Early this Saturday (around 5:00 am PST) the morning of Easter Vigil will begin with a blood-moon eclipse visible throughout most of North America and parts of South America, Australia, Asia and Russia.
Eclipses mark pivotal points of transformation; causing profound changes that can disturb, excite, and liberate us into new phases of life. All last month, and especially since the solar eclipse on March 20th, some big shifts may be culminating into a new set of issues and problems. A desire to reassess your commitments and question your life direction is common. The effects of an eclipse will vary in quality and intensity depending on how it transits your individual natal chart.
In general, this lunar eclipse will be a delicate time of self-assessment. We must take special care of our minds and emotions at this time, especially since it is happening on the (now separating, yet continuing) violent and eruptive Uranus/Pluto square.
In general, this lunar eclipse will be a delicate time of self-assessment. We must take special care of our minds and emotions at this time, especially since it is happening on the (now separating, yet continuing) violent and eruptive Uranus/Pluto square.
This Lunar eclipse is in the nakshatra of Hasta, the constellation of Corvus, the clever crow who tried to trick Apollo. In Vedic Astrology the five stars of Corvus are the five fingers of the “hand of Purusha.” Hasta is symbolized by the human hand and it’s unique dexterity and power to manifest vision into reality.
Situated in sidereal Virgo and true to its ruler, Mercury; Hasta gives skill, craft, witty speech and humor. Mercury is the magician and the trickster. He has the ability to create illusion and sell it. He also can grant the clarity to see through that illusion.
Clarity is the highest manifestation of the nakshatra of Hasta who is ruled by the deity Savitur, the rising sun. It is auspicious that the sun will rise immediately following this eclipse in North America.
It is the sun, after all, that awakens us and inspires us to do action each day. Agni, the fire of the intellect, shines from the sun and fuels the quest for truth and knowledge. The sun is the most predictable and regular of all the heavenly bodies. Never retrograde, its movement marks the hours, days, and seasons in remarkable stability. It is this stability that creates the dharmic container that allows life to flourish on this planet. Since the Equinox on March 20th, 2015 (also a solar eclipse) the power of the sun has been growing. As the days grow longer than the nights, the sun returns to his summer throne. The springtime is the rejuvenation of life and the structure of all-sustaining dharma.
This eclipse will be celebrated as the birthday of Hanuman, the monkey-god (Hanuman Jayanti) in India. While Hanuman is certainly a deity of Mars he also has a very friendly connection with the power of the sun. Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, the King in the epic Ramayana who was said to be a direct descendant of the Sun-god (in the lineage of Suryavansha.) From the time of his youth, Hanuman chased after the sun thinking it was a mango, and even interfered once with a solar eclipse. Hanuman took the sun as his Guru, and keeping speed with the sun’s chariot; he directly learned the illuminating knowledge of the scriptures. Listening to or saying the Hanuman Chalisa can strengthen our clarity as we face the confusing powers of Rahu as he momentarily swallows the moon, and our minds.
This lunar eclipse is a relatively quick one (shortest of this century) and it is also ruled by the quickest moving of planets, Mercury. Mercury will be in a tight conjunction with Ketu and debilitated in sidereal Pisces, making Mercury very weak during this eclipse. This is not the best weekend to initiate or sign on business negotiations or sales, especially speculative investments. Mistakes and mishaps can occur in accounting. Be very careful if you are trying to finish your taxes at this time. Issues around women’s rights and empowerment may come into conversation and communication can get sticky around gender issues. Be mindful of your words. Jokes can be misinterpreted as insults, or simply misunderstood. A desire to control and change others may result in criticizing and frustrating interactions. Watch out for false advertising and make sure to keep your valuables secure.
We may be overwhelmed with self-doubt and regret as we experience the profound changes that eclipses can bring. This eclipse is best channeled by soothing the mind in meditation and contemplation. Keeping the hands busy with prayer beads, knitting, or some other manual skill that relaxes the nervous system can be a nice way to productively pass the time. Do not over stress your hands.
