Blood moon lunar eclipse in Aries: birthing is painful

Here in Europe the much anticipated total lunar eclipse in Aries occurs in the early morning of 28 September. Because the Moon is at its ‘perigee’ (at its closest to the Earth) this lunar eclipse will appear much larger than usual, a phenomena that some modern astrologers call a Super Moon. As it will also be tinged red by the reflection of the Sun’s light it will also be a Blood Moon. Such a combination is a rare event and will not occur again until 2033.
A lunar eclipse only occurs when the Moon is full. During a total lunar eclipse the Moon, Earth and Sun must be exactly aligned or the shadow of the Earth will not fall exactly across the face of the Moon. This is why total lunar eclipses are significant astrologically: the perfect alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon represents a powerful tension between the active and reactive, or yin and yang, aspects of our being, which cuts right to our core. When this tension activates a planet or point in our natal chart it often creates powerful change.
The ancients found both the sudden disappearance of the Moon and the resulting tension and emotion highly disturbing. Traditional astrologers therefore viewed lunar eclipses as unfortunate, some even associated them with ghosts, demons and dark magic. Perhaps this is because they were afraid of change, as we often are, clinging to what we know and reluctant to let go of the familiar and the certain.
As with all full Moons a total lunar eclipse is a time of letting go, of clearing out the trash, completing projects that have been hanging around too long, and resolving old stories that need to end. The difference with a lunar eclipse is that the things you let go of and bring to completion during this time will have a significant impact on your life over the coming months.
Being in the first degrees of Aries this lunar eclipse brings a strong energy of individualism, fire, self-assertion and action, and with the Sun in relationship focused Libra it strongly triggers the axis of self and other. It is therefore very likely to bring up tension within our primary relationships as we strive to find balance in this area.
During this lunar eclipse we are being given an opportunity to find balance between having our own needs met and giving generously of our energy in relationships. You may find yourself pulled between a need to maintain harmony in your primary relationships and a strong urge to assert your own needs and act on your own terms. As such it is an excellent time to set right any imbalance you may have been experiencing in your relationships.
To help clarify where such an imbalance may lie ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you sometimes stir up conflict because you feel its important to have your say?
- Do you believe deep down that negotiation and compromise are weak?
- Do you think you’d be in trouble if those you love were not there to take care of you?
If so, the archetype of Aries may be overly emphasised in your chart and personality.
- Do you try to maintain peace in relationships, even at the expense of your own needs?
- Do you find it difficult to stand up for what you need when this might upset others?
- Do you think people who boldly state their needs are selfish and demanding, or brave and courageous? If the latter, do you admire such people from a distance?
If so the archetype of Libra may be overly emphasised in your chart and personality.
Lunar eclipses can be highly emotional as they tend to bring endings in your life. Sometimes this is an actual end, such as a relationship breakup, moving house or quitting a job. At other times it manifests as a realisation, where new information comes into play that no longer allows you to continue on as you have been. Sometimes this information has been there all along but we’ve been in denial; at other times we receive news that changes everything.
The thing about lunar eclipses is that although they can be painful, especially if your natal chart is triggered, the change you experience will ultimately bring a sense of resolution and freedom as you let go of baggage (attitudes, relationships, roles etc) that has been holding you back. Metaphorically, something you have been clinging to may be quite literally ‘eclipsed’ from your life. Let it go… something beautiful and new is going to grow in its place.
To make things easier to deal with, this lunar eclipse is in trine aspect to Saturn which will help stabilise your emotional reactions, which otherwise could be quite fiery and explosive with the Moon in Aries. Saturn has just moved into Sagittarius and here one of his tasks is to bring order where chaos has ruled for too long. This is a grounding energy that can help you feel more emotionally settled and secure.
This lunar eclipse is the fourth and last of four total lunar eclipses that have occurred over the past two years. The first two were on 15 April and 8 October 2014, and the most recent on 4 April 2015. As the final eclipse in the cycle, it represents the end of a process of release. This process was strongly aligned with the transit of Saturn through Scorpio, with its emphasis on reclaiming our energy from anyone or anything we had given it away to. If you haven’t fully integrated this lesson you can read my article Saturn in Scorpio: reclaim your power.
