During an eclipse the earth casts a shadow on the moon. This can represent our collective shadow as people of earth. What we see is our own darkness. What we feel is the medicine from our lesson.
These last 2 weeks have been seemingly more intense for many of my clients. And when I say seemingly, I mean ‘apparently’, because from my perspective, the medicine (or lessons) from our shadow are always already profound, particularly when things don’t go as planned, or they are not seen for their truth.
It’s an opportunity for growth on all levels, especially when you can reflect on the healing aspect of hindsight. The opportunity for transcending uncomfortable life lessons are all around us at any given time.
Last week, my client started his 1:1 session with me by rubbing his hands together gleefully and stating that he wanted to clear his jealousy issues with his fiancée before the eclipse on Monday.
“What do you know about the eclipse?” I asked, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. Something about a big eclipse while Virgo is in reprimand. And I’m a Virgo, and I know I can be pedantic, so this is as good a time as ever, right?”
Close. We have a full blood moon super eclipse in Aries while Mercury; the planet of communication is in retrograde or moving backwards. The last time this happened this intensely was in 1982 and the next time will be in 2033.
Living consciously is something that we can always be mindful about, and when our shadow flares up intensely, I hold the opinion that it’s usually our soul’s way of trying to get our attention and alert us to a misalignment or imbalance in our lives and in our relationships.
Have you ever compared your reaction to the same or a similar past scenario? It’s a great way to assess whether or not you’re in your flow. And when I say assess, I don’t mean beat yourself up for behaving worse than last time or think you get a get-out-of-jail-free card for being better this time round.
I mean compare the 2 to see where you’re at, determine what you need and make the appropriate changes to get what you want. I did this just last week when an event I wanted to organise made me feel stressed and overwhelmed which is unlike me, so I decided to postpone it til I find my flow.
I also had to let go of when that would actually take place. It will happen when it happens. How did I know it was right to postpone it? The huge sigh of relief and the unbearable weight lifting off my shoulders gave it away. So does the relieved smile on my face as I type this.
I also found myself getting frustrated over an old childhood wound that was recently triggered. The shadow part of my self let me know by gaining my attention. It’s the kind of behaviour that has a rather ironic, nasty and intolerant expression. For many years, sarcasm was my go-to response when I was upset, overlooked or felt like I was not good enough.
I used to justify it by telling myself (and anyone who would pretend to listen) that it was just my sophisticated sense of humour, but in reality, it was my insecurity and lack of self worth that would mask itself as defensiveness.
And it’s different for all of us. Some of us become needy, others get angry while others become controlling. I know I’ve certainly had bouts of personifying all 3 in moments that could certainly be defined as NOT my finest hour.
And whether astrological events can sometimes impact or even amplify our emotions, I’ve learned that the opportunity to learn and grow from our hardships will never be lost on us, irrespective of an eclipse or a retrograde.