Retrospective Action

Inspired by an Eclipse of a Super Moon

& Mercury Retrograde

  The full moon of Monday 28^th September 2015 at 02h48 (GMT) in Aries stands out as the most special of 2015, for three reasons:

1.     Harvest Moon

2.     Super Moon

3.     Total Eclipse of the Moon

 Harvest Moon:

This is the full moon that falls closest to the equinox on the 23^rd September.

‘At this time of year, corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice—the chief Native American staples—are ready for gathering; and at the peak of the harvest, farmers could work into the night by the light of this full moon.

Most of the year, the moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the harvest moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the United States, and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe.’ Geoff Gaherty (www.space.com)

 

Super Moon:
On average the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the earth. Because of it slightly irregular orbit there is one day when it passes close to the earth (perigee) and one day when it reaches its furthest point from the earth (apogee). On occasion the moon is full at the same time it is closest to the earth. In recent years this perigee full moon adopted the name ‘super moon’. See diagram (not to scale)

Total Lunar Eclipse:

A perfect alignment of the moon, earth and sun, where the shadow of the earth totally covers the moon. There are usually two lunar eclipses in a year. Not all are total as some are partial or penumbral eclipses. The September 2015 lunar eclipse is special because it is the last of four total eclipses in a row, known as a tetrad. An interesting fact is that during the 1900’s there was not a single tetrad, yet during the 21^st century, according to NASA, there will be eight. The dates of the four total eclipses of the tetrad and their zodiacal sign positions are:

 

DATE                     MOON     SUN

April 15^th 2014       Libra        Aries

October 8^th 2014     Aries        Libra

April 4^th 2015         Libra        Aries

Sept 28^th 2015         Aries        Libra

 

Right, now that I have laid out the technical information, I shall do my best to interpret the astrological symbolism. All eclipses draw attention to two matters:

·       Confronting shadow qualities

·       Addressing that which is out of alignment

The four eclipses of the tetrad focus on imbalance & the state of relationships, specifically emphasising a personal position within all partnerships.

 Coinciding with the Sept 2015 lunar eclipse is Mercury’s retrograde phase through Libra. We retrace our steps through relationship territory all the way back to April 2014 examining the very moment we made a choice that led to imbalance or compromised a personal position. It may have been a conversation, an argument or the initiating of a course of action that took us off track. We are to go back over choices and decisions made during the past year-and-a-half that led to problems within relationships.

 During this eclipse phase of influence (approximately six weeks) and the Mercury retrograde period (until the 9^th Oct 2015) we have the opportunity to take retrospective action to repair past damage, to restore balance within our relationships and to establish a better personal position. It’s a new chance really, an opportunity to start afresh. Renewed courage is available to confront the ostracised shadow qualities, to admit mistakes, take responsibility for them and move on.

 Naturally as with all eclipses, there will be periods of discomfort. Its dark side could cause us to impose our will on another without consideration for their needs or desires. This type of destructive behaviour is not dissimilar to that of a terrorist with absolutely no thought or concern for others. Other dark elements could emerge in the form of an unpredictable force over which we have little or no control. We are to be super aware of our actions and how they affect others and the world around us.

 During the inward journey we find the courage to confront personal failings and relationship dilemmas.

·       We address how we only validate ourselves with the approval of another.

·       We observe how impulsive action or hasty decisions led to imbalance and caused misalignment with personal needs.

·       We address unhealthy relationship behaviour.

·       We observe self-indulgence at the expense of another.

·       We notice obsessive self-involvement – our own or that of another.

·       We observe how and when we overextended ourselves (in the name of love) to personal detriment.

·       We see how sparks of anger gave us courage to assert a personal need.

·       We see how sparks of anger were destructive and harmful.

 Following the inward journey is a phase of constructive action. We overcome an emotional muddle and we start again. We pioneer a new way out of the confusion of the recent past. There is a surge of energy to stabilise wobbly life situations. We make adjustments to the positions we hold within all significant relationships. We put ideas into action.

There is a fine line to walk in the land of relationship, one that is situated somewhere between dictating selfish demands and yielding in total self-sacrifice. It is a balancing act in want of the talent of a tight-rope-walker. Perhaps this talent is to be found in the shadowy light of the September full moon? Perhaps it is in the brighter light of the super close super moon that we shall discover a way to resolve conflict, one that ditches the need for brutality and war in the world?  

It is in the light of the moon that we dream, that we believe in magic and come to know anything is possible.

With love for the stuff we find in the dark,

Sharron.