FULL MOON IN TAURUS @ 5°09': 29 OCT, 7:24 AM AEDT | 29 OCT, 9:24 AM NZDT | 28 OCT, 10:24 PM CEST | 28 OCT, 1:24 PM PDT
PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE 29 OCT, 7:14 AM AEDT | 29 OCT, 9:14 AM NZDT | 28 OCT, 10:14 PM CEST | 28 OCT, 1:14 PM PDT
Features: Moon conjunct Jupiter opposing Mercury & Mars.
Themes: resources & resourcefulness, material & spiritual abundance. The true value of things & what we truly value.
Here we are in Scorpio Season - a season of depth & desire. Mere days away from the Feast of Shadows that is All Hallows in the North, & the Dionysian fertility rites of Spring in the South. Both are suitably Scorpionic.
We’re also heading into a partial lunar eclipse in Taurus this weekend. It marks the final eclipse in the Taurus-Scorpio eclipse cycle that’s been with us since late 2021.
With the return of Eclipse Season, we entered liminal time. Akin to entering in the Minotaur's labyrinth - a place of initiation along the fixed Earth-Water axis of Taurus-Scorpio; between the worlds.
The In-Between is magic in & of itself, & surrendering is the only spell required of us, for this is not a time to perform ritual magic. The nodes are the wild white horses that ride the waves of our lunations.
As we near the swan-song eclipse for the Taurus-Scorpio axis (for some years, anyway), we may ask what soulful treasures have we gleaned from the passionate fecundity of these territories? Territories defined by what we desire & what we require. And by our skilful means made manifest concerning our material & psychological resources.
In the past I’ve referred to the myth of Ariadne* in relation to this eclipse axis. Ariadne’s blood-red thread unravelling us & our certainties, but also guiding us as she did Perseus through the dark labyrinth & back out again, having encountered the minotaur within.
Image: Theseus & Ariadne, by Angelica Kauffmann
In May 2022 I wrote about the New Moon Eclipse in Taurus, followed by a Full Moon eclipse with La Lune Fallen in Scorpio, as we made the inevitable descent into the eclipse Underworld...
...we spiral through the labyrinth, making a dark descent into the womb of night, connected always by Her scarlet thread to the Earth. The thread of desire, love, memory, loss, our blood & ancestry. We carry within us the seeds - the ruby jewels of the Taurean New Moon's conception & promise.
Are they rubies or replicas you hold fast in your belly, & if rubies they be, at what price do they come to you? What must we shed or release? What must we let die for those dreams to be of true, lasting value to us?
So we follow the red thread out of the Underworld holding our precious ruby seeds close. There may be fewer of them than before - we may have left some of them behind, & spent time grieving their loss. Those that remain may be dearer to us now. They may carry more potential & capacity to sprout & take root too.
With this lunar eclipse, La Lune is in Her exaltation in Taurus, with Jupiter close by at 11°(rx). If we consider the Moon’s orb of 15° she’s having a fairly good snuggle with BFG Joop. And this also provides a clue that this eclipse will be speaking to Jupiter’s remaining journey through Taurus.
Whether Jupiter offers a kind of blessing to the eclipse, or whether Jupiter’s qualities are being somewhat “eclipsed” is up for debate. With such a tight opposition from hunter-strategist Mars in Scorpio, there’s some boisterous swagger that can offer courage, passion, & ebullient spirits. But there’s also a potentially obnoxious stridency with such an opposition. And Mercury with Mars in Scorpio can bring a ninja sting to pen & (s)word if poked, which might pop Jupiter’s great balloon.
The host of the eclipse - our Fallen Venus is patient & devotional in Virgo. No sparkly, quick fixes or superficial remedies for Her. The Moon makes a lovely trine to Venus & though in Fall there’s a sense of support, particularly following the eclipse.
What soil have we tended & composted so that our dreams may flower & fruit? What has withered & die within this cycle? What profound changes have brought new beginnings? The end of a cycle coming in Scorpio Season offers us the capacity to integrate & transform our losses & deaths, recognising these as an essential for renewal. And in preparation for the alchemy of Sag Season.
Do you have greater clarity or illumination regarding your desires since November 2021? What is it that you truly value now?
Look to the areas of life where Taurus & Scorpio are located in your natal chart as to how these stories have played out.
Eclipses tend to be wild, unpredictable & at times dramatic. This one is certainly a mixed bag of cats, but it’s also a bit of a reset. There is a story that’s been finishing up. The nodal shift into Aries-Libra was felt palpably by many, including myself.
This lunation is an opportunity to review the past couple of years & recognise & value what we already have. To be less fearful about losing what we have & perhaps focus upon working patiently, sustainably towards our goals in the material realms, (Taurus) whilst remembering the value of our non-material resources & personal power (Scorpio).
The Sabian symbol (see James Burgess) for 5-6° of Taurus is “a bridge being built across a gorge”; “building bridges to end separation” or following a calamity. The fact that our Greater Benefic Jupiter will station to turn direct at 5° of Taurus on the last day of the year hints further at the symbolism of this degree.
Wishing you all a safe & happy Full Moon!
Image: Thésée et le Minotaure, Maître des Cassoni Campana, between 1500 and 1525. (I had to post the above image, because it’s frankly hilarious & just begging for a caption).
*If you’re unfamiliar or need a refresh of the Ariadne myth, you can read a condensed, but reliable version here.
My natal moon at is 6 Taurus (opposite Pluto) and my NN is at 4 - it’s an eclipse sand which. Hoping to be freed from the shackles of Pluto making his final pass of my Juno sun and Venus at 27/28 Capricorn. I would say I’m at the bottom of the barrel in all senses right now. Simply surrendered to the raw currents of change. 😮💨
We spent the day of the eclipse thrifting. It was so much fun. And then I sat on the porch and tagged items for our antiques booth. The pricing and cost of things is a big values lesson. I never want to overcharge. I really just love finding beautiful things and helping people create beautiful spaces. There's so much here. I don't want to write a book. Went back to November of 2021 and this was when I was untangling myself from too much writing. The 'have to' of writing is no good. But I'm thinking of dipping my toe back in. We'll see. I missed this piece when you posted it - but it landed here at the right time. Moon blessings to you. 🌙