipse–and at the same time, Neptune is sextile Pluto, with Pluto quincunx the Sun and semi-sextile the eclipse, and so the two happen to catch the eclipse at their midpoint, as well as forming a Finger of God with the eclipse Sun at its apex. This suggests a balance of creativity and willingness to change would be the ideal approach to events, with the Finger telling us that the result will illuminate and support the sense of Self, resulting in a practical and usable interpretation of the ‘I Am’–that’s very reassuring, should we fear losing something vital in the process of eclipse-keyed change.

The Lunar eclipse sesquiquadrates Venus in her Libra home, promising that, no matter how smoothly our personal integration of new material goes, relationships and possibly financial matters that involve others, will be the source of some wrangling and upset–or, these factors may present difficulties to the newly acquired viewpoint. But, Saturn in Aries is novile (a 40 degree aspect) the Lunar eclipse, and this may be the heart of the action: reality and our status/ standing as individuals is the key to successful exploitation of the eclipse energy. That implies that no matter what else is going on, concentrating our efforts on defining our own role in realistic and concrete terms is not just needed, but will be the source from which all other positive change/ accommodation/ modification flows.

The eclipse also makes a wide trine to Mars and a wide sextile to Chiron, flavoring the feeling nature with the urge to act, out of hurt or the need to heal–not a big influence, but one that offers a subtle undercurrent, to be used or disregarded at will, but which can act as a mobilizer should we find ourselves at an impasse–and certainly that’s possible, considering how we may hesitate to take on a new direction–and of course if we don’t make a move, the Universe will bring external pressures to bear, and eventually force our hand.

The Sabian symbol for the eclipse is, ‘A Church Bazaar’, while the Sun’s is, ‘A Man Becoming Aware Of Nature Spirits And Normally Unseen Spiritual Agencies’. The contrast between the two images suggests that, though we may see events as offering a casual opportunity to ‘shop’ for new assets to the personality that are in line with our beliefs (the ‘Church Bazaar’), we’re in actuality being given a glimpse of deep truths normally unavailable to our senses and perceptions. The message seems to be: value what lies behind what you are offered, value what it stands for, represents, or points you in the direction of, as you’re getting a glimpse of the way the Universe really works, and being given an opportunity to see what All-That-Is genuinely finds of worth–a privilege that can help us know our own place and purpose in things.