NOTE: This is the first article co-written by my friend & astrological colleague,
Renée Bornstein. I look forward to further collaborations with her in the future. Welcome, Renée!
The first Full Moon phase of 2019 is a Leo Full Moon, reaching its maximum phase at 9:16p PST on Sunday, 20th January 2019 (0.87°). The Leo Full Moon is about owning your light (your talents, your abilities, your knowledge and wisdom), and discovering your unique way of sharing it with the rest of humanity. The important detail is that you find a way to make your one-of-a-kind contribution to the greater whole – that you bring something to the table only you can bring. That’s key.
During a Full Moon, the Moon asks you to reflect the energy of the Sun. The Aquarius Sun, in this case, reveals the needs of the greater whole. Others will give you clues or blatant declarations of who they need to have show up or what they need to have contributed. It’s up to you to figure out if you can provide that or not. If not, it’s okay. You can’t do everything. But if you can provide that special something, you may be able to fulfill that role for your friend(s), your family, your community, or maybe even humanity.
For this 2019 event, the Aquarius 4 Sun brings an energy of stable and reliable illumination, inspiration, and revelation. That’s because Aquarius astrological energy is innovative, inspirational, and tends to move off the beaten path, while the 4 numerological month energy is all about stability, security, and safety, and tends to be a reliable presence (or at least seeks to establish one). Through this energy combination, new ideas may come up which solve human/Earth-level problems. However, this energy wants to get rid of any old, standard things and processes, even if they work well. It’s inclined to favor the “brand-new” over the “tried-and-true”.
In its most positive form, the 2019 Leo Moon itself is reflecting the Aquarius 4 Sun’s light through an emotional-intuitive energy. It is driven by a passion for individual creative self-expression, and acknowledgment of that expression. In its most challenging form, the Leo Moon is a pure emotional energy that’s all about competitively getting attention, and ego-driven pride. And, of course, each of us will find ourselves and those around us experiencing our emotional energies on or somewhere between these two extremes.
This 2019 Aquarius 4 Sun-Leo Full Moon opposition is all about the community expressing its needs, and revealing where individual contributions to the greater whole would be most effective in establishing a new social or societal foundation. It is calling upon individuals (you!) to step up, find the light of creativity and self-expression within you, and fulfill the needed roles of the greater whole by letting your inner light shine out into the world in your unique and individual way.
The Moon usually gets us in touch with our emotions, especially a Full Moon, which tends to amplify and/or intensify them. Yet this particular Leo Full Moon also provides us with a Total Lunar Eclipse during which the Earth casts its shadow upon the Moon’s surface, temporarily blocking the reflected light of the Sun. In other words, our everyday worldly junk gets in the way of our ability to connect with our emotional and intuitive knowing.This technically only happens for a few hours, but it can have long-term effects because we may lose connection with our inner truths and our inner knowing just long enough to think or believe that we have nothing to offer, nothing to contribute, nothing special about us worthy of acknowledgment, and make life choices (minor and major) based upon those beliefs. But the Sun will be reflected by the Moon before and after this long moment of darkness, reminding us that we never truly lose our unique ability to contribute to others, even if we might lose track of our light for a little while.
This 2019 Leo Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse will provide us with a moment of truth. Will we, together, acknowledge that very intense major changes are needed to lift humanity upward and forward? Can we recognize the call for individuals to fill the leadership roles that support our collective rise? Or will we, as humanity, allow fear and the desire for power and control to result in leadership voids, which could possibly lead to our collective fall? It’s up to each and all of us to decide which way we want this energy to go.
To assist us in making our decisions, Uranus in Aries is making its presence strongly known, acting as a pivot point as it’s in square aspect to both the Aquarius 4 Sun and the Leo Moon at the time of maximum phase, creating a T-Square configuration (28-0°). Aries Uranus brings impulsive actions with unexpected effects to the matters-at-hand, as it forces a wave of emotional energy to come to a head. Again, this is the trigger for the energies of this Full Moon + Eclipse opposition. Most of us will act in what we believe are our individual best interests, which will prove to be collectively revealing. Will the majority of us lean toward the freedom to creatively express ourselves? Will this actually lead us toward unique individual contributions to the collective good; or will we move toward alignment with our communities, seeking the company of like-minded individuals who share the same feelings and sentiments as we do? This could show up as the seeking of personal acceptance and belonging, over the welfare of the greater good. Think about this, and how you can act to have the Uranus in Aries energy move towards what serves all of us well.
