Monday very early morning, on Jan. 21st, at 12:16am EST, the Moon opposes the Sun in almost 1 degrees of Leo — this is a very powerful Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse becoming exact. We started to feel this aspect build from the moment the Moon entered Leo Sunday (Jan. 20th), at 10:54pm EST.
Once every six months, the Sun, Moon, and Earth align precisely enough for a Solar or Lunar Eclipse to occur. Eclipses are always powerfully connected to the Moon Nodes and thus to our Soul’s Journey. If you’d like to learn more about this month’s Full Moon, click here to watch my Lunar Eclipse video.
This Full Moon is the second of two Eclipses in January and it’s extra-powerful. There are two main reasons for this: firstly, because it’s a SuperMoon — these occur when the Moon is either Full or New while at its closest distance to the Earth — they are therefore more powerful. This often means an increase in emotional reactivity, plus greater awareness around the issues connected to the particular Full Moon energy in question.
Secondly, as the last Eclipse in the Leo/Aquarius polarity, it completes an Eclipse cycle that started in Feb. 2017 — this put an emphasis on freedom and individuality, while redefining our approach to improving our future — and paradoxically, also on our need to belong. We are also invited to become more aware of our mind’s activities, of group affiliations out there in the world, and of moving towards a courageous, open, and self-expressed heart — one that knows how to joyfully and playfully connect to the “here and now”.
Think back over the last two years, and ask yourself: What has shifted for me, in my attitudes towards the collective (or “humanity”)? How about like-minded people or political/group affiliations? Was there likewise a shift in my desire for more joy? For authentic self-expression? Heartfelt actions? If I think back to the last Solar Eclipse in Leo (August 11th, 2018), what brought the possibility for more joy into my life since then? Have I been able to get more in touch with my inner child?
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If we are still feeling a disconnect to the Leo energy, this is our chance to make a more conscious effort to embrace, integrate, and explore the lighter/higher vibrations of this courageous, optimistic, and self-expressed sign.
But first, as with all Full Moons, there’s a shadow side — let’s take a look at the shadow of both signs involved in this Lunar Eclipse — and please note that the shadow side of any sign is usually not as comfortable to look at or easy to embrace…
Aquarius’s shadow side might show up as coldness, detachment, or overly intellectualized points of view — and there could be some arrogance in the mix. Ask yourself: If I were too much in my head, what would tip me off to that? Where do I get dogmatic about concepts or visions? Where do I conform, where do I want to fit in? What would it feel like if I gave up conforming out of fear of ridicule or rejection? What if the most unlikely people had a piece of the puzzle?
Where do I hide behind social groups to feel superior to others? Where or when has belonging to a “tribe” become more important than my personal self-expression? How have I avoided following my heart, so I can fit in?
And if by chance you have never belonged to a “tribe”, then ask yourself: What if I gave up identifying as a “black sheep”, rebel, or of being so different that I can never belong?
In order to develop a healthy relationship to the individual part we play in the collective, we need to keep an open mind, allow everyone (ourselves included) to be their unique selves, and bring that unique spark to the collective experience. Aquarius connects us to the complex patterns formed when many come together; it represents the power of collaboration, where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
Ask yourself: How can I personally contribute to a better future for humanity? What’s my unique spark that could bring greater joy and diversity to the collective experience?
So much for the Aquarian shadow — let’s look at Leo’s shadow side: This might show up as self-centeredness, with some narcissistic trades — picture a child that can’t see beyond itself, is not aware of other people in the room, cannot see past the moment to the consequences down the line.
Ask yourself: If I’m honest, have I ever created drama when I can’t have what I desire? Where in my life do I take things too personally? Where (or when) do I tend to be self-indulgent? What role does my pride play?
In order to develop a healthy connection to our inner child, we must learn to keep an open heart, and let ourselves be playful and creative. We must learn to express our needs and desires, so we can have open, authentic conversations with other people. Leo represents our individual expression, individual creativity, the kind of light we came to shine, the type of joy we came to spread.
Ask yourself: What might open up if I expressed myself with my heart as my center? What if I expressed myself with 5% more courage? What might my world look like if I allowed my light to shine just a little brighter?
As with all Full Moons, we are also invited to balance and integrate the two polarities involved — in this case, we are invited to allow head/intellect (Aquarius) and heart-expression (Leo) to merge, bringing about a brighter future for humankind — so ask yourself: What would it look like if I allowed that merger? What if I chose, right here and now, to contribute to humanity from a courageous, heart-centered and authentic place? What if I simply chose that, right now?
This means it’s important to be especially aware and responsible when connecting with others. As best as you can, get present and ask yourself: What am I bringing forth? What are my intentions? What is in my heart that longs to be expressed? Do I have the courage to stand in my authentic self-expression?
We are also encouraged during this Eclipse to acknowledge that we are all in this together, and yet each one of us has the ability to effect change by tapping into our courage and living our vision — which takes dropping into our hearts more fully.
Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) in a very late degree of Aries creates a T-Square to the Lunar Eclipse (Sun is in Aquarius and Moon in Leo, and the Moon Nodes in Cancer & Capricorn), as well as to Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn.
This indicates a turning point on our individual path: We are being invited to bring an innovative approach to who we are “out there in the world” — and to our interactions with others… In other words, to step it up some and walk our unique path. We are called to inspire others.
