Auntie Moon

This Saturday, 06-26-2010, brings us a once in a lifetime event ~ a Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn that joins with the Cardinal T-Square to create a Grand Cross. Everyone’s talking about it, but what does it mean? It was mentioned on a numerology forum I belong to and tarot readers are talking about it, too. Folks who are beginning their astro studies are rightfully confused. It’s a lot of information to take in. There’s plenty of fear about the alignment and lots of misconceptions, too.   

Tthe diagram below is a tarot layout of the Grand Cross alignment. I can’t look at the tarot without thinking astrology, so I often lay out an astro spread or assign house meanings to specific positions in a layout. The diagram below doesn’t have any house assignments, but it does show the planetary alignment for this eclipse. Sometimes I lay cards out like this to help myself see an aspect more clearly.

How Long Do Effects of Lunations and Eclipses Last?

This is a very short-lived alignment that’s getting a lot of attention because eclipses are supposed to bring focus to an area of our charts for a longer period of time and with a greater impact than a regular Full Moon.  Here’s the timing breakdown for Lunations and Eclipses:   

• Full Moons ~ 2 weeks
• New Moons ~ 1 month
• Lunar Eclipses ~ 6 months
• Solar Eclipses ~ 1 year

You may feel an eclipse’s effect within three days of the actual eclipse, so take note if you are beginning to jibe with issues related to the house in your chart where the eclipse is ocurring ~ especially your Capricorn house ~ even if you don’t have any planets in that house or in aspect to this Grand Cross alignment.   

    

None of the cards or the planets they represent are bad. They just are. What makes this such a dynamic time is that they are all in a stressful relationship to one another ~ two oppositions, four squares. Balance and adjustment are required. 

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?   

Likewise, if an eclipse happens and we can’t see it, does it have an effect on us personally? That’s certainly a ponderable point and one that’s debated. Think back on the eclipses that were visible to you and the ones  that weren’t. Have you noticed a difference in their effects? (Check out NASA’s info on the visibility of the eclipse.)   

A Breakdown of the Alignment for Tarot Readers

 The Wheel and the Fool ~ Jupiter and Uranus (in Aries)   

Jupiter and Uranus are in conjunction aspect in the Grand Cross, so their energies are combined. Read these two cards as one to combine their meanings. If you were reading this card combination, you might think:   

• Big changes are coming as a result of taking a risk.
• What goes up must come down ~ that fool’s going over the edge!
• I won’t know if I don’t try.

If you’re a person who embraces change or thrives on it, you’re in for an exciting  journey. If the idea of change reminds you of an out-of-control rollercoaster, hang on! It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Always remember that your response to any situation in your life determines the outcome of that situation.   

Add the dynamic energy of The Emperor or the King of Wands to this scenario. They both represent Aries, the sign influencing this planetary pair. They are active, dynamic, courageous.   

The World ~ Saturn (in Libra)  

Both Virgo and Libra are noted for Saturn’s position in the layout because Saturn is currently at 28 Virgo, having recently retrograded. He’s moving forward again, though, and will soon catch up to the early degrees of Libra again.   

The World asks us to consider such things as:   

• What are my boundaries and limitations?
• Do I need to enlarge or downsize my world?
• What is my circle of comfort or protection? 

Ask these questions of the major relationships in your life since Saturn will spend the next couple of years passing through Libra, sign of relationships.

Even though I’m focusing on Libra in this alignment because of the ongoing Cardinal T-Square, Saturn is in Virgo during this brief Grand Cross alignment, and will be there through July 21, 2010.  If you’ve noticed Virgo effects, include symbolism for The Hermit and the Knight of Pentacles, both associated with Virgo. 

Justice and The King of Swords are associated with Libra and ask us to use our very best discernment in all matters at hand, as well as to employ a sense of fair play and rightness to our situations. “It’s not might is right,” King Arthur says in Camelot. “Right is might.” They are social, logical, inventive.  

Judgement and The High Priestess ~ Pluto and The Moon (in Capricorn)   

Like Jupiter and Uranus, Pluto and The Moon will be in conjunction during the Eclipse and should be read as combined energies. Here are deep, penetrating perceptions, high intution, or ingrained habits that may have outlived their usefulness.  With this pair, ask questions such as:   

• How can I deepen my intuiton?
• What insights are yet to be gained in my current situation?
• What long-lived habits need transforming? 

Pluto, the planet of transformation, is making a long journey through Capricorn, the sign of big business, worldly success, big government, and our outer (as opposed to our inner) world.  In the tarot, Capricorn is represented by The Devil. This card gives lots of folks the heeby-jeebies, not unlike the Death card of Scorpio.

Unfortunately, The Devil card is most often linked with possessive control, attachments to material things, and a heart’s desire to be important. The more negative qualities of this card are usually cited. If things are out of control, however, The Devil is a positive symbol when control is gained.

We find it easier to see the more positive qualities of Capricorn in the King of Pentacles ~ a comfortable existence, a life of plenty, success in the material world, a legacy ~ all while being warned of the extremes that lead to the attachments of The Devil. Pluto arrives to bust up that comfort and to bring light where there is darkness. 

The Devil and King of Pentacles bring steadfast action, longevity, and mature response to a situation.

The Sun (in Cancer)   

The Sun card is usually read as a glowing future, being in the spotlight, a special light being thrown on an issue of importance. We usually expect a happy outcome to accompany this card when we receive it in a reading. If reading from an astrological perspective, include these types of questions:   

• Is my ego in check?
• Am I being childish about my situation?
• Will this really make me happy?
• How can I bring joy to myself or to another? 

The Sun is in the sign of Cancer during the eclipse and in the Grand Cross alignment. Cancer, represented by The Chariot, is the natural home of the Moon and, therefore, also The High Priestess. The King of Cups and the Chariot, being cardinal energies, embody action backed by sensitivity and with an emotionally attached undercurrent.

Balance of Opposites

Full Moons always involve an opposition of the Moon and the Sun and require a balance in the signs and houses they occupy. An eclipse darkens, keeps some things hidden. During the six-month period in which the eclipse plays out, look for those things signified by Capricorn’s house to become more apparent. They will eventually come into the light, but slowly. Issues may arise quickly, but resolution arrives more slowly.   

A Little Bit More   

The Cardinal T-square of Pluto/Uranus/Saturn occured in the first decan of each of the cardinal signs, signifying action and pure energies of the signs. Twos are the sign of the Moon ~ duality, partnership, union. Perhaps in the coming months we can become one with some difficult issue we face. Be supportive, understanding but not a doormat, and strong. The minor arcana cards relating to this alignment are the 2’s:

• 2 of Pentacles ~ Capricorn
• 2 of Cups ~ Cancer
• 2 of Swords ~ Libra
• 2 of Wands ~ Aries

If you are working with Saturn in Virgo, the card for the last decan of Virgo is the 10 of Pentacles.

  

Finishing Up   

Now you must add the meanings of the houses in your chart in which this Eclipse occur. You can work with the Eclipse houses only, the Grand Cross alignment, or the Cardinal T-Square that will resume it’s control of the cosmic weather once the Grand Cross has dissipated. If you need a refresher, here’s a downloadable chart of all the house meanings.   

Making it Personal   

• What meanings can you add to these cards and planetary placements?
• What’s happening in your chart?
• Have you already noticed some things connected to these energies?

Related Posts to Tarot Cards in this Alignment:   

• Astrological Picture Book ~ The High Priestess as the Moon
• Astrological Picture Book ~ The Chariot as Cancer, The Crab
• Astrological Picture Book ~ First Decan Cancer, True Lunar Types (This post has info on the decan in which the Sun resides during the eclipse.)