Wendy Cicchetti

Scorpio Lunar Eclipse Full Moon

The Scorpio lunation is a penumbral lunar eclipse, meaning the Earth blocks out just some of the Sun’s light from the Moon. The penumbra is described as the edge of the Earth’s shadow, and being outermost, it’s actually a lighter part of the shadow. The long and the short of this is that something in our lives might be somewhat obscured but not completely so. Therefore, we likely have some information that’s useful or valuable, and anything that comes to light now might not be such a shock because of it. It might be that we find a few missing puzzle pieces, but still don’t quite have them all — something that time itself could resolve.

Scorpio is a sign associated with a certain amount of secrecy or hidden factors. So maybe we’re trying to keep something covered up — but it’s not that easy! The cloth wants to slip a little. It might be worth double-checking how details are tethered down or simply realize that we don’t have complete control over the matter. Alternatively, maybe we realize that it’s OK to allow just a little bit more information to see the light of day.

This situation can be especially relevant to how we now feel about a set of past actions or decisions which, at the time, we really didn’t feel so great about. Perhaps we were judged harshly, either by ourselves or others. But with hindsight, we can adopt a new understanding and adjust our stance — maybe also finding that others don’t view us quite as severely as we once imagined!

The Scorpio Moon is opposed by retrograde Mercury, indicating a desire to put feelings and needs into words, yet struggling to do so fully at this time. Internally, this could be due to habitually getting caught up in deep feelings, causing distance and making it difficult to describe them. Or externally, because a situation somehow prohibits full expression — maybe we don’t risk saying something to prevent a flare-up, for example. This dynamic could also apply to restricted movement or travel. Remember, Mercury won’t always be retrograde, and our moment for greater flexibility is just ahead.

Also noticeable in this lunation is the collection of planets in water signs — Moon at 14° Scorpio, Mars at 21° Cancer, and Saturn at 5° Pisces. As we can see from the range of degrees, the planets are not close enough to be in a degree based trine. If they were, we might be looking at the unique gifts and blessings of a water grand trine. But in late-March 2023, the Mars– Saturn trine offered an opportunity towards harmony and cooperation, and distant echoes of this continue to prompt us to remember past attempts to manage a relationship or situation in a smoother way so everyone could benefit.

As Mars and Saturn are termed the “malefics” in traditional astrology, it’s easy to view or even experience them as cosmic villains when they show up in our lives. Yet, there are times when we need the brusqueness of Mars, alongside the insistence of by-the-book Saturn. And whilst a certain development or initiative may initially seem a bit harsh, perhaps we’ll be glad for such decisiveness and certainty at some level!

What we really can’t ignore, though, is the way that Uranus conjoins the Sun and opposes the Moon at this time, indicating that a breath of fresh air really is needed somewhere in our lives. Uranus has a way of delivering this as a short, sharp shock, like a lightning flash. In that moment, something is irrevocably changed. And once the dust settles and we get a chance to see the change, we may well sense relief as we survey a whole new vista ahead! The Moon’s ruler is the planet Pluto, in a square with Jupiter –– signalling disruption and awkwardness. Sticking to our own truth and integrity may necessitate a messy ending.

This article is from the Mountain Astrologer by Diana McMahon Collis