Full Moon October/Lunar Eclipse 18th @ 25 degrees Aries 07:38 p.m. EDT 04:38 p.m. PDT by Anna Chapman

“In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn.”

~ Octavia E. Butler

The power of this Full Moon/lunar eclipse, ruled by Mars at 2 degrees Virgo in exact opposition to Neptune--“right” action fueled by the inherent desire for greater understanding of the Self, the environment, others, existence etc. Mars in Virgo=taking the best course of action for greatest results arrived at by an analytical process accompanied by intuitive interpretation. Subtle determination and sense of confidence that borders on aggressive insistence to adopt my way; in this case good for discerning the supreme benefits of allowing the waters of truth to wash away the sands of mortal ineptitude and languishing effort.

This combined with a square from Black Moon Lilith in Cancer and we get a sense that confidence in the unknown, that which drives us forward without effort, becomes more and more the clear motivation behind our activity. Now encompasses not the past or future but the moment. It is evident that when we allow the past, that which we assume to be our roots, to influence this moment suffering is often the result.Black Moon Lilith at 27 degrees Cancer 52 minutes dominates this Full Moon chart. The Moon is the ruler of Cancer and here positioned in Aries we have the relationship of 1 (Aries being the natural ruler of the 1st house) and 4 (Cancer is the natural ruler of the 4th house). From a numerological perspective we have potential energy, Aries, in stress aspect to an established form, Cancer and 1 + 4=5 the number of change. Always in a state of change, what does this Full Moon suggest we are experiencing? It appears that our deepest beliefs, those at the root of our human being (represented by BML in Cancer that rules the IC (Imum Coeli, bottom of the sky) are being challenged. In addition to 1 + 4 we add the energy of the Sun in Libra (ruler of the 7th house) + 7, the number of spirit and where we test our selves in order to facilitate movement from illusion to truth. There is great strength in the sign of the scales as we bring balance to opposing forces within the self that represent separation. The t-square, Sun/Moon and BML is a dynamic function within the chart that acts to find resolution to opposing forces. The catalyst, BML describes that which offers resolution. Clearly, it points out the importance of greater vision. We can all exhale—no one to please, no one to judge—acceptance.1 + 4 + 7 = 12 = 3, the number of creation and our facility for expressing or communicating that creative nature. Mercury, natural ruler of the 3rd house immersed in Scorpio and in the shadow period of Mercury retrograde (occurs October 21st) urges us into deeper areas of the psyche where lie hidden the seeds of patterns that determine our beliefs, those that are being transported to the surface for illumination. Mercury in Scorpio is no picnic. As the messenger, this message cuts to the bone—sharpen awareness. And, with Pallas Athena, mature wisdom, squaring Mercury there is additional encouragement to ‘die’ to the old order. People writhe beneath the intensity of demands to purge that leave us feeling exhausted, torn apart and on the verge of “death”. At last so defeated, the ego, that neither will nor any way to resurrect what essentially is an accumulation of thoughts based on past experience. We may be temporarily left deactivated until the natural process of listening to what is inherently pervasive arises in awareness.We burn in the light of this Full Moon, nowhere to hide those fears that cause us to tremble and lose sight of a grander vision in which there are no reference points contributing to thoughts that previously imbedded themselves deep within the fabric of consciousness.When could we look out at a scene and not see a tree, a bird, an ocean, the color blue or clouds floating by since that has been so for millennia? Me identifying what surrounds me has been the way most things are described. It is okay, that this is the case, but it is truth that seeing happens. There is no me involved. It simply is, unfolding continuously. There is no need for concern or effort as regards any of these thoughts that adorn this page. Merely demonstrating the perfection of existence that “is” without the interference of our concern and effort.In this chart, Jupiter (in Cancer) trines Mercury providing the sense of abundant sustenance as well as the magnification of all that lies hidden within the mind that forms a protective shell to—whatever we fear, along with the general easement/relaxation that occurs as laces are untied, buttons released and all trappings that support the mind’s numerous positions fall away. Structure is not necessary to existence. Existence is. Action is no longer impeded by parameter and freedom is experienced, to witness without reaction or attachment.The continuing Uranus/Pluto square supplies the energy for this evolutionary transformation. It happens.And even though we experience a Lunar Eclipse also, it is a penumbral eclipse meaning that the Moon passes through the brightest portion of the Earth’s shadow as opposed to the dark inner core or umbra of the Earth’s shadow. The light of the Moon will dim but not lose its illuminating potential. We’ve been sequestered long enough. Time to shine!In other words to share the gifts of our true nature that flow so easily from the place of being. The Sabian symbol for this Full Moon is “a man possessed of more gifts than he can hold.” The thought is, they will be shared these gifts; that one so abundant cannot help but let that which she/he is vibrate throughout/within life.Expression is an aspect of human existence. Whether it be verbal or non-verbal, humans have a need to express in some way that which arises in time and space. We find the ways and depths to which we apply our selves to this need changing and transforming as our awareness grows. The fixed star conjunct this Full Moon is Kurdah in the constellation Cepheus, King of Ethiopia. It is the star that occupies the area of the neck putting emphasis on expression. Cepheus is placed upside down in the heavens and so brings to mind the Hanged Man XII of the Tarot where Self-realization is required in order to facilitate experience here. What would seem to be advantageous is the utilization of the “voice” that issues from deep within to bring a new level of awareness and peace to experience. It contributes to the alchemical progress of what is already underway. And the structure that is now being built has little to do with form or function but instead incorporates elements of freedom and harmony. If it appears otherwise it is merely the existing platform desperately holding on to inhibit its demise. And eruption after eruption may be necessary to loosen that grip.