As I write this I am sitting in the backyard of my country house lounging in a beach chair while feeling luscious late summer breezes crisply move against my skin. This morning I walked my dogs through a beautiful bucolic hill on a trail through the Berkshire mountains. It hit me. These precious moments of divine satisfaction are a reality I have worked 19 years to create.
You see, upon graduating high school in 1997 I desired to move to the mountains so I could ski while attending college. I wanted this so badly it nearly blinded me at times. Yet despite this intense desire, life had other plans for me. Right after I graduated from high school, I received a crazy cancer diagnosis that altered my ambition. Since moving to the mountains my freshman year was not possible, I strategized to transfer there my sophomore year. I gained college admission with a scholarship, too. My plans were set.
Yet, about a week before I was set to leave, with my bags fully packed, I learned that I needed emergency surgery due to an aggressive cancer growth in my uterus. I never went to school in Vermont.
Here I am, many years later, with a life that has gone completely full circle by way of so much healing. Since that fated time of life, I have travelled the world, lived in crazy awesome cities, and even had a short stint as a ski instructor in Lake Tahoe. I explored so much more than I would have had I moved to Vermont in the fall of 1998.
Yet, despite all of the glorious things I’ve done and accomplished, the dream of the “simple” life never left my heart. So it’s with great joy that I finally get to enjoy a version of that life.
As I look at the upcoming lunar eclipse in Pisces happening on Friday the 16th at 3:05pm ET, I can’t help but notice that this penumbral eclipse (part of Saros series 147) is the same exact lunar eclipse series that happened on September 6, 1998—exactly two weeks after my surgery, when I decided not to move to Vermont as planned.
I share this story not to indulge my pride in having solved a deep soul need for myself (though I have to say, I am super proud of myself), but rather to give you an example of how the past links with the present, and the cycle this upcoming Pisces lunar eclipse belongs to.
Full moon lunar eclipses ask us to let go of things that do not serve us, and honor what has come to full culmination in our lives.
Just like a full moon, they embody and encompass a time of heightened energy because the moon is in a position to fully receive all of the light of the Sun. However, unlike full moons, lunar eclipses contain a magnified resonance—almost like the power of multiple full moons happening at once. Eclipses bring things full circle in our lives, helping us evolve our consciousness so we can make our future all the better, even if at the time it feels chaotic and like a massive step backwards.
So yes, it’s been a while since we’ve had a full moon lunar eclipse in Saros series 147. What a beautiful time to reflect on how far we’ve come, as well as get clear on what we need to release in our lives in order to move forward.
This full moon happens in the sign of mystical, transcendental, and sensitive Pisces.
At the time of the eclipse, the moon will be directly next to Chiron—a powerful comet that correlates with the time we received a deep psychological wound, generally early in life. It encourages us to employ our efforts to heal it, and then teach others how to do the same.
With the Sun in Virgo, also a sign with deep healing capacities, we can expect this full moon eclipse to bring things up for reconciliation. At the same time, Saturn, the planet of hard lessons, squares the nodes of fate this full moon putting a lot of pressure on us to sober up our visions and do the work we know we must to integrate our wisdom and move forward accordingly. This comes on the heels of us having the final of three squares between Saturn and Neptune (Pisces’ ruler).
Since November 2015, Saturn—the planet of discipline—has been in the middle of a square, or a stepping stone, with Neptune, the planet of healing, dreams, and altered realities. Globally, we’ve felt this. From the Black Lives Matter movement to the progressive Bernie Sanders platform, from the rising seas due to global warming juxtaposed by big businesses that seem to ignore the problem, we’ve seen so much of Neptune— the ocean, our dreams, and our unconscious—come up against Saturn—structure, restriction, and establishment.
In our own lives, we’ve reconciled our desires with the inevitability of restriction. We’ve had to become practical, realistic, and exact solutions on how to move the needle forward in our lives. Overtures of desire fell short to metrics that indicated that maybe we’re not as far along as we’d like to be. While this transit officially ended on Saturday the 10th, we can expect to feel its impact massively this eclipse.
