by Robert Wilkinson
This coming Full Moon Penumbral Lunar eclipse is the thirtieth Full Moon since the December 2020 Solstice conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn at 1 Aquarius which launched new 20 and 200 year eras. This Wesak Festival Lunar Eclipse will take away many things while opening us to our Soul’s humor, grace, spontaneity and freedom as we bring light into the darkness.
I’ll speak more about the bigger picture after the Sabian Symbols. For now, let’s take a closer look at this stabilizing, freeing, visionary, courageous, and illusion busting Lunation which require that we rededicate ourselves to our inner light, inner hope, inner fortitude, and inner freedom to enjoy life on our own terms. We’ve all found a new way of “doing our Being” and this will remove old considerations, old relationships, old stubborn ways of thinking, and bring flashes of a new identity. By forgiving and releasing much, we allow grace to enter our lives.
We are still in a time when the old answers cannot confirm the new conditions of existence, so redirect your expectations to what approaches, not what’s leaving. Pluto is still giving us visions of the larger Light field we’re a part of, so look for your spiritual Brothers and Sisters who also shine on. Face facts, imagine being released from old pressures no longer appropriate for where you’re at, and be willing to step back from materiality and see the impermanence of all things. Practical compassion requires a specific focus. What’s yours? What is your purpose for doing or not doing something? Show good humor since a call to renewal is coming in June, so the space you create now will yield new productivity then.
Due to the position of the Nodes and recent eclipses, through our releases and eliminations we’re stabilizing our need for ease and simplicity through looking at the past we’ve buried since 2019. This is demonstrated through our ability to see time as a factor in what we’re building. As the growth is in Taurus, take an abundant view of what to let go of, since releasing old substance creates the space to attract new substance. Enjoy the process of releasing old toxic memories, or memories of toxic relationships in the past, since they need to leave.
As the Full Moon fulfills the themes of the previous New Moon, in this case the recent Hybrid Solar eclipse at 30 Aries, we can use the “removals and arrivals” promised by that Aries eclipse to find new arenas of effective activity. Simply put, you may have to move into a new field of action with people who are friendlier than the ones in the old field of activity. That Aries New Moon Solar eclipse reminds us that Aries is the Light of direct action. Because Jupiter "led the Light" in that eclipse, find the humor in situations, dance in new directions, see the promise, and a greater vision of possible futures.
As this eclipse has the Sun in Taurus and Moon in Scorpio, the Light of enjoying life on our own terms is expressed through Scorpio’s magnetism, attracting what we like and repelling what we do not like. This is the Light of a new “fulfilled worth” expressed through the deep attractions and communions shown by the Moon. Because Taurus/Scorpio is the axis of the archetype of the Warrior/Guardian, we can be the stable focus we want, enjoying ourselves as we know when to advance, when to retreat, when to hold the line, and when to adapt. Guard boundaries and resources, and remember not to clutch at disappearing forms.
The Sun in Earth and Moon in Water shows a time of the Fixed Earth (stabilized practicality) of Taurus expressing its consistent groundedness through the Fixed Water (stabilized feeling experience) of Scorpio. This begins three Full Moon themes focused on the individual and spiritual levels of our existence.
At this time, 3 planets are in the first third of their sign, 3 planets are in the second third of their signs, and 4 planets are in the last third of their signs. This indicates a balance in the actional-material and social/emotional fields, with more emphasis on the individual, mental, and spiritual field.
Why Are Full Moons So Important?
At a Full Moon, that which has opened since the previous New Moon surfaces in a public form, and heads toward the culmination and fruition symbolized by the second half of any cycle. First half, birth into form and field. Second half, culmination and completion of the purpose of that cycle.
That’s why it’s important to regard the New and Full Moon charts as “God’s Footprints in Time,” since one follows the other in an unending sequence of births of newer and newer seeds. The New Moons show us the seeds that will flourish under the reflected light of the Full Moon.
