AQUARIUS FULL MOON / LUNAR ECLIPSE - 18 August 2016

Exact at 10.26am BST, 5.26am EDT.

This Full Moon brings the potential for a breath of fresh air; a chance to step out of character and do things differently. It is also a Lunar Eclipse, which signifies the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. It will represent a culmination or completion of something that started around the Eclipse of March 16 of this year.  The New Moon in Leo on August 2nd involved us reclaiming the parts of ourselves that we had lost along the way after the emotionally turbulent Moon cycles that came before it. This Full Moon is highly Uranian in nature, because not only is it an Aquarius Moon, but Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is also forming a supportive aspect to the Sun and Moon. This means that we should expect the unexpected and be willing to go with the flow of whatever comes our way. We have an opportunity to change things up and release ourselves from old patterns and habits that are preventing us from living our truth. We could well have some amazing insights and breakthroughs during this Moon, as Uranus is known for bringing epiphanies that come like bolts from the blue!

What would we do and who would we be if we had complete freedom and nothing was holding us back? What parental and societal conditioning is stopping us from truly being ourselves? Where in our life are we stuck or stagnant? What is our vision of our future? What unique gifts do we have to offer the world in order to make it a better place? These are all questions that could come up in a fairly emotional manner, as this is a Full Moon after all! We could well have a strong urge to bust out somehow and make a break for freedom in some area of our life. This is a moon for creative change and a time to truly let go of whatever is needed for us to be able to move on and start this new phase. We have a chance to really blast through some blocks and release ourselves from the shackles of the past so that we are free to create a future that is a true reflection of who we are becoming. Sudden events or chance encounters that seem to happen “to us” are actually symbolic of our own need to switch things up and take a different path.

The Sun is in playful, heart-centred and self-expressive Leo, who encourages us to shine our lights brightly and express all that we are. Leo reminds us that we are the creator of our life, the director of our own play and encourages us to follow our bliss and do what brings us joy. Leo makes us aware of our creative gifts and reminds us that we are all special in one way or another. The Moon is directly opposite the Sun in eccentric, visionary and humanitarian Aquarius, who asks how we can share these unique and special gifts with the whole and contribute to making the world a better place? It is quite possible that we will spend some time contemplating what we really want for ourselves during this moon and pondering our hopes and dreams. This could come from a place of discontent or feeling somehow stuck. We may be asking ourselves “Is this all there is?” and plagued by a strong sense that there must be more than this; a better life that is a true reflection of who we are becoming. Aquarius is very much about community, brotherhood/sisterhood, joining together to create a vision of a better world. This Moon could very well bring up some rather strong emotions that revolve around our need to follow our hearts and make much needed change in our lives.

Saturn turned direct on August 13^th, so his energy is very strong at the moment. Life could have been feeling very real indeed recently and there could be some sadness and heaviness going around, especially as the Saturn Neptune square is building again. We could be experiencing a raging battle within us between fear and faith. On the one hand “what is” could seem rather bleak and challenging, but it is so very important that we hold on to faith and trust that it is all happening for a reason and that things can change in the blink of an eye. It is also important that we don’t dwell on what has been, or what might be, but rather focus on the here and now. The only thing we really have control over is the present moment! With Saturn now going direct we could become aware of what he has been trying to teach us since he went retrograde in March. He is always trying to teach us something to help us grow, though sometimes it does feel like he is the headmaster of the School of Hard Knocks!

The Saturn Neptune square feels a little like the battle between our ego and our higher self. Neptune, or our higher self, is aware that everything is perfect exactly as it is and is happening according to some kind of higher plan. Saturn, on the other hand, is that part of ourselves that suffers and feels pain, fear and anxiety, and tries to control everything. Neptune reminds us that we are not in control!  With the Saturn energy so strong at the moment it could be a bit hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the reality of our lives and the state of the world staring us squarely in the face. It seems also that certain structures (Saturn) that we relied on are dissolving (Neptune) and it is unclear as yet what will replace them. It is a time of shifts and changes and it is very important indeed to remain positive and not fall into fear. I know quite a few people whose mantra at the moment is “Faith and Trust, Faith and Trust!” All will be revealed in the fullness of time.  Jupiter is also aspecting the Sun and Moon, reminding us to stay positive and not allow the darker energies to take hold. He is sitting next to Mercury, urging us to keep an eye on the bigger picture.

Venus seems to be showing herself during this Moon as well. With Pluto, the planet of the soul and transformation, forming a positive aspect to the planet of love and relating, it is quite possible that we will relate to each other on a deeper level during this time and help each other to grow and move forward. It is a really good time for emotional honesty with our loved ones. This could also be a time when significant people cross our path who will go on to affect us quite a profound way. Venus is also conjunct the North Node of the Moon, which signifies the potential for some amazing soul growth in the area of our relationships. Alongside the Uranian, Eclipse energy it brings the possibility of chance encounters that change the course of our lives significantly. It is as if our relationships, whether long lasting or short lived, have the capacity to move us forward on our journeys and impact our lives during this Moon. In order to move forward we have to let go of something. There is no beginning without an ending.

I read somewhere that it is only when things become intolerable that humans initiate change, as we are so resistant to it in general. Maybe this is one of those times. It seems that this Moon could signify a change of direction and a much needed breath of fresh air to lift us out of the heavy Saturnian energy that has been around in the last while. Saturn has been making everything seem so very real and so an Aquarius Full Moon is exactly what we need to bring some change and excitement to the picture and help us envision a better future. As it is an Eclipse the changes will have far reaching effects and could signify a new chapter that we were not expecting! I would say that we should be open to whatever comes our way during this time and that we should also work on letting go of whatever isn’t making us feel good or is holding us back in some way. Above all, we need to remain positive. You just never know what is around the corner!

“Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be”

Jay Livingston, Ray Evans (sung by Doris Day)

Much love

Amy

xoxo

Picture: Unknown