Lunar eclipses have been deeply rooted in various cultures throughout history, often associated with religious and mythical beliefs. In pagan traditions, lunar eclipses hold special significance and are considered significant celestial events. These eclipses were seen as a powerful energy shift and were often associated with various rituals and practices. Pagan beliefs regarding lunar eclipses vary across different cultures and traditions. In some pagan traditions, the lunar eclipse is seen as a time of spiritual growth and opportunity for personal transformation. It is believed that the Earth's shadow passing over the moon during an eclipse allows access to hidden or hidden knowledge and wisdom.
GJELTEN: Even in faith traditions that now fully accept the science, a solar eclipse remains an occasion that highlights the wonders of the universe and our small place in it. In a book and on his website Talmudology, Jeremy Brown has written about Jewish understandings of solar eclipses.
GJELTEN Even in faith traditions that now fully accept the science, a solar eclipse remains an occasion that highlights the wonders of the universe and our small place in it. So, as this complex lunation approaches, expect to feel unmotivated Mars-in-Pices and to encounter challenges communicating to self others Mars square Mercury retro.
It is believed that the Earth's shadow passing over the moon during an eclipse allows access to hidden or hidden knowledge and wisdom. This is a time to reflect and explore our own shadows and inner selves, embracing the darkness as a path to enlightenment. Lunar eclipses are also seen as a time of balance between light and dark, feminine and masculine energies.
The super flower blood moon this week is going to wreak havoc on our field of communication
Revelation is of the Full Moon’s nature. Many a poem and pagan ritual have celebrated the symbolic and physical powers of this lunation to bring to light hidden truths about ourselves and the world around us. But this Full Moon on May 16th – or rather this Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio – is going to be a transit of mixed messages instead of insight.
One reason for this ambiguity has to do with the nature of eclipses themselves. Such transits occur when the Earth and its Luminaries (Sun/Moon) do a passive aggressive dance with each other. During a solar eclipse (like the one two weeks ago in Taurus), the Moon cuts in front of the Sun, blocking its light from us. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth intercedes between Sun and Full Moon (FM), casting shade upon its luminescence. Think about a ballroom scene from Pride and Prejudice—with all its sublime tensions—and you’re not far from the eclipses and their teasing intrigue.
Given all that, it’s not hard to see why such manoeuvres between Sun and Moon can cause conflict for us. Consider the Moon, our emotional centre. An eclipse of it will tend to disrupt or block how we feel about partners, work, romance, or family, depending on its placement in our chart. Usually we might garner some sense of accomplishment around a FM in, say, our Career zone, but a lunar eclipse in this area might instead cause increased ambivalence about work, a job, or career trajectory.
Eclipses can be total or partial–and the more total they are, the more impactful and baleful. This upcoming lunar eclipse is total, meaning that it will be very tightly conjunct the South Node. To understand the nodes, the Ancient Astrologers productively and helpfully viewed the Earth as surrounded by a kind of cosmic dragon whose mouth (North Node) and tail (South Node) would swallow the Sun or Moon during an eclipse. We have tended to gentrify the nodes in our modern, more milquetoast astrological readings, but the Ancients were decidedly foreboding about them, viewing each as malefic cosmic pressure points.
The Dragon’s Tail, in particular, was said to have poison in its tip, meaning that solar and lunar eclipses in the South Node carried a venomous threat. Scorpio, too, the sign in which this eclipse occurs, is known for its own venom. There is a kind of double poison to this cosmic toxicology report. But that’s not all. There are two other difficult aspects involved here, as well.
Mars, the ruling planet of Scorpio, is currently flailing about in watery Pisces. Mars likes to be direct. It is the planet of action. Pisces does not like to be direct at all. This placement in Pisces is thereby weakening Mars (drive, resolve, energy). The Ancients in their wisdom called Mars the Knife for its cutting nature. But all chefs know that water is the enemy of knives and Pisces–the most watery of the water signs–is blunting Planet War’s sharp blade. Mars doesn’t quite know what to do at the moment. It can’t propel us forward.
What’s more: Mercury (communication) is squaring Mars, making it harder for us to say what we mean–to ourselves and to others. Saying and doing make up human experience. But both of these provinces are afflicted at the moment. Mercury is also going retrograde alongside this eclipse–and that doubles the difficulty level of our ability to communicate, as retrogrades are always transits that debilitate a planet’s power.
So, as this complex lunation approaches, expect to feel unmotivated (Mars-in-Pices) and to encounter challenges communicating to self/others (Mars square Mercury retro). Expect, too, a need to hang onto sleights and the past–this is both the nature of Scorpio as a fixed water sign (emotional+obsession) and the nature of the South Node (which is associated with the karmic past). We could also feel physically queasy around this transit due the double poison nature of Scorpio+Dragon’s Tail.
