The Lunar Eclipse takes place on May 26th, 12.13pm BST at 5° 25 Sagittarius.

This is a total Lunar Eclipse. It is also the second Supermoon of 2021 (the first was the Full Moon on April 27th), alongside as this is a a total Lunar Eclipse, it is also known as a Blood Moon, as in areas where the eclipse is visible the Moon becomes red during the eclipse’s maximum. The last total Lunar Eclipse was over two years ago, in January 2019.

At a Supermoon, a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle, which occur when the Moon is perigee – the point in the Moon’s orbit where she is closest to Earth – Luna appears bigger and brighter in the sky. Supermoons are linked with extreme tidal forces, meaning there is an increased chance of storms, and seismic events such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Astrologically, Supermoons accentuate the lunar energy – so do Lunar Eclipse’s.

Jupiter is notably influential at this Lunar Eclipse. Jupiter rules Sagittarius where the Lunar Eclipse takes place, and is currently in his other domicile of Pisces (Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces) forming a T-square with the Moon in Sagittarius and the Sun in Gemini. Sagittarius is where we explore our beliefs and ideals in the physical, material world, Pisces takes us beyond into the spiritual realms and the sea of the collective unconscious. The eclipse draws attention to Jupiter, especially the specifics of Jupiter’s priorities when he is in Pisces, compared to when he is in Sagittarius.

Sagittarius and Pisces whilst similar, show Jupiter’s influence at work with a shared, but contrasting emphasis. Astrologically Jupiter signifies judges, laws and courts, and in Sagittarius this denotes man made laws and codes of conduct, in Pisces this illustrates spiritual laws and truths. Pisces puts us in touch with the source, our soul and inner truth, brings insight into the power of the cosmos and a desire to unite and flow with it. Pisces is where we discover compassion and consideration for each other, along with awareness of our connection to each other and all that is.

This is a South Node Lunar Eclipse, which combined with the whole picture in the sky, suggests that this is likely to be a potent and emotional eclipse. The South Node relates to the past – experiences we have learnt from or are holding us back, that we need to progress forwards from – and not only this Saturn – known as the Lord of Karma – has just turned retrograde (May 23rd) and Mercury in his home realm of Gemini turns retrograde on May 29th.

It all unites to give the impression that seeds sown in the past are ripening and coming to fruition, instigating us to take a closer look, view scenarios and our ideas or opinions of them from a different vantage point. A process of exploration that leads to a clearer perspective and a deeper understanding of what has taken place, and is now currently transpiring.

Our vision of the world, our beliefs, how we understand and find meaning in life. The Nodes of the Moon lie directly opposite each other, and currently the South Node is in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter, and the North Node is in Gemini ruled by Mercury. The Gemini/Sagittarius axis relates to knowledge – teaching and learning, information – the news, publishing and social media, and travel – short and long distance, our local and the global community.

The North Node in Gemini is prompting us to evaluate our view of the world (Sagittarius). To engage with what we have learnt from the past to assist with discovering what is meaningful ahead – our vision of the future (Sagittarius). The accent here is to be more Gemini (North Node in Gemini) – be curious and challenge our assumptions, explore information and gather facts and details. With censorship and manipulation of information widespread, discovering good, genuine information is difficult, but key.

With Jupiter in Pisces at the eclipse, spiritual and creative energy is heightened enhancing our intuition and imaginations. An influence that invites us to decipher what would support and inspire us on the path forwards, along with who shares our ideals. Encourages us to build relationships with others we feel united with, who are on the same page as us.

In a mundane way, the Lunar Eclipse points to further challenges arising around the pandemic. The fixed star closest to the Eclipse  – Acrab – is associated with contagious diseases by Robson, and Mars at 20° Cancer is opposite the degree (22° Capricorn) of the January 2020 Saturn-Pluto conjunction. In 2020, Jupiter, Saturn & Pluto were all in Capricorn, a trio whose amalgamated influence aligned with the tumultuous events of 2020. In March 2020 – when Covid-19 was shutting down the world – Mars was also in Capricorn, where he is exalted. Mars the red, fiery planet was conjunct Jupiter, Pluto, then Saturn, inflaming the spread of the virus and triggering lockdowns.

