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Aquarius Full Moon Eclipse: Full Stop

By Jessica Shepherd

I had been looking forward to attending a concert all week. I had even gotten buy-in from my husband, whose musical tastes are vastly different from mine (we have Venus square Venus), so this was an exciting and huge accomplishment in and of itself! Yet by the time Friday night rolled around I had a headache. I’ve learned that sudden physical symptoms can be an intuitive premonition about what’s to come, so I checked in with myself, scanning all aspects of the concert. The venue. The venue felt wrong for me. And, by extension, the people. The venue would attract a certain quality of crowd. This event was a definite “No.” But I had purchased the tickets. I was so curious. I could leave early.

I knew I was getting a “No” and I also knew I was going to override that.

The bar was dark, the energy heavy, and the acoustics, the sound system, awful. The crowd didn’t bother to stop conversing when the artist began to sing, prompting a flare of frustration from her that even I could feel. 3 songs in, I bailed. Saturday morning I woke up feeling like I’d been drinking all night. I hadn’t had a single drop.

Unhealthy Mental Patterns & Behaviors

Have you been in your head a lot, lately? Arguing with your self, or others? Justifying wrong choices, thinking it will be different this time? Mentally ruminating on ideas or connections that have no probable  future for you? Futilely developing a battle strategy for a war that you know you can never win?

A client was sharing some longstanding issues with her mother, elaborating on the story, getting really into it. I felt her temperature rising, and so I said: “I’m going to stop you right there. You’re getting pretty worked up, mentally strategizing about when to have ‘the conversation,’ the one where you finally get the understanding and validation you want– the one she’s never been capable of having. Sorry to say this: It’s a dead end.”

Mars retrograde conjunct the South Node in Aquarius highlights conditioned mental habits and patterns we engage in that just really aren’t all that helpful. I know a little bit about the nature of the South Node on a planet, as South Node in Cancer joins my Cancer Sun. I think Steven Forrest first planted this metaphor in my mind: an alcoholic sits at a bar, refusing drinks offered. That’s how it feels, being surrounded by the temptation to do the very thing you most want to do. And you must refrain.

It’s an apt metaphor now. Our Mars may need to “dry out”. The endless mental masturbation to no end, doing the same thing over again and thinking it will be different this time; getting drunk on habits of anger, mental strategizing and future-planning, disconnecting on social media and calling it “connection”; giving in to any old pattern of conditioning of saying Yes when you mean No, the South Node is a point of dissipation, showing us where we can easily lose traction, energy. At best, we develop the foresight to clearly see where this choice or behavior will take us, should we follow it, and the self-compassion and wisdom to refrain. At worst, it leads… nowhere good. Just as hanging out with the “wrong crowd” leads you toward making choices you’d never make otherwise, one bad habit, wrong turn always leads to another… and we will only ever feel worse. Not maybe. Always.

Yet, there’s a habitual element of compulsion with the South Node. Like, this time, this thing that never does…It will finally feel good! It will finally give me what I want! That’s me and social media. Or me and taking care of wounded people. Or me and ignoring my intuition.

Trust me, it won’t be different this time. It doesn’t feel good, and it never will.

Aquarius Full Moon Lunar Eclipse

Aquarius Moon conjoins South Node and Mars -AND- it’s an eclipse. There is a message here. Full stop, Mars in Aquarius clearly wants our attention. Are you breezing through a big red STOP light as though it’s green, then acting surprised at the consequences, like getting a ticket? It is time to reflect on the fruits of our actions. Are we truly getting what we want (Mars)? If not, why are we engaging in this behavior?

There are many ways of slicing this, and not just through Mars. What are “unhealthy habits” of Aquarius, for you? Aquarius rules conditioning of family, culture -and, ironically- your authentic self. It’s both the ability to break free of those and be your most authentic self, and the opposing cultural force that rears its ugly head when you try, which says any or all of the following: “Ooohh noooo, you can’t/shouldn’t do that. I’ll hurt someone’s feelings. I’ll disappoint expectations. I’m being too selfish. It will be way too hard to say No. In fact, since it will, initially at least, feel just as bad to say No, I might as well say Yes.”

We are exposed to conditioning all the time. Our experience may not be entirely ours. Culture, and other people, create a “field of energy,” and just as fish swimming in the ocean don’t realize they’re swimming in ocean because they can never leave it, we, too, can have a hard time seeing all the ways we’re being influenced. Separating from this can be tricky and sticky. For instance, a client is attempting to online date. When she interacts with that social media field, feelings around self worth and insecurity come up. Is that really hers? Mightn’t it be the energy field created by that environment? A dating site can certainly be a place for love, but also superficial values and unsavory games that have nothing to do with heart.

There’s one bottom line here, and really it’s the only one you need to remember at this Full Moon. If it doesn’t feel good to you, it’s not for you. Full stop. No matter how tempting or addictive it is. No matter how “different it will be this time.”(it won’t be) This is the time to recognize and let go of any cognitive patterns and behaviors you’ve probably, frankly, gotten a little too used to, and which no longer have life force for you. They will get you nowhere good… and feeling good is the only place you ever need to be!

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About Jessica Shepherd

Jessica Shepherd is a writer, astrologer and health coach who has studied and practiced modern astrology since 1992. She is the author of A Love Alchemist’s Notebook: Magical Secrets For Drawing Your True Love Into Your Life (Llewellyn, 2010) and the books Venus Signs: Discover Your Erotic Gifts and Secret Desires Through Astrology
(Llewellyn, 2015) and Karmic Dates and Momentary Mates: The Astrology of the Fifth House (Moonkissd, 2014). In 2018, after living in California for twenty years, she relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband, dog, and cat. Find out more about Jessica at Moonkissd (www.moonkissd.com).

Comments

  1. Michele says

    Jul 26, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    Hi Jessica, So glad I read this! It is right on target. I have been doing exactly that, arguing with myself, ruminating that I could hurt someone’s feelings when I need to be saying no and thinking of myself. And feeling like this relationship will never feel good.

    Thank you for your clarity and emotional understanding of what we are going through during this Eclipse, as a collective and individually, that we can see better the way ahead.

    Reply
  2. Wendy says

    Jul 26, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you Jessica.
    This is really helpful that I’m following the right path 🙂

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Sagittarius


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon square Mars, 3:51am  May 18 2022
  • Moon square Neptune, 3:59am  May 18 2022
  • Moon sextile Saturn, 3:59am  May 18 2022
  • Moon square Jupiter, 2:21pm  May 18 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Moonshadow Eclipse Report
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© 2000 - 2022 Mooncircles.com

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.