Stars & Signs: Total lunar eclipse in Taurus

Week of November 7, 2022

The total lunar eclipse in Taurus is the most chaotic and afflicted transit that I have seen since I’ve been doing this. With such chaotic energies, it’s best to simplify the interpretation and to have very simple rules to get through it.

In this case, the rule of thumb is the oldest in the book: just don’t do more damage first.

This is the last total lunar eclipse for the next 2-3 years. It provides the strongest emotional reset that we’ll get, collectively, before the Pluto and Saturn ingresses and Saturn’s grounding trough spiritual Pisces.

Neptune and Pisces dissolve boundaries, so Saturn in Pisces brings apprehension and erosion of trust, especially with Neptune present. Building a strong inner foundation before Saturn’s ingress is incredibly valuable for this transit. Rebuild trust in yourself, your goals and ambitions while Saturn is still in Aquarius, create clarity about who you are and what you want out of life, and Saturn in Pisces will actually make people flock to you – and that inner compass and stability everyone will be longing for.

The total lunar eclipse in Taurus scrambled everything, making room to rearrange the pieces – gradually – in whatever form will serve you best going forward. This is a process of reconstitution. Rushing to get everything in order in one day, one week or one month is only going to bring more stress and confusion.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to take constructive steps every day and keep moving forward: like a painter works with the empty canvass one stroke at a time – and then stroke upon stroke too. Mars retrograde, mostly in Saturn’s disposition, is actually very helpful in this redoing business.

There’s so much going on here!

• full Moon conjunct Uranus fallen retrograde

• Mercury conjunct Sun

• Mercury in Scorpio

• Mars retrograde in Mercury’s rulership

• Mars square Neptune

• Mars inconjunct Pluto

• Mars trine Saturn dispositive

Think of Sun as your eyes, the sign being what’s behind the eyes: what’s on your mind, where you’re “coming from”. When Moon is full, in direct view of Sun, our attention is fixed on emotions and relationships. When she is eclipsed in this position, we get to take a gander beneath our emotions: at our triggers and the seething cauldron of what normally remains unconscious under emotional expression.

At full Moon, the triggers and emotions are related to the house and sign where she is, while the opposing house and sign corresponds to the purposes and perspectives that appear in conflict: that lead us to trip the wires on those unconscious boobytraps.

On the eclipse axis, Moon is closely conjunct Uranus retrograde in Taurus. Saturn has barely pulled the truck off after reaming Uranus fallen over and over and over, and now Moon is dumping a truckload of emotional junk in the same place. This isn’t hell; it’s purgatory. The emotional triggers that have been feeding ill-advised impulsivity and reactivity were laid completely bare as Moon (emotions) was eclipsed over Uranus – and temporarily out of the picture. We have to address the fundamental impulses, triggers and ailments, not the subsequent emotions that are only symptoms, habits and defense mechanisms.

The house and placements around 16-17° Taurus in your natal chart are where triggers and emotions have to be let go most prominently with this eclipse. Impulsive action in this area is not what’s needed; it’s where rest and peace is needed for things to heal and become whole.

On the opposite side of the chart, in Scorpio, is the house where you want to make progress by letting go of and healing the Taurus areas. With Saturn in disposition of the eclipse and of Mars retrograde, it’s imperative to avoid aggressive action, forcing it and pushing it. Changes must happen one step at a time without aggravating people – or yourself – unnecessarily.

Clarity about the issues can be limited at this stage, as Mercury was combust during the eclipse opposing Uranus fallen retrograde. Mercury combust opposite afflicted Uranus turns brains into scrambled eggs. Extreme difficulty articulating things or figuring out how to do things or what they mean is perfectly normal. Gassing it with these transits will produce chaotic actions and unpredictable results. Talking about it won’t be helpful either, as it will likely result in anger and arguments rather than clarity and closure. If you can’t take constructive action, just work on something else until the clouds – and minds – clear.

Mercury in Scorpio says don’t talk about it anyway. He prefers to talk through action or otherwise indirectly. Mars retrograde in Mercury’s rulership militates against venting and complaining even more. But Mars retrograde can be very constructive in this if you can work with him patiently – through action.

Mars retrograde in Gemini trine Saturn T-square the eclipse axis means both options and stamina to come through with your best self. Doesn't matter how aggrieved you feel about the situation. Saturn is dispositive of both Mars and the eclipse. Moreover, his trine Mars cuts through the eclipse axis. Work with Saturn’s energy (patience, determination, standards, hard work) in Aquarius (the higher self, friendships, your best life) and the house he transits in your natal chart. You can also branch out in Mars’s house in Gemini – but still with Saturn’s methods.

The most positive action during this transit should take place on the axis of Saturn in Aquarius trine Mars retrograde in Gemini.