Full Moons heighten feelings, due to the opposition of the Moon and the Sun. We are now in a time of the year when the inner planets are almost done making conjunctions with the outer planets, so there are still no planetary oppositions other than those made by the Moon until the coming oppositions from early Leo to Pluto. The 2 forming oppositions in this chart involve the Moon opposed the Sun and Uranus. Those oppositions are this chart’s “Tension of Opposites,” creating an “awareness generator” between 13-21 Taurus and Scorpio
Dispositors - What's the Backdrop to the Energies?
The Sun is in Taurus, making Venus its worldly ruler and TransPluto its spiritual ruler. Venus is in Gemini, making Mercury its ruler, and Mercury is in Taurus, making Venus its ruler. That means they are in “mutual reception,” a powerful self-reinforcing and self-referencing closed loop of energy.
The Moon is in Scorpio, making Mars its worldly ruler and Pluto its spiritual ruler. Mars is in Cancer, and so ruled by the Moon in Scorpio. That means the Moon and Mars are also in a mutual reception, with a different self-reinforcing energy than that of the Sun and Venus.
At this time, all the planets except Neptune are ruled by one of these two mutual receptions. So in this Lunation, besides what we’ve already covered, Jupiter is ruled by Mars, Saturn is ruled by Jupiter, Uranus is ruled by Venus, and Pluto is ruled by Saturn. As usual, Neptune is a “standalone” planet, ruling itself.
By looking at how “chains of dispositors,” “final dispositors,” and “mutual reception” are in play between the planets, we get a clear picture of the backdrop for how each planet operates. You can find out more about dispositors in general, chains of dispositors, and mutual reception by going to Astrology Class – What Is A Dispositor and What Is Mutual Reception Between Two Planets?
The Magic of Venus: Friendships, Soul Mates, and Twin Flames
Venus in Gemini as part of the mutual reception ruling the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Uranus makes it a very important influence these next two weeks and the 5+ months this Lunar eclipse is in play. It’s on a degree of being released from some old pressure we no longer need, so be gracious and willing to “leave the court” and find relief in some burden which is finally ending.
At this time, Venus is sextile Jupiter, novile Uranus and square Neptune. This will prove very productive in finding the right information we need as we stand on the threshold of major change in May. Beware of deceptive people who give contradictory or mixed signals, and use your imagination to bring your vision into clarity. When in doubt, allow the power of your personality to come forth in refined ways. This should be very favorable for spiritual realizations and heightened intuition and connection with collective consciousness (even if some of what is thought or perceived is at odds with that collective expression.)
If you want to know more about how to shape your Venus power to attract better friends and relations in the future, please consider getting your copy of my new book The Magic of Venus: Friendships, Soul Mates, and Twin Flames. It is the most comprehensive book on Venus ever written, and explains why we attract who we do and how to create more satisfying relationships in the future. You will understand the foundations of long term healthy relationships and friendships, why Soul Mates come into our lives, and learn how to shape your attractive power to have happy relationships in the future. Even if you’re not looking for a partner, this book will explain why certain people with certain traits came into your life and what they taught you about yourself.
It has chapters on the qualities of each sign’s natural mate, the qualities of Venus in each sign, and when crucial choices and changes are made, affecting who we attract in the future. It was written for both astrologers and lay people, and as it has a thousand gems for better relationships, with self, others, and Source, please consider getting your copy by going to the link above! (And when you’re done, please leave a review on Amazon, since it helps the book and all other books on astrology as well!)
The Sabian Symbols for the Full Moon
This Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Wesak Festival falls at 15 Taurus and 15 Scorpio. It is said that the second third (decan) of any sign deals with the social and emotional levels of life, and as the Lunation is in the second decan of those signs, invokes a sub-influence of Virgo and Pisces.
Since the Moon always focuses the light of the Sun in specific forms, the degree symbols for both are important. The Sun degree is the illumination or enlightenment of the Lunation, whereas the Moon shows us the potential forms that enlightenment will take. Though I’ve given you a sense of what this is about up to now, here’s where we go into detail.
