Pisces Lunar Eclipse: Blood Moon Wisdom

My Virgo mother was unfailingly kind and helpful, putting others’ needs ahead of her own. Everyone loved her. Especially the folks at San Diego High, where she worked as principal’s secretary for many years. She basically ran the school – and did it with a smile on her face. She loved singing in the church choir with her best friend Pauline. She was a great Mom. She only got truly angry at me once, and I deserved it! Plus, she put up with my dad in a way I never could manage.

But there can be a downside to such saintliness. When Mom became ill in her 70s with ALS, she gradually lost her ability to walk, eat and speak. Worst of all for someone with Aquarius Moon and Ascendant, she lost her independence. Towards the end, she was stuck in bed on a feeding tube, with Dad changing her diapers. I did what I could, but he was determined to be her caregiver – a job he’d never done before.

Years later, I was sharing this story to friend – a former nurse – telling her how unfair it was that Mom, of all people, should have suffered from ALS.  To my surprise, she responded, “But she’s just the type who gets this disease. Kind, caring, always putting others first.” Suddenly, it all made sense. Tough Mars in Scorpio was her only personal planet in a water sign, so Mom rarely cried. Nor did she confide her deepest feelings and fears very much – at least not to me. All those unshed tears had been accumulating inside her for years, laying the groundwork for the disease that claimed her life.

The upcoming Pisces Full Moon eclipse (Aug. 27, 9:18 p.m. PT) falls on what would have been Mom’s 106^th birthday. I’m sharing this story to honor her, but also as a cautionary tale. When the Pisces Moon opposes the Virgo Sun, it lights up the axis of caring and selflessness. The Moon in Pisces symbolizes redemption, self-sacrifice and dreaminess. When it’s eclipsed by the Sun in practical, let’s-fix-it Virgo, we must be careful to not ignore our feelings or simply put a band-aid on them; if we do, we risk our bodies turning on us in a desperate attempt to get our attention.

This is the last hurrah of a series of Pisces eclipses that began in September 2024. Specifically, this eclipse elaborates on or brings closure to whatever story began around the August 12 Leo total solar eclipse. This upcoming blood moon eclipse, though not quite total, will insert about 96 per cent of its lunar disk into Earth’s darkest shadow. And the moon will take on copper, orange or reddish tones. This potent moon will be traveling with a royal star called Fomalhaut, or the “mouth of the fish.” This star symbolizes one’s faith being tested, the possibility of redemption through seeing our motivations clearly, and the need to strengthen our faith. We may also be compelled to surrender illusions.

This Full Moon at 4 degrees Virgo-Pisces is closely squared by Uranus in Gemini, bringing sudden change, news, revelations and perhaps an antsy feeling or trouble relaxing. Uranus is unpredictable. Combine it with a near-total lunar eclipse, and it becomes essential to keep our hats on, think things through before rushing ahead, and avoid acting on any extreme feelings. This is not a good time to make important decisions, as certain things are hidden, in flux and can change on a dime. But it’s a great time to take a deep look at what you’re feeling, and to focus on releasing old fears and sorrows.

On August 31, there’s a lovely Jupiter trine to Saturn, which can bring some grounding and stability. The next day, Mars in Cancer makes a decisive square to Saturn in Aries. This can feel like a full stop, as in “here are the cold, hard facts” that bring clear-headed, sobering news – even if it’s not what we were hoping for. Still, these two aspects together can manifest the clarity we need to make decisions.

Meanwhile, if life feels messy or confusing, honor that. As this potent lunation approaches, is there a troublesome thought or feeling you’re ready to release? Maybe something you’ve been harboring deep inside, like my mom did? If so, have a good cry, surrender it to a refreshing body of water, or soak in a bath with scented oils. And let’s welcome Blood Moon wisdom as Luna glows red in the night sky!