The lunar eclipse in Pisces that occurs on September 18th means the eclipse season in here again – and already we are witnessing some ecliptic events. I woke up to news that someone has – again – attempted to assassinate Donald Trump – though with the lunar eclipse in Pisces, we can never be sure that everything is what it seems. We are unlikely to be told the full details about the perpetrator’s motivation – or much else besides. Social media is awash with people speaking to their own echo chambers, fuelling a bonfire of illusions, delusions, ‘alternative facts’ and conspiracy theories. How Piscean. Sometimes the simple truth is the hardest to understand.
Weird drama aside (and I’m sure there will be more in the coming days and weeks) this lunar eclipse in Pisces represents a moment of culmination, a powerful full moon that – thanks to the eclipse – casts a strange light over the world during the time that it’s effective. It also creates a sensitive point that will be reactivated in the weeks and months to come when planets pass through Pisces and make contact with the eclipse degree. The ripples in the Pisces pond spread far and wide, so take note of anything in your life that reaches a critical point – and watch out for the fallout in the weeks to come.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces: The Essentials
This lunar eclipse takes place on September 18th at 02:45 (UT), at 25˚ 47′ in the sign of Pisces. It’s an partial lunar eclipse and it’s the first eclipse in the Virgo – Pisces series of eclipses that will take place between now and February 2027, and that series of eclipses emphasises the polarity between the practical and the spiritual sides of life. A lunar eclipse is a special full moon – and (as I’m sure you know) the full moon reflects the light of the Sun. Over the past few nights, the skies have been bright thanks to the approaching full moon – but a lunar eclipse will dim that light; things will no longer look the same.
That’s something those of you with planets and points in aspect to the lunar eclipse ( allow a 1˚-2˚ orb) may notice more than most. So, when that time comes to reflect – or certain issues reach a climax – how are you going to respond? The polarity of this lunar eclipse affects us all and, in Virgo – Pisces, it tends to foreground our emotional awareness of situations that need straightforward improvements or practical solutions. Sometimes the obvious and sensible answers to life’s problems have an emotional impact that seems disproportionately negative. At other times, simple adjustments have huge emotional benefits. The trick is in knowing where to tread the line.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces: The Core Message
When the Pisces lunar eclipse reflects the light of the Virgo Sun for the first time, that period of adjustment will begin at the most personal level. During that time you may be asking yourself some fundamental questions. What have you learned from your experiences? How can you make some practical improvements to your life that will bring the the most tangible emotional benefits? What do you need to release that will help you to assimilate the changes you need to make?
I’m sure there are many more questions to be asked – and answered – but the bottom line is this: the purpose of this lunar eclipse is to enable you to let go of habits, practices and beliefs that are undermining (Pisces) your effectiveness (Virgo). Over the course of this eclipse cycle, you will need to refine and revise your approach to life in ways that are mindful and spiritually oriented. I appreciate that – for many of you – that may pose a challenge. In the most simple terms, whatever you do in this world, make sure it’s good for your soul.
Ask yourself this. What’s the alternative? I’m going to go back to the words I wrote at the beginning. Discord, opposition and maintaining illusions, delusions, deceit and lies saps your energy and, ultimately, achieves nothing but disappointment. I’m not just referring to the dynamic we see played out every day in the outside world, but also the inner deceptions we maintain in order to make our lives seem easier – or to excuse our lack of effort. And remember – all big, outer lies start as small untruths on the inside. Their function is to mask inner pain; the bigger the lie, the more it hurts.
Whether it’s an outer or inner manifestation, that pattern of behaviour is going to be brought up for inspection. Whatever happens to you personally, expect those same principles to be replicated at scale in the context of major, headline events. A further question; how does this cycle begin to take effect? To answer that we need to look at the chart for this lunar eclipse in Pisces, as it points the way forward.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces: The Chart
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces: The Aspects
As you can see, the lunar eclipse in Pisces chart is complex. The Moon in Pisces is conjunct Neptune in its own sign, and is in a dynamic t-square aspect pattern with Jupiter in Gemini. It’s also at the apex of a kite formation, involving a grand trine (the Sun, Uranus in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn) and a minor trine (Moon-Neptune and Uranus and Pluto). A t-square demands action and a kite signifies an chance to grow and make creative changes – and that aligns with the core message of the Virgo – Pisces polarity I outlined above. So, let’s dig into the aspects to put some flesh on the astrological bones.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces Conjunct Neptune in Pisces
During its journey through Pisces, Neptune has been the propagator of lies, deceit and illusion on a grand scale. The lunar eclipse is going to bring our attention to the consequences of that, as illusions turn to disillusion, and deception (and self-deception) becomes revealed for what it is. However, deception cannot be maintained forever. Eventually, the truth is revealed and what happens then?
