Just like other lunations, eclipses occur in pairs. Solar Eclipses are powerful New Moons. Lunar Eclipses are powerful Full Moons. Their influence continues for approximately 6 months, until the next set of eclipses. Our first eclipse of 2024 happens in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, March 25. The Sun at 5 degrees of Aries will be opposite the Moon at 5 degrees of Libra. The Aries-Libra axis is about relationships.
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and concentrates on the self. It is the recognition that everything in your world, including how you show up in relationships, starts with you. Aries is the you; the "I am". The Sun in Aries ushers in a new cycle of spring and a time of new beginnings. We are all constantly changing, hopefully growing and evolving from the experiences of life. Aries season is a time of deciding who the next version of you is. What ignites your passion? What are you looking to create for yourself in this next cycle? As the cardinal fire sign, Aries is idealistic and future focused. Unapologetically independent and confident, Aries energy can be brash to the point of irritating. Aries often does not play well with others. This is because as the first sign, it aims to define the self. What do I want? How do I feel? What matters to me? For Aries, no one is as interesting as the self. While it can come off as self absorption, Aries self interest is rooted in innocence, much like that of a baby. Babies are excited about discovering their abilities. Aries is the baby of the zodiac. It's fascinated by all the possibilities available. It also can be impulsive, eager to start exploring those possibilities; so eager that it might not fully account for the potential challenges. But I digress...
On the opposite side is the Moon in Libra. Libra is the sign of "we"; how we relate to our important others and show up in relationships. If we haven't done the Aries work, the Libra expression will be unbalanced. And Libra is all about balance. When we have established our identity by exploring the Aries questions, we are ready to show up in relationships. We are not looking for another to complete us, to be the missing piece of our puzzle. Balanced Libra takes the complete individuals and creates a new entity. It is not so much a merging of two into a single unit, but a sharing of each to create a third essence, the partnership. We don't lose ourselves so much as join to create something that is connected to each partner, but exists as a separate entity comprised of both. Libra understands the importance of connection.
With Moon in Libra, fairness is important. Is there adequate account being taken of each partner's needs? Does each feel heard; safe; seen? Is there enough give and take so one is not consistently prioritized over the other? Do both have the ability to thrive?
Under this Lunar Eclipse, we have the opportunity to recognize how we are showing up in our close relationships. What expectations do we have about "partnerships" in general? Different types of partnerships will have different answers. A business partnership is not the same as a marriage. A counselor or advisor does not play the role of spouse. Yet these are all Libra types of relationships.
Full Moons/Lunar Eclipses bring things to light. Consider what is reflected back to you about you in your relationships. Do you maintain boundaries or are you willing to compromise your interests for the sake of the other? How do you experience power in relationships? How is conflict managed? Are priorities equitable? Libra requires harmony and balance. Its symbol is the scales, impartial and objective. As an air sign, Libra lives in the mental realms, considering and discussing. Aries' directness is softened by Libra's graciousness. Libra's desire to consider all perspectives can result in indecisiveness. Aries' self absorption can offset this as it orients to what matters to the individual. From that perspective, a conversation can be focused on what matters to the partnership.
This is a South Node eclipse, meaning the focus is on releasing patterns that are sabotaging or keeping you stuck in situations you have outgrown. It's time to let go of trying to control situations and clarify what you really want. Under the Solar Eclipse on April 8, you will be in good position to take steps towards creating a new expression of yourself.
All planets are still in direct motion, so forward momentum prevails. That said, Mercury will be going retrograde on April 1, so take time now to do the Mercury retrograde types of preparation. Back up your data, address any maintenance issues on vehicles and clarify communications and plans.
"...But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of your be alone,
Even as the strings of the lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow." Khalil Gibran