As I write this on Thursday, January 17, the Moon is waxing in its last quarter, which means the “light” in the world is expanding. Now we are in the process of organizing, integrating, perfecting, and finishing in preparation for the full Moon which will occur early on Monday, January 21, 2019 EST and UTC, and late on Sunday, January 20 in regions west of the Eastern Time zone. The five days before, the day of, and five days after a full Moon (to a lesser extent) are a powerful time to access the illuminated spiritual energies for empowerment, healing, meditation, and prayer. This will be the first full Moon of 2019 and it will be a doozy because it is also a Supermoon and a total lunar eclipse, so in effect, get ready for a super-charged full Moon!
A Supermoon is the term first coined by astrologer Richard Nolle to define a new or full Moon closely coinciding with perigee, the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit. In Nolle’s and other astrological research, the Supermoon is associated with a higher than normal probability of seismic and large storm events due to extreme tidal forces. The lunar effect is magnified for a few days either side of the full Supermoon, when we may have difficulty focusing or sleeping; may feel extremely emotional or at loose ends; and may have to weather some relationship conflict. 
The first three full moons of 2019 are Supermoons: January 20-21, February 19, and March 20. The one on 19th February is considered to be the closest, largest, and most intense. The next Supermoons of 2019 occurring after the first three Full Moons of 2019 will be the New Moons of July 31/August 1, August 30, and September 28.
This upcoming full Moon coincides with a lunar eclipse. For observers in the Americas, the eclipse will take place between the evening of Sunday, January 20 and the early morning hours of Monday, January 21. Regions that may at least see some parts of the eclipse include Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Arctic.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the full Moon passes through the Earth’s umbra and turns completely dark. It is often called a Blood Moon because the Moon may turn a ruddy color. This will be a Rahu lunar eclipse, meaning the Moon will be conjoined and eclipsed by its North Node, which generally signifies new discoveries, insights, and events related to domestic affairs, safety and security matters, and relationships. Significant matters often come to light around full Moons and especially around lunar eclipses which complete certain unresolved matters of the past.
Often turning points are reached and new information is uncovered in the areas of life an eclipse touches. Thus, wherever the eclipse occurs in your natal chart is important to examine, as to the house where it occurs, but most importantly, as to the close aspects it may make to natal chart points (like the Ascendant and MC), and also those aspects to natal planets. I mostly look at close conjunctions and oppositions in my analysis and use a 10-degree maximum orb. Here are the eclipse charts for the U.S. (Washington) showing 1) the maximum eclipse chart, and 2) the exact lunar phase chart (which are about 4 minutes apart):
You can see in the eclipse chart for Washington, DC. that there is a Grand Cross/Grand Square in cardinal “action” signs Libra-Aries and Cancer-Capricorn and aligned with the four cardinal points (Asc., Desc., IC, and MC) along with the eclipsed luminaries, Mercury, and Uranus. This rare, stressful, and intense configuration mirrors the imbroglio between the President and Congress that has contributed to the current partial government shutdown. The situation is shown here to be reaching a breaking point which seeks dialogue and compromise, but often an outside influence, either intended or accidental, will have to intervene to break such a log-jam.
The lunar eclipse occurs on the midheaven (MC) for the U.S. This makes it very significant for the U.S. and could possibly indicate a sudden but positive twist of fate and new direction for the government and especially for the President and his administration. I say “positive” because the North Node (Rahu) eclipse often represents forward motion, good luck, and a fresh start. The eclipse in Cancer relates to safety and security matters as well as to the citizens of a nation. It makes sense that the government shutdown might be resolved with some consideration for the safety and security of the citizens of the U.S. (the Moon) in regard to illegal immigration control and border security. One could interpret this as Rahu (illegal immigration) eclipsing the Moon (safety and security) reflects the border wall issue that is behind the government shutdown.
