We end the year with a Blue Moon, a second Full Moon in a single calendar month; fun, colorfully describes a rarity, but doesn’t mean a lot astrologically, as calendars aren’t strict reflections of the Cosmos, but man-made measuring conveniences. Now that I’ve stomped all the fun out of this concept, I’ll just keep going: New Year’s Eve is also arbitrary–shouldn’t it fall at the last degree of Pisces (if you’re an astrologer) or on the last day of winter (if you’re a Wicca or Druid or anyone who loves and feels the Earth) or last day of summer (whichever way your summer goes, depending on hemisphere, if you live in a really hot place–there’s a reason both Arab and Indian astrologers named a too-close to the Sun placement severely weakened)?
But, if you’re like me, you may like to believe that there’s a reason the Collective has chosen this day to designate the end of our trip around the Sun. I like to believe that our mass agreement invests some days with a wee bit of magic, and this is one of them. Plus the use of the word ‘eve’ to describe the day before something else-it holds a sense of anticipation, of something’s coming get ready: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, All Hallow’s Eve, Eve of Destruction–you see what I mean.
So, I approach this Blue Moon, New Year’s Eve Eclipse like a hopeful robin looking for a worm on the astroturf–it all may be artificial, but there’s got to be something good here, too! Such a pile-up of man-designated ‘events’ with one indisputably not (the eclipse) puts me in a mood to go looking for the magic–here’s what I see, for the eclipse at 10 Cancer 14 December 31st at 11:12 AM PST:
The Full Moon is in Cancer, conjunct (of course) the Earth, and when we see that our strict two degree aspect rule for eclipses gets us nothing, we realize just how soft and nurturing the reflected light of Moon in Cancer can be. It will bathe us in a glow, and the larger aspects it makes (a generous 3.5 degree max) are soft and diffuse, too, not bringing the usual clarity and psychic punch that an eclipse holds, but instead riding in on the atmosphere like a mist (or fumes, or poison gas!) Cancer holding a meeting of the Moon and the Earth, and the power of the alignment (even though it’s partial from our viewpoint) suggests that emotional and intuitive matters will ‘announce’ themselves through material and physical circumstances, and all will be in the Cancer mode: caring and caretaking, concerned, sensitive, especially to the moods and motives of others, and not entirely from a caring point, but from a selfish one, as well, as Cancer is always prone to feel emotionally vulnerable, with the worry that they will be abandoned in some form, or not cared for, behind much of their own offers of care (“I’ll love you and care for you now, and you’ll return the feeling and favor, won’t you?’ It’s interesting that Cancer takes an active, Cardinal approach to getting what it wants–but with the Cardinals we must remember that a sense of proportion and balance comes into play–and with Cancer, the energy wants back what it gave out–in a Cancer approach to things, that’s only right). Cancer may assume obligation to care back by anybody or thing they nurture or love–and that can be the fly in the ointment for the immature (and by that I mean entity who has not grown into the full meaning of the sign) Cancer energy. So we’ll all be swimming in a soft murk of Cancer energy–we just needed to know the possible pitfalls (as the positives about genuine care and support are obvious).
Even with liberal orbs, we get very little, but it does serve to tell us what will be lurking in that nursing, nurturing, I-care-so-much-it-hurts Cancer vibe. We have a trine from the Moon/ Earth to Pallas=wisdom and skills are in harmony with the eclipse energy–but this is a reflective, Moon energy, and we would be smart to ask a few questions (and Pallas gives us the ability–it’s up to us to do so wisely): I feel it, it seems smart, but is that light coming from you or me? Am I accepting your assertion as intelligent, as my own, when maybe it’s neither? Do I have the skills and acumen to undertake or understand what’s before me? Am I using my own inner wisdom in assessing the situation before me?
The Moon/ Earth combo is also square Zeus=the asteroid Zeus is one I’ve been studying intently of late, and what it represents, in general terms, is a fitting counterpoint to the female Juno, a largely male designator (though it has meaning for a woman, as well) keyed to ambition, power, authority and the temptation to abuse it, and wilfullness (see my upcoming in-depth analysis of Zeus in the first issue of my magazine, due in January!) This aspect suggests to me that we may divide up, ever so casually, into those who are receptive (for the Moon’s light has been received–and for some, this may come with the role of victim) and those who would wield the power and control (and for some this could be as abusers, in some sense). The aspect sets up a dynamic of those who care (or who pretend to) in conflict with those who, under the guise of partnership or fairness (Zeus in Libra) will try to take the reins for themselves. This won’t necessarily be nasty; it’s simply a recognition of the motivations of each, and the way that they’re bound to conflict (square).
