Get ready for the Solar Eclipse in Libra this week – the first ‘real deal’ eclipse of the Aries-Libra story where the lunar nodes are co-present with the New Moon. We got a little insight into this story last April when we had the first Solar Eclipse in Aries. But this time, you can expect to gain a stronger understanding of an important shift that’s unfolding in your life – one which has only begun and feels rather significant.

Intensity and heaviness is a general vibe that eclipses bring no matter how conscious you are of them. Situations and events in life tend to become more heightened, stressful or emotional around eclipse times. I’ve written a lot about eclipses over the years – here’s a couple of previous articles that might help you navigate this week with greater awareness. Understanding Eclipses is a general introduction to the nature of eclipses and my article in AFAN’s publication, Visionnaire, covers the mythology of the Samudra Manthan and the eclipses.

The New Moon in Libra occurring within 4 degrees of Ketu or otherwise known as the South Node, suggests an extremely reclusive and internal week ahead. The combination of the dark moon and its connotations of the unconscious realm, with the spiritually-liberated Ketu points to a week where you can excel or benefit from increased devotion to your spiritual practices. According to Hindu astrologer, Freedom Cole, the effects of an eclipse is 10,000 fold. If you can devote yourself to your spiritual practice during the New Moon-Ketu eclipse this week, you will reap significant insights and personal development for the next 12-18 months. 

But on the other hand, a New Moon-Ketu eclipse is a terrible time for external achievements or pursuing any outward goals. The 10,000 fold impact of eclipses can work in the opposite way where difficulties can remain with you over the next 12-18 months like a stubborn curse. This includes the psychic energy of others who you interact with during the eclipse window. Take heed – this is not the time to be interacting too much with the outside world. You must use this next couple of weeks to purge and purify as much as you can, spiritually, physically and mentally. Grasping for material rewards should be avoided – this could look like any form of externally driven pursuits, down to the very simple act of buying or consuming things that aren’t that necessary. Rather, meditation, spiritual devotion, house cleaning, clearing, detoxing, fasting and sleeping should be on the agenda.

Justice

Librans have a reputation for being one of the more favourable signs of the zodiac thanks to its sanguine nature which brings a pleasant, social disposition. It’s ruled by Venus, a charming and popular planet that seeks connections with those who can appeal to their desires. However, the symbol of Libra is depicted as the scales which represent the continual judgement that occurs within the Libran mindset. And, behind the frivolous pleasantries of Libra’s nature, is a strong obligation towards fairness and equality. 

With eclipses entering Libra, we can expect the theme of fairness, equality and justice being prominent in society over the next 12-18 months. It’s interesting that the indigenous voice referendum vote is being held in Australia on the eve of the Libran Eclipse. This speaks to the issue of fairness and justice being sought for indigenous Australians who have been fighting for equality ever since colonisation.

The symbol of the scales which represent Libra, suggests that balance is the ultimate goal yet rarely ever are the scales fixed on a balanced point. Each side sways up and down simply through the interaction with the air it moves through. The element of air, which is the element ruling Libra, symbolises the world of ideologies, thought and opinions. So while the eclipses in Libra strive to achieve balance, equality, fairness and justice, it may be too simplistic to assume that society will attain this. During this time, society might be introduced to the theme of justice through conversation and debate (air element) around what justice and equality means (Libra). Although at first glance the voice referendum appears to be a no-brainer for the voting in of inclusion of indigenous voices, in reality there are many valid arguments against this, including opinions from indigenous elders themselves. 

In fact, Ketu’s purging and decreasing impact on the Libran space might suggest otherwise – that justice might be taken away or reframed in a different way though the need to purge out the old perceptions of fairness. Personally, you might feel a sense of injustice about something, most likely pertaining to the house that Libra occupies in your chart, which might be the ‘bee in the bonnet’ that spurs you to make changes around that matter. This might be fueled by discoveries that things might not be as they appear, which is another symptom of Ketu’s ‘smoke and mirrors’ effect. Wherever Ketu moves over, it will blur the lines and cause confusion. Therefore the best way to manage this energy is to retreat into yourself or tap into a spiritual wisdom away from external influences that might add more haze to your already blurry vision.

