The Lunar Eclipse takes place on November 19th, 08.57 am GMT at 27° 14′ Taurus conjunct fixed star Algol
For sure the energies around this Lunar Eclipse are potent, powerful & transforming. Energy that will stir up and unleash necessary, deep & ultimately healing changes in life, especially around our relationships, finances, values & creative endeavours.
The Eclipse is trine Pluto revealing intense, heartfelt, possibly karmic change. As well as square Jupiter, suggesting the energy may feel exaggerated, over the top as well as encompass our beliefs & principles. Further adding to this Venus – ruler of Taurus & the eclipse – is currently out-of-bounds & will soon be retrograde in Capricorn.
Venus out-of-bounds means Venus is expressing her influence in a more unique & independent way than when she is in the realms dominated by the Sun. This brings a wild, anything is possible vibe to all Venus ruled areas. It could encourage us to take some risks & act on desires we perhaps normally wouldn’t.
Venus is retrograde in Capricorn from December 19th (26 Capricorn) until January 29th 2022 (11 Capricorn). Importantly Venus has already entered the pre-retrograde shadow phase, as Venus is currently journeying through the degrees of Capricorn she will re-trace twice, once retrograde then once again when Venus is direct.
During her retrograde Venus will conjunct the Sun (January 9th 2022) which marks the start of a new Venus cycle. This correlates with a time that can bring big shifts in our lives to all Venusian ruled areas – love, relationships, finances, values, creativity & pleasures. Changes which arise in our lives could feel inevitable, destined or karmic in origin. Adding to this Venus stations retrograde conjunct Pluto – stirring up the potential for overwhelming, dynamic change & transformation, that could for sure feel fated.
Joined with this is that Saturn is square Uranus & has been all year, indicating change & upheaval is top of the agenda in 2021 & will continue into 2022. Both in the world & our personal lives – especially if Saturn & Uranus are touching our birth charts. There are 3 exact squares between Saturn & Uranus, with the final one taking place on December 24th at 11° Aquarius/Taurus. The Eclipse is triggering this energy, as Mars in Scorpio is creating a T-Square with Saturn in Aquarius & Uranus in Taurus.
The meaning of a Lunar Eclipse
Eclipses bring turning points. Open a passageway between the past and the future. The intense emphasis & focus of eclipse energy stimulates endings & beginnings that shake us up and propel us along our fated path.
A Lunar Eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon, a time of fruition. When issues, problems or endeavours – reach a climax – are bought to a conclusion or are resolved. At a Lunar Eclipse the Earth blocks the illumination of the Sun from the Moon. This can be disorientating, things are obscured & we can’t fully discern what is ahead. Our inner world, emotions & fears that we usually conceal can rise to the surface.
The energy of change is all around so we are best to try & avoid clinging to the past. Anticipate change & go with the flow. Get ready to release the past & embrace the future.
This Lunar Eclipse is followed by a Solar Eclipse on December 4th at 12° 21 Sagittarius.
Chart
Fixed Star ~ Algol
Fixed star Algol is currently at 26° 27′ Taurus in the Constellation Perseus. Algol is the head of Medusa who was decapitated by Perseus. The Algol name is derived from the Arabic meaning demon, evil spirit or devil. Algol has a fearsome reputation and is known as the most malefic star in the heavens. However in astrological magic Algol is used for protection, with Algol acting as a mirror, reflecting back all negative spiritual influences on the sender.
“Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden, but her hair was changed into hissing serpents by Minerva in consequence of her having become by Neptune the mother of Chrysaor and Pegasus in one of Minerva’s temples. This gave her so fearful an appearance that everyone who looked at her was changed into stone.” ~ Fixed Stars & Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson
According to Ptolemy Algol has a Saturn-Jupiter nature.
“What seems to have been missed by the old school is that ALGOL has a very positive side. That sword did remove a monstrosity from our world, and the monstrosity’s head did in its turn rescue aNDROMEDA – and by the same token, all of us- from yet another monster of great evil. Once we pass the ‘ghoul’ in algol we find the pure spirit in the word, just as its modern derivative, Alcohol, which does so much damage if used irresponsibly, is also the background material of the Universe, without which nothing else exists at all.
