Photo: (cc) Nikkorz/Flickr.com

by Will Harrison

What an exciting week! We have our monthly full moon on April 14, with a total lunar eclipse on April 15, and a blood moon at that! A blood moon is when an eclipse occurs that casts a red glow on the moon as it passes into the Earth’s shadow. What is fascinating is that not only do we have a full moon right before a lunar eclipse, but this blood moon is the beginning of three others in the next three lunar cycles.

When lunar tetrads (four blood moons successively) like this happen, great significance is placed on what it means for us here on Earth; some people think it is a sign of great chaos and strife or the “apocalypse.”

Eh, I wouldn’t go that far.

I’m still exploring the significance of blood moons, but I don’t subscribe to doomsday astronomy. I think — in considering Mars’ placement in Libra the past six months and its continued presence in that region of space in relation to Earth until midsummer — that this is the continuation of the changes perpetuated by the Grand Cross that Mars has been involved in, which I have been writing about for the past couple months. I feel like we are all feeling more than a little frustrated with the injustices occurring in our society, our economy and our world, and we are getting tired enough to actually do something about it.

Because of the Aries energies that are abound during this time, I think we are meant to internalize these changes, “to be the change we wish to see in the world” and to inspire others to do their best in order to make the world a better place in their own way as well. Grand Crosses, as discussed in previous issues, are very much full of tension, but also potentially rewarding. In this particular GC, we have all been dealing with energies that are pioneering and pushing us forward in all aspects of our lives (Uranus in Aries), our frustrations with the corruption in our world (Pluto in Capricorn), our need to feel emotionally secure and safe (Jupiter in Cancer) and our motivations to make the world more fair and harmonious (Mars in Libra).

With this in mind and in relation to the blood moon occurring April 15 and the full moon on the 14, I think we are seeing a huge boost forward in our individual (Sun/Mercury/Uranus in Aries) and shared endeavors (Mars and full moon in Libra). These are some major energies that we are living with here on Earth and, after months of living with the tension of that Grand Cross, we are about to see a lot of irrational anger (full moon conjunct Mars).

Ultimately, I deduce that we will see a lot of progress as well. In life you have to go through the challenge to find the reward, and I think that we will be seeing a lot of both in the coming four months. The astronomical events occurring this week are just the beginning of the next four months and a major step forward in releasing and resolving the tension we have all been living with lately.

In the meantime, have fun with the full moon. Get together with loved ones since it is in Libra, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the oppositions happening (Mercury/Uranus opposite Mars, moon opposite Sun) then feel free to embrace the more individualistic Aries energies that abound at this time. When oppositions occur, two planets are literally tugging us in two different directions, providing two very different needs which both need to be met. Needless to say, this can be very challenging and lead to frustration, but with patience, even negative situations can have positive outcomes. This is an important time to balance out our lives, finding harmony between our own needs and those of the world around us.

Venus is conjunct Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, so we’re all feeling a little dreamy in our relationships, and a lot of confusion may occur in personal interactions. That is OK, just let your good intentions shine through any misunderstandings that happen and everything will work out. This is a pleasant though rather unrealistic time with relationships (romantic especially), so not worrying too much about the details of relations will be helpful. Refraining from making any personal commitments is probably a good idea unless you feel very emotionally invested in whom you are with. Follow your emotions; they know more than your mind sometimes, especially in the realm of the heart.

Mercury and Uranus are in a perfect conjunction in Aries starting Monday and will continue to be conjunct for about another week. We are all experiencing mental overdrive and tons of energy to move forward on the mental plane. This is a time of random revelations that fix solutions in a heartbeat, evolutionary energies for our minds and/or getting angry and trying to knock other people down intellectually. Obviously, the latter version of this energy isn’t helpful and should be avoided as much as possible in both others and ourselves. This is a wonderful opportunity to set petty egotism aside and embrace the far better part of our ego’s potential — accomplishing personal goals and moving forward in our own lives. Embrace people’s eccentricity during this time, dare to think differently than the norm and discover your own path to get the best out of this conjunction.

Have a great week, fellow wolves! I hope you enjoy all of this fun, intense energy and profit well from all of these opportunities for advancement. As always you can find me on my Facebook page “Will Harrison, Metaphysician.” Namasté.

Will Harrison studies French and Spanish. He can be reached at sself@sagebrush.unr.edu.