Here in the UK, when Mars was in Aries (a sign he rules) and square 22° Capricorn, the first vaccination against Covid-19 was administered on December 8th 2020 (with Mars at 19° Aries) and another national lockdown was put in place on January 6th 2021 (with Mars at 29° Aries).

Now, Mars is in fall in Cancer – he feels out of place and a bit uncomfortable here – so Mars is not inclined to rush into aggressive action. But at the eclipse, Mars is trine Neptune (22° Pisces) and opposite Pluto (26° Capricorn). While Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, Neptune is considered the modern. Neptune also rules drugs, thus is significant in relation to the Covid-19 vaccines.  So this suggests to me that new information/news around vaccinations (Neptune) will perhaps emerge.

In our personal lives this influence means we could easily be emotionally stirred to take action (Mars in Cancer) to protect someone vulnerable or defend our beliefs (Neptune) from something that is causing a conflict or struggle (Pluto).

Another notable influence at the eclipse is that Mercury and Venus are both square Neptune. This can mean thoughts (Mercury) could bring powerful intuitive insights, but equally may be confused – we could also potentially be easily deceived. In our relationships (Venus) we may have found, or be seeking a soul-stirring connection, but again is equally somewhere we could let our idealised imaginings sweep us far away from reality.

Neptune at his best can reveal all that is spiritual, idealistic and inspirational, on the other hand Neptune can denote delusions, deceit and scandals.

Be aware of the potential for confusion and seek to clarify thoughts, ideas, communications or information.

The Meaning of a Lunar Eclipse

Eclipses bring turning points. Open a passageway between the past and the future. The intense emphasis and focus of eclipse energy stimulates endings and beginnings that shake us up and propel us along our fated path. Eclipses are of most significance to us personally when they touch, and thus activate a natal planet, especially by conjunction. The news that emerges can be either positive or negative, it could be the elation of a career breakthrough or the heartbreak of a divorce.

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 resolved. The degree where an eclipse is to fall is stimulated as the eclipse approaches, and remains sensitive following the eclipse. Which means that events indicated by the eclipse can be triggered on the day of the eclipse, the days before or after the eclipse – or even several weeks earlier or later.

At a Lunar Eclipse the Earth blocks the illumination of the Sun from the Moon, this can be disorientating, things are obscured and we can’t fully discern what is ahead. Our inner world, emotions and fears that we usually conceal can rise to the surface. It is a good time to reflect on and assess our life over the last 6 months since the previous eclipse season.

We can prepare for the fresh start eclipses herald by clearing the way, making an effort to step aside from anything clearly over and done. It’s a beneficial time to declutter our living space from any old paperwork or superfluous items from the past. If emotions do overflow, sometimes this is necessary to ease letting go of something painful, especially if we have buried it away. Helps us to heal, by prompting inner emotional change.

Eclipse Season

This Lunar Eclipse will be followed by a Solar Eclipse on June 10th. During eclipse season (May 26th-June 10th – I also allow a few days either side of these dates) it is sensible to approach life with a hint of caution, avoid any rash action or big decisions if possible. Eclipses unleash powerful energy that is characteristically unpredictable. Events can feel out of our control – fated. But keep in mind, that if happenings do transpire that are unfortunate or detrimental in nature – in time as the turn of events unfold – we will see how we have evolved and learnt from them in necessary, and very possibly, even beneficial ways.

Chart

 

Fixed Stars

The closest fixed stars to the Lunar Eclipse are Acrab currently at 3° 28′ Sagittarius & Dschubba  at 2° 51′ Sagittarius. Fixed Stars Acrab & Dschubba are in the Constellation Scorpius, on the head of the Scorpion.

“The Scorpion presides over arms” ~ Astronomica, Manilus

” Acrab and Dscubba, both in constellation Scorpio and positioned next to each other, are supposed to correspond to a Mars character with a blend of Saturn characteristics. According to tradition, these stars are credited with giving the ability to do research, and especially research into things of a particularly secret and hidden nature. In lower types, however, a tendency to falsehood and treason can be noted. Both stars are a poor augury for material wealth. There will be difficulties, impediments, or loss, dependent upon the position these stars have in the cosmogram” ~ Fixed Stars and their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin

“Ptolemy classes it as Mars-Saturn star, not a very delightful combination, yet one which makes certain sense when we remember that a scorpion’s armament is at the rear, not in the head where this star is. It is a fighter of great skill and characterises Mars-Saturn perfectly.

