As we approach the lunar eclipse-supermoon-blood moon-blue moon on January 31, there are some pretty intense energies building up… maybe you’re already feeling it. I certainly am, with my old foe insomnia rearing its ugly head (*sigh*).
Wednesday’s lunar feature is a *big* deal, because it’s pretty rare for a lunar eclipse to coincide with both a supermoon and a blue moon (which is when you get two full moons in a single calendar month). The last time this happened was more than 150 years ago, so around the time I was born (sure feels that way, some days)! This intensity means it’ll likely hit many of us in the feels – since the moon is associated with emotions – and often this starts around a week before the eclipse itself. It's also likely to intensify any mental health issues.
This full moon is in Leo, so you’ll be especially subject to its super-sized powers if you have Leo as your sun or rising sign. You could also be especially affected if you’re an Aquarius, since this eclipse pattern falls on the Leo-Aquarius axis (speaking of which, we also have a solar eclipse-new moon combo in Aquarius on February 15, but it won’t yield as strong a pull). Those who are fire signs (Leo, Aries, Sagittarius) might feel its effects. And, of course, if you’re a Cancer you’ll be getting yanked around by this since your sign is ruled by the moon, so all major lunar patterns likely impact on you (sheesh!).
The Astro Twins describe eclipses as being like giant industrial vacuum cleaners – they either “suck away the messes, or clean up what’s got dusty and leave it shiny and new”. That’s why eclipses can sometimes seem like a bolt from the blue, swiftly bringing up issues that need resolving – especially anything you’ve been avoiding, or in denial about – and break apart arrangements that aren’t working.
It’s important to look at the sign this eclipse falls in: Leo. This is the sign of heart energy, romance, courage, leadership and creativity, so you could find yourself facing situations that challenge deep-seated fears, especially around relationships or about stepping into your own power. Because full moons are all about endings – with supermoons even more pronounced – you could be facing the end of something significant, such as a relationship or friendship, or the return of any struggles that first emerged in August 7/21 last year, which is when two significant eclipses occurred on this axis (think of them like bookends). You could also feel a surge of creative energy or a drive to step into the spotlight in a personal or professional project. And the astrological house this eclipse falls in, which is different for each sign, is also worth considering.
Remember the lion in the Wizard of Oz who just wanted a heart? The heart space is where we confront that love vs fear conflict that underlies so many of our personal struggles. If you think about the biggest challenges the heart faces, they are often around grief and loss, so feelings around a bereavement or break-up could suddenly rise up again unexpectedly as we build up to this supermoon.
The good news is, this eclipse will be fully visible in many parts of the world, so if you’re a big fan of moon gazing and don’t mind missing sleep, you could snap some Insta-worthy shots. It’ll be especially clear (weather permitting) in western North America, eastern Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Peak eclipse hits around midnight in Sydney and 5.30am in Los Angeles – Google your state/town or check out NASA for specifics. Even if you don’t see it, expect your social media feeds to be flooded with moon shots.
This week could be challenging for many of you, but try to remember that even difficult emotions have something to teach us. And this, too, shall pass.
Photo by Andrea Reiman on Unsplash