How algol signifies on horoscopes depends entirely on how the person concerned does or does not live life with an honest sense of purpose to it, a desire to at least try to live up to some kind of philosophy, religion or ideal. If that be present, in the person or question or event for which the chart is drawn, then all will go well. The author has seen this happen so often, once the superstition about this star is dropped. Many a fine counsellor and healer has algol thus placed.” ~ The Living Stars, Dr Eric Morse
“As everything has two sides, it has to be said that ‘high spiritual rays’ are emanating from Algol also, but only those human beings can receive them, who have already reached high spiritual development. Even then, it has to be noted, that those particular persons will have difficulties and obstacles in their way, and they will have to use much energy to overcome these handicaps. If their endeavours fail, strong counter forces and enmities will be present” ~ Fixed Stars and their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin
Medusa’s name comes from the Sanskrit word Medha which means “sovereign feminine wisdom”
“This star contains immense female passion and power. It is the power of the feminine or the potential power of Mother Nature, strong but not evil.” ~ Star and Planet Combinations, Bernadette Brady
Tarot ~ 7 of Pentacles
The Lunar Eclipse takes place in the 3rd Decan/Face of Taurus ruled by Saturn (in both rulership systems). And without doubt the imprint of Saturn is conspicuous here.
The corresponding tarot card is the 7 of Pentacles which gathers together the influence of both The World which corresponds to Saturn & The Hierophant which corresponds with Taurus.
In the 7 of Pentacles whilst success is within reach, hard work does not guarantee it, & there may well be obstacles & adversity to navigate along the way (Saturn!). It may even at times, feel like things are fated to go wrong. But striving for success can set in motion lessons that contribute to valuable skills – focus, commitment, foresight, modesty, humility and wisdom.
For successful results, the Saturnine principles of planning, dedication & patience are required. Alongside, The Hierophant – which means “revealer of sacred things” – calls attention to the link between the spiritual & the worldly. The Hierophant is a spiritual advisor, wise about the cosmos and the inescapable dance between fate & free will. Calling attention to our spiritual & material values. That we are a part of the cosmos, & the cosmos is bound by spiritual laws – that must be followed to attain success.
The choice of what action to take is key, as well as taking care to keep looking ahead, to ensure that any potential trouble spots are avoided or at least moderated.
Book T calls this card “Success Unfulfilled”.
Taurus IIi
“a man of reddish complexion with large white teeth exposed outside of his mouth, and a body like an elephant with long legs; and there ascends with him one horse, one dog, and one calf. This is a face of sloth, poverty, misery and dread” ~ PICATRIX
The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts a man leaning on his hoe, contemplating his crops. The man has planned ahead, & worked hard, & at this stage it looks as though his crops will yield a good harvest.
But the outcome – whether his harvest will be abundant or a failure – will be determined not only by his own efforts, but also by influences and forces beyond his control. Ahead the weather could bring too much Sun or too much rain – drought or storms – meaning that timing exactly when to harvest his crops could prove pivotal.
“I’m satisfied with what I’ve done so far even though there’s still more to do. I’ve worked hard to build a good foundation, and I’m considering my next step. My task is to model for you the value of hard work, evaluation and planning. When you see the potential in a project and get busy, you put my energy into action.
I counsel you to be patient while seeking integration and wholeness. There is always a next step, so don’t forget to stop and give yourself credit for what you have already accomplished. The patience and determination you develop under my inspiration builds self-confidence for the future endeavours.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller & Thomson
All in all
The combination of fixed star Algol & Pluto at this potent Lunar Eclipse could potentially bring positive creative & spiritual transformation. If we strive for truth & honesty in our beliefs & actions, look for the spiritual truth all around us & let this guide us & lead us towards healing.
Wishing Lunar Eclipse blessings to all.
Images
Top Image from Wikimedia Commons
7 of Pentacles from the Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schröter