The Full Moon, the Total Lunar Eclipse, and the T-Square involving them are not the only events of the day. As if there weren’t enough already happening, there are also two major conjunction transits also in effect at the time of the Full Moon + Eclipse’s maximum phase:
The first is Venus in conjunction with Jupiter in Sagittarius (26-28°) during the maximum phase of the Full Moon Eclipse, bringing forth the wisdom of universal love for everyone and everything. It inspires a call to action in alignment with the Higher, more expansive perspectives of what truth, justice, fairness, and equality really mean in this day and age. Venus in Sagittarius brings us into greater awareness of each other, not just one-on-one, but as a collective whole. Sagittarius is expansive and inclusive. Venus recognizes the partnership we have with the collective whole is just as important as the partnerships we have with the individuals who make up our collective whole. Jupiter, the planet which rules Sagittarius,is in its home sign,bringing warm and joyful energy to anyone who is open to receive it. This encourages people to seek the best ways of being human, engaging with others in open-minded and informative ways. The key is to learn from each other and grow together. It affirms there’s an increasing awareness of a greater purpose for all of the events occurring now.
- This Sagittarius Venus + Jupiter conjunction makes semi-sextile to Capricorn Saturn, indicating a progression toward more institutional accountability… but which way does the accountability flow – to those in power OR from those in power? Who’s disciplining who?
- The conjunction also makes sextile aspect to Aquarius Black Moon Lilith, with our egos seeking agreement from the masses/public to validate our perspectives and positions, which may inspire people to come together; but will they come together in a show of support or in a spirited rebellion against what is being presented?
- We’re likely to see the rebellious expression as the Venus + Jupiter conjunction also makes square aspect to Pisces Neptune, which brings challenges to the delusions & façades being presented as they are being measured by the love and compassion they embody and express. Anything lacking those qualities will likely be dismissed or rebelled against. The spiritual energy of working to create a world that treats all living beings correctly is an excellent ideal. Yet we have to also understand what is really happening in the practical world, and be willing to actually change what needs to be changed to make the ideal more of a reality. Neptune often provides rose-colored glasses to the world, so we must recognize and accept that not everything is great right now, even though it may feel that way in our own personal experience. We must make changes…
- … and with Venus + Jupiter trine Aries Mars, there’s plenty of initiative energy inspiring individuals to take action and make those changes in a big way! The conjunction provides quite a bit of adventurous energy, which ignites a desire to get new large-scale projects started and completed quickly and well. People are also likely to be more bold or assertive than usual, which will be great for individuals and groups trying to help the world move to a better state of being. People are encouraged to take risks they wouldn’t normally take in order to get politics, government, business, and communities working in a positive direction. For many of us, it will feel like we’re taking major leaps of faith, yet we’re filled with the promise of those leaps moving us toward something better.
- But all of this means that Aries Mars squares Capricorn Saturn, indicating that this shift to positive and more productive direction may not come easily or without challenges, especially challenges from those committed to upholding the outdated and outgoing institutions. Many actions toward change will be met with strong resistance from people attached to and who benefit from the old, outdated past. These folks don’t see a new direction as positive or productive for their interests nor for upholding their positions of power and influence, and they’re unwilling to give those interests or positions up without a fight. Pisces Neptune semi-sextile Aries Mars may make this rebellion a bit more polite, but it won’t absolve the combative energy completely.
The other very strong conjunction transit of the day is Mercury conjunct the South Node in Capricorn (26°), which will likely create a longing for the maintenance of the status quo and/or the past ways of doing things in our societal institutions and structures.
Mercury has a much more serious tone in Capricorn than it does in any other sign. Sober and practical, it puts a great deal of thought into what the future needs and what tasks can make that happen. With Mercury conjunct the Moon’s South Node, there will be a lot of focus on what is or isn’t working in the current societal structures, and how to continue moving forward in the status quo. However, this also means Mercury is opposed the Cancer North Node, and ideas for new ways of approaching old problems are being called for, yet resisted by those trying to uphold the structures in place. The voices of the masses calling for compassion are likely to be drowned out by actions of those in power calling for preservation and empowerment of the status quo.