Jupiter is in a trinal sambandha with Mercury, giving it the grace to find the influence of good teachers and advisors. Focus on positive thinking and keep a hopeful attitude. Abandon perfectionism and remember that we cannot force others to fit our expectations. Allowing for change and being open to risk-taking is the only way we can grow.
The Gayatri mantra is useful at this time for Hasta nakshatra.
Oṃ
bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt
We meditate on
the effulgent glory of
the radiant sun;
may he inspire our intelligence.
Situated in sidereal Virgo and true to its ruler, Mercury; Hasta gives skill, craft, witty speech and humor. Mercury is the magician and the trickster. He has the ability to create illusion and sell it. He also can grant the clarity to see through that illusion.
Clarity is the highest manifestation of the nakshatra of Hasta who is ruled by the deity Savitur, the rising sun. It is auspicious that the sun will rise immediately following this eclipse in North America.
It is the sun, after all, that awakens us and inspires us to do action each day. Agni, the fire of the intellect, shines from the sun and fuels the quest for truth and knowledge. The sun is the most predictable and regular of all the heavenly bodies. Never retrograde, its movement marks the hours, days, and seasons in remarkable stability. It is this stability that creates the dharmic container that allows life to flourish on this planet. Since the Equinox on March 20th, 2015 (also a solar eclipse) the power of the sun has been growing. As the days grow longer than the nights, the sun returns to his summer throne. The springtime is the rejuvenation of life and the structure of all-sustaining dharma.
This eclipse will be celebrated as the birthday of Hanuman, the monkey-god (Hanuman Jayanti) in India. While Hanuman is certainly a deity of Mars he also has a very friendly connection with the power of the sun. Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, the King in the epic Ramayana who was said to be a direct descendant of the Sun-god (in the lineage of Suryavansha.) From the time of his youth, Hanuman chased after the sun thinking it was a mango, and even interfered once with a solar eclipse. Hanuman took the sun as his Guru, and keeping speed with the sun’s chariot; he directly learned the illuminating knowledge of the scriptures. Listening to or saying the Hanuman Chalisa can strengthen our clarity as we face the confusing powers of Rahu as he momentarily swallows the moon, and our minds.
This lunar eclipse is a relatively quick one (shortest of this century) and it is also ruled by the quickest moving of planets, Mercury. Mercury will be in a tight conjunction with Ketu and debilitated in sidereal Pisces, making Mercury very weak during this eclipse. This is not the best weekend to initiate or sign on business negotiations or sales, especially speculative investments. Mistakes and mishaps can occur in accounting. Be very careful if you are trying to finish your taxes at this time. Issues around women’s rights and empowerment may come into conversation and communication can get sticky around gender issues. Be mindful of your words. Jokes can be misinterpreted as insults, or simply misunderstood. A desire to control and change others may result in criticizing and frustrating interactions. Watch out for false advertising and make sure to keep your valuables secure.
We may be overwhelmed with self-doubt and regret as we experience the profound changes that eclipses can bring. This eclipse is best channeled by soothing the mind in meditation and contemplation. Keeping the hands busy with prayer beads, knitting, or some other manual skill that relaxes the nervous system can be a nice way to productively pass the time. Do not over stress your hands.
Jupiter is in a trinal sambandha with Mercury, giving it the grace to find the influence of good teachers and advisors. Focus on positive thinking and keep a hopeful attitude. Abandon perfectionism and remember that we cannot force others to fit our expectations. Allowing for change and being open to risk-taking is the only way we can grow.
The Gayatri mantra is useful at this time for Hasta nakshatra.
Oṃ
bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt
We meditate on
the effulgent glory of
the radiant sun;
may he inspire our intelligence.
*Above art:
Hanuman Mistakes the Sun for a Fruit by BSP Pratinidhi
A Hand with Alchemical Symbols Against the Fingers, First Half of the 17th Century Prints
Hanuman Mistakes the Sun for a Fruit by BSP Pratinidhi
A Hand with Alchemical Symbols Against the Fingers, First Half of the 17th Century Prints