We have a New Moon in Libra Solar Eclipse coming up on Saturday, 14 October 2023. You can check out the Pick-a-Pile Tarot forecasts for the Waning Moon week leading up to the Eclipse HERE. This eclipse is of great significance both collectively and individually, so I decided to create a Tarot Spread for this event. But first, let’s take a look at the nature of eclipses and how they tie in with the lunar nodes.
What Is an Eclipse?
Eclipses are astronomical events that occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align in a specific way. Although the Sun is vastly larger than the Moon, its distance from Earth makes it appear to be roughly the same size as the Moon in the sky. This is crucial to understanding the phenomenon of an eclipse.
There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth and blocking or partially obstructing sunlight. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, with the Earth’s shadow falling on the lunar surface, resulting in the Moon darkening or turning reddish.
The Connection between Eclipses and Lunar Nodes
The connection between eclipses and lunar nodes lies in the fact that the lunar nodes are points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s orbital plane around the Sun. The Moon’s orbit is inclined relative to the Earth’s orbit by about 5 degrees. This results in the Moon crossing the Earth’s orbital plane twice during each lunar month.
The two points where the Moon’s orbital path intersects the Earth’s orbital plane are called the lunar nodes. These nodes are known as the North Node and the South Node. The North Node (aka the ascending node) is where the Moon crosses the Earth’s orbital plane from south to north. The South Node (aka the descending node) is where it crosses from north to south.
So the occurrence of eclipses is directly related to the lunar nodes. For an eclipse to happen, the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun must occur in close proximity to one of the lunar nodes.
Because the lunar nodes change every 18 months, we get a cycle of eclipses in the same two signs during that period. The current cycle began earlier this year with the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries in April. The April eclipse took place before the actual shift of the axis on 17 July 2023. So this is a fairly new cycle and this New Moon in Libra brings us the first solar eclipse in this sign.
The Nature of the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra 2023
The Libra New Moon Solar Eclipse brings an opportunity to go within and connect with our true will so that we can manifest more of our essence into our lives over the next six months. In Libra, however, we also need to consider how our true will impacts others and how we can create balance and harmony in our lives while expressing ourselves freely.
We may also need to examine how the will of others is already creating limitations or forcing us to compromise beyond what we are willing to do. Are we able to stay true to ourselves? Or are we giving too much of our power away through people pleasing?
Power struggles are a very real possibility during this Eclipse because Pluto is square the Aries-Libra Nodal axis. The key is to look at this square as a catalyst for growth and transformation. Yes, it may be uncomfortable but we will come out of it stronger and knowing ourselves and our desires better.
Chiron in Aries is also activated during this Eclipse. Chiron is the Wounded Healer so this eclipse brings an opportunity to go deep for healing and transformation. It’s a double whammy together with Pluto, that other catalyst for deep shadowwork.
This Eclipse can help us expand our gifts of healing and our ability to bring light to the world. It is not going to be a comfortable process. So it is important to stay grounded and have a good self-care routine in place. If you are sensitive to celestial energies, it is likely that the process of releasing energetic blocks has already begun. You may gain sudden insights into deeper layers of soul alchemy.
New Moon in Libra Solar Eclipse Tarot Spread
This 6-card tarot spread is designed to help you navigate the energies of the New Moon in Libra Solar Eclipse and harness its transformative potential.
- Area of Your Life Most Affected: This card represents the area of your life that will be most impacted by the New Moon in Libra Solar Eclipse. For a more in-depth reading on this, look at where in your Natal chart this Eclipse lands. Once you know which House the Eclipse lands in, you can gain a more nuanced interpretation with the help of this card.
- True Light Reflection: This card delves into your inner world and invites you to connect with your inner light, true will and desire. It answers the question about what you desire to express deep down but may have been afraid to.
- How You Hide: This card reveals how you hold yourself back from manifesting your true desire out of a need to please others, consciously or subconsciously.
- External Influences: This card highlights how to best bring peace and harmony to any external influences where there is an imbalance in giving and receiving.
- Shining Your Light: This card symbolises what seeds to sow now in terms of expanding your gifts of healing and bringing more light into the world. Read together with card 2, ‘True Light Reflection.’
- Guidance for Self-Care: This card offers guidance on how to stay grounded and balanced during this transformative period. It suggests a practice or routine that will support your well-being, helping you navigate the energetic shifts.
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