Libra Lunar Eclipse
By Mercedes Alejandro
The Void Queen
The fates of the fixed signs have been assigned since Libra season, where the Sun was darkened by the fall. Six months later we find ourselves familiar with the steady outcomes of the Taurus and Scorpio eclipses that occurred prior. The Sun is out of hibernation and held in high regard by the season of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The furious winds carry the power of assertion on their back.
It is in a Venus-ruled Moon's nature to carry harmony and peace alongside an easy-going disposition. Her Mars-ruled counterpart, the Aries Sun, casts a dominant light into the past, reminding her of his bout of seasonal depression. Moon remembers the days she spent starving for independence but remained by Sun’s side anyway. The memory weighs on her fragile constitution until it becomes a drain to maintain. She attempts to remember the good times instead. She can’t. There’s a moment of frantic frustration as her memory fails to connect with anything other than what opposes her. The void is here.
The winds of fate will freeze in the moments of the dimmed Moon, giving us time to study its direction and course and perhaps pluck away the repressed shadows of Venus’ home that have become tangled in its unforgiving force. It is only by the obscured light of the Moon that we can witness what the spirit of Aries reflects.
Eclipse 101
Eclipses occur approximately 4 times a year and spend about 18-24 months bouncing between two opposing forces in our lives both collectively and individually. The North and South Nodes represent ‘the shadows’ of the Moon in a birth chart and are the only constant oppositions in the sky; The Nodes influence our experience on a spectrum of six axes, rather than twelve individual signs. It takes 18 years for the Nodes to circle the Zodiac. They cause a churning amongst the cosmic spheres and signify both "great endings and great beginnings", as described by Astrologer Chris Brennan.
If you were born under an eclipse or with a pre-natal eclipse lunation, the fated characteristics of eclipses are more rooted to your nativity and you'll often "play a role that impacts or participates in collective destinies," (George, 2022, p. 355). If you were born with a planet at a 90 degree angle to the nodes, also referred to as the bendings, "this suggests an objective perspective in the relationship between lunar body and solar soul, but can also indicate the potential for disassociation and lack of connection," (George, 2022, p. 354).
The Lunation
The Aries and Libra eclipse cycle continues with a third installment at 5°07’ in Libra on March 25th, 2024 at 12:00 AM PST / 2:00 AM CDT / 3:00 AM EST / 7:00 AM GMT. This is a penumbral eclipse which differs from the total and partial, as the Moon only moves through the outer part of the Earth's shadow for this eclipse. The night Moon will be subtlety darker than normal; no blood-Moon or ring of fire this time.
The signs, Aries and Libra, signify the push and pull of two different mindsets and two ways of being. The associated houses signify the actual circumstances and contradictory external realms.
The Cycle
It began with an annular total solar eclipse in Aries last April, and continued with an annular solar eclipse in Libra back in mid-October 2023. The Libra and Aries axis is initiatory at its core, thus ripe with many new ways of relating to ourselves; it teeters on the extremes of fierce independence and dependence as a virtue. Natal charts with an Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn stellium and/or in angular houses may be going through an individuation process. The product of the nodal churning won't be in full bloom until October 2024 and spring 2025.
Hoarded Bonds
Natal charts with planets or sensitive points close to 5° in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) will notice a greater influence from this particular lunation. If there’s an area of life where you're being held back from asserting your own will, this Lunar Libra Eclipse may yield insight into the way you might have hoarded bonds in the name of amity in the past. It may allow room to give the exalted Sun another chance at swift severance. In this respect, it’d be giving your soul another chance to shine; another chance at a well-supported plot-line. Diplomacy and charm will not do this, nor will keeping the pace. It’s time to change speeds.
This is the only eclipse in a series of six that provides us the ability to step-back and take stock of our personal energy. By paying attention to our energy reserves we find ways to efficiently funnel the instinctual collaborative mind to a more autonomous state of being.The Libran Artist can learn to see the Martian in themselves with this Eclipse despite the limited illuminating thoughts, also known as ruminating thoughts.
