PISCES FULL MOON / LUNAR ECLIPSE - 16 September 2016

Exact at 8.05pm BST, 3.05pm EDT

This Full Moon is also a Lunar Eclipse, which continues the theme endings and beginnings on a very deep level. The Solar Eclipse of 2 September involved the North Node of the Moon, which would have helped up to move forward on our journey; to step outside of our comfort zones and make choices to help us grow on a soul level. This Eclipse involves the South Node of the Moon, which represents where we are most comfortable but where we need to move away from in order to evolve and grow. The South Node can often become too comfortable and almost become our Achilles heel.  Ultimately it is about finding a balance between the energy of the two signs involved, which in this case is Virgo and Pisces. The emphasis is on the Pisces South Node this time, which asks us to let go of any victim mentality and remember that we have created our own reality through our thoughts and intentions, and that we always have free will.

We create our reality by setting intentions in the form of our hopes, wishes and desires, something that Pisces is very good at. Then, once we have got exactly what we asked for, because the universe does tend to take us literally, we get to use the Virgoan art of discernment to decide whether what we have asked for is actually what we want or need! We are not necessarily stuck with it, even though it is what we thought we wanted! We must remember that we, albeit unconsciously, bring people and situations into our lives in order to teach us something and to grow. While Pisces may make us feel that we are at the mercy of fate or circumstance, Virgo reminds us that we are responsible for what happens to us and still have choices. Situations or people may fall in front of us and have a somewhat fated quality to them, but it is completely up to us to decide whether they are right for us.

The Pisces South Node can also show where we have a tendency to bury our head in the sand and avoid reality. It is so easy to simply see what we want to see, creating a dream reality about a person or situation that is based on what we so dearly want for ourselves rather than who or what they actually are. The Virgo North Node asks that we use our powers of discrimination to look beyond the dream so that we can see what is really there. The Sabian symbol for the North Node, at 12° Virgo, is “After the wedding, the groom snatches the veil away from his bride.” This brings a sense of mysteries being unveiled and being able to see the reality rather than the illusion. It also brings the possibility of relating on a deeper level, having dropped the veil of pretence. There is definitely the sense of letting go of the dream and not only seeing others for who they really are, but also showing our true selves rather than what we would want people to see.

The Moon in sensitive, empathetic and intuitive Pisces is forming aspects to Venus, Mars and Chiron the Wounded Healer during this Moon. Chiron is sitting right next to the Moon, which makes this Full Moon incredibly healing in nature, although it could involve some of our more acute wounds or vulnerabilities rising up to the surface, specifically in the realm of our relationships. Pisces helps us to connect to one another on a very deep level so that we truly see each other’s divinity, our true essence, beyond our ego defences. With Mars and Chiron involved we could find that our core wounds are triggered somewhat, so that we have no choice but to admit them to ourselves and others. It can be incredibly healing to expose ourselves in this way, but can also make us feel very vulnerable. Ultimately, however, showing our more tender, fragile, wounded nature can only help our relationships, because it helps us to “drop the veil” and show who we really are, minus our usual defences.

Mars and Venus are forming a harmonious connection to one another during this Moon, which is very helpful for our intimate relationships, as it helps us to relate in a free and easy manner.  They are both, however, forming challenging aspects to the Moon/Chiron conjunction, which mean that we might feel quite sensitive and triggered as our sore spots are prodded and poked! Ouch! It is important not to react defensively, which could happen with feisty Mars squaring the Sun and Moon, but rather to have the courage to be open and honest with ourselves and our loved ones. Mars seems to be asking us to be brave warriors and not be afraid to face the truth in ourselves and others, as painful as it could be. There is such huge potential for healing in this Moon, which can help us to really, truly see each other and also to connect with our true essence. It is quite possible that there will be some form of cleansing and purification process involved here, which could be incredibly cathartic. Uranus is also aspecting Mars and Venus, which could help us to release ourselves from old, stuck, outworn ways of relating. The rules are changing and we are all finding our way in the dark somewhat as we move away from co-dependent relationships towards a more expansive way of relating.

Speaking of which, on Friday 9 September, Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, moved out of Virgo into Libra, the sign of relationships. This feels like a very positive shift indeed, as Jupiter can help us to create balance, harmony and joy in our relationships. His presence in this sign will help us to compromise without compromising ourselves and to find a sense of equality in the way we relate to one another. Relationships are a delicate balance between the needs of the two individuals, and Jupiter should help us to find this balance without too much effort. Jupiter in Libra can definitely expand our social circle in a very positive way and helps us to form connections and relationships with people whereby we can really help one another grow and expand, both individually and together.

On 22 September, which is the Autumn Equinox, Mercury stations direct again, having been retrograde since August 30^th. In the days before and after he turns direct we must be prepared and aware that miscommunication, misinterpretation and misunderstandings are very possible! During his retrograde period in Virgo, we have had a chance to look within and practice the art of discernment in our lives, so that we are able to make choices that really resonate with us and reflect where we are heading in life. It has been a good time for reflection and retrospection; for going back over the past so we can better understand the present. During this Full Moon Mercury is forming a harmonious aspect to Pluto, the planet of soul and transformation, which brings the potential for some very deep, penetrating conversations that really get to the heart of the matter. This aspect definitely complements the energy of the Full Moon, as it does seem as if we might be forced to confront some emotional truths during this time! Pluto himself is also turning direct on 26 September, meaning that the chance for soul growth and transformation is very strong from the Equinox until the beginning of October.

This Moon surely does have the potential to be quite emotional and also incredibly healing! While Mars may poke and prod and trigger us somewhat,  forcing us to face some uncomfortable truths and making us a bit defensive, the Pisces/Chiron conjunction is so very tender and compassionate, which will not only help us to connect in a heartfelt way, but will also help us to find forgiveness for an shortcomings in ourselves and others. Often we are so much harder on ourselves than we are on our loved ones, so finding compassion for ourselves is so very important. There is a definite sense of something being exposed, of the veil of illusion being pulled back and the full extent of who we are being revealed during this Moon. It is better to face the truth rather than just seeing what we want to see, as lovely as the dream may be! On another level, Pisces is the dreamer of dreams and has the daydreams and imaginings, while Virgo can help ground these dreams on the earth plane and make them a reality. What the mind can perceive, the body can achieve! The ultimate gift of a Pisces Moon, however, is unconditional love. The ability to look beyond the wounds, the defences and the human frailties and see the true essence and spirit within. And to love all of it, with no thought of return.  We just have to remember to do the same for ourselves!

“Both Light and Shadow are the dance of love” Rumi

Much Love

Amy

xoxo

Artwork: Humility and Compassion by Siva Ranganathan