Lunar Eclipse in Libra
Attuning to Necessary Change
Eclipse season is here! We have our first eclipse of this year on March 25th occurring at 5 degrees, 13 minutes of Libra; the eclipse will be exact at 7:13am GMT. With the first eclipse of this season being a lunar eclipse, we are being called to release something in order to make room for the solar Aries eclipse on April 8th. This upcoming eclipse is also connected to a later Libra solar eclipse we’ll be having this fall. Let’s take a look at what to anticipate with this event.
Before I get into all the details, I want to announce I have recently written an eBook about eclipses. Eclipse Explorations, is a 30-page guide to understanding the astrological ins and outs of eclipses. It goes into depth on the different types of eclipses, what those mean astrologically, how to discern if, how and where an eclipse is going to impact you, and greater detail on both of the 2024 eclipse cycles. If you want to really understand eclipses in a more meaningful way or if you are being impacted more directly by these Aries/Libra eclipses, I highly recommend checking out this book. You can find it on my website here.
Moving on to this particular Libra eclipse, it will be aspecting Pluto in Aquarius, the North and South Node of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus. The eclipse will form a trine to Pluto (with the Sun being sextile). The South Node in Libra will be loosely conjunct the eclipse at 15 degrees – while this is a greater orb of influence than I would normally consider for a lunar transit, eclipses carry VERY big energy, so I tend to allow them much wider orbs. The same goes for its aspect to Jupiter, which is also at 15 degrees of Taurus – Jupiter itself has very big energy, so this is well within the range of influence.
What I see happening with this particular eclipse is a call to release something, particularly in the realm of relationships. This could cover many-a-thing, and we’re talking about relationships of all kinds, whether they be romantic, familial, platonic, working, etc. There is a dynamic we’re being shown at the time of the eclipse and it relates to our own shadow aspects as revealed through our relationships. We need to find better balance between our self-expression, personal drives and desires, and what we sacrifice for the sake of harmony with others. We may be so good at “playing fair” that we unintentionally give ourselves the short end of the stick time and again, thinking that we’re acting with balance and conscientiousness. In fact, one of the traits of Libra is a tendency toward self-denial while putting other people first.
Libra thinks it’s happiest when everyone is happy. It thinks it needs harmony, justice, balance and fairness in order to relax. While this is true to some extent, at some point we need to seek out the evaluation of Aries – the counterpoint to Libra – in order to assess if we’re really meeting our own needs or if we’re suppressing them in order to avoid conflict and confrontation. You always have to fill your own cup before you can fill others’ and Aries helps us do that.
One of the shadows that Pluto may be highlighting for us now is a tendency to check in with other people in order to make sure we’re “doing things right.” The air signs (Libra, Aquarius, Gemini) all like to share ideas with other people and there’s a sense of community and belonging that occurs when you link up with like-minded folks. This is all well and good, but sometimes we don’t actually synthesize with others as much as we’d like to. Instead we have a little voice inside that argues against what other people are saying. Yet we may silence that voice because it would disturb the peace, which doesn’t seem very “spiritual.” This leaves us in position to deny our true desires and self-expression, which is being highlighted for us now as the Sun moves into Aries and opposes the Moon during the eclipse.
I do want to mention that this eclipse is penumbral, meaning the Sun’s light is being obscured from the Moon by the most outer part of the Earth’s shadow. Penumbral eclipses are the most subtle type we can experience, and so while it is still an eclipse, which by its nature is very intense, we may not experience the same level of intensity that is possible, in say, the upcoming total solar eclipse in Aries.
This eclipse is also part of March’s full moon, also known as the Worm or Crow Moon. It signifies the end of winter and occurs just after the spring equinox. The worm part of this name comes from the time of year when the soil thaws and earthworms emerge on the surface to be taken up by birds. If you consider the important role earthworms play in our ecosystem, this is an interesting metaphor for the eclipse. Earthworms are agents of decomposition; they consume dead matter and produce rich nutrients for our soil making them super recyclers. You could say then, that this eclipse is an opportunity to take what is “rotting and decaying” within ourselves and transmute it into something fertile and rich that sprouts new growth.