This lunar eclipse represents a powerful opportunity to consolidate our personal power and let go of any fears we have of asserting ourselves and stepping out creatively and powerfully in our lives, while at the same time honouring the needs of those we love. For those who are afraid that this may be painful, please take heart. When such a strong and long-lasting lunar eclipse occurs in the early degrees of Aries, the first sign in the zodiac, we can be sure that something brand new is about to be birthed.
Meanwhile in another part of the cosmos…
The powerful month-long opposition between Jupiter and Neptune is now dissolving and Jupiter is moving into trine with Pluto. This is an aspect that will facilitate necessary change in our lives, particularly the destruction of structures that are restricting our growth. It will help us let go of things that need to end and is therefore very supportive for working with this Lunar eclipse. The Jupiter-Pluto trine is exact on 12 October and will last until the end of that month.
Also over the next couple of weeks a square between Mars in Virgo and Saturn in Sagittarius has the potential to create conflict with those around you. Be careful of getting too obsessed with details when trying to bring order to chaos, especially when other people are involved. Allow others their freedom and the right to their weaknesses and failings. The best approach is to take care of your own crap and let others take care of theirs.
How will this lunar eclipse in Aries affect you?
This lunar eclipse will affect you most strongly if it activates planets or points in your natal chart. Those who have planets placed between 1 and 7 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) will be especially affected.
To gain a better understanding of the areas of life that will be most affected by this lunar eclipse look to see where the 4th degree of Aries and Libra fall in your natal chart. For me these degrees are in my 4th and 10th Houses. This means the lunar eclipse is likely to highlight the need for balance between home and career. If there is imbalance in these areas I may be forced to let go of something I value in order to bring things back into a healthy alignment. This may be painful but ultimately will result in greater well-being in these areas of my life.
What do you expect from this lunar eclipse?
Practice your predictive astrology by checking to see where this lunar eclipse will fall in your chart and share the insights you gain. What areas of life do you expect to be affected? Do you have any planets or pointed that will be triggered? Can you foresee any major changes or endings that will be catalysed by this lunar eclipse?
Hi Faith, my 5th house is ruled by Mars, 11th house ruled by Venus. What this says to me is the blood moon is bringing my attention to how my bull-headedness in communication can sometimes be to the expense of destroyed balance in my relationships. What you’ve said fits me exactly with what you said about standing on my own way to the expense of others’ needs, and I would not realise I was being selfish this way, by insisting on my right to speak without judgement, when maybe I was only judging myself and had internalised others’ perceived judgements of me so much to the degree I have been judging myself – I did not need others’ help to judge myself! But my continued judgement of myself and over-defensiveness would prevent others from getting close to me when they could help me understand my difficulties, or at least show to me a friendly face not judging me, just wanting me to be as I am. I am not sure exactly what this tension is asking me to give away; perhaps simply my past understanding of myself as being set against the world, and needing to defend myself from others’ judgement of me when it was me judging myself, more than anyone.
Wow Liv, so much new self-awareness for you! I can’t wait to have a look at your chart and see what transits are happening :)
I think your blog posts are so helpful to understanding the EXACT themes and streams of energy, they help me a lot! Right now I think I’ve felt the lunar eclipse energy strongly already, but since a lot of planets touch my 7th/8th house in libra right now I don’t know if this is the lunar stuff or mercury square pluto at the moment…
I’ve felt this “me-you” balancing of needs, of limits and self defeating patterns, stuff about boundaries, speaking up for myself, balancing “us” vs “me” time for a little month now – and basically for the past two years or so. My BF and I even started our relationship around the first moon eclipse in November 2013! Do you know how that could affect a relationship if the start of it happened around such a phenomenon??
I’ve just started in a new job and phew – there are so much to do and learn!! (Saturn is setting up camp in the 10th house right now so no wonder ;-)) So “us” vs “me” time is really hot topics now! My boyfriend have finally realized I need some space but only after I felt so bad about voicing my needs that it led to a fight.
