The Astrology of the October 28-29 Lunar Eclipse
How to make it through the October 2023 eclipse season
Here we are halfway through the eclipse season. It began at the solar eclipse of October 14, and will be followed by a partial lunar eclipse on October 28-29.
Today, I'm writing about the impact and meaning of the October 28-29 lunar eclipse.
Astronomy of Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse is an astronomical event which occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow. This movement causes the disc of the Moon to darken. Lunar eclipses occur approximately every six months. This type of eclipse will happen during the Full Moon phase when the orbital plane of the Moon is closest to the plane of the Earth's orbit. Lunar eclipses can be of three types: total, partial, or penumbral.
Astronomy of the October 28-29 Lunar Eclipse
The October 28-29 lunar eclipse will be partial, signifying that only a portion of the Moon will pass through the Earth's umbral shadow. This eclipse will be small. In fact, only a sliver of the Moon will fall inside the umbral shadow. This means that the Full Moon will only be faintly shaded or dimmed.
Partial lunar eclipse October 28-29, 2023, Wikipedia Commons
Timing and Location of the October 2023 Lunar Eclipse:
The partial lunar eclipse will occur on Saturday, October 28 in the western part of the world, and on Sunday, October 29 in the eastern part of the world. The partial eclipse will begin at 7:34 PM UTC/3:34 PM EDT. The maximum eclipse will occur at 8:14 PM UTC/4:14 PM EDT, and will end at 8:52 PM UTC/4:52 PM EDT. Use the WorldTimeBuddy to convert to your time zone if it is different.
The eclipse will occur over Europe and most of Asia and Africa. The partially eclipsed Full Moon also will be seen rising over the eastern Americas, and setting over Australia. For more details, check out this article on EarthSky.org.
Map showing the areas of visibility for the October 28, 2023, partial lunar eclipse. Image via Dominic Ford from In-the-sky.org.
The Astrology of Lunar Eclipses
A partial lunar eclipse is akin to a supercharged Full Moon.
Lunar eclipses can highlight unsettled feelings or turbulent emotions. These can often surface around the lunar eclipse in order to be processed and released. Additionally, unresolved or challenging relationship issues tend to get triggered around lunar eclipses.
How to Prepare for a Lunar Eclipse
Some of the changes coming around this particular Full Moon/lunar eclipse might feel overwhelming at first, especially in the days and weeks leading up to the Full Moon. During this time, we should “mind the mind,” endeavor to stay positive, and avoid expressing negative emotions.
On the day of the partial lunar eclipse, you should not decide or initiate anything of material consequence. In particular, you should try to avoid beginning a new job, marriage, business or legal matter or having surgery or an elective medical procedure. Instead, you can use the exact time of the eclipse to look inward in meditation and prayer. The positive results of these spiritual practices will be magnified during an eclipse.
The Astrology of the October 28-29 Lunar Eclipse
The lunar eclipse will occur with the Moon at 11 degrees of Aries, in Ashwini nakshatra, in conjunction with Rahu at zero degrees and 5 minutes of Aries. It will also be widely conjoined Jupiter at 17 degrees of Aries.
Rahu’s involvement in the lunar eclipse may signify new developments regarding home, relationship, health, professional, or family matters (occurring in the days, weeks, and months before or after the eclipse). However, it will depend on how and where the eclipse activates a natal or mundane horoscope as to whether and how this will manifest.
This is also important information about the astral weather occuring around the Full Moon/lunar eclipse, which I mentioned in a previous article:
On October 29-30, Mars and Mercury will conjoin near 18 degrees of Libra in the sometimes agitated and aggressive Rahu-ruled Swati nakshatra. They will be within an effective orb of conjunction from October 24 to November 3, and will be in a turbulent planetary war (graha yuddha) on October 28 and 29 around the lunar eclipse/Full Moon.
Mars and Mercury have conjoined or will conjoin for a total of three times in 2023: in July-August, in October-November, and again in December. In this current instance, the effect of the conjunction and planetary war can suggest irritability, impatience, indecisiveness, difficulties with focus or following through with plans, communication breakdowns, or chaotic disturbances related to weather, transportation, commerce and trade, travel, Internet security threats, and cybersecurity issues including disastrous cyber attacks.
During their conjunction, Mars and Mercury will oppose Jupiter, which may in the more positive manifestation enhance a sense of adventure, optimism, self-confidence, and ambition. Yet, it is very important to stay grounded, patient, and in control during this time, as there could be a tendency to go too far and overstretch one’s capacity and resources.
The Full Moon/eclipse will also have some auspicious qualities. This is because the eclipse will occur in Ashwini nakshatra. This part of the lunar zodiac has a magical energy that can help to remove obstacles and bring healing and fulfillment.
Additionally, this Full Moon/lunar eclipse comes on the heels of Sharad Purnima. This Vedic lunar festival marks the end of the monsoon season in India. Sharad Purnima is also a powerful spiritual celebration of the ultimate divine love and beauty expressed in Lord Krishna’s sacred dance known as Rasa Lila.
“Rasa Lila is a painting by Satchitananda das (Saccidananda das) depicting Sri Radha and the Gopis dancing and playing different instruments with Krishna on the white sand on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Purnima time of the Full Moon.”
Conclusion
As you can see, the October 28-29 Full Moon/lunar eclipse has some powerful and auspicious energy. After the challenging cosmic conditions of early October, this upcoming lunar eclipse should act as a spiritual boon, perhaps bringing us much-needed blessings and positivity.
I hope that you can find happiness as we move through the October 2023 eclipse season!
Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
Give me knowledge; O giver of Knowledge,
That I may be one with my Universe and Mother Earth!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love O God.
Bless us with your Love. (Author Unknown)