A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, Sun and Moon align perfectly so that the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon. The exact time of this week’s penumbral Libra lunar eclipse is Wednesday 23 March 2016, 09:39 UTC. The Moon will be at 3 degrees Libra (first decan/2 of Swords). A lunar eclipse always follows or precedes a solar eclipse and in this case finishes the sentence begun by the most recent New Moon solar eclipse in Pisces.
An eclipse in Libra highlights endings and new beginnings in our closest relationships, both where allies (friends & lovers) and enemies are concerned. The other area of interest, especially with the Sun tightly conjunct Mercury in Aries, is self-expression and how we talk about fairness/equality within our relationships. Any eclipse, whether solar or lunar, is likely to trigger change and fear – fear because we fear the unknown and many of us struggle with letting go of the status quo.
Eclipses are status quo slayers.
The push and pull between Libra-Aries for this eclipse can be expressed as a strong need to act on our gut instinct and assert our needs, coupled with a strong fear that this might rock the boat… Or, vice versa, a strong need to change the relationship dynamic but feeling uncertain about how to express this need.
7 Ways to Harness the Power of the Libra Lunar Eclipse
Look at where Libra is in your own chart…
…and what planets may be involved for you. In my case, it is in the 5th House, so creativity and children are topics that may come up for transformation. I was born with Uranus in Libra. Uranus is currently in Aries, together with the Sun and Mercury, highlighting mental activity and sudden insights more for me around the time of the eclipse.
Look to making change last long-term
Whatever comes up for you now is likely to have a massive impact in the months to come. In fact, the changes may have already begun and started coming into focus slowly but surely over recent days/weeks.
Make sure that you are authentic and speak with integrity in all your relationships. This is also one way to…
Cut the deadwood
There are certain people that are not meant to be in your life. If anyone pops into your mind as you read this, you seriously need to make sure that person is out of your life. Not everyone has our best interests at heart. This is your chance to release at least one such person from your presence permanently, even if it is just in the form of blocking/deleting them on Facebook so you don’t have to see their hate speech, drama or general toxicity in your feed anymore.
Clear blocks to intimacy
Is fear keeping you from being truly happy in love? Now is your chance to face that fear dead on and transmute it into something that serves you better.
Consider the balance between give and take…
…in your closest relationships. Are your needs met or are you doing ALL the giving? Could you give a bit more? Are you giving of yourself or are you giving what you think the other person wants to see in you? It has never been more important that the giving you do is genuine and an expression of you.
Don’t be afraid of trying new models of communication…
…or taking the lead when it comes to changing the relationship dynamic. Whatever your gut tells you to shake up probably actually does need shaking up now so that new life can be breathed into the relationship.
Any Lunar Eclipse Tarot Spread
Shuffle and cut the deck as you normally would but instead of dealing cards from the top or fanning the cards out, you turn the deck over and fan it with the images up so that you can locate XVIII The Moon, XXI The World and XIX The Sun, as well as the cards on either side of each of the three chosen Tarot Majors.
If one of these cards is the first or last card in the deck, you simply wrap around and reach for the next available card. If two or more of the three Majors are found next to each other, now is a time for prayer rather than a reading.
The Moon
Begin by laying out The Moon and its two attendant cards at the bottom of the spread. This trio of cards will highlight the fear now rising to the surface, as well as how to cope with the fear.
The World
Place The World and the two cards on either side above the first three cards. XXI represents your circumstances in the world and what is ending/beginning with the current eclipse.
The Sun
Place The Sun with its two flanking cards in the top row. The card to the left of the Sun is a foe/negative influence and something or someone who is blocking your self-expression. The card on the right represents a friend or a friendly/positive influence.
This layout will give you a visual representation of how Earth’s shadow is darkening the Moon and can help you attune to the planetary energies at play for the eclipse in a tangible way.
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Comments 46
Hiya, I’m just starting to learn & combine astrology with the tarot and came across your spread on youtube 🙂 many thanks for such a clear and concise meanings and how they all “run” into each other smoothly telling a story! May I also ask which deck it is that you used in this spread please? cheers Paula
Author
You’re welcome, Paula. It’s the Morgan Greer Tarot – fab deck!
