April 15/16: The Lunar Eclipse conjunct Ceres, the Butterfly Nebula (M2