Post-Eclipse
After joining the South Node, Moon meets Chiron with less anxiety than we’d expect. This is due to the South Node giving the Moon a chance to compartmentalize and process emotions before releasing them back onto the shores from which they came. As Moon stares across at Mercury his forceful tone booms at her. There’s a sense the messenger is unaware of the way his words impact Luna’s emotions, especially when night comes. Moon awaits her fall and anticipates the future, knowing what may come of it.
Take Note
Considering both the signs and house topics of Aries and Libra in your chart: did you notice a change? If not, notice that. Notice that the cardinal signs have no influence over you and save yourself a whole season of worry. This same series occurred in 2014-2015 but reversed. And the last time the nodes were where they are now, was 2004-2006. Think back. Take note.
Public Figure: Ronda Rousey
Note: Rodden Rating AA
A public figure who has this nodal configuration is American professional wrestler and former martial artist, Ronda Rousey. The Libra and Aries axis lay across Rousey’s 5th and 11th houses. Her nodal opposition in 2014-2015 ultimately led to her retirement after losing her undefeated title against Holly Holmes in November 2015. Rousey had spent too much energy on networking and promoting and not enough on her training. After retiring she continued making appearances and establishing a place for herself in the world of performance wrestling.
In August of 2023 she lost her first WWE match by submission and in early October 2023 announced her retirement from WWE. The following month Rousey had launched her own independent company. A couple days ago Rousey came forward to the press to reveal how a severe concussion acquired from the fight with Holmes was kept secret in order to keep the peace between her and her former co-workers. Rousey “kept the peace” but suffered because of it.
Finding Clarity
Clarity is what we like during eclipses because it enables us to make confident decisions in confusing times. That's where remediation practices come in.
There are several methods of remediation for eclipses, one of the oldest from the Vedic tradition is the chanting of a mantra. “Om Kem Ketave Namah” is specific to the South Node and it is meant to be chanted 108 times. Try it during the Libra Lunar Eclipse and see if you feel a difference. Another method is by fasting, as the South Node appreciates emptiness.
There are many more methods of remediation, some more complicated than others, and some more intimate. You may even call upon your own existing relationships with God(s) or Saints to aid in your quest. For example, Saint Martha of Bethany was known for taming a dragon that threatened the population of the city, and her skill would be beneficial to her followers.
Fin
In order for a seed to sprout, it need not ask permission. It is born without a sense of pace and its sudden appearance carves its own place. Naive to the injustices in life and as a result, confident and unafraid in its journey towards the self.
The Moon pt 4.
The Moon remembers.
The Moon is a cup.
Ketu with the Moon,
Is an empty cup;
Once half-empty;
Now an abyss.
The half-full womb,
The Moon forgets.
About the Author
Mercedes Alejandro (she/ her) is a part-time astrologer located in TX, USA. Beginning in 2020 she began studies in hellenistic and horary traditions under Adam Elenbaas and Chris Brennan. Currently she focuses on remediative practices and self-studies the Vedic tradition. Her free-time is devoted to family, tattooing, and writing transit-inspired poetry. Her consultations blend together a myriad of techniques which aim to instill a sense of balance in the relationship between fate and free-will of the client; the goal of a consult is to provide clarity in the topics brought to a session, and to offer remedies to conflicting areas.
Website: https://mercedesalejandro.com
Twitter: @ merc_rx
Instagram: @ merc_rx
References
Brennan, C. [@ Chrisbrennan7]. (2022, April 29). Eclipse season begins tomorrow, with eclipses in Taurus and Scorpio, marking a series of great endings and beginnings [Image attached of eclipses in 2022] [Tweet]. X. https://twitter.com/chrisbrennan7/status/1520199676993196033
George, D. (2022). Ancient astrology in theory and practice: A Manual of traditional techniques. Rubedo Press.
Well done Mercedes. I enjoyed that very much. Austin's inspiration comes through quite clearly and naturally, and yet you definitively have a unique voice. Your alchemical blend of the Pisces poetic sense with Virgoan technical precision is really something, and I look forward to seeing and hearing more.
So beautifully written! Thank you for your insights around this eclipse!