Gaining insight. In need for a new direction. Assistance and control. Sacrifices and corrections. Awareness of boundaries, and new ways to relate to others.

September 17-18, 2024

As the Earth partially casts a shadow on the Moon reaching its culmination point by blocking some of the Sun’s light, we may see terrestrial events on Earth ‘blocking’ a leader from ‘meeting’ in full view with the people. We may see certain choices, intentions, and decisions being slightly shadowed by certain events. Terrestrial events are casting a ‘shadow’ on people (the public), populations, especially women, smooth continuity of daily life, habits, and routines, and the natural expected course of living beings. A disruption in the natural course of our life plan is indicated by all eclipses. These are various potential manifestations. Lunar eclipses are indicating important completions or emotional events, with a kind of momentum or something that may be more intense than usual. We may have revelations of important information or about people’s characteristics. They do not need to be dramatic necessarily; we may voluntarily decide to ‘eclipse’ something or some situation from our lives. And all full moons are indicating something about relationships. Thus Lunar Eclipses contain an element of disruption or need for change that may have more of a long-term effect or consequence, like the closure of a chapter of life or endeavour, that has already started and may take some time to complete. Sometimes they can be intense, or they can cause uncertainty, or they could be of a corrective, releasing, liberating, revealing or cathartic nature, as some new information or event manifests.

In this particular Lunar Eclipse at 25-26 degrees Pisces (Saros 118) ruled by Jupiter in Gemini, there is a need to complete or clarify situations, and information or knowledge, and situations that remain pending. The emphasis on closure is emphasized by the late degrees, the sign of Pisces, and may refer to legal matters, legal procedures, legal agreements, higher knowledge, educational endeavors, religious matters, foreign trade, travel, and movement, publicity and publications, gaining more understanding about subjects of interest, ethical issues, and generally anything that falls in the area of significations of Jupiter, and also perhaps hidden things, or matters to do with areas of knowledge we can’t quite grasp or they are abstract. Jupiter is in Gemini, and the ruler of Gemini, Mercury is in Virgo applying to an opposition to Saturn in Pisces. This opposition has either a limiting or controling effect on procedures in general, or a need to manage problems or organise information, applying skills in effective ways with another.

The Moon’s last aspect before it joins Neptune and leaves the sign of Pisces is a sextile to Pluto at 29 degrees Capricorn 46’ (Rx), and it points to some kind of return to groups, joint finances, or other’s resources that are pending from the past. It points to using information and intuition to improve or heal matters, a need to delve deeper into research of specialized areas, and generally to eliminate or engage with complexities in a positive manner.

Some unwanted pressure may be present; the time/money factor, limitations, and deadlines (Saturn semis-square Pluto) in anything that we are trying to achieve, but it will prove helpful to exercise some creativity in the irritations that come up. There could be a sense of interference with things that we would like to do for ourselves and things that we have to do for others or certain commitments we have undertaken from the past. It may be that we need to proceed in steps and phases with certain things or negotiate with the time factor, make more effort than anticipated to meet certain demands.

This Lunar Eclipse will be active for at least six months, as Venus will do its apparent Rx motion in March and April where it would go over this degree, at the period of time where the new set of Eclipses will occur. Venus will pass from the Lunar Eclipse degree twice. At the end of January and mid-April of 2025. Situations that prevail now will follow a two-phase assessment and conclude towards the end of April of 2025. Since Mars will do its apparent Rx motion from December 5th, 2024, until February 24th, 2025, a reviewing of goals and promotion of interests may first take place before the two-phase assessment is completed.

This Lunar Eclipse gives a taste of what is to come from next Spring onwards. Mars is at the Bendings as the Lunar Eclipse occurs, which points to dilemmas of the way forward or shows some kind of need for autonomy and independence, or a separation from important others. Another scenario is splitting interests and initiatives or meeting others halfway. Too much action in one area of life blocks another, or the need to move from one place to another that will require adjustment in other areas of life, may also be relevant scenarios. Important others may come into our lives and point to a different direction.

The main idea of the Eclipses on the Aries/Libra axis (active since last Spring and in 2025) has to do with levels of autonomy and mutual sharing in relationships and contracts, while the shift of the Eclipses in Pisces/Virgo (starting now) will point to themes of servitude and sacrifice, expectations or idealism vs practical concerns and assimilation of information.

So, what we are mainly working on collectively from now on, as this first eclipse on the Pisces/Virgo axis takes place are the levels of autonomy within larger contexts, contracts in our daily lives, and how we relate to others or other people, relationships, and what serves and what doesn’t. What are the details and practical matters we need to address, what we wish to happen, and how these affect our contractual arrangements with others.