Thank-you. That sounds promising! I have definitely been thinking about using the internet to help me in that regard, albeit so far more to help me track down the contact details of someone so I can email him and ask him out, but fear of failure or indeed of success and having to go on a date, have both got in the way 🙂
Libra is my ascendant, not sure what it means other than it makes me emotional. This is another great spread. I got
3 of Swords – Moon – Ace of Wands
-I guess a fear of the potential of heartbreak (I’m single so maybe a fear of heartbreak holding me back altering the single state?) & how to cope, take action (i’ve got the Robin Wood deck and the ace of wands is incredibly phallic looking so not sure what type of action 😉
Queen of Swords – The World-Page of Wands
-maybe i have been to cool and aloof? Not sure about the Page, it is a message but don’t know how that links
The Hermit – The Sun – The Magician
-I’ve been too aloof in the past and maybe The Magician is someone I will meet? (i don’t think i know anyone like that now if it is a person).
Another good thing with these cards was all the right hand side ones and the Sun were yellow backgrounds or strongly featured yellow and the left hand side and the World and Moon were all blue/gray, so it is like moving from the dark to the light or a sort of yin/yang.
Thanks for another really good spread 🙂
Author
The Ace of Wands + Page of Wands + Magician tells me you are TOTALLY ready to start dating again after this eclipse. You’ve got your mojo back and it looks like internet dating is the way forward with The Magician (Mercury). Pages aren’t just messages or children… Think back to the Thoth Princess of Wands – super charged sexual energy… as if you needed a clue with that phallic Ace of Wands? ;D
Thanks once again for a wonderful, powerful spread, Lisa. To the left of Moon, I pulled 4 of Wands and to the right, 6 Lovers. Makes sense to me: I tend to hesitate to enjoy and celebrate my wins in life, and the cards seem to be encouraging me to bond deeply and get over it. Middle and top row confuse me a bit more, though. To the left of World I have Chariot, and to the right, Hierophant. Yep. They were aligned in a nice row with Sun. To the left of Sun was Queen of Pentacles and to the right — Chariot. So– I would have thought to stop driving forward on my ambitions so hard except that the Chariot card is also in the ally position. And I was perplexed to see the Queen as foe because I don’t tend to over nurture (at least I don’t think I do). Can you redirect me to shed any light on this powerful major arcana spread?! Many thanks!
Author
Hi Jan, sorry… I’m really confused… How come you have The Chariot twice?
Maybe I pulled them wrong, but as I fanned out the cards, the layout was that the Chariot was in between. So the cards were: Queen of Pent, Sun, Chariot, World, Hierophant, 4 of Wands, Moon, Lovers.
Author
When there not enough flanking cards, it is the same as when one of the three main Majors ending up next to each other, i.e. it means you’re not meant to read on this now… and that will be why it’s not making much sense to you. Take a break and return later on when you feel ready. Light a candle and say a prayer before you begin if you didn’t last time. Your energy may just have been too scattered.
Hmm, okay. I always do my readings in a state of meditation but it is very possible I wasn’t intended to read on it then. I will return to it later! Thanks!
Oh I love this spread thank you so much Lisa! I find it very powerful and insightful and it ended up resonating with me big time 🙂
For the Sun I pulled the Tower and the 4 of Pentacles, for the World the 3 of pentacles and the Knight of Swords, and for the Moon the Fool and the Magician.. Time for a prayer possibly 😀 Still, I think there is a message of a deep shakening of my life’s material structure and highlightening that change is ahead. I feel I am getting rid of some old beliefs about “the effort” related to find a way to make a living and my fears all around what is new (which is what I am trying to do, in terms of finding a way to express my soul and my talent and make a living out of it). Still, the magician and the knight of swards point me inwards, I have the tools to create my own structure (4 of pentacles) and I just have to stay at my side through this transitional phase! Spring is coming! Namaste 🙂
Author
So glad this resonated for you – yes, the sap is rising… you’ve got this! 🙂 Blessed Be!
I did my birthchart on numerologist.com and there the Libra belong to Ceres. And it’s in the house 6. What does that means?
