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Aries Lunar Eclipse: We Lift Him Up

By April Elliott Kent

I was chatting recently with a friend who told me that she has been accused of being “too independent.” As I’m a bit that way inclined myself, we laughed together and tried to wrap our minds around the concept of “too much” independence.

Do you find the give and take of human relationships challenging? When I got married, the biggest adjustment I faced was getting used to running things past another person before I took action. I find it difficult to let others do things for me. Working in groups is tricky because I’m inclined to move at my own pace, and that pace is usually pretty fast. Plus, if I’m honest, I just like to have things my own way.

But I’m getting to that age when you begin to think about what will become of you when you get old and perhaps have no choice but to rely upon the kindness of others. Will I handle it gracefully? Or – the more chilling question – will there be anyone who is willing to show me these kindnesses? Will all these years of standing on my own come back to haunt me when I can no longer stand up by myself?

Sometimes that day comes much sooner than we’d have expected. A colleague, Kelly Lee Phipps, was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer at the age of 42. I don’t know him, really—exchanged a couple of emails, met briefly at a conference—so I was surprised by my strong reaction to the news. I’m certainly not alone. On Facebook, the outpouring of support for him has been enormous, for Kelly is genuinely loved by his community of astrologers, a consequence of many years spent being himself in public and inviting others along for the crazy, joyful ride.

In Ecclesiastes it’s written, “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.” When Kelly fell, he had many to lift him up, but more importantly he has given himself over to his community’s love and support with grace and characteristic humor. He’s given me a lot of food for thought about the joyfulness and human necessity of sharing our lives with others, and about the meaning of generosity – it’s not just about giving to others, but about letting them give to us as well.

Aries and worn-out paradigms of independence

It’s eclipse time, and this Full Moon offers our first eclipse in Aries since 2006. (The last one near this eclipse degree, 25.45 Aries, was a lunar eclipse on October 17, 2005). Aries is the sign of the lone wolf who asks no quarter of any man and who gives none. In our Aries selves we stand alone, unencumbered by attachments that might slow our trajectory. Blocked by the earth’s shadow, this impulsive and independent Full Moon in Aries warrior feels keenly alone, possibly physically diminished. But it’s an illusion; just hidden from view, the Sun in Libra offers close friends and loved ones who stand waiting to lift him up and give him strength, if he’ll only let them.

A lunar eclipse at the Moon’s South Node tells of the culture’s struggle with worn-out paradigms of independence. Our television sets, movie theaters, and newspapers are filled with mythic tales of pioneering astronauts drifting weightlessly in space, of a defeated high school chemistry teacher who’s broken bad, of madmen who dream of a society in which each of us who has the bad fortune to outlive his friends and family must face illness alone, probably bankrupt, with no one to lift him up.

In America, it seems we’ve always romanticized the man who lives and dies on his own terms, flouting the conventions of society (and for that matter, religion) that demand we take the needs of others into account. As if you can’t be your own person and still be civilized.

Jupiter in Cancer, squaring the Sun and Moon at this eclipse, has no time for such false dichotomies. Like a wise and sensible mother it declares, “We are all individuals. But when one of us falls, we lift him up. That’s what a family does.” Not everyone was lucky enough to be raised by a family like that, but I was, and I think it gave me the courage to be independent. I took it for granted that there would always be someone there. And when you know that you have a soft place to fall, you are willing to reach much higher and to dream much bigger.

For now, we are so many of us damn close to falling, and we feel the peril and don’t dare dream. Strong and brilliant young men are fighting cancer while callous men gamble with the fate of a nation. At this eclipse we are like crazed, maddened animals, crouched in the eclipse’s shadow, longing for light and hungry for something to make sense.

But there are bright spots that give me great hope. In our tiny hand-picked communities, when someone gets sick or suffers some other tragedy it’s heartening to see others rushing to their aid. It’s good to be reminded that for all our fierce independence, we haven’t completely lost the knack of community; that we’re all members of the family, if we’ll just let ourselves be. And that the best way to ensure that you won’t ever have to face the worst that life can give you on your own, is to make sure no one else has to.