Overall this is not a time to make bold moves or be impulsive. Rather this is a time to wait on life decisions, especially around the 16th. Don’t say “yes,” say instead “maybe.” Letting questions around romance, work, and family linger might not be the worst idea.
A few thoughts of a practical nature to make this erratic eclipse more manageable:
- Routine will be your friend: eat, sleep, workout at the same time to stabilise your day.
- Physical detox to neutralise the venom-drip nature of the transit.
- Emotional detox: cut down on socialising with those specific friends (bless their hearts) that come with too much baggage (they are not for this transit).
- Activity to get you in flow of time. Removing yourself from South Node fixations on the past will benefit you (reading, record shopping, researching new topics–fixate on the new, not the old).
It goes without saying if you are a Scorpio or Taurus (the sign opposite the Big Sting)you will feel this transit the most–especially if you were born in the last 5 days of each of these signs. The other two fixed signs (Aquarius and Leo) will also be feeling this lunation sharply –-as the Sun and the Moon will be making a hard aspect to them. But it would behoove all of us to take it easy during this lunation of heavy energies and dubious intel.
Our fascination with solar eclipses like the one coming up Monday is thousands of years old. It was thought that the sudden disappearance of the Sun was one of those mysteries that only the gods could explain. Science eventually provided the answers, but for religious believers, a solar eclipse remains an occasion of special significance. Here's NPR's Tom Gjelten.
The moon, commonly associated with femininity and the goddess, becomes eclipsed during a lunar eclipse, symbolizing the temporary obscuring or balancing of these energies. Many pagans believe that this is a time to honor and connect with the lunar energies, embracing the divine feminine and embracing the cyclical nature of life. In some pagan traditions, lunar eclipses are celebrated with rituals and ceremonies. These rituals often involve the gathering of a community or coven to honor the lunar energies and harness them for personal or collective spiritual growth. Participants may engage in meditation, divination, spellwork, or other forms of magical practice to connect with the energy of the eclipse and channel it towards their intentions. It is important to note that pagan connotations of lunar eclipses are not universal and vary greatly depending on individual beliefs and practices. Paganism is a diverse and multifaceted spiritual path, with various traditions and beliefs. Therefore, while lunar eclipses may hold significance and connotations in some pagan circles, it is not a universal belief or practice among all pagans. Reading Tadeusz Sulimirski's "Solar and Lunar Eclipses in the Context of Cult Practices" may provide a deeper insight into the historical and religious significance of lunar eclipses in pagan cultures..
Reviews for "The Spiritual Power of Lunar Eclipses in Pagan Philosophy"
1. Sarah - 1 star: I found "Lunar eclipse pagan connotation" to be highly offensive and disrespectful to my religious beliefs. The author failed to acknowledge that lunar eclipses hold significant cultural and spiritual meanings for many diverse communities. The article instead perpetuated stereotypes and misinformation about paganism, making it clear that the author did not take the time to understand or respect this faith. This kind of ignorance only perpetuates divisiveness and intolerance in our society.
2. Mark - 2 stars: I was expecting an unbiased and informative article about lunar eclipses, but instead, "Lunar eclipse pagan connotation" felt like an attack on paganism. The author seemed to have a personal bias against this belief system and did not provide a fair analysis of the pagan connotation surrounding lunar eclipses. The article lacked objectivity, and it would have been more valuable to explore the significance of lunar eclipses in different cultural and religious contexts, rather than just focusing on one perspective.
3. Emily - 1 star: I found "Lunar eclipse pagan connotation" to be misleading and disrespectful. The author portrayed pagan beliefs in a negative light without providing any evidence or reliable sources to support their claims. This article only perpetuates stereotypes and contributes to the misconceptions surrounding paganism. It would have been more helpful if the author had taken a more balanced and well-researched approach, considering the diverse perspectives on lunar eclipses and paganism.
4. Michael - 2 stars: I was disappointed with "Lunar eclipse pagan connotation" as it lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The article primarily focused on the negative connotation associated with paganism during lunar eclipses, without exploring the positive or neutral aspects related to the faith. I believe that a more balanced and nuanced approach would have made this article more informative and engaging.
5. Laura - 2 stars: "Lunar eclipse pagan connotation" seemed biased and lacked credibility. The author's strong negative stance towards paganism overshadowed any potential value or depth in the article. It felt one-sided and did not provide enough evidence or analysis to support the claims made. It would have been more beneficial to explore the different perspectives and interpretations surrounding lunar eclipses in various belief systems, rather than focusing solely on debunking pagan associations.