Author
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘belongs to Ceres’ – Is Ceres in your sixth house? I can’t really comment about Ceres because I haven’t really studied the asteroids. All I know it has to do with how we nurture others, so I suppose it’s a good fit for the 6th House which deals with physical health and work (daily grind). Sixth house Libra makes you concerned with fairness and good relationships in your work environment. For health, it can mean that you don’t move enough and/or tend to overindulge a bit in food. The eclipse could shake things up in this house for you and help trigger healthier habits and the ability to speak up for yourself (even IF it will rock the boat).
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=548355595336473&id=100004861116763
Here is the link to my page where I shared the photo. I didn’t know what
Ceres even exists. So I hope I get the house right. Do you know any page where you can learn about the House and the diffrent planet that is in the house?
Author
Yes, of course Ceres exists. I’m just not very up on the moons of planets and asteroids. For studying Astrology in-depth and reliable resources, I would recommend you visit the site of my friend healer and astrologer Helen Tremeer over at http://www.zodiachealing.com – She’s the expert and the one who taught me that values (although not a tangible resource) belong in the second house. I have found valuable resources for self-study on http://www.astro.com and http://www.astrotheme.com Blessings
Hi Lisa, thank you, yet again, for the fantastic spread!
I was born with Mars in Libra in my First House; and Sagittarius is currently in Mars-unfortunately, I’m still in the beginners stage of learning astrology so, I’m not 100% sure how to interpret that-but, I get the sense that my own personal views/beliefs/value system etc, is being put in the spotlight and it’s time to start seriously thinking of what exactly mine are for myself and my life.
Bottom Row: 7 of Pentacles, MOON, 4 of Swords-Coincidently, the last “romance” reading I had gotten a couple months back drew the 7 of Pentacles Rx in the future and 4 of Swords Rx as my present state-so, I have the feeling that this may reflect that energy from that reading I had done; and its highlighting the return their “normal” upright state.
Middle Row: Justice, WORLD, 9 of Pentacles- I’m not sure exactly, but, I feel like maybe it’s telling me that I’m finally finished balancing out some residual karma and lingering issues within myself and others and am now ‘free’ to start again, or on my terms now-having come out the other end still standing tall?
Top Row: 5 of Pentacles, SUN, 9 of Wands- I’m unsure of how exactly the 5 of Pents ties in tho as a foe, along with the 9 of wands and that’s what I was hoping to really get your help with as well-my first reaction says my low self esteem and lack of real personal direction are my biggest enemy now and that my perseverance and strong will to keep going dispite my feeling like I just don’t have it left in me. Also, maybe the lack of a good stable, support system around me and feeling against the world?
Having the 2 #9’s along with the 4 of Swords and even the 7 of Pents in my reading, along with my Mars in Libra its house placement are showing thru. Maybe that I’m entering into a personal “withdrawal” time and doing some focusing on myself.
Author
Hi Raychel, values belong more in the second house. The first house is your vitality levels and personality. Values and what we hold dear can change but personality tends to stay pretty much the same. Yes, the 5 of Pentacles sounds like the lack of support you are experiencing. The 9 of Wands is personal strength and personal boundaries… being vigilant against ‘takers.’ The two 9’s do speak of being healthily independent and self-reliant after breaking with the past. Blessings
Oh, that definitely makes sense-thank you for helping me understand it better!
Hi Lisa 🙂 mine makes sense except for half of it. I got: 3 of swords, The Moon, The Magician…. Knight of Pentacles, The World, Knight of Swords… King of Wands, The Sun, 8 of swords.. can you interpret these for me ??
Author
Hi Ashleigh, welcome to Angelorum. How this works is you share your own interpretation and then ask on any card(s) you are stuck on. Blessings
Well, I think the 3 of swords, the moon, the magician means for me that I am experiencing heartbreak but I have the ability to create my future with skill. Which is true, I am going through a breakup and I miss this person very much but I also know that I can get through this because I have before. The knight of pentacles, the world and the knight of swords means to me, is the knight of pentacles is the ex that I am experiencing the heartbreak from, he is leaving my life. But the knight of swords is where I start to get confused. Is this someone else coming or is this an attitude I need to keep in check? The king of wands, the sun, and the 8 of swords, I’m also a bit confused. The king can be so many people in my life but there are 2 male relatives, my dad and relative/friend of mine that I can’t just cut out of my life, and is this feeling represented by the 8 of swords?
