Today, the last day of January, the sky is lit up by a rare astrological phenomenon: a Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse that is also Blue (the second full moon of the month) and a Supermoon (perigee Moon).
The marvel happens at 11.37 ° Leo, opposing Sun and Venus conjunct in Aquarius. Lunar Eclipses in general emphasize an emotional and often relational turning point, although at times, especially on the Ego axis of Leo (self, personal)/ Aquarius (collective, impersonal), the relational switch is bound to happen on two levels: between two dimensions of the self (inner split-and-recompose), and also between individual and the collective (outer encounter with the power of the collective).

Inner events

The personal focus of this “Blue” Eclipse is coming out of hiding. There is a constant heroic search to match the present, real, incomplete or, at times, frustratingly contradictory ego/self, with ego ideal (Ichdeal, Freud) which is who we believe we really are, who we want to be. This particular Eclipse will be a special moment for those heroes among us (superheroes would be a better term, perhaps, for a Supermoon) who have secretly planned to reach the culmination of such a quest. (Oh wait, we are all this superhero, right?)

Blue Moon here being close to Fixed Star Acubens, the Claw of the Crab (Cancer), which relates to the principle of “hiding place” (just like the Cancerian retreat) and holding onto vs letting go, it connects strongly to a dream (Neptune in Pisces quincunx Blue Moon) or plan of transformation that has probably been alive inside for years, looking for the right time to perform (Leo Full Moon). But a special moment and stage in this quest, for which Acubens is a “clue”, must have been around the Full Cancer Moon, also happening on the same 11 degree, on the 1st of January, a year of the number 11 (the gate between visible and invisible, dream and manifestation), when this plan most likely was a New Year resolution.

The very special quincunx to this Eclipse coming from Neptune in Pisces only heightens the mystery, for it foretells hidden things coming to light (Moon, Leo) in waves, all throughout the year 2018, specifically marked by the Moon cycles, for these natives. The quincunx is a surprise, and while real waters also rise because of it being connected to this Full Moon, secret plans are taken to fruition, secrets emerge, messages in a bottle are being found,  the waters of Neptune will boil and be distilled to reach a level that is suitable for performing on a new stage (Leo Full Moon).
So this is the perfect time to reach for your ideal self, in a grounded and visible manner, after that magical point of darkness, when the Moon is hiding to drop a mask. We are faced with the task of being exquisite, the star within, from now on, this year, in front of the collective: our friends, collaborators, partners, our group, and ultimately the public (Aquarius/Leo axis). To be beautiful and starlike (Leo) and fully embrace the ideal, NOW (Aquarius).
The Eclipse happening on the North Node, with a higher interest and call of the future, it will be easier to shed emotional and behavioral residues (Cancer) to shine on the Leo stage, although that Neptune in Pisces quincunx is likely to accompany this emergence with fear, strange dreams, and physical or psychological poison. Remember that fear intends to make us acutely aware of ourselves and the environment, so the trick is to use its energy for excitement and wonder, as a voluntary act.

Ceres conjunct the eclipsed Moon reminds us that the transformation begins and is grounded in the body (and the connection with earth, plants, food) and the quincunx marks a peak in all forms of addictions for the purpose of leaving them behind, forcing the limits of adjustment between body and mind, and adjustment to our own health ideal.

Move forward as nothing else but the ideal self and mother it.

 
Outer events

The Full Moon of this eclipse accompanies a powerful theme of the feminine: the Moon herself, Ceres, Venus, Neptune, emerging now, collectively, as a tidal wave. Feminine empowerment seeking the point of balance, true equality and even the very precious moment of being heard and seen (Leo/Aquarius) will continue to rise and transform into a global scale revolution, and this Eclipse marks a never-seen-before turning point, in this respect.  Gender culture and mentalities are radically changing now, and along the way, more secrets and backstage events will be exposed (quincunx Neptune) in connection with powerful figures (Leo Full Moon), with the entertainment industry, cinema, TV and the arts (Leo, Neptune) playing a major role in shaping the new patterns of behavior.  The individual in power (Leo) will face a collective that is embracing a new, Aquarian identity (Sun and Venus in Aquarius).
 
As individuals, being the kings and queens of our life (Leo) and as collective consciousness entering the Aquarian age, we must pause in the silence of the eclipsed Moon to hear its main message: there is no turning back.
 
Sabian degree of the Eclipse:
11-12 deg Leo
An Evening Party Of Adults On A Lawn Illumined By Fancy Lanterns

2018 is a Supermoon (live)

Part I: The Wolf Moon

Part II: The Water-to-Earth Kite

 I asked Lenormand to convey an essential message for the New Moon in Libra we experience today.

