Night of the Snow Moon 2017

Tonight's sky is busy ~ the Full Moon in Leo, a penumbral lunar eclipse, and the New Years comet (45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková) on the heels of the eclipse.

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes within the narrow path of the Earth's northern or southern penumbral edges and outside its umbra. [The umbra is inside the shadow of the Earth; penumbra is the partial Earth's shadow where the Sun's illumination is only partly cut off.] This particular eclipse is special because almost the entire face of the Moon will pass within Earth's penumbra, making the reduction in brightness more visible. It will be visible in Europe, most of Asia, Africa, most of both South and North America over the space of nearly four hours beginning at 22:34 (10:34 p.m.) UT Friday night, peaking at 00:33 UT Saturday morning.

The lunar eclipse calls us to release past and/or deep wounds and move beyond our old fears. As we do this, we can also transcend any negative patterns that emerge from or around our Shadow. Though possibly intense, the effect of this eclipse looks to be one that is shorter-lived ~ a time for quick letting go and completion. Release. Breathe. Release. Breathe. Relax.

The comet won't be visible to the naked eye ~ or even with binoculars ~ as it makes its closest fly-by since 2011. Yet its influence will still be felt. It reminds us that everything has its season and opportunity to move.

The Snow Moon is in Leo, a sign brimming with passion, courage, wisdom and presence. This Moon reminds us that we are in charge of our own destiny ~ and we need to step into that power and take responsibility for it. Full Moon in Leo brims with creativity and playfulness as well.

The sun right now is in independent, airy Aquarius, focusing us on truth and the reality of what is going on with and around us. The regal Moon in fiery Leo, challenging us to step into our own sovereignty.

Other factors are in the mix right now as well: Uranus in Eris, the Spiritual Warrior; and Chiron, the Wounded Healer, at the apex of the Finger of God (the Moon and Jupiter make the base), pointing us toward our growth and healing. They direct us toward showing up, standing up and participating in our own ~ and the community's ~ healing. They remind us that life isn't a dress rehearsal. It's real and present and live.

With the New Years comet in play at this Snow Moon, we also release what no longer serves us from 2016 and step more fully into finding the gifts and lessons of 2017. To prepare for the next event, the Solar Eclipse coming in Pisces on February 26th, step into that responsibility by following the insights we are receiving right now.

Are you on your own path ~ or connected to another's? What makes you 'roar'? What is your passion? What inspires you? How do you express your own uniqueness? What 'old business' do you have to release? What is your plan to do that? What wound is being healed within you? How does that wound point you toward your unique expression of healing?

Aquarius Full Moon

© 2016 ~ ML Monroe

We are in the influence of another remarkable Full Moon ~ this time in Aquarius accompanied by a penumbral eclipse. 

Aquarius is the sign of joined work and humanitarian efforts. It's about caring for others as well as the creative impulse to rally for what we believe in ~ all done in a convivial, playful way.

In this moment, we stand at the crossroads of a Leo Sun and an Aquarius Moon in a combined focus of ME and WE. Aquarius lifting us beyond the personal focus of Leo to the communal good.

.Aquarius creates the energy for the freedom to experiment with a variety of behaviors, expressions and lifestyles. It encourages us to extend those freedoms to others.

Uranus, which rules Aquarius, provides the necessary energy to break up the status quo and make way for transitioning to the new.

Our current transition to the Age of Aquarius reveals its shadow side as well ~ the unpredictable side that seeks to destroy without having a more innovative and positive solution in place.

Be aware of and awake to intuitive flashes and synchronicities showing up under the influence of Uranus and Aquarius. Practice allowing the thoughts their space and thinking/reacting in the world on the fly. Accept the inspirations as they arise and trust the right timing of them. That's what this Moon is all about!

Where do you have your focus so intent that you don't see the forest for the trees? Can you detach yourself from the outcome, even a little? What is your concept of a perfect world? How can you begin to implement even a little of that into your life? What intuitions have surfaced in your thoughts? Have you acted on them? What happened if you did? How did you feel with either choosing to act on them or to let them fly by?

In Like a Lion

Thinking of the "in like a lion, out like a lamb" phrase that often accompanies the coming of March, I find myself face-to-face with Sekhmet, the Lion Goddess of ancient Egypt. She holds that power of the gut, the instinctual, the intuitive. She is also unburdened by fear when it comes to protective and courageous action.

The phrase itself has an unknown origin, although there are three distinct and different sourcings. The first is clearly weather-related:  an observation of the seasonal pattern that March weather is often unpredictable.

The second is biblical: Jesus is both the sacrificial lamb and the Lion of Judah. Perhaps a bit of a stretch relating it only to the month of March. Particularly since March was not a month in biblical times.

The final is astronomical: At the start of March, the constellation Leo is on the horizon at sunset. By the end of March, the constellation Aries takes its turn on the horizon. This alignment would have nothing to do with any weather changes.

Myths of Sekhmet focus on her ferocity, her strength, to the point of blood-lust, in war. That strength is not long-lived. It comes on quickly, completes its goal, dissipates, and She settles into a dormant state. Much like any house cat sleeping stretched out in the patch of sunlight on a chair. Which is also how many of the roaring storms of March happen ~ a sudden, stunning flash and then it's gone and the sunshine returns.

How has March arrived for you? Lion? or Lamb? What do you believe about proverbs like this one? Which others do you know? Which source do you think started the proverb? Is there another god or goddess who fits the proverb for you?

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