Vedic Astrology: Eclipse Of The Full Moon
Spring is upon us and it’s time to clean house. Coming on the heels of the powerful solar eclipse that occurred two weeks ago, this lunar eclipse will usher in a new season of renewal and rebirth. When the moon reaches fullness on March 23, 2016, the earth’s shadow—represented by Rahu, the fierce head of a serpent—will graze the edge of the moon for several hours in the morning PST. This full moon falls in the nakshatra, or area of the sky, known as Uttara Phalguni. Symbolized by the back legs of a marriage bed, it is celebrated as the nuptial star of Shiva and Shakti and has a fertile, sensual energy that will spark our creativity and can inspire us to want to deepen our connection to others. Conversely, the eclipse’s shadow may also expose cracks in marriages, legal contracts, or any sort of binding agreements around this time.
Releasing the pent-up tensions of winter, in India, the full moon near the vernal equinox (the first day of spring) is always celebrated with the Hindu holiday of Holi, the festival of colors. At home and in the streets, people douse each other with buckets of colored water and throw brightly colored paint powder in a chaotic expression of joy. On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit in the streets throughout the night and burn until morning. Legend dictates that these bonfires symbolize a mythical fire that spared the pure-hearted infant Prahlada from his devilish Aunt Holika, who had conspired to burn him alive. The purifying fires of Holi symbolize the collective burning of ill will and resentments that have accumulated in our relationships and communities over the course of the year.
On this full moon, we might do well by lighting our own Holi fires and throwing any past grievances into the flames. This is a prime time to take stock of our personal, family, and work relationships, and consider whether we’ve been holding on to past resentments, or possibly giving too much of our time and energy to relationships that fail to meet our expectations. Known as the shadow demon, Rahu is the head of the serpent that devours light during both lunar and solar eclipses. This is a penumbral eclipse, which means that the moon will gently graze the edge of Rahu’s jaws and will be ever-so-slightly dimmed as a result. Take heed because while this subtle eclipse is barely visible to the human eye, it will nevertheless carry a potent charge. Continuing the transformational process that kicked off earlier this month with the solar eclipse, this second of the pair will deliver no less of a jolt, shocking us awake and forcing us to confront our shadow selves. You may feel a heightened sense of tension at this time or find yourself and others more irritable than usual. Strong emotions could overpower reason. As a direct result of combust, Mercury will muddle the lines of communication and could potentially lead to misunderstandings. Be particularly careful in business dealings and contracts involving money or investments. This would not be a good time to take financial risks or, if you are a business owner, hire new employees. This full moon lunar eclipse is packed with fertile and creative energy. Seize the moment and allow yourself to play with the colors of creativity while considering what truly makes you happy. This full moon will shine its cosmic light on our shadow selves, freeing us from relationships or binding contracts that may have been holding us back and pushing us to expand our notions of what is possible.
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