Full Moon In Aries...October 8, 2014...

(Artist: Unknown)

The Full Moon of October 8^th, 2014, is in the sign of Aries, and it peaks at 6:52 AM/EST. Typically known as the Harvest Moon, this particular Full Moon has an added bonus of the second full Lunar Eclipse of the year which gives it the moniker of Blood Moon. (More on this at the end of the post.)

There are some interesting positions for this lunation. With the energies presented via the eclipse there is focus on life lessons. Things could get a bit tumultuous. Conjoining the Aries Moon is Uranus who is opposing the Libran Sun. The sudden appearance of new events to be hashed out (thank you, Uranus) can get things jumping. Not a time to hold yourself back. The Sun is conjunct Venus with Pluto in Capricorn in a T-Square with both. Most of the planets here are flexing their muscles and being exceedingly disagreeable, even though Venus and the Sun are asking them to give peace a chance.

As with most lunations, there is potential for some difficulties when dealing with others. It might be hard to ‘catch someone’s drift’ if you can’t get them to ‘chill out’. Uranus conjoining the Moon could be the cause. Pushing beyond any negativity others are projecting could prove to be tough. Focus and make the effort to regroup and maintain your own mental and emotional well-being. Retrograde Mercury in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces are in a Trine that may act as a softening agent.

Both luminaries, Venus, and Uranus are in a Cardinal T-Square, which can bring tension to romantic relationships, and friendships. Decision making will not prove easy, and decisions may have to be made. Things may have to change no matter the possible outcome. Capricious Uranus could make things even more hectic, so tread lightly. Better yet pull from the Moon’s energy and seek Aries’ influence to boost your self-confidence. Try not to let things get too out of control. Try to stay grounded.

(Artist: David Paladini)

Both the Aries Moon and Libran Sun (Cardinal Fire and Cardinal Air, respectively) are in a Kite pattern with a Grand Trine of the Moon conjunct Uranus, Jupiter in Leo, and Mars in Sagittarius. This Grand Trine is full of fire. Locked wheels can begin to loosen allowing productive momentum. Jupiter throws in a dose of kindness. Add the Sun conjunct Venus, and you have the Kite. Aries’ and Libra’s combined energies come into play by influencing positive decision making. The boost will come in handy to keep head-butting out of a situation, and keep things on an even keel for a meeting of minds. No matter a situation’s difficulty, make that extra effort to view things from all perspectives. Keep your mind in the ‘open’ position.

During this lunation keep your head and your heart focused on the big picture. When a situation presents itself, it can prompt the need for decision making which can then effect change…for better or worse…in that moment. Even a negative outcome can effect positive change in the long run. Decisions are not always easy. Be kind, stay ‘open’, and feel the firm ground beneath your feet. We can be caring to others, but need to remember to be even more caring to ourselves. With the influences surrounding this Full Moon in Aries, you might just be in for a bumpy ride. Remember to keep centered and listen to ‘you’.

If there are terms in the above post that you aren't familiar with, the following is a link to a really good online Astrological dictionary:  http://www.evolvingdoor.ca/glossary/glossary.htm

The following excerpt is from the 'Farmer's Almanac':

• Full Hunter's Moon or Full Harvest Moon ~ October: This Full Moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it's time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter's Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes. 

(Above chart is in Universal Time)

A Selenelion Eclipse is a phenomenon that can't happen, so celestial geometry says. Yet early on Wednesday morning that is exactly the type of rare eclipse we are going to see. During a Selenelion Eclipse it will be possible for some to see the eclipse of the Moon and the rising of the Sun simultaneously. A miraculous sight that...well...celestial geometry is correct about. It is impossible for that to happen.

Confused?

The Sun and the Moon are in "syzgy", which means "perfect alignment". They are exactly 180 degrees apart in the sky. How is it possible for that fact to appear to change during this next eclipse? It centers on the Earth's atmosphere, and an effect known as "atmospheric refraction". Our planet's atmosphere "lifts" the images of both above the horizon line, allowing for several extra minutes of the Moon's visibility after it has set, and several minutes of the Sun's visibility before it has risen. Pretty cool, huh?

I plan to attempt to see the eclipse here on the marsh, but I don't know if I will be lucky enough to see the "selenelion" effect...we have a lot of trees around here that make seeing both horizon lines difficult. The eclipse will be visible from most of North America, Australia, and the Western Pacific Ocean. For more info on what causes the appearance of the Blood Moon, and this second Lunar Eclipse of 2014, I have shared the following video from the Space.com website. To hear the audio, just scroll down to the bottom of the blog page and you can pause my music player.

Enjoy the Eclipse...