Almost all of those speaking loudly or in group protest right now are the ones who are committed to changing the status quo. Those who have the most to fear from the changes being demanded are actually being remarkably quiet. They’re the ones currently holding power and influence, so they’re currently and quietly enacting boundaries and blockades, enforcing existing rules and regulations and, in some cases, creating new rules, trying to stop the flow of change.
Resistance to new methods is not only the case in the world around you; this is also happening within your personal life. Notice who holds the upper hand in various areas of your life. Pay attention to how they are responding as you make changes and take steps to reclaim your personal power. You may realize that some people are questioning your changes, and others are simply taking steps to prevent you from going your own way. Also notice how are they responding as people around them are reclaiming their power and individual self-expression… OR as they assert their individual self-expression. Are they doing so thoughtfully and responsibly, or impulsively and recklessly?
- The Capricorn Mercury + South Node conjunction makes trine aspect to Taurus Juno (23-26°), which affirms that everything that is happening – the courage and the fear – are motivated by resource-driven values (a.k.a. survival mode). People are focused on their financial, material, and/or physical resources, committed to holding onto and/or increasing what they have. Those trying to hold onto the old ways are the ones who, in most cases, benefit from the status quo; while those who are trying to set the collective on a new path are, in most cases, advocating for those who are struggling to meet the most basic of survival needs.
- The Mercury + South Node conjunction is part ofa Nodal Grand Square configuration! This one involves Libra Pallas Athena square (Capricorn Mercury conjunct South Node) square Aries Uranus square Cancer North Node (25-28°). This is asking us to notice the historical pattern trying to repeat – the “common people” challenging those abusing their power in an effort to restore balance to the system. Will those in power accept the changing tide, or is it time for the people to start a rebellion/revolution? And can you see this pattern coming to a head not only in the world around you, but in your own personal life as well? Who holds the power in your life, and who is resisting as you try to reclaim your power? (Or who may be resisting you as you try to maintain power over them?)
- A Nodal Grand Trine/Kite involving Scorpio Ceres trine Pisces Chiron trine Cancer North Node opposite (Capricorn South Node conjunct Mercury) (25-28°) leads the call for decisive decisions about our values. Which personal and societal values are the powers-that-be willing to uphold? The head of the Kite is the Capricorn Mercury + South Node conjunction, revealing the powers-that-be will set the tone/direction for better or worse.
The big question is whether or not those in power will honor the will of the people or succumb to their fears of losing their upper hand. Yet a third T-Square configuration involving Aquarius Vesta opposite Leo White Moon Selene with Taurus Juno as the pivot (22-24°) will push them to make their positions clear and decisive through the events born of this Full Moon + Eclipse phase.
The lasting legacy of this 2019 Leo Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse will be the revelation of the true commitments of those in power in ALL areas of our lives. In the collective, are they truly dedicated to the wellbeing of the greater whole, or are they only in it for themselves? Are they truly supportive of everyone’s individual creative self-expression, or are they only committed to allowing that which aligns with their world view? In the personal/individual, what is your commitment in regard to your personal power? Are you committed to making positive and expansive contributions to others through your creative self-expression, or are you committed only to making yourself the center of attention and being the one who holds all the cards?
The elephant in the room through all of this is Pluto’s current presence in Capricorn (21°). It has been in the sign since 2008 and will be until, marking a drastic transformation of our societal structures, whether change is wanted or not. The questions we must face collectively are 1) how are the structures transforming, and 2) what happens after the structures transform? These questions are applicable to our personal journeys as well as our collective one. Capricorn energy is very good at creating ambitious goals, projects within those goals, and all the steps each project needs to complete those projects and achieve those goals. But all of those early steps are best done before the current structure is transformed. So, if you can work now knowing what will be needed and how you can help have it come into being, Pluto in Capricorn will give you great power as the declining structures fall and die, and the new structures are born and rising.
The powerful energies of this 2019 Leo Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse will be most strongly felt from 17th-23rd January, but the effects of this phase and eclipse will be seen over the next six months and possibly longer as whatever was attempting to hide in the darkness of the eclipse will eventually be brought into the light of day.
The most important thing to remember about this very special Full Moon phase: It’s up to each and all of us to decide which way we want this energy to go – individually/personally and collectively/societally.
We hold the power in our lives… but only if we choose to claim it and let its light shine from within us to be shared with the world.
This is our individual and collective moment of truth.
What will you choose?
Thank you for reading and sharing Signs and Numbers, Until next post…
~ Light, Love, and Blessings,
Grace & Renée
