Wendy Cicchetti
The Full Moon eclipse falls within the first degree of Leo, signifying a need to get out and achieve. Urgency, excitement, and a desire to gain knowledge combine with the eclipse’s usual intensity to make for a supercharged time. Leo taps into pride and a keenness to save face, knowing how much reputation counts. We may want to make an extra special impression, and yet, ironically, such internal pressure could mean that we do something crazy! However, charged-up energy can be a positive if we have the courage and willingness to go the extra mile, so we should not doubt ourselves. Making a new contact or having the oomph to push a project forward can be definitely positive. Sometimes, when taking that extra risk, we reveal the gold in our true colors: the unique qualities that make people love us and that may otherwise be left hidden. Talents, abilities, and helpful gestures shine through as we overcome any shyness and step out.
One potentially complicating factor is the Moon and Sun–Mercury making a t-square to Uranus. Pluto at 21° Capricorn is also drawn in, adding to the outer-planet resonance, which frequently brings us in line with bigger themes in society affecting entire generations.
The Moon’s nodes hint at how generations may be influencing one another over time. The North Node in Cancerand the South Node in Capricorn especially highlight the need for “good parenting.” The South Node represents older values, perhaps linked with Victorian attitudes — or medieval ones! The old idea of children being “seen and not heard” and the use of corporal punishment as a form of control have come to be viewed as dated methods of achieving “good” behavior. But modern parents may feel that they have swung too far the other way, lacking effective discipline or communication with their offspring, as reflected by Mercury in Capricorn conjunct the South Node. Ensuring that children are heard and getting their needs met, while they are also being respectful and cooperative, brings its own challenges. Therefore, a glance back at ways of the past, to see what may still be useful, could also be part of the South Node’s balancing act.
Parents wanting to see their child succeed and perhaps go beyond their own limited situations may inadvertently be imposing adult pressures and expectations on their beloved little one; this is helpful in some regards, but may also lead to unintended consequences if a balance is not found. With the Full Moon combining Leo and Aquarius energies, we can see that children still need to have fun, even when achieving, and perhaps not be overly serious so soon or made to conform to suffocating traditions. Uranus in fast and furious Aries points to a wild-child element with the potential for sudden rebellion, which may seem scary at first. Yet perhaps the wild card adds something useful, if we can be humble enough to give it a chance. Sometimes, rebellion is required for character to be formed. We may even look for guidance in our own childhood and what our parents taught us.
For some people, needed adjustments at this time could relate to physical nourishment (North Node in Cancer) — and body image might come into it, given the Moon in Leo. At this lunar eclipse, we could find the impetus to improve our health and grooming, so that we can head towards a brighter, happier future.
Written by Diana McMahon Collis for the Mountain Astrologer Magazine