And the Sun in the eclipse receives a conjunction from Venus, both in Capricorn. Venus kisses the Sun, but it’s likely to be a dry, papery kiss with business on its mind, or maybe with the goal of building or solidifying something (like a relationship). The real Venus moment comes with the exact conjunction of Venus to the Sun and Moon at the Solar Eclipse to follow two weeks later–until then, romance (in the largest sense) may have to take a back seat to other, likely power related, concerns.
Did we find the magic? Not exactly-but if we tap the genuine, Moon related, Cancer oriented bits within ourselves (especially in terms of the natal House where the Moon/ Earth meeting occurs) we can work a little magic in the soft light of the eclipse all on our own.
Also see Dipali Desai’s excellent article here http://celestialspace.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/be-here-now-full-moonlunar-eclipse-in-cancer-dec-31st-2009/
Pingback: Tweets that mention A Blue New Year’s Eve: Lunar Eclipse Dec 31st 2009 « Julie Demboski's Astrology -- Topsy.com
Mari said:
I love your robin analogy. I have also been pecking away hopefully at information about the Blue New Year’s Moon. This eclipse is conjunct (halfway between) my natal Sun and Mars, so I am hoping for a little magic of my own.
Brightest blessings for you in the new year: )
Thank you, Mari–I wish you the same!
LikeLike
william said:
hey
whatsup with that shoebomber thing?
Don’t just bomb us with a vague comment–if you’ve got something to say, say it! jd
LikeLike
Destiny said:
I’ve been confused about Lunar Eclipses and it’s associations with “endings” – I am getting this lunar eclipse in my first house and it will be opposing three planets in my 7th house. Would this mean an ending of a relationship I had towards myself … or with someone else? Eek, I’m confused! Thanks. 😛
Hi Destiny, All I can tell you is that a Lunar Eclipse is a Full Moon, and so like every Full Moon represents a culmination of energy–and sometimes that results in an ending. As to it meaning the end of a relationship for you, I don’t know! jd
LikeLike
April said:
Hello!
Slightly unrelated to your insights above, but puzzling to many, may I ask your opinion of what to do with electronics received as Christmas gifts? If they were purchased prior to Mercury retrograde, do you think they’ll be okay? Shall we look at the purchase date? Or the date received?
I am tempted to wait until Mercury retro is over, then exchange my gift for an exact replica…is that unethical?
Hi April, This is a really good (and complicated-seeming) question, but I think we can sort it out easily. First, when the electronics were purchased is important–and assuming this was a timely Christmas gift, then there’s no problem, as the retro period had not begun. Next, was it received on or before Christmas? Again, in the clear; despite Mercury’s station, it’s still not retrograde. The biggest thing with the station points is that the lack of perceived movement of the planet tends to create a tension build-up that, if our minds are casting around for it, feelslike something should be wrong. But Mercury only went into retrograde motion at 6:39 AM PST this morning, the 27th.
If you received something today, then it’s really up in the air, to my way of thinking. The receiving of something during the retrograde does suggest that there’s a hidden issue with the item–but this could just as easily be something about the meaning behind the gift as it is about the gift itself. To illustrate: I once, when I was first submitting my writing to astrology magazines, received an offer of acceptance and payment during a Mercury retrograde (the submission had been during the direct period). I was excited–it was my first astrology submission and my first acceptance–but the fact that it came during the retro really troubled me. I thought, well, I submitted during direct–doesn’t that mean that I knew what I was doing, and getting what I wanted? I felt some pressure–I had no reputation, and here was a chance to really get my work out in front of many–who was I to turn this down? But, on the assumption that arrival of the notice during a Merc retro said something, I sat down with the very complicated, thick contract when it arrived a couple of days later (still during retro)–a much bigger contract than I would’ve expected for a simple article. Imagine my shock when I found that not only was the amount to be paid extremely small (I had even received more for my fiction in the past, and if you write you know how tough it can be to get paid for that!) that also, buried deep in the verbiage, they were buying the right to use my name, and likeness, in perpetuity–in other words, forever–with no further compensation; they were also buying right of first refusal on any articles I produced in the future. I would’ve been insane to sign it–and thanks to Merc retro, I bothered to dig into what was presented as a “standard” contract, to find that it was anything but.
So, if you received the gift after the retrograde, then I would definitely try to discern what’s tied to the gift that you won’t see right away–but again, this could be as much about the intention of the giver as it may be about how the gift functions. And no, in my view there’s nothing wrong with holding on to it and exchanging it during direct for an identical item, as long as you don’t use it in the meantime, and return it in pristine, re-saleable condition. jd
LikeLike
beansandyoga said:
Wow, what a story about your contract! So glad you caught all those bugs in time. Thanks so much for the insights…. I was lucky enough to receive something I’ve been dreaming of for quite sometime – an electronic that’ll provide a great new creative outlet. I wanted so badly to break it open, but held back. Looks like you’ve given the all clear!