On top of that, we are moving closer and closer to the second of three conjunctions between Eris (the planet of discord) and Uranus (the planet of abrupt change and revolution) happening on September 25th. This transit brings shit up—no doubt. It’s a fierce, erratic, and perhaps even angry transit. And it’s brewing. However, with Mars now moving at his normal speed in an exact trine to Uranus and Eris at the time of the eclipse, he invites us to feel the positive manifestation of our power, even if it stems from a feeling of total angst. Further, Venus, the planet of feminine grace, opposes Uranus and Eris, suggesting that our values may become challenged this full moon, and it’s time to asses them appropriately.
Simultaneously, Jupiter, now in the sign of Libra, is getting ready to initiate a whole new cycle with the Sun. Meaning we’re about to get a massive reboot of positivity and power in our consciousness. This happens on the 25th. Even though this falls on the exact same day that Eris and Uranus next meet up, suggesting volatility, with the Sun and Jupiter aligned, we concurrently begin a new cycle of abundance. #mixedbag
To bottom line it, here’s what we need to know this full moon: Pisces is all about inclusivity, dreams, oneness, and transcendence. The moon in this mystical sign opposes the Sun and Mercury in dutiful Virgo representing the need for work, organization, systemization, and purity. The context surrounding this full moon suggests healing of a deep wound likely triggered by the eclipse. The world in general will feel chaotic this full moon. Obviously in the USA we find ourselves in the middle of contentious political competition. As a society we are also dealing with massive systemic issues that have our country in an uproar: Black Lives Matter, gun control, the health care crisis (I could go on and on). Internationally, tension remains high, too.
The goal of this full moon is to ride the wave of intensity, and know that in the words of Carl Rogers, “What is most personal is most universal.” As we move through our own struggles this full moon, and hopefully reconcile the tension within ourselves, we do so on behalf of the planet. Afterall, it is Pisces we are speaking about.
The next time we have another Lunar Eclipse in this series will be September 2034. Can you imagine that the story that unfolds under this eclipse is really part of a story that will be evolving then? How cool!
In the meanwhile, take a look backward and see how you’ve evolved since September 6, 1998. What are you celebrating in your life right now? How does it correlate?
In the comments below, I’d love to hear from you. How’s this full moon eclipse treating you? Are there stories from 1998 evolving in your life? What are you letting go of this full moon?
All my love,
Jenn
20 Comments
Claire 09/15/16
Thank you, Jen, I really appreciate what you share and how you share it, and this month was spot on! 6 September 1998… I had just started my Bachelors degree in a big city. I assumed I would retire back to a quiet life like the one I had known but that didn’t happen. What followed were rich and beautiful and challenging years. There is much to celebrate from this time, and much to let go of, especially the desire to learn. I’ve already felt a strong pull to stop learning (in the formal sense) and instead consolidate what I’ve learned into my own teachings and share them through my existing work. Thank you for the timely reinforcement!
jracioppi 09/18/16
YES! Please share:) Thank you so much for commenting Claire. Sending you so much love.
Diana 09/15/16
1998 was the year i first fell in love with a girl; 2016 was the tear my most loving relationship came to an end.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Diana, I am so sorry to hear about this breakup. I can only imagine how painful this may feel. Be patient with yourself. And thank you so much for taking your time to respond here. You are awesome. I send you so much love! Big big hugs…
Janine 09/15/16
Thanks so much. Lots of relevant things for me there. Firehorse Virgo and I was 50 on Sept 10th. Working on manifesting my dreams and letting go of some big blocks. This all made so much sense. Have a wonderful day. Blessings to you. Janine. New Zealand.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Blessings to you Janine. I know it’s hard to let go of the blocks, but you are supported. I send you so much love. Thanks for posting. You are amazing.
Chrystal 09/15/16
Thanks for sharing your story and insight. im a pisces and my partner is a virgo and i am personally right now making some big and positive changes which are a celcbration in themsleves but are very painful for me. So i value the infomation and things make a bit more sense. Thanks again Janine. Chrystal from New Zealand.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Hi Chrystal, Yes, I understand. Sometimes big healthy changes can feel painful. That said, nurture yourself. It sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to. So stay the course, but take care of yourself too. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I send you so much love!
Ashley 09/15/16
WOAH!! I’m not sure if it was around the same time, but in 1998, my grandpa passed away (cancer). I didn’t get to see him in the hospital to say goodbye because I was in school (3rd grade), but I’ll never forget crying on the floor of my room, feeling inconsolably frustrated, sad and guilty all at once.