Don’t poke Uranus in Taurus and avoid impulsive behavior. Trying to escape will make the situation worse. Plan your exit and work it out gradually if you need to leave a group, job, place or relationship. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed, use physical activity as an outlet: long walks in the park, lifting weights (careful about injuries), manual labor of any kind, cleaning your home etc.

Whatever happens during this time in the houses of the eclipse axis, stand with Saturn in Aquarius in the house his current position marks in your natal chart. That’s the house you’re supposed to master right now – and it will likewise provide a sense of grounding and direction as to the houses of the eclipse axis.

Activities in Saturn's current house can be an outlet for you or can point to meaningful solutions to whatever takes place in the eclipse houses. Saturn is the way to go because of his disposition of the eclipse planets: he's unafflicted although square so many others.

Moon Exalted in Taurus in this total eclipse points to very positive developments in the next lunar cycle and until the next total lunar eclipse. The difficulty here is in her conjunction with Uranus fallen retrograde. Mars inconjunct Pluto creates further danger of impulsive reactions, anger, control issues flaring up, arguments and pointless fights. Direct any such energy in a constructive fashion that works to further your goals going forward. Any aggravation will fade and resolve as you make progress on your constructive purposes.

Mars square Neptune makes the big picture extra murky, like Mercury combust opposing Uranus isn’t enough. This is not a time for sharp course corrections unless you have considered them carefully or decided on them before. Mars retrograde in Mercury’s rulership is more about how we get from A to B than changing the ultimate goal. Jupiter retrograde in Pisces is a particularly inauspicious time to drop everything and go for something completely new. You will probably lose interest or find you’ve made a mistake pretty soon.

Saturn in disposition of most planets says restrict what isn’t working for you and stick to your ultimate purpose. It’s fine to try new ways of doing things as long as the goal is familiar, even if not exactly the same. For some people, these transits can mean getting on with something they’ve always wanted to do – always had in the back of their mind – but put off for various reasons. That could be a productive direction to go as well, as long as it’s not impulsive.

Saturn still in orb of square to Uranus fallen and Mars square Neptune can trigger feelings of dread and apprehension about undesired change, disappointment with progress and accomplishment, and general confusion about your direction in life – even if you already have a solid plan and a clear direction. Just let go and stop imagining things. Saturn in disposition militates against anything dramatic happening unless you literally push it yourself.

Here are the energies for the rest of the week: they improve all the way into the weekend.

Wednesday we get a quiet day to regroup and recover after the hyperstressful eclipse energy. Moon makes no major aspects after entering Gemini in the morning. Venus trine Neptune exact at 7:21 EST the next day brings soothing vibes. Mercury square Saturn at 2:51 EST into the night suggests this is still no time for social activities or talking through major issues. This can be a getting-it-done aspect though if you have the focus and energy to work alone. Don’t give them a piece of your mind and don’t expect much of a response to your social advances – people are exhausted.

Thursday Moon is moving more aggressively into Gemini to join Mars and trine Saturn. We are finally ready to move with some energy and stamina after the draining effect of the eclipse. Sun square Saturn into 3:03 EST overnight can trigger feelings of disappointment and dejection though. Don’t just quit! Take a good night’s sleep and get right back at it. Avoid asking for help and support today, or seeking permission from authorities.

Friday is messy. Gemini Moon makes mostly benign aspects until the afternoon. Venus inconjunct Mars at 16:06 EST brings communication and control issues into the mix. This aspect can make it difficult to focus on minding your own business and not let other people exploit you. Moon enters Cancer at 19:22 EST, gearing up for grand Water trines with Sun, Mercury, Venus, Neptune and Jupiter. The weekend is for healing and empathy!

Saturday is a very positive day for relationships and creative work. Moon is in Cancer all day making adjustment aspects which shouldn’t be too challenging. Mercury trine Neptune at 13:35 EST supports music, dance, writing – as well as making sales. Venus sextile Pluto at 4:40 EST overnight stirs up the passions, but this is also a great aspect for the arts and any sort of creative work. Generally, very positive day for romance – or getting frisky!

Sunday Moon is still swimming through Cancer triggering her harmonizing Water trines. However, Mercury inconjunct Mars at 10:46 EST can make people extra touchy and tick off unexpected verbal conflict. Tread lightly, especially if people look grumpy, and don’t criticize around this time. Today we should already be feeling Sun trine Neptune and Mercury sextile Pluto (both exact Monday), so your creative work should be blossoming. These energies are also great for romance or just spending quality time with friends. This is the best day of the week for relaxing, entertaining guests at home or taking a spa day.

Next week:

• Sun trine Neptune

• Mercury sextile Pluto

• Venus trine Jupiter

• Mercury trine Jupiter

• Sun sextile Pluto

• Sun trine Jupiter

May the stars be with you! ❤️️