The crow part of this name is derived from the cawing of crows that signals the conclusion of winter. I have to say, I’ve been hearing a LOT of chatter from the crows lately. If you’ve ever tuned into crows before, you know they are keepers of profound mystery and wisdom, thus adding to the subtle-yet-powerful influence of this lunar eclipse. The shadows are coming to the light, mystery rises from our depths to be viewed with clarity, and we’re given a sacred offering from the Universe for potent transformation.
Since lunar eclipses are like full moons on steroids, this is a good thing. Rather than being thrust into the height of drama and emotion, we may instead get to experience little drips and drops of psychic energy now – intuitive hunches and rising emotions that give us a heads up about changes that are needed and coming. This is, ultimately, how eclipses operate: they herald massive change and transformation with the lunar eclipses calling for endings and release while the solar eclipses signify outer changes and new opportunities (generally speaking). As well, we have already been feeling the energy of this eclipse season for the past several weeks. You may already have had “psychic hunches” tapping you on the shoulder regarding how these themes are going to show up for you. This is especially true if you are more psychically sensitive.
So we know the shadow is involved, just by the nature of this being a lunar eclipse, plus Pluto’s involvement in the aspects. We also know that something “old and outdated” is being released through the South Node in Libra. At the same time, something is excited or agitated through the North Node in Aries – which is forming a sextile to Pluto. We’re feeling inspired, motivated and enthusiastic about whatever changes are taking form. That doesn’t necessarily make this an easy thing, but we’re definitely feeling the push toward some kind of transformation.
When we factor in Jupiter, which is semi-sextile to the Sun in Aries and inconjunct the Moon, it adds another layer to our experience. Jupiter is and has been expanding our awareness around material security and personal values since its been transiting through Taurus. We’re now asked to integrate what we hold sacred and what gives us comfort (Jupiter) with what we desire and what brings us joy and vitality (the Sun). Simultaneously, we must examine how our security needs contradict what we experience in relationships. Do our current relationships align with our values? Are they supporting our needs for personal and physical security? Do we feel like we can stand on our own two feet in relationships? Or do we find ourselves compromising our comfort and boundaries to avoid “stirring the pot?”
As we recognize what changes need to be made and what will give us greater inspiration while aligning with our values, we will feel challenged to integrate all these juxtaposing energies. Aries and Taurus don’t blend particularly well (as cardinal/fire and fixed/earth signs), however, they both thrive on independence. If you can find a way to satisfy both, then you have real potential for growth, expansion, improved courage and grounding. Simultaneously, we need to examine what ideas we’ve held regarding the stability of our relationships – and what we individually need to feel stable – to discern what no longer serves our growth and highest potential. Those things must go. It may be the case that these themes have been building the past few weeks and around the time of the lunar eclipse, something comes to a head, something is made clearer, and we have an epiphany about what needs to change.
Have no fear because this eclipse is linked to the following Aries solar eclipse on April 8th. I’ll be writing an article about that particular eclipse more in-depth, but just know that it signifies new opportunities for self-expression and embracing our personal path. Whatever we can release through this Libra lunar eclipse will make more room for the changes Aries is bringing.
As well, I mentioned previously that this lunar eclipse in Libra is linked to a solar eclipse in Libra we’ll be having on October 2nd this year. Similar to what I just said about the Aries eclipse above, in about six month’s time, we’re going to experience some kind of new opportunities in the realm of our relationships. Changes are coming that afford us better balance, growth and genuine harmony in this area of our lives. So whatever work we’re doing now with the lunar eclipse, as hard as it is to dig into the emotion of it and be honest about what needs to change, it’s going to shift our paths to allow for greater cooperation, peace and symmetry, which becomes initiated in the fall.
So there you have it. Eclipse season is upon us. If you happen to have planets or major angles that lie in Aries or Libra, I highly recommend you give yourself extra space near these eclipses for self-care, rest and reflection. Eclipses bring change, and change can be stressful even when it’s welcomed, so do yourself a favor and be conscious of your needs as the eclipses approach. You are undergoing big transformation now, so it’s okay to ask for a little more support.
If you want to see how these eclipses will impact you personally, I can help with that. Please visit my website at www.zenithglowastrology.com to book a reading with me and we can explore what to expect with the upcoming eclipse seasons. If you want to study the astrology of eclipses more in-depth, once again, I have that eclipse guide available for you now as well.
I hope you all experience the absolute best change and transformation! May it lift you up, help clear the way for greater growth and expansion, and assist you in embodying your highest potential. Happy eclipse season!