Since the true node is also in libra, at 1 degree one would assume there is a LOT of power in this area of the cosmos ;-)
So glad you’re getting something from the posts Anette :) Re your questions I would always look to the outer planet transits first when you experience tension in your life… The Moon, including eclipses, are so transitory in comparison. Looking at the whole picture is the way to go… The eclipse you experienced when you met your boyfriend could have catalysed something between you if it touched either end of an aspect between the two of you (in your synastry chart) but I don’t think it would have a lasting impact. xx
Thank you for the input! It was quite the time (transit-wise) around that moon eclipse so happy to hear this will not affect the overall feel of the relationship. In our composite chart we have Libra in the 7th house and Scorpio in the 8th – so the eclipse would probably have started a little fire there though, which of course emphasis the theme of “couples and intimacy”. What I DO know also, is that my sun-mercury-venus and jupiter stellium was conjunct transiting saturn around that time though, and that Uranus was opposite my moon. That is pretty relevant I guess though.
Yep, it’s definitely the outer planet transits that tend to initiate these big events in our lives, especially the conjunctions, squares and oppositions… xx
I’m feeling trapped at the moment in a situation, which of course I greatly helped to create. LOL Would love to hear what you have to say about it.
I’d be happy to do a reading for you Debbie. You can check out the various options available at my store here http://insightastrology.net/astrology-readings/, including a reading by donation if money is tight for you… x
Thank you for another excellent article. This eclipse will fall exactly on my I.C and square Chiron in my 12th at 6 degrees. Natal Sun and mercury are at 0 Libra. I’m not sure what to expect from this lunar eclipse, the last solar eclipse was trine my Asc and 4th house Jupiter in Taurus, 2 days before that eclipse the lady I looked after part time passed away suddenly. For health reasons I am not in a position to take on another job at the moment, so I just hope nothing goes wrong in my home. I live alone but have Uranus transit going through my 4th house and it is square its natal position and Pluto is heading back towards a square to my 10th house Saturn. Have Venus conjunct Pluto in 8th that day so hope my loved ones will be safe. Perhaps I will spend eclipse day in the garden and have take out for dinner. My circumstances definitely need to improve, but I’m willing to consider any prospects for change without being hit over the head with a brick. Best wishes to you all
Thanks for sharing Maree, and welcome to the Insight Astrology community :)
1st house Virgo. The lunar eclipse in my 8th house of Aries saw what I want to be my boyfriend, telling me he wants to be free while I watched him flirt and be concerned about someone that just walked up. So far I feel terrible, and wish I had something to numb the pain
You deserve much better than this… These events of the eclipse have opened your eyes to where he is at right now. It is painful but you can now see things clearly and move forward, instead of losing your power to someone who does not care for you. I send you strength during this difficult time…
Hi Faith, Please can you help me understand how this Blood Moon Eclipse thingy affected me…? I have an Asc of 2Deg Libra, Uranus 8Deg Libra… I also have Moon at 7.02 Deg Aries and Chiron at 2 Deg Aries……..?! I really would appreciate your insight. Many thanks, Ian.
(17th December 1969, 01.30AM, London)
Hi Ian… I’d really have to look at your chart to get a feel for how this affected you. You can order a reading if you like. I have an option where you can pay by donation if money is tight for you. Check it out at http://insightastrology.net/astrology-readings/ But the other way is just to observe the affects of the transits on your life as they happen. I learn a lot that way :)
I’m an Aries and the eclipse has really affected me negatively. The next day after the eclipse I almost got murdered! Should I avoid going out as much as possible? Why has my life been so negatively impacted?
It’s possible that there were aspects in your natal chart that were triggered by the eclipse, but this is a fast moving transit and its affects do not last long. You certainly should not withdraw from life out of fear. Please don’t let your frightening experience become the basis for your decision-making. Instead listen closely to your intuition and do what feels right in each moment… And remember, if you have experienced a big shock it’s important to be gentle with yourself for a while…
Namaste! My progressed Moon is at 3 deg Aries during LE of Sept’28. I wonder whether progressed placements also get affected during eclipses. Natally Moon is placed in h4 (I am in the process of finalising a new accommodation, a place nearer to my work place) and sign Cancer is at my h5 cusp.
Thanks for sharing Arihant… Progressed placements are certainly affected by the transits, though some people feel them more strongly than others. Good luck with your move :)