Anyone with Dschubba strong in their horoscope is likely to show a patient and wary approach to any situation, but this will belie the skilled determination which will then be bought to bear. Scorpio is famous for the surgeons born in it and this star shows up just the qualities which they need to have. The same applies to generals, policemen, private investigators and secret service agents, many of whom have Dschubba well placed and aspected. In research of all other kinds too, it distinguishes the real adept.” ~ The Living Stars, Dr Eric Morse

“extreme malevolence, mercilessness, fiendishness, repulsiveness, malice, theft, crime, pestilence and contagious diseases” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson

Acrab with Moon ~ “Great Power, honour, wealth, gifts, difficulty in obtaining legacy, materialistic, interested in unpopular ideas, criticized, success after many difficulties.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson

Tarot ~ 8 of Wands

The Lunar Eclipse takes place in the 1st Decan/Face of Sagittarius ruled by Mercury (Jupiter by triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 8 of Wands.

Mercury, the messenger – speedy and quick thinking – is combined with Sagittarius. The sign that likes to visualise the whole picture, and expand both the inner and outer worlds through knowledge and exploration. Jupiter – ruler of Sagittarius – loves to share his wisdom and enterprising spirit, teaches us how to broaden our views and encourages us to seek growth and prosperity.

Mercury is The Magician in the tarot, Sagittarius Temperance. In the Rider-Waite-Smith The Magician is depicted with a wand pointing towards the sky, revealing he connects the spiritual (the invisible) with the physical (the visible). A reminder of the Hermetic maxim “As Above, So Below”.

The Magician brings forth creativity and initiative, and can guide us to see beyond material illusions to divine reality. Temperance – literally -means “tempering” or “modifying”. Points out the necessity to test ideas, that what is good in theory may not be useful in practice, and thus ideas may need to be adjusted.

In the Rider-Waite-Smith Temperance card, the angel is pouring water from one cup into another, seeking the perfect recipe, slowly tweaking it a little at a time, until the right balance – harmony – is discovered. Advises us to avoid extreme choices, to seek the middle way, and that we may perhaps have to make some compromises. That through balancing the spiritual and material aspects of life, happiness and healing are revealed.

In the current times, these cards also bestow a clear and relevant message. Shadow traits of The Magician include Mercury as “the trickster”, when information can be confusing or messages are deliberately distorted. Temperance guides us to explore all perspectives, to carefully weigh up information before reaching a decision or taking action. Reminds us that taking time to analyse information may well lead to important discoveries.

Sagittarius I ~ “A man armed with a coat of mail, and holding a naked sword in his hand. The operation of this is for boldness, malice and liberty.” ~ Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Henry Cornelius Agrippa

Book T calls this card “Swiftness”.

The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts 8 wands flying in formation through the air, descending towards the earth. In the background are green undulating fields and a stream. The sky is clear and blue.

There are no people in this card, so the sender and destination of the message are unclear. What is apparent is that the information arrives suddenly and carries momentum – it encourages action.

In a reading the 8 of Wands symbolises a message, an inspired idea, vision or aspiration from the spiritual realms materialising in the earthly realms, that starts to quickly come to fruition. Thoughts are clarified and acted upon.

“The Eight of Wands represents rapid movement or change, a rush of ideas or energy. The wand’s trajectory – downward from the divine realm toward consciousness and from left to right (the future) – signals philosophical, religious, or spiritual growth. To achieve it, however, we must take the bounty of ideas coming our way and organise them, making them our own. They are not yet fixed (grounded) within us.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 219-220

All in All

Whilst this is not an easy eclipse, the aspects, fixed stars and tarot are all pointing towards information or a vision coming forth, that guides us towards greater clarity around our beliefs and ideals.

 

Images

Top Image ~ Blood Moon Eclipse.png from Wikimedia Commons

8 of Wands from The Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schröter