Ask yourself: What is being radically transformed in my life? Where am I being invited to confront outdated thought-forms? What’s the relationship between my inner teenager and my inner adult?
Pluto represents the courage it takes to face our shadows and fears — and if we can do that, we can discover our true motivations, desires… and true power. Ask: What do I obsess over? What scares me the most, when it comes time to fully commit to things I feel passionate about?
Let’s take a look at some other aspects of this Lunar Eclipse chart, starting with the most exact ones:
Saturn (the traditional ruler of Aquarius) in Capricorn squares Mars in Aries; both planets are in their own signs, and therefore exalted. This is a maturity process that requires adjustments and flexibility on our part. This aspect invites us to apply caution and moderation; this might be frustrating at first, but pushing too hard or too fast doesn’t always get us the results we want — it might be time to slow down a little and catch our breath. That way, we can come back later with a stronger, more mature and realistic approach.
Ask yourself: What in my life could use a little patience right now? On the other hand, what needs my passion and courage? What if the wisdom to know when I need to apply courage and when to apply patience was already within me?
A Venus/Jupiter combo in Sagittarius squares Neptune in Pisces. Once again, we have two planets involved who are in their own signs, and therefore more exalted: in this case, Jupiter and Neptune. This aspect invites us to be more aware of our current connection to the divine and what we believe about it.
As best as you can, explore your conditioning and programming — ask yourself: What messages did I receive from my parents concerning my intuitive gifts, divine connection to Self, or creative aspirations? How about from teachers? Religion? The culture(s) I grew up in?
How does my actual experience differ from those messages? Where am I ready to expand beyond old programming? Which one of my “filters” could I do without for a while, just as an exercise in freedom?
If I was given life for a reason, and if my time was precious, who would I want to “be” in this moment and with this breath? What does “spiritual expansion” mean to me?
Give yourself time to tune in and contemplate… What was the cultural “story” you were told? How could we all sing a greater song while on this Earth?
Feel free to read more about this aspect in my Weekly Forecasts (look for the Jan. 13th entry).
And last but not least: the Venus/Jupiter combo in Sagittarius also trines Mars in Aries. This is a far more extroverted aspect than the previous ones. It gives us the physical energy to explore beyond what we already know and start something new. It gives us courage and optimism — but impatience might be an unpleasant side effect…
Ask yourself: If I knew I could accomplish something now with ease, what would I pick? Could a positive attitude plus a wider perspective ease my transition to the next chapter?
To sum it all up: If we want to see a greater shift in the world at large (an Aquarian concern), we must each do our own part and express our unique gifts (Leo’s imperative). That said, if we don’t come from the heart — or if we get stuck in over-thinking things and/or being overly concerned with what other people are thinking — we will not be able to fulfill on that vision.
This Lunar Eclipse shows us that there are plenty of inner and outer processes going on — and we’re all dealing with those processes in our own way. If we look into our own heart and see the strength and love lying there, we can begin to reclaim ourselves, remember our divinity and interdependence, and lift ourselves and humanity out of the old paradigm of separation and scarcity.
Life is too short to waste on things we are less than fully passionate about, that don’t fully express our uniqueness, so take time this week to check your spiritual compass. Ask yourself: Am I choosing from love or fear? This total Lunar Eclipse urges us to become totally committed to our Self, our truth, our soul’s mission.
Flexibility, thinking outside the box, and self-care are critical! Self-care is particularly important in times of stress and/or change — basic things, like making sure that we eat healthily and regularly, drink plenty of water, exercise, get plentiful rest — and let in affection from friends, family, or pets. Connecting to what feels supportive in order to stay grounded and regenerate ourselves can be very helpful as well.
It’s this simple: if we don’t maintain our physical bodies, we won’t maintain the pace, or meet the demands placed on us right now.
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A final note about Eclipses: they’re consciousness upgrades. For 7 – 10 days before and after one, we are usually in uncharted territory — anything is possible and it’s wise to expect the unexpected. Anything brand-new started during this time will likely not pan out the way we thought it would, often because important information comes to light only after Eclipse season is over.
For that reason, try to defer any major brand-new projects until after Jan. 30th, when this particular Eclipse season ends. That said, if something is beginning or ending in a way that seems organic, allow it to “be”… Just be wary of the urge to push something forward merely to relieve anxiety or impatience.
Do you have your Ascendant (or any personal planets) in 0-6 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio, or 26-29 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra? If so, you may feel the effects of this powerful Full Moon more strongly. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Cancer (the Sun rules Leo; the Moon rules Cancer). And if you’d like to learn more about this month’s Full Moon, click here to watch my Lunar Eclipse video
Sonja’s passion is for connecting with people and helping them transform their lives. This led her to train as a life coach, in addition to her lifelong study of Astrology. With her Readings, her coaching and her Soul-Based Astrology Courses she aims to empower and support people in fulfilling their life’s potential and aligning with Soul Purpose.
Link isn’t taking me to the video even though I’m logged in…
I’m so sorry to hear that, Maija. The link should be working… please double check that you are definitely logged into your Members account and if you are, please email me, so I can check and see, why you are not able to access the Members content. I can also send you the Lunar Eclipse post via email 😉 Blessings, Sonja