Congratulations! Enjoy and Create!
LikeLike
astrogirl said:
Thank you for this; I am feeling a bit better about the lunar eclipse — it is exactly conjunct my ascendant and I have been feeling a lot of dread about exactly that which this means. I am still unsure, but with a more-or-less opposition to Pluto and a more-or-less square to Saturn, the predictions have been full of doom and gloom…already I am feeling more “exposed” than usual, a little less safe. Could this be the eclipse? Shall try to see the positives in this!
You’re welcome, astrogirl. I think “exposed” is the perfect word for an eclipse on the ASC–but you shouldn’t be feeling this yet–and the positives are that you have a chance to really stand out over the coming six months, to make an impact with your personality; that makes it your job to present your ‘best Self’! I would guess that the feelings of vulnerability you’re experiencing now are related to something else, so don’t assume this is what the eclipse effect will feel like. And as you may have gathered from my blog, I don’t do ‘more or less’ aspect orbs with an eclipse–and I think that’s the key to understanding what will be significant to the event, and what won’t.
LikeLike
william said:
sorry, I meant why is the underwear
bomber 8 years to the day as the shoe bomber… seems like some repetition of influence there …but maybe it was deliberate on part of attacker, so bizzare.
also seems it is a reality check (or security check-) we get to see weak points in system for correction without having to pay the price of huge tragedy, (like the white house party crashers- good way to check weaknesses in security )
so odd how mercury perfectly on ascendent on 911, but then there are so many weird things about that event..
mercury- this latest attack comitted by a wealthy banker’s son.. (what is merc’s problem anyway?) geesh.. Seems like mercury for some reason just went crazy around solstice… messages all over the place… hmm. just weird.
Ah, that ‘splains it, Lucy! ‘Tis the season, I think, for many things, and I’m guessing very deliberate–a popular time to attack, in terms of making an impact on national morale–unfortunately they may be viewing the West as monolithic in values and feeling, and assuming that we all see things the same–as big a mistake as when we view terrorists as all having the same motives and goals. I agree that we should be glad we’re catching these things before they become disasters–and should be thankful we get to measure our effectiveness at prevention. But in astro terms, I’m not sure there’s a direct connection between shoe bomber and underwear bomber (though they both are, imo, pathetically misguided, possibly mentally or emotionally ill or deficient, and have a natty fashion sense!) Would love to hear what others find! Thanks, william!
LikeLike
Pingback: uberVU - social comments
Giselle said:
Julie,
Off-topic here,but I was wondering if you ever looked into the symbolism for Sedna according to the Magi Society.They have it as a very highly destructive influence.Evil,morally corrupt.They call it the Hammer of Thor.I checked on my personal transits with this little sucker and found this to be very accurate.Knowing that you consider these new kids in your interpretations,what do you think?
Hi Giselle,
I’ve not looked into the Magi interpretation of Sedna, but have looked at their material on other topics, and mostly found it unwieldy. Methods didn’t seem to give consistent results–and that’s what I base what I use on. You never know, it might just be that I didn’t understand it adequately.
With Sedna (or any body) I don’t think it’s necessary to, in a sense, ‘read intention’ into the asteroid. Neither do I see Pluto, Saturn, or Mars as inherently negative (or, using an emotional interpretation, ‘evil’) though there’s a school of thought that sees them this way. I think being unable to see something that’s contacted by Sedna is what it is–if you can’t see the car coming, then it seems to hit you out of nowhere, perhaps encouraging a view that something, some force is working against you in the Universe–but the fault lies in having been unable to perceive what was there for others (not affected by the aspect) to see, not in a bogey man named Sedna.
Thanks, Giselle!
jd
LikeLike
stargates54 said:
I just ran across this website with some cool information on Zeus. Thought you might be interested. http://zero-point.tripod.com/pantheon/Zeus.html
Thanks, Tara–my article on Zeus (for the upcoming magazine) is already done, but for another one, see a wide-ranging article on Zeus, link above
LikeLike
Jara said:
Hi Julie! Thank you for this lovely post. I’m looking backwards (as us Cancers tend to do) to see what my favs thought of the strange Moon situation this past New Year’s Eve.
Wow, do you have us and the Moon energy pegged. 😉
Congrats on your new magazine! Can’t wait to check it out.
Happy New Year!
Jara
P.S.
Interesting question from April and response from you, Julie, about how Mercury retrograde affects electronic gifts.
Thank you, Jara! Hope the New Year’s treating you right!
LikeLike