In this following biwheel chart, you can see the U.S. Kelleher birth chart on the inner ring, and the lunar eclipse chart on the outer. Note that the eclipse occurs in the eighth house of transformation and rebirth. This house also signifies legislative outcomes, national finances, and losses to foreign entities and individuals. It also activates natal Mercury by a close conjunction. Mercury in the U.S. chart is the ruler of the seventh house of alliances and agreements, and also ruler of the tenth house of the government (especially the President and his administration). This suggests some confluence in regard to my previous comment about the eclipse occurring on the MC over Washington. With Mercury being eclipsed, agreements come into focus, problems with agreements have to be confronted and resolved, and certain basic ideas need to be revised on both sides. One might assume that this means, again, that an agreement will soon be reached between Congress and the President.
Here are the North and South Indian charts for those who cannot read wheel charts:
An eclipse, whether visible or not, affects the entire world. According to Sage Varahamahira in Brihat Samhita, when Mercury aspects the eclipse, as in this case by its full 180-degree aspect with transiting Mercury (and also as it conjoins the U.S. chart’s natal Mercury), “kings would come to grief.” This may suggest in the U.S. that President Trump is having an exceptionally challenging time as he tries to negotiate a border deal with Congress. Let’s see if this stand-off starts to resolve once transiting Mercury moves past the Moon’s South Node (Ketu) on January 22. As another example of Sage Varahamahira’s Mercury eclipse adage, note that British Prime Minister Theresa May has just survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Though she will remain in office for now, she has lost significant power in the European Union Brexit matter.
Nevertheless, Sage Varahamahira also says that when the lunar eclipse occurs after the solar eclipse, as in this case and also in the July 2019 and December 2019-January 2020 eclipses, the people are “happy and contented.” When the solar eclipse occurs after the lunar eclipse as happened in 2018, people are “unruly and unjust in their behaviors and couples would be at loggerheads.” So that’s some improvement for 2019 and gives one some real hope for progress in our personal lives and for the world at large.
Brihat Samhita also stresses that those born “in the star” that is affected by an eclipse should do special propitiatory rituals. In this case it would be those born with the Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Pushya nakshatra, but most importantly, the Moon is considered for this. Such measures could generally include fasting, or a yagya; and specifically for Pushya, could include reciting the bija mantra OM KAM; or chanting the mantra to the deity of Pushya: “Om Shree Pushya Nakshatra Devatayeh Namaha,” or worshiping the Divine Mother, or making special offerings to cows or priests.
It is also stated that “the period of an eclipse is a critical one when mysterious cosmic forces are released, which when properly attuned through prayers and meditations lead to extremely beneficial results.” The best time for these kinds of spiritual practices will be near the maximum eclipse time, including within a half-hour or hour before the maximum eclipse time, which will be 00:12 AM or 5:12 AM UTC on January 21, and you can convert these times to your local time with a time zone converter.
The Hopi Indians call the January full Moon the “Joyful Moon.” In the Medieval English tradition as well as some Native American traditions, January’s full Moon is known as the “Wolf Moon.” Wolves are associated with lunar power, and Wolf Medicine also signifies nourishment and generosity as well as path finding, which is quite appropriate for the first full Moon of the new year when many are still considering how to implement new intentions for the future.
The full Moon in Cancer stimulates the receptive side of the third eye or Ajna Chakra, which is behind the forehead and extends into the middle of the brain. This center is connected to our inner vision. During the lunar eclipse as well as 1-2 days on either side of it will be a great time to meditate on the Ajna Chakra. We are warned by Native Americans as well as in the spiritual teachings of India not to go out under the eclipse or look at it, as it can create mental agitation. So do this meditation inside if you are doing it during the eclipse time:
While taking slow deep breaths, imagine drawing the Moon’s light down into the third eye, and sit with this a while with eyes shut, focusing inner awareness into the third eye area. Try to envision the orb of the Moon in your inner eye. Focus the power that is granted to you into whatever you wish to see manifesting in your life and in the world—perhaps more love, more contentment, more peace, or more abundance. This is a good time for mantras, prayers, and affirmations. We can finish this practice by honoring the Divine Mother who is symbolized by the Moon and Cancer/Pushya nakshatra where this eclipse occurs. Take Her beauty into your heart and give thanks for the never-ending bounty of her love.
~May all living beings everywhere, on all planes of existence, known and unknown, be happy, be peaceful, be free from suffering, with love and light from Juliana
