The second of two eclipses this season will occur on October 28 at 1:24 p.m. West Coast time with the Sun at 5 Scorpio and the Moon at 5 Taurus. This will be a partial lunar eclipse, visible in much of Earth’s eastern hemisphere.
A folkloric name for this lunation is the Hunter’s Moon. Its name derives not so much from the month it’s in as from the sequence of Full Moons. The Hunter’s Full Moon is the first one following the Harvest Moon, which is the one closest to the date of the September equinox. Since the Harvest Moon happened on September 29, we’ll now have the Hunter’s Moon at the end of October. It’s good timing, close to the pagan holy night of Samhain, the Day of the Dead in Spanish-speaking countries—and in the U.S., our spooky candy festival, Halloween.
The October 28 Taurus Full Moon comes as the Sun recently “ingressed” the fixed water sign of Scorpio. If you follow pop astrology, you might think of Scorpionic-type people as brooding, jealous, and suspicious. The Scorpionic imperative is really to dive deep, metaphorically, to excavate processes that are hidden and even taboo. I liken the Scorpio archetype to the still water at the bottom of a dark lagoon. The creatures down there are covered with algae and muck—unpleasant but necessary for sustenance and rebirth of life.
Scorpio is ruled by Mars, and Mars is now also traveling through its home water sign of Scorpio, with Mercury and the Sun. It’s a powerful stellium—a cluster of three or more planets in one sign—opposite to the Moon, in its fullness by October 28.
An eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are close, by degree, to the Moon’s invisible nodes. One odd thing about the October 28 eclipse is that the Sun and Moon will be in early degrees of Scorpio/Taurus while the Moon’s nodes are in the signs of Libra/Aries now and for about another year. This means there are two pairs of signs in play, not the usual single pair. The Libra/Aries polarity is about partnership and individuality. The Scorpio/Taurus polarity is about psychological and material security and resources. Isn’t it true that quandaries over partnerships versus individuality are intimately bound up with issues of money, possessions, safety, and trust?
This October 28 eclipse is the last of a series of eclipses in Scorpio/Taurus. The next series of eclipse will be in Libra/Aries.
In the Hellenistic scheme of ancient astrology, the Moon is said to be “exalted” when it passes through the sign of Taurus for a couple of days each month. One idea behind this characterization is that the Moon is watery, Taurus is earthy, water and earth are compatible elements, as water flows downward onto earth. With the Moon’s sign revealing how one nurtures oneself and others, a Taurus Moon is a time to indulge in sensual comforts.
This year, the Taurus Moon is “applying” toward a conjunction with Jupiter, now in Taurus as well. Jupiter represents opportunity and abundance. When Jupiter travels through the sign of Taurus for about a year every 12 years, it doesn’t mean that everyone gets rich. It is, though, a time to garner new material resources and to count one’s blessings.
The Taurus Moon is “ruled” by Venus, which is currently passing through the mutable earth sign, Virgo. Venus in Virgo carries many meanings, including a fondness for plain and simple aesthetics style, and a desire to behave impeccably in one’s relationships.
Venus is now moving toward a harmonious trine (approximately 120-degree aspect) with Uranus, also now in Taurus. Venus’ trine to Uranus spells a time of unexpected relational and artistic events, perfect for a Full Moon eclipse at the end of October.
Another folkloric name for this late October lunation is the Falling Leaves Moon. Trees are shedding their adornments, as Scorpio season is a harbinger of winter. Falling leaves make excellent compost for the coming spring. Whatever we’re letting go of now is fodder for new planting. A Full Moon shadowed by the Scorpio Sun is a time of culmination and release.
In some pagan cultures, the end of October is called Samhain, also known as the “witches’ new year.” It is said of this time that the “veil between the worlds is thin.” It’s a time to feel the presence of beloved ones who have departed. They are both far away and, alive in memory, perpetually near.
Blessings for the Taurus Full Moon eclipse!
~ Sara
Sara R. Diamond, an astrologer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a life-long student and practitioner in several esoteric paths. Her style of astrology combines modern-psychological astrology with insights from traditional astrology. Sara is also an estate planning attorney. In addition, she has published four books on right-wing movements in the United States and earned her Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. You are invited to contact Sara via her website at www.SaraDiamondAstrology.com.
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