Author
Ash, a card can have more than one meaning… in this case, it seems you know the Knight of Swords relates to you on some level… that doesn’t mean it can’t also mean someone new is coming into your life, so stay open to both possibilities. As for the 8 of Swords in the ‘ally’ position… yeah, stop telling yourself you can’t free yourself from the negative influence of the King of Wands. There is a way but if you keep telling yourself there isn’t, you won’t see it.
What are some negative influences by this king?
Author
I assumed you knew since you related this card to a couple of men you knew…? Badly aspected the King of Wands can act impusively, respectlessly and even recklessly. It’s all about ‘me, myself and I’… and he is WAY better on talking the talk than walking the walk. Sometimes he has illusions of grandeur. He likes to lead but can be a despot rather than an inspiration of his Shadow has taken over. He is non-commital and can say really hurtful things. He wants freedom for himself but doesn’t grant it to those around him.
No, I can’t tell what the negative influences because they seem to be helping me, or at least seem to have my best interest at heart and I turn to them for advice.. But thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it 🙂
Author
So why would you relate them to the ‘foe’/negative influence? It’s clearly neither of them then!
I guess because I know both of them are Sagittarius, and sometimes my dad can show those negative traits but he is more helpful than a foe. Unless, this king represents someone else.. I will have to think about that..
Yes, Lisa.. I now see what this means. Like I said, “Oh boy….” Thank-you so much!!! You are amazing, beautiful lady!
Author
Glad it cleared for you 🙂 Blessings
Lovely spread, like I said I tried it tonight 🙂 One thing stumped me, in the foe position I got Ace of Cups, what could that mean here? Ally was Page of Swords which made sense to me, I’ve been influenced by a high energy person encouraging me to learn and develop lately… But the ace? I’m thinking maybe my foe is false emotions?
Thanks Chloe… Maybe try again tomorrow 🙂
Question: does the first card i see on turning over the shuffled pack have any relevance (like the card on the ‘base of the pack’ in a more conventional reading??)
Thanks
Shelley
It can do if you want it to!
Hey I also have Libra in the 5th house… 🙂 (newbie with astrology but super excited to have just had my natal chart explained to me recently lol) Thanks for the lovely spread! I am definitely trying this out tonight!
You’re welcome, Ania. Glad you’re delving deeper into Astrology, it will definitely benefit your Tarot too!
this is sooooo good 😀
Thanks Katerina! 🙂
Oh, I love this spread – what a great idea! However, the World and the Moon came up next to one another for me, so not my time for a reading on this…
Thank-you Lisa – My true node is in Libra – oh boy!!!! For the Sun, I pulled Star and 4 of cups(Star to the left and 4 of Cups to the right); for the World I pulled Strength and the King of Cups; and for the Moon, I pulled 2 of pentacles and Page of Pentacles. Trying to see who represents the Star…and how Strength represents ending…
As for Strength, you really do need to relate that your own life and what has been happening recently… It will be a situation that has called on you for act from your Higher Self, out of compassion… with kindness and ‘soft control’… The Star as ‘foe’ is someone who is cold and way too detached emotionally. Blessed Be!
Just finished doing this spread. There are only two minor arcana cards in the layout! My Mars is in Libra in the 5th house.
Author
Big changes ahead for you too then, Laura 🙂 Blessed Be!
I love this theme for the Eclipse! Not because I’m a double-Libra (Sun and Moon!) but because it’s about really purging all the things that we don’t need that keep weighing us down. That has been a constant theme in my daily draws lately and I feel like the card messages keep getting louder and louder. I hear you, cards! 😉
I’m definitely going to give this spread a try! It looks like it will help to uncover more things rising from the depths. Love it! Thank you Lisa! <3
Author
Wow, double Libra… massive changes on the cards for you, no doubt! 😉 Glad you love this and hope you love it as much after you have done the reading! <3