ANCHOR

Remember relationships need steady anchoring. The renewed Libra influence is emphasizing the danger to experience cardinal relational loss if we neglect our friends and the principle of fairness. Learn to build and maintain a solid, consistent foundation with loved ones, collaborators and friends. If you feel lonely or lost, it is likely you have neglected people who are counting on you and that you can count on in the future. They need your love and encouragement. It's time to become supportive and consistent with those you want to keep in your life. This is a turning point to decide which relationships are worth working for and to act accordingly. Keep your commitments. Keep to your words. Be present.

The shape of the Anchor reminds us of the Libra scales and the paramount importance of give and take. Give what you want to receive. The Pelican as a powerful archetype of feeding and preserving enhances the message of sacrificing  the dark ego, in a wise, powerful and relational manner, for the benefit of all parties involved, while at the same time it encourages bringing out the light ego: our true needs and our decision to keep only the structures compatible with them, which in the context of Libra is about acting now to show our commitment to people who bring positive energy in our lives, people who have been by our side, those who are solid bets of the future.

With the New Moon opposite Uranus in Aries, stay committed to make independence in relationships a source of communion and mutual growth, as opposed to it being a selfish act or pointless childlike rebellion. With Eris, the feisty goddess of discord circling Uranus, the whole configuration won't cut any slack to anyone in the upcoming period, if conflicts are triggered just for show off, me-time, self-validation or shadow individualism. Libra New Moon reminds us we are a team, a duo, and the team or the duo is not about us, but a common cloud we soar on. Remain devoted to the positive changes you have started in your relationships that empower all participants. Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar to be Caesar. This is a fast influence and you will experience the Libran scale pretty soon, on the path to the Full Moon. Radical energy will now make or break lifelong connections.

New Libra Moon applying to Mercury conjunct Jupiter in Scorpio shows important conversations, communications and legislation will be discussed and promoted as soon as Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd, surrounding necessary change and transformation, no matter the reluctancy,  and having long-term implications. Make your love, your friendships, your partnerships a solid rock, an Anchor to the future, by being the nurturing Pelican.

...FOR A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE.

The last Eclipse in the Pisces/Virgo series is bound to bring a major energy shift towards Aquarius (and Leo axis), a "ring of fire" harnessing the power of the Fire Rooster this year. We can see here a significant Phoenix theme, but coming in unexpected ways, out of the depths of the vast ocean of Neptune in Pisces on the South Node: the fire of the future, the fire of desire emerges out of washing the past of the South Node with our power to forgive ourselves and others, to cast away broken dreams and alliances, illusions, false hopes, unneeded wishes and rise again like a sunrise over the sea. Many will face necessary endings around this time, with the help of the universe, and then feel an overwhelming call towards finally embarking on a new yet long-awaited journey, the eternal quest of all heroes: manifestation of one's highest potential, careless and fearless of consequences. Only the call of the fire over water will matter, at the very moment of darkness over light, so hang onto it.

The Eclipse unites Mercury with Neptune in Pisces, creating a bridge of higher consciousness, acute sensory phenomena, psychic awareness,  and an astral channel (the two luminaries connecting as a "ring of fire" between Mercury and Neptune) and its energy calls for a leap into the unknown, through the "ring": a call to bravery and faith, which makes me feel this Eclipse as the Fool:

Sabian degree: 7-8 deg Pisces A Girl Blowing a Bugle moving towards 8-9 deg Pisces A Jockey Spurs His Horse, Intent On Outdistancing His Rivals
Prepare for awakening, messages, calls, callings, dreams, visions, flashes of the future, noise, the music of the spheres, guides, speed, race, invigorating competition, but also cooperation of likeminds (the Jockey and his Horse), and a clear path.

I mentioned the "wish" because this rare magnificent Eclipse conjuncts Aquarian star Skat  (which has an Arabic "wish" denomination). This fixed star was described as a benevolent beacon of happiness, and since this time it meets both the Sun and the Moon "ringed" together as the New Moon of the Eclipse, according to its traditional meaning, it doubles the significance of almost immediately finding "friends" and guides when one starts this new journey with bravery, while at the same time increasing all astral and psychic connections we have with the energetic waves of time and the vision of our highest potential. (which adds to the strong psychic energy of Mercury/Neptune in Pisces)

So make a wish for the future, to become who you are, dear astral traveler. You will find help in unexpected places and whatever will happen will be greater than you have ever imagined.