© 2013 by April Elliott Kent

How will the upcoming eclipses affect you? Order my exclusive eclipse report, Followed by a Moonshadow! Three years of eclipses in one report – only $35!

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About April Elliott Kent

April Elliott Kent is the author of Astrological Transits (Fair Winds Press), The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology (Alpha/Penguin), and Star Guide to Weddings (Llewellyn). She has contributed articles to The Mountain Astrologer and Dell Horoscope magazines and Llewellyn's Moon Sign, Sun Sign, and Sabbat annuals. April is member of ISAR, NCGR, and OPA and is a past President of the San Diego Astrological Society. Her weekly Big Sky Astrology Podcast can be found on iTunes and wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more of April's articles at BigSkyAstrology.com

Comments

  1. Kathryn says

    Oct 18, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Dear April,

    I totally agree, & thnx for sharing. <3

    Reply
  2. Risu says

    Oct 17, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Hi April!

    Wonderful post! I actually wanted to share that my bday is on Oct 17. Last 2005 I decided to move overseas even if my family was against it. I’ve spent the last few years just trying to survive on my own and feel like the “lone wolf”.

    Yesterday it was a more than stressful day at work and I was nearly in tears just because I was so frustrated with my co-workers and management. But my co-workers surprised me by buying me cake and greeting me a happy birthday.

    I’ve never felt so moved in my life. I usually don’t expect people to do stuff for me so this was a very humbling experience for me.

    Reply
    • April Elliott Kent says

      Oct 17, 2013 at 8:53 pm

      Risu, thank you so much for sharing your story. A lunar eclipse on your birthday means the Sun in your birth chart is being aspected by the eclipse point. I’ve always interpreted this as meaning that this is a year when you are called to be more of a king or queen of your own life – the one who makes the decisions about what happens to you, even if those decisions are unpopular. Certainly that was what you did in 2005, making a bold, brave (and very Aries) decision to move far from home. Something tells me that with strength and courage like that, you will pull through and do better than simply survive. Clearly, your co-workers also recognize something very special in you. Happy (almost) birthday, and I wish you strength, valor, and happiness in the year ahead!

      Reply
  3. Alice says

    Oct 17, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    April, great writing! The powerful feeling you must’ve had while writing this has come through in your beautiful post. I love reading about Aries, both the harsh and worshipful opinions of many. Levelheaded and constructive, your writing is some of my favourite! And I love getting your newsletter!

    Reply
  4. Vanessa Tiegs says

    Oct 17, 2013 at 10:20 am

    This was a very inspiring entry, April, and so very poignant of the tense and difficult current time. Thank you for writing this. I just ordered your eclipse report with Moonshadow, and hope that my purchase helps support your astrological writings, which I have found helpful and useful each month. Ad astara (to the stars), sincerely with best wishes, Vanessa

    Reply
  5. Ana Maria Oliveira says

    Oct 17, 2013 at 6:59 am

    I loved reading your article, April! Funny because I never thought about Aries as someone lonely. A lone wolf. But does in fact make sense. Most of the sign of Aries is in my 1st house and 2nd. I’ve always thought of myself that way (and I even doubt that my birth hour was correct..). Saturn in 11nd house won’t let me believe in the great human family that is there to give us solace when we fell off… And I didn’t have the opportunity to live in a “Jup in Cancer family” (I have Venus in Cancer in 4th house), but I believe that Yes, she’d be there for me whenever I needed it (my parentes died when I was a young girl). So most of the time if I had learned to stand up alone without help. Today with 50 years old, I know I have a few close friends who are here to help (but I have to ask this, because otherwise they will not know that I need them!) and sometimes this aid come from unexpected sources (even via the internet or Facebook), bringing comfort when needed.
    Thank You!

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Capricorn


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Neptune, 10:55pm  May 15 2025
  • Moon trine Mercury, 5:29pm  May 16 2025
  • Moon square Venus, 5:45pm  May 16 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

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.