The time and money factor, as well as productivity, efficiency and information or communication are all crucial factors in this process. Mercury is approaching in an opposition with Saturn, so correct decision-making, issues around dealing with less or processing data, as well as control and judgments are important in dealing with external situations or others. Maturity and patience are needed in all exchanges and negotiations.

The need to quiet the mind or indulge in some serious and honest discussions or study with another may divert one from pessimism or and issues around trust while meeting or connecting with others. Making time with another to learn new things, asking a wiser person or someone we value for their opinion, or having a serious discussion with a partner or important other, and be prepared to listen without criticism, is a positive expression of this opposition. Creating a structure or making time for exercising our skills is another potential scenario. Saturn is in mutual reception with Venus by exaltation- a positive connection for commitment in relationships and creative things. Venus is applying to a closing square with Pluto and a couple of inconjucts with Neptune and Uranus before it gets there. So, there is a sense of closure to a lot of long-standing issues around relationships and finances, and a need for strengthening and adjustment, which may require sensitive and innovative solutions. There could be an opportunity present that we are not ready to assess. Or we could combine certain areas of life in unexpected ways. While the need to let go of complexity and those external factors like social validation, and power themes, that block relationships and creativity from growth, will gradually lead to some liberation and relief.

Neptune is on the Uranus/Pluto midpoint, and the need to connect with people who are aligned with our ideals or inspire us is imminent. To find subtle ways to make changes is also emphasized. To use our intuition or empathy in how to approach reforms. To be inspired by unusual subjects or research. Or to help others to liberate themselves from constraints. However, the collective energy is blurry and uncertain surrounding reforms (technological and others) that affect large numbers of people. Neptune in combination with this midpoint in Pisces can either emphasize uncertainty in reference to what promotes change, or perhaps calling us to acknowledge and question what drains our energy and if this is really worth it. It also points to a need to ‘be completely absorbed in one’s dreams, interests, or specific subjects’¹. Confusion about the way forward in complex issues, especially in the area of social welfare is another potential collective theme. It may also overglamorize the way certain reforms or technological advancements are being presented.

The positive manifestation would be to lead to some kind of illumination or sensitivity in relevance to radical reforms and management procedures that can take place, and maybe give insight about how to revolutionize certain areas or subject fields, in ways that will really help and make a difference. The emphasis on earth and the Kite formation channeled through Moon and Neptune emphasizes the power of visualization and dreams and heightens sensitivity, compassion, imagination, and intuition. Environmental concerns too. Venus and Jupiter in the element of Air point to the emphasis in communication in expanding relationships, values, resources, and sharing, deliberating, and giving it substance and grounding. Venus is in its sign of rulership, and thus symbolises the need to share, while it is opposing Chiron in Aries, highlighting sensitivity and perhaps the need to transcend boundaries, and use intuition. Also to become aware of what alienates us, makes us vulnerable or what needs to be addressed with an open heart, rather than a feeling of rejection. Indecision is perhaps a theme, but the general sense that we need to repair something in this area and find a way to create bridges is emphasised. How can we heal our relationships, the area of our values and resources, what helps and what doesn’t The levels of self-esteem are important in how we approach this area. This requires water—as in feeling, or water as in fertility in the environment and finding connective elements between people, places and areas or life (emotional connection). Or some kind of surrendering and balancing act that requires clarity of boundaries or corrective measures in certain areas through a more ascetic and humble approach. There is a larger scheme of things, and whilst dealing with details, facts, and practical matters, we need to appreciate the whole, and have a connection to the overall vision.

This is great energy for organising something that a great number of people can appreciate, share or benefit from.

The topics of this Lunar Saros Series of Eclipses, and how they may feel more personal to you, can be traced back to the recent years they occurred:

You can trace this Lunar Eclipse Saros themes in the years, and through the topics of the natal houses (areas of life) they occur in your natal chart: the most recent ones occurred, in September 2006, August 1988, August 1970, and in ~18 year intervals before then.

If this eclipse touches important planets or points in your natal chart, it may bring you in touch with large groups of people, collective or heightened emotional experiences, or get you in touch with subjects that may offer opportunities for substantial awareness, that may highlight a potential for consciousness of purpose or give reason to connect. It may also point to a change in the domestic or familiar environment in reference to how you relate to other people or relationships, and a change in the way you approach habits and daily duties or circumstances and becoming aware of what helps and what doesn’t.

A more individualized interpretation, requires a personal consultation with a professional astrologer.

© Eleni Kostika 2024

References:

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaros118.html

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2024-september-18

Footnote:

1. Munkasey, Michael. Midpoints, Unleashing the power of the planets, ACS Publications (May 8, 2018). p.311-312