Last week, my mom had back surgery and I was a MESS! It wasn’t until now that I can make sense of why I was so stressed and so on edge! Thank you for bringing light to this energy pattern. I’m sending little Ashley so much love and compassion to further heal that part of my past.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Yes, send little Ashley love. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am here for you. Sending you so much love. Thanks for reading and commenting. Big hugs…
Renee Wilde 09/15/16
In 1998 I left a company I had worked at for 14 years and so interesting that I just finished the same thing with a company I worked with for 13 years. I’m in a different emotional place than before and have evolved much – so grateful.
I will think about this evolvement some more, now that I understand it’s related. Thanks for the insight.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Wow, Renee! What a coincidence (or not). It sounds like it’s time to embrace the change and really transition consciously, with wisdom. Take good care of you, and thank you so much for writing. Sending you so much love.
Deirdre 09/16/16
At first glance I didn’t want to see the similarities. But looking back, I was heart broken over my first long term relationship. He was abusive, manipulative and controlling. I didn’t have any self worth and kept returning. Now I have been separated from my soul partner for just over a year… Because I love myself, have an abundance of self worth and trust the universe to do what it will for our path. I’m so grateful to have women in my life like you to help me see the similarities and growth. Thank you.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Kuddos to you for doing the work of looking and being honest with your self. YES– an abundance of self worth and trust are wonderful assets. Thank you so much for reading and responding to this post. Sending you so much love.
Diane 09/16/16
Great post! On Sept. 6, 1998 I was 12 days away from delivery healthy boy girl twins. Sept 16, 2016 I am 2 days away from celebrating their 18th birthday. Raising children is not for the faint of heart and just recently I have made peace with the sacrifices my career and ambition took while I tried to be the mom of moms. I step into this new role of having adult children allowing more space, feeling relieved that my mornings are once again my own and my compass can be directed inward again.
jracioppi 09/18/16
Diane, No kidding:) Kids are not for the faint of heart. And how wonderful? You now have time to focus on you. Thank you for being a part of my community. This is a massive transition for you– though I encourage you to see the gift in it. It’s a beautiful transition period. Sending you so much love. And thank you so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate it deeply. You are awesome!
Angie 09/16/16
Woah! lightbulb moment here! In 1998 around this time of year I ended a 3 year relationship/engagement with a man who I knew what so wrong for me, and gained back my power and my strength, lots a lot of emotional, and physical weight, and went on to meet the man I have been married to for 15 years this fall. I too am a Pisces, and with a soft heart I have been resisting the one man who loves me with all his heart in fear of being hurt once again. Just as of late I have felt a shift in my love towards him, feeling so grateful for the connection we have and feeling like we’re honeymooner’s again. I think this new moon brings forth a release of my old pattern of “fear of rejection” from men, and moving into my new confidence that “I am enough” and deserve to be loved wholeheartedly. I am now accepting and enjoy the love I am receiving from my husband. Thank you for this strong message that hit home for me today! Angie
jracioppi 09/18/16
Hi Angie, I am so glad this message resonated. It sounds like a perfect time to let go of the pain of the past, so you can fully embrace the love of the present. You are enough. Enjoy the love. Thank you for writing a comment and reading this post. I am so happy for you. Sending you so much love. Big hugs…
Nukhet 09/16/16
Jenn, thank you so much for this message. It hit close home.
Angie, your comments struck a cord with me. I could have been writing that message. Sept 6, 1998, I was three months into a divorce after 10 years of marriage that left me with deep scars. Like you, I will celebrate 15 years of marriage to an awesome men in Feb 2017. Just recently, the last few weeks, I am loving ME as I am for who I am and falling in love with my husband all over again instead of always on guard. The last few weeks has been feeling like I am personally starting a brand new life as a woman and our marriage is like finally ours without the shadows from his or my past. – Nukhet
jracioppi 09/18/16
Nuhket! Yes, Yes, Yes… beautiful. Wow. Enjoy your new life. What a beautiful testament to progress and growth. I am so grateful. Thank you for reading and commenting. Cheers to a new beginning. Big hugs…