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Aries Full Moon Lunar Eclipse: Warrior Intuition

By Jessica Shepherd

Eclipses, with their otherworldly, wildcard natures, always attune me to the strange mysteries of the universe. For instance, the number 3. They say things -signs, omens, bad luck- happen in 3’s. You lose your keys, spill your coffee and are late for work. Or, a package you’ve long awaited for arrives, you find a twenty-dollar bill in the dryer, then you see a beautiful sunset. Numbers are magical that way. Three is also a number in pothole theory. Do you know it?

One day I am walking down the street. I fall into a pothole. Where did that come from? Not my fault!, I cry. I pull myself out. Another day, I’m walking down the street again and I fall into that same pothole. I get mad at myself.  Damn!  Why did I do that again? Maybe it’s karma or bad astrology… The third time I walk down the street, I see the pothole. I walk around it.

Pothole theory can be applied to multiple situations. I use it to remind myself that the old trigger won’t go away by wishing it away, or beating myself up over it, but that I can make new choices. Because the more vital it is to our soul growth, the more that offensive thing that most disrupts our peace won’t stop happening. It will chase us down and harass us to no end. That’s because there’s something we’re meant to learn here. That learning boils down to getting better at spotting our pothole, then choosing to do something different.

Mercury is retrograde in others-oriented Libra, giving us opportunities to revisit our relationship dynamics…and interpersonal demons. While in Libra, Mercury receives a square from Pluto, planet of power and disempowerment three times (9/9, 9/24, 10/22). In this cycle, interactions with others are showing where we can work on our shadow stuff. If we fall into that same old pothole, we may have the sensation we’re moving backwards -especially when the same old feelings accompany. Though, like Mercury’s apparent, but not actual, backward movement when viewed from Earth- that could be an illusion, too.

The first time I fell into my latest pothole, I was walking down the road minding my own business when, whoosh, I found myself in the pits. Like a premonition or portent, I had an eerie feeling this would happen again. It did. The second time I felt even more outraged, violated and creeped out by another’s behavior. Sure, it was a different day and face, but the same old familiar pothole. Oh…here we go again, I thought, as the well worn grooves of neural pathways ever-ready to reflexively fire up like a pinball machine, did. However, there was a key difference. Once I recognised the transgression, which I did pretty immediately (tightening up my usual lag time) I didn’t allow it to continue. I confronted the wrongdoer. I took action. I honored myself. I still had to clear all the accompanying icky, swampy feelings, but I also got to experience a personal victory. I recognised the pothole! I addressed it as quickly, and cleanly, as possible!

Eclipses repeat; it’s in their nature to reveal patterns. Aries-Libra reveals those creating stress in our interpersonal life. We all have persistent relationship issues that have a gravitational grip so strong we think it’s impossible not to fall into them. Other people push our buttons so perfectly! Now is the time to draw a boundary, if you need. Protect your self. Stand up for yourself. Courageously honor your needs. Take action. Be alert to feelings of hyper-vigilance  — fear is a sign to listen more closely to your warrior intuition. Just as each situation is unique, there’s not one right warrior response for everyone but there is one that’s just right for you.

Since eclipses offer thematic repeat performances, you might acknowledge how far you’ve come since the last time you visited the issue you are facing. Mars is square Saturn: Our courageous hero, Mars, has cut his teeth on the blade of experience, and learned something. You’ve grown wiser to your own ways. Where can you turn fear into trust? Where can you claim more clarity, maturity and surefooted-ness on this ground you’ve travelled so many times before… and will undoubtedly again? Which brings me back around to the number 3.

You know what they say: The third time’s a charm. To that, my Aries Moon says: Bring it on.

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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. rigbear says

    Sep 29, 2015 at 2:58 am

    ThankYou for this article, it has made me realise just what these eclipses have been focused on for me. I now realise a subject I was fearing to approach with my ex partner was delayed, then all of a sudden yesterday out of the blue, I decided to send him a long message, he reacted as he always has and always will whenever I feel the need to discuss something sensitive reguarding our child, I felt sick to my stomach as his barriers went up, defensive mode switched on and then the personal none connected attack on me began, only this time the attack was blown out of the water with what I said and the way I explained myself,I didn’t go into defence mode, I ignored any personal attack and stuck to the subject at hand, every time he attacked because he’d assumed something that was totally not what the subject was about, I stayed calm, ignored anything that was irrelivant in the topic and persisted to correct his assumptions and fully explain my side, with no anger or hesitance, I’m still awaiting the outcome of the discussion in the mean time I have communicated with him as normal about our child and totally ignored his behaviour towards me yesterday, he’s communicated back as normal, so I shall wait a little while to see if he manages to respond about my concern without me mentioning it, if not I shall feel confident on how to approach the subject if and when I need to. Thanks, reading your article is what made me realise this is a huge lesson learnt for me and things will remain calmer in future 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica Shepherd says

      Sep 29, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Congratulations to you, RigBear. I’m glad this article helped you become conscious of how you handled an old triggering situation differently this time. Keep it up! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    Sep 27, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Leave it to you Jessica to do such a great blog post! The pot hole theory is something I had never heard of before and that I think can save me for the rest of my life from putting my Mercury in Sag hoof in my mouth. I can’t tell you how many times I have pushed a certain persons buttons, unconsciously of course, with that and to the point it got ugly. On top of that, I learned some pretty bad behavior from my mother, and have not until recently understood that I was crossing thresholds not realizing I was really hurting someone, feeling they were just being “too sensitive”. Then my father, just yesterday, said something to me that would normally send me down a pot hole, but I see on hind sight I handled it pretty well. So I got a bit of my own medicine and saw how this sort of thing can be very harmful to someone, but it’s up to us to learn to walk around that pot hole instead of not paying attention and letting something worse come out later and falling into that damn hole. My warrior is working on being noble. Bring it on yes, but I will not lower myself to the same outcomes as before. I will take the higher ground.

    Reply
    • Jessica Shepherd says

      Sep 27, 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks for sharing your story, Michele. Yeah, an Aries Moon victory for you! Keep up the great work. xo Jessica

      Reply
  3. Valerie says

    Sep 27, 2015 at 5:26 am

    Thank you!

    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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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.