THE HERMIT

Go inside.
Be quiet.
Praise your mind.
Seek counsel.
Help.
...and seek help.
Sit still until you understand.
Truth at all costs.
You need more.
Time for a quest!

Psychic Elsie Wheeler, the "mother" of the Sabian Symbols "saw" the 8 March Total Solar Eclipse 91 years ago:

18-19 deg Pisces

A Master Instructing His Disciple

All the mighty teachers: Chiron, Jupiter and Saturn are here to help, in that moment of darkness. Moon embracing Sun are both hugging Chiron, and with Virgo Jupiter from the other side, the wound of the soul (Psyche and Pisces) is exposed, no where to hide it, under the scrutiny of headmaster Saturn in Sagittarius and stormy, radical, transformative energetic help in the background from the Cardinal Pluto/Uranus square. It's open now. It will hurt. But this pain is power: the lesson is learned. The healing process begins.

We only have to look at Psyche to know what this is all about:

16-17 deg Gemini

The Head Of A Robust Youth Changes Into That Of A Mature Thinker

Guided by the sacred union of both luminaries, may you heal now and become the masters of your soul.

Union 21.54 Sagittarius squares the nodal axis of the Eclipse.

Pay attention to dreams and messages of love and forgiveness, the entire teacher congress is presided (disposited) by Mercury/Neptune in Pisces.

Major theme: the shadow of Earth (impulse for manifestation, what is fruit, but also what lies underneath, gestating in the ground)- Umbra -  caused by the Sun (awareness, individuality, life force, promise of manifestation) momentarily "blinds" our old emotional patterns and needs - the Moon - and at the same time puts the Moon in a new "red light": our imperative true emotions and needs in relationships are resurfacing now.

Full Moons are relational anyway, and so is Priapus (perigee), "joining " the Moon astrologically,  but this time, multiple markers are aligned to signal this focus on relationships: the Eclipse happens on Aries/Libra axis, with the Sun in Libra conjunct North Node and about to combust with Mercury retrograde on 30th September, receiving important outer energy connected with enlightenment, expansion, the pursuit of happiness.

In other words, Umbra on Moon 4-5 Aries creates a Martian Moon on South Node, illuminating inside what we REALLY want for us in relationships, what we really feel or want to feel, what our true needs are, and they are now resurfacing, we will now reflect intensely on those with Mercury rx combustion, shift with the upcoming quincunx with Mercury Neptune, receive Uranian jolts from the declination energy and the symbolic passage of Moon over Uranus, until 9th October when Mercury turns direct and then we will voice and implement the fruits of this majestic and important inner reflection about "finding me, the one I want to be (in love) and how you look, the one for me, I know what I want now and I am on my way to find you (Sun Libra NN)"

In the meantime, Mars in Virgo in its complex configuration and squared by Saturn tells us, teaches us how to do it; but the extraordinary support for this inner reflection and search for implementation and self-actualization with Mars symbolism (the Blood Moon in Aries) comes from Mercury Uranus in contra-parallel now and the energy of applying Moon to Uranus, and Neptune in opposition with Mars/Jupiter close to midpoint.

Mercury 6° 47'19" S
Uranus 6° 50'40" N

Also notice another important addition to the enlightenment theme in love and relationships, the Mutable Cross of Pallas Psyche Phollus Cupido Amor Chiron.

Moon Priapus conjuncts Vesta on the life path axis and it says: "from now on, I will be truthful to myself and devoted to this inner truth on my path to true love"

The interesting part about this New Moon is the Tree Gate it creates. The Moon happens very early on the 25 degree, 25.07, so it makes  this connection from Sabian 24-25 to Sabian 25-26; both  Sabians carry a tree symbolism.

24-25 deg Gemini

A Gardener Trimming Large Palm Trees

25-26 deg Gemini

Frost-Covered Trees Against Winter Skies


Gemini, with its Mercurial qualities, is a variety vs. selection sign. With the quality of intelligence, mental processes are aiming for quintessence. One definition for intelligence would be the ability to select the best solution, the best path, out of an input of variables. Here we have the action of “trimming” in the first Sabian, and reaching the essential (the bare skeletons of winter trees) in the next.

The solution is this narrow middle path, between the two antagonistic trees: a tree of the desert, a frosted tree in winter. Think of Boaz and Jachin, black and white, unflinching.  But the path, as Gemini  knows, is intelligently slipping between those, and standing on the threshold, for a while. Gemini, a master of acrobatics on thresholds.

This New Moon, a harbinger of seed sowing, encourages us to trim our thoughts and plans, ourselves, and to find the most enduring seed, one for the long future, then to take the narrow and secret Tree Path and plant it right beneath the Gate.