{"id":497,"date":"2007-08-25T05:31:00","date_gmt":"2007-08-25T05:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/astrologicalmusings\/2007\/08\/upcoming-lunar-eclipse.html"},"modified":"2007-08-25T05:31:00","modified_gmt":"2007-08-25T05:31:00","slug":"upcoming-lunar-eclipse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/astrologicalmusings\/2007\/08\/upcoming-lunar-eclipse.html","title":{"rendered":"Upcoming Lunar Eclipse"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>On August 28, the Sun will eclipse the Moon in an event which will be seen only in the South Pacific. According to NASA, the eclipse will be partially visible in the Americas and in Asia, but virtually invisible from Europe and the African continent. Whether the eclipse is visible in your area or not, eclipses are often events that denote a change in direction of some sort.<\/p>\n

The Full Moon occurs when the Moon opposes the Sun, and lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and Sun each conjuncts the nodes of the moon. The South Node shows our past and the influences that hold us back, and the North Node guides us into our future. The eclipse on the 28th shows the North Node conjunct the Pisces Moon, calling us to go into the great beyond that lies within us to achieve a greater harmony within ourselves. The Virgo Sun conjuncts the South Node, highlighting our tendency to place the details of our daily life above the needs of our soul.<\/p>\n

The nodes of the moon are known as the Dragon’s Head and Tail, and in many ancient cultures it was said that during an eclipse a dragon did battle with the moon – a myth that has a basis in science because of the proximity of the Moon to the lunar nodes, or dragon, during an eclipse. The blood red color that the Moon turns during an eclipse was said to be the Moon’s blood, adding to the fervor over the “death” of the Moon during an eclipse.<\/p>\n

This is a powerful eclipse that includes a Grand Cross involving Mars in Gemini, Uranus in Pisces, Jupiter in Sagittarius and Mercury in Virgo. Grand Crosses occur when four planets are square to each other, and each is in opposition to one of the other planets which creates a buildup of energy that tends to explode in a crisis that is the impulse for change. This Grand Cross is in mutable signs where that energy tends to be scattered and unfocused, creating a great deal of confusion.<\/p>\n

There are a number of planets in opposition during the eclipse, in addition to the Sun and Moon which makes this a Full Moon. The 180 degree aspect creates tension and requires balance between the two opposing polarities, and a prevalence of oppositions indicates an exceptional need for integration. So during this eclipse we have:<\/p>\n