That moment of revelation comes with the lunar eclipse – and it brings with it the potential for having to face up to things you would rather avoid, but – in spite of biblical prophesies to the contrary – it’s not the end of the world. However, things may feel as if they have been destabilised. Pisces is mutable and fluid. If events take you to places you would rather not go, you may have to use your intuition or go with the flow until you reach a place where you feel more comfortable. Some of your decisions may be emotionally based, as what happens around the time of the lunar eclipse in Pisces may seem to defy all logic.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces Square Jupiter in Gemini
Jupiter in Gemini is at the apex of the t-square found in the lunar eclipse chart. Jupiter in Gemini is always ‘big news’, the literal meaning of the placement. Jupiter also represents wisdom and understanding – and those qualities may be needed to negotiate your way through the demands of this lunar eclipse. Jupiter also represents opportunity, so working hard to make the most of an opportunity is something you cannot ignore. This may be an opportunity in the outer world – as Jupiter represents expansion and growth – or it may be internal and related to your spiritual growth.
Whether it’s an opportunity to extend your range, right wrongs or correct your course, that’s only something that you can decide, but all of those potentials require you to act with a good heart, seek the truth and engage in your task with a degree of optimism. It’s in your own interests to act positively, as what you do now will affect matters further down the line. Jupiter represents a learning process that has a wide ranging impact; accepting that you are part of something greater than yourself may be the message carried by the lunar eclipse in Pisces.
Incidentally, as I wrote this, there was a newsflash about the US coastguard inquest into the Titan submersible disaster that happened a while ago. This is an event with the lunar eclipse, Neptune and Pisces (ocean, delusion) and Jupiter in Gemini (truth, inquiry, information, justice) written all over it. It’s not unusual for outer events to mirror the movements of the universe when a lunar eclipse occurs. And with the lunar eclipse in Pisces square Jupiter – expect your beliefs to be challenged. And the news to be crazy. Exploding pagers? It just happened…
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces Sextile Uranus in Taurus
Currently, above our heads, there is a Uranus – Pluto trine in place. That is a notable celestial event in itself, particularly as both of those planets will be changing signs soon. This trine provides some of the background noise to the lunar eclipse – particularly as the lunar eclipse sits at its midpoint. It’s concerned with far-reaching, radical and permanent change – and the sextile aspect from the lunar eclipse to Uranus shows how radical or unexpected those changes may be.
Uranus may be shocking, but it’s also about updating, upgrading and embracing new ideas and concepts. Uranus brings (r)evolution – and this lunar eclipse presents us all with the chance to evolve. We have the opportunity to experiment with life – but experimentation does not guarantee either success or failure. Experimentation only succeeds if you learn from your mistakes. That may be what is at stake during the lunar eclipse in Pisces. Sometimes you have to learn to accept that you are wrong.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces Sextile Pluto in Capricorn
Pluto is currently retrograde in Capricorn – and it will finally leave that sign in November. This is, therefore, a critical moment – it’s the final opportunity that you will have to make those radical changes. If there are situations in your life that make you feel like it’s ‘now or never’, you’re probably on the right track. This is the last chance saloon, the ‘one time only’ special offer that’s going to transform your life – so what are you waiting for?
The problem is that whatever happens – and whatever decision you make – it’s going to dredge up some feelings that you would rather not have to deal with. Rather than be daunted by that prospect, you now have the chance to take control of the situation. This dynamic applies to any part of your life that you know needs to be transformed – and that means facing up to anyone – or anything – that sends you into a tailspin. Most of all, it’s your own responses to those situations that need transforming most of all.
The lunar eclipse shines its strange light on the dark side – and it’s your own darkness that needs to be illuminated. It’s a wake-up call and it’s telling you to move on from people and situations that are dragging you down – and that includes those who coerce you into their fantasies and illusions. It also includes those who fail to give you the respect you deserve. This lunar eclipse in Pisces is about you giving yourself a break – and allowing the universe give you a break. Reflect on that – and give yourself permission to let go.
Further Reading
Transits | Pluto in Aquarius: The Trailer
Pluto in Aquarius: What Happens Next?
Neptune Transits Pisces: The Big Lie
Neptune in Pisces: It’s A Seriously Bad Trip
Sara Shipman | Real Life Astrology: The Cross of Matter
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Jensen Art Co from Pixabay
