A lunar eclipse is a potent lunation, meaning an extra powerful full moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth falls between the moon and the sun, blocking the sun’s light from reaching the moon, so the moon even though full, appears to be ‘in darkness’.

The lunar eclipse on Friday, Nov 19th, is a partial (but almost covering the moon) lunar eclipse which is going to be visible from North and South America as well as Australia and parts of Europe.

Astrologically, this lunar eclipse will begin a new cycle which will continue for months to come, culminating in May 2022. The eclipse falls on the axis of Scorpio-Taurus, with the Sun being in intense Scorpio and the Moon being in earthy Taurus. The significant aspects of this eclipse are — eclipse squaring Jupiter in Aquarius and Trining Pluto in Capricorn. This eclipse is also conjunct the fixed star Algol, which is known for its propensity to cause violence, destruction and injuries.

So let’s put it all together so that we can understand the energetic effects of the eclipse on the collective consciousness. First of all, the moon is in Taurus, which is a sign it loves to be in. Moon is exalted in earthy Taurus, this gives the eclipse a grounded feel to it. However, the conjunction to Algol is particularly challenging. Algol is said to be the ‘star of decapitation’. In Greek mythology, Algol represents the Head of the Gorgon Medusa slain by Perseus. Add to that the square of Jupiter, we get an amplification of this energy.

Luckily, Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio is casting a friendly glance towards this eclipse, giving us some needed support to transmute the energies present.

Now, eclipses are a time of endings and beginnings. They are also a time of things that are hidden in the shadows being revealed. With the energy of the sun in Scorpio, it is likely that what is lurking in the shadows are our unacknowledged skeletons in the closet, our inner demons and patterns that keep us chained and tied up in unhealthy knots.

In this sense, this particular eclipse can be very potent in helping us look at these shadows, so that we can understand how their destructive nature (Algol), manifests in our earthly lives (Taurus), with the purpose of transforming and transmuting them (Pluto and Scorpio).

A much less known archetype of the fixed star Algol, is that for those that pursue an honest spiritual purpose, Algol can provide much support because there are “high spiritual rays” that emanate from Algol for those ready to receive it.

Symbolically if we think of the Gorgon Medusa as the representation of our shadows, Algol then becomes the decapitator of our inner demons, IF we are willing to look at them with honesty and heart.

The heart is a great place for us to rest in on this eclipse, since Venus, ruling the heart chakra is the ruler of the sign the moon is in, Taurus. So another aspect of this eclipse is the theme of relationships. Our relationships to ourselves as well as our intimate relationships.

‘Coincidentally’, Venus enters the shadow period of her retrograde the same night as the eclipse, so our shadows around relationships might be what comes up for us as we navigate the energy of it. The topic of intimacy, sex and communication are going to be the main issues that come up to the surface given the Scorpio-Taurus axis. We might be able to discover the hidden parts of us that get in the way of us experiencing true intimacy.

Of course it is important to remember that not everybody will feel the themes of this eclipse equally. In general, it might be a ripple moving through the collective that we all feel to a certain degree. However, for those of us with personal planets or points triggered by the eclipse, we will feel it the most strongly and depending on where in falls in our charts, it might feel like a subtle yet clear aroma in the winds or a hammer on our arthritic knee. All depends.

Regardless of where it falls in our charts and how strongly we feel the workings of this eclipse, the best remedy for it is to ground ourselves in nature. Taurus is the earthy sign leading this eclipse and we will do best if we can be present and solid in our bodies like Taureans are…and Mother Nature is the perfect antidote for this. So even if you’re in the cold weather of the Northeast like I am, find some time during this eclipse to be outside with the trees, the wind, the earth and water. And let nature be your healer as you surrender your heart to her.