Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus: A Gentle Ritual
A build up of a lunar eclipse vertically rising against a black sky.
Quick note, I usually share these intro details in my newsletter but I will be keeping the extra aspects and ritual to members only. So feel free to jump to the next section after the galaxy photo if you read the newsletter.
We are rounding out eclipse season and leading into the closing before the end of the calendar year. To start off, we have the eclipse nearing the end of both Taurus and Scorpio with the nodes approaching both of those signs very soon. Yes, those with heavy Taurus and Scorpio inner planet placements can expect some MAJOR shifts in the coming years. From an aspect focus, there isn't anything exceptional about this eclipse. The planets that are near exact aspect are Jupiter and Pluto. Pluto can be rough, especially when we blend in the general malefic energy of the eclipse, but even then Pluto is still 3° away which isn't too tight of an orb for an outer planet. It is making a sextile to the Sun, and a trine to the Moon, which I consider to be a beneficial energy for this eclipse in that it's truly helping demolish and clear what is standing in the way of our moving forward.
There's a lot to be read about this eclipse and the way it lines up with the fixed star Algol, a star I've begun to familiarizing myself with as of late. I am not a fixed star specialist so I'll refer y'all to this lovely post by Amaya Rourke. While I won't be discussing to many aspects for this eclipse, I do want to talk about the position of Vesta with the South Node.
A chart of the lunar eclipse at 12:37am PST on November 19th.
Eclipses are traditionally considered to be very malefic in nature, in many cultures and practices around the world, there are many traditions people follow that help them avoid negative effects from the eclipse. It's common for brujes to work with scissors for protection, it's common across practices to avoid the rays of the light of the eclipse, many folks actively avoid being outside of the house in general. While it isn't always possible to put your life on hold, especially given that we live in a capitalistic centric society in many countries, I do think that we can reclaim traditional ways in some of the ways that we approach the eclipse in general.
First, I think that this is an ideal time to lay low on spellwork as a whole. Often, when folks know we are approaching a larger astrological event, they want to do some kind of major working to utilize and work with the energy. In this case, an eclipse, as I've said before, is already doing the bulk of the heavy lifting for you. Even doing workings such as banishing, cord-cutting, or release, can be a lot on the body and spirit when it is already doing all of that and more. This is why I generally recommend that folks do cleansing and nothing more. This is a time of rest and contemplation. This will be the focus of the GENTLE ritual that I share with y’all.
Additional Realm Only Details
I’d like to continue talking a bit about Vesta. I briefly mentioned in the newsletter and above some of the themes that this asteroid brings in, but first, I’d like to talk about the asteroid in general. While she isn’t one of the larger asteroids, the materials found on this asteroid make it one of the brightest able to reflect the Sun’s light vibrantly. Here, she brings her eternal flame exactly to the South Node. Typically, the South Node is the one many folks consider to be more malefic energy, but in reality, the South Node and the North Node are equals, neither benefic nor malefic. The South Node speaks of an energy and comfort that we bring into this lifetime. With Vesta right on the South Node, there is an opportunity with this eclipse to consider where in our lives we’ve already become skilled in, what spaces allow us to be most natural, and how can we expand this energy into other areas of our lives so that we can learn to find more balance.
$100 bills on fire on a dark surface.
The Ritual
Here are the supplies you will need:
Sea salt and/or Epsom salt (be careful with Epsom salt if you are diabetic/have health conditions)
An egg
A glass of cool tap water
A black candle of any size
Black salt (optional)
Part One: Cleanse
One of the best things you can do for your spirit and body on the night/day of the eclipse is to take a shower or bath with salt. If you have the ability to soak in the tub, I suggest you soak for about 20 minutes with both Epsom and sea salt. If you do not have a bathtub, don’t have the time/energy, then taking some sea salt into the shower and scrubbing your skin and scalp with it, could be very beneficial. Be sure to drink a SHIT TON of water while soaking or after the shower.
Part Two: Burn
If you have black salt, create a small boundary on a burn safe plate or candle holder around the area where you will burn the candle. This candle will serve both as light and as an offering to the spirit of the eclipse so you don’t need to add anything to it, though you can add some blessed oil if you feel called to. I suggest burning this AFTER the bath/shower but before you actually fall asleep.
Part Three: Absorb
Take an egg and crack it into a glass of cool tap water with a sprinkle of sea salt. Let this sit through the night on either the windowsill or under your bed. If neither of those options works because of pets, place it on a high shelf somewhere. Once you rise after doing this, toss the egg into the toilet and flush with another sprinkle of salt.
A tarot spread with 1 in the top center, 2 in the top left, and 3 in the top right. 6 in the center bottom, 4 in the left bottom, and 5 in the bottom right.
Part Four: Optional Tarot Spread
In what area of my life am I most insatiable?
How can I feed this hunger?
Where can I redirect some of this hunger?
Where am I most comfortable in my life?
How can I expand that ease to other areas of my life?
How can I blend my insatiable hunger with my desire for ease at this point in my life?