At the least, the world will be much more sensitive and emotionally reactive to the issue of fairness and equality. You may be particularly moved to act, research or be vocal about issues which you consider to be unjust, for example.

Judgement

With the acute sense of justice always behind Libra’s scales, we must also acknowledge that judgement plays a big part of its modus operandi. Afterall, the very critical eye of Saturn finds its exaltation in the sign of Libra, bringing with it a hypervigilance towards the rules and ways of society’s expectations. The old adage of ‘judging a person doesn’t define who they are, but instead defines who you are’ is a true Libran shadow, especially given that they are naturally accustomed to deflecting their own light for the sake of including others, as seen with the Sun’s fall in this sign. Behind the peace-making Libran smile is the divisive quality of competition, winners and losers as suggested by Mars’ detriment here. It’s important to see the potential shadows we may encounter during this eclipse story in Libra, behind the virtuous skin of justice and equality.

There are many myths that centre around the notion of judgement – the Myth of Er, the Triple Fates, the Judgement of Paris for example. In fact, almost all stories share a common thread of weighing up decisions to right a wrong. However, in reality, justice is quite subjective and can vary among different cultures, eras, beliefs and so on. The Solar Eclipse in Libra might highlight the disparity between the concept of justice between different groups in society. What one group considers to be morally just might be completely unmerited by another. Things society thought to be the right thing to do in the past are now considered damaging – take for example, the removal of illegitimate children from their mothers.

True evaluation

I think the Ketu / South Node influence of this eclipse is extremely revealing in this Libran eclipse story. Whatever unfolds over the next 12-18 months might deliver a sense of unfairness that strongly influences you. But what this encourages you to do is to look within yourself and discover the peace that you can connect to despite what’s going on in the world. 

Krishnamurti wrote that “the ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence” and at its purest sense, this is what Ketu is pushing society towards. In this spirit, you’ll be taken on a journey over the next 12-18 months where you’re encouraged to connect to your own sense of divine justice, opinion and observances that may transcend any moral judgements, popular trends and societal expectations. The Libran conundrum of weighing up the opinions of everyone around them could be a slippery slope to pursue. The message of this New Moon with the diminishing South Node reveals the importance of moving away from the popular opinions and coming to your own conclusions through inner contemplation and introspection. Observance without evaluation.

The Egyptian mythology of weighing the heart against the feather of an ostrich which came from Maat, the Goddess of truth, balance, order, harmony, morality and justice – an Egyptian equivalent of Libra –  on a set of golden scales is an image that strikes a chord with this South Node / Libran eclipse. In this tale, a person would have to be judged by the dead against Maat’s 42 laws to see whether they were innocent or guilty of breaking these laws during their lifetime. After testifying against the judges, this person would undergo the weighing of the heart ceremony to see if they were permitted to the afterlife or be banished to the hellish underworld. The judgement here was based on whether the heart was lighter or heavier than the feather. Those with a heavy heart would be sent to the underworld, while those with light hearts would end up in a joyful Land of Two Fields. 

This story illustrates the difference between moral justice and divine justice, just as the South Node Libra eclipse might reveal to you over the next 12-18 months. One might be judged favourably against societal laws and rules, yet it’s the weight of their heart that ultimately bears the undeniable truth in one’s innocence in the natural, divine world.  So wherever this eclipse falls in your chart – around 21 degrees Libra – you may be faced with the task of weighing your own heart to decipher your personal truth, ethics and sense of justice behind the real issues of that house topic, never mind the facade of good citizenship you may be able to testify here.

The 22nd degree of Libra where this eclipse falls is in its third decan which is ruled by Jupiter, angling my forecast of this Libran eclipse towards the themes of truth and justice. We may also play within the other realms of the Libra experience during this eclipse and its ongoing phase, such as through relationships and social encounters, music and the arts, but these realms will ultimately boil down to your seeking of balance in truth and justice around these matters.