The Solar Sabian symbol for the 15th degree of Taurus is “A man muffled up, with a rakish silk hat.” In the original Marc Jones class notes on the symbols published in The Astrology of Personality, Rudhyar says this is a degree of the “Supremacy of conscious mind over brute nature forces,” “full appreciation of outer difficulties,” and “great inner resources.”
In the Astrological Mandala, he says this is a degree of "the courage needed to meet the crises precipitated by social ambition,” where regardless of what we have already succeeded at, we will still confront inner and outer storms the more “successful” we become. He offers that we must be ready to face these storms with courage and be willing “to accept crises and to go through them” to develop strength of character, which becomes the vehicle for Higher Consciousness.
He also states this symbol “implies a transition to a new level at which the individual who has learned from experience demonstrates a truly mature mind. What is revealed here is character under adverse circumstances.” He offers that this degree falls in the Span of Experience, Act of Differentiation, Scene of Substantiation on the Individual-Mental level.
Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, says this is a degree of “Absolute self-integrity at a simple extreme of self-consciousness,” and of our Spirit’s “inherent supremacy over all possible limitations or embarrassments.” He states that this degree is about dramatizing self in “a continual and effective awareness of a role to be played in life.”
He offers that we must be “willing to utilize whatever arises in experience” while transcending the limitations of even the least part of it. He offers us the keyword SOPHISTICATION. He goes on to say that when operating positively, the degree is “a superb aplomb arising from the constant rediscovery of greater powers latent in selfhood.”
The Lunar Sabian Symbol for the 15th degree of Scorpio is “Children playing around five mounds of sand.” In the original Marc Jones class notes on the symbols published in The Astrology of Personality, Rudhyar says this is a degree of “The world of the five senses as the playground of God and Soul,” “Honesty in self-expression,” and “Bondage to sense patterns.”
In the Astrological Mandala, he goes on to say that this degree symbolizes “Early steps in the development of a mind seeking to be attuned to the higher level of human evolution.” He offers that 5 is the number of “mind in its most creative and penetrating aspect,” the quintessence of individuality arising from 4, which symbolizes the biosphere, and that humanity has been stuck for a long time in “mind contaminated by compulsive instincts.”
He also says that this symbol can bring forth those individuals who embrace their potential to cultivate the higher, creative mind, and in the right social environment, could master ways of expressing their creativity to express their Higher Self. Ultimately this degree is the fulfillment of the energy of interaction with others, and so flows toward “future oriented growth.” He says this degree falls in the Span of Retention, Act of Group Integration, and Scene of Communion on the Individual-Mental level.
Dr. Jones says this is a degree of “Absolute self-integrity at a simple extreme of social consciousness,” and of our Spirit’s “competence for meeting all possible eventualities.” He says this is about dramatizing psychological faculties as a means to interact with others, and of “the illimitable capacity for experience in any situation” in which we find ourselves.
He continues that “the individual is able to deal with whatever may arise in the circumstances of (their) being, and to commit to whatever proves to be worthwhile.” He offers us the keyword NAIVETE’. He states that when operating in a positive manner, this degree “is a gift for a continual discovery of new and effective facets of selfhood.”
From this Solar symbol we see the Light of this eclipse by using our consciousness to forge ahead despite circumstances so that we can build the parts of our character we’ll need in the future. We now get a 5 month Light of how our maturity in handling past crises served our awakened individuality, and we can see our “self-integrity” from a different angle of spiritual wisdom. We will be offered glimpses of a) how we transcended “limitations or embarrassments” in the past or have to do them in the near future, b) how our self-awareness kept us steady in the “role to be played in life,” and/or c) how we rediscovered or can rediscover powers latent within us.
From the Lunar symbol we see the expression of the Light of individual-mental communion that shows our integrity as we play with a higher creative aspect of Mind. As it’s the Eagle point, it marks a degree of ultimate transcendence, and the ability to move that which usually cannot be moved, and stabilize that which is usually unstable. And of course, Scorpio often deals with some kinds of healing.
So the Light of this Full Moon requires us to be willing to go through what we must to cultivate the better aspects of our character as the foundation for living our Higher Self. This is the culmination of making something substantial, and because it’s the Ox point, it also perfectly balances the power of the Moon at the Eagle point. While the Ox Point Sun is a degree of ultimate stability, the Eagle Point Moon is a degree of ultimate transcendence, so this Lunation offers us the ability to move that which usually cannot be moved, and stabilize that which is usually unstable.
This is a concentrating, specializing, and integrative Full Moon, even if it does challenge our ability to persist in expressing our uniqueness in spontaneous ways and take a look back to find “inner happiness in dark hours,” or help another who is having a hard time. Hold back a little, monitor your expectations and longings, and let go of old things you no longer need.
We’re in an Era of Overlapping Capricorn and Aquarius Cycles
As you know by now, we had numerous important long wave conjunctions in January 2020 which were set into motion in March 2020, including a 12 year cycle and a 33 year cycle! Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto all made conjunctions in Capricorn in January and March 2020 which were activated by Mars in March 2020. Mars completed its run at its conjunction with Saturn at 1 Aquarius which also set long wave preliminary Aquarian structures into play which are expanding and currently taking shape.
We’re seeing the competition between the Capricorn and Aquarian cycles play out in the world between the regressives and the progressives, between the forces of control and the forces which resist control, and between the materialists and the idealists. The Capricorn cycles will be in play for many years to come, but by mid-century they will wane while the Aquarian cycles will have become dominant.
That “Great Compression” of planets in early 2020 created a very crowded house in a very narrow span of degrees, impacting where we have late Capricorn for many years to come. Add the three conjunctions of Jupiter with Pluto as it transited back and forth over the January and March degree points, and we’ve had a lot of long wave Pluto energies expanded which will show effects over the next decade! If you’re wondering how this Great Compression and those to come will impact us, please check out the linked articles on the bottom of Part 1 of this series published last week.
TransPluto, Divine Mother, and the Tests of Human Redemption
I’ve included this section for many years to keep you all aware of the workings of Divine Mother on our Earth in this Age in Transition. Rather than simply reprint it each month, I created this material as a separate article unto itself a while back. If you want to know more about the vast spiritual field coaxing us toward a great redemption of the promise of Life itself, please take a new look at TransPluto, Divine Mother, and the Spiritual Lessons of 2023. We have now returned to a time where we will have “Divine help when human efforts seem to fail,” and discover or rediscover hidden powers within ourselves.
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At the 2020 World Teacher Full Moon of Sun in Gemini and Moon in Sagittarius I gave you a universal prayer/meditation offered to us by the Tibetan Master D.K. in April 1945 at the end of the war. Tens of millions around the world do this prayer every Full Moon, tuning into the Whole which we ALL are together. I said it every day for many years, and still say it every Full Moon. (It was a real trip to see eyes suddenly open and/or lightbulbs go on over people’s heads when I did it countless times riding the NYC subways when I lived there in the early 80s!)
In 1976 I changed a few words to make it more universal. For your consideration,
The Great Invocation
From the point of Light within the mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of All,
Let Light descend on EarthFrom the point of Love within the heart of God
Let Love stream forth into the hearts of All
May Christ return to EarthFrom the center where the Will of God is known
Let Purpose guide the little Wills of All
The Purpose which the Masters know and serveFrom the center which we call the Human Race
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
Again, as I’ve offered you many times before, when you see the title "The Christ" if you are so inclined please substitute "World Teacher," "Bodhisattva," "Imam Madhi," "Krishna," “Kristos,” "Avalokiteshvara," "Maitreya," "Messiah," or any other term used to describe this Great Being. And if you substitute “Enlightened Ones” or “Wise Ones” for “Masters” I doubt it would offend anyone.
See you soon with part 3 covering aspects, planetary sequencing, and other important factors in this Full Moon.
Previous articles in this series:
Astrology in May 2023 - On the Threshold of a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Full Moon at 15 Taurus-Scorpio
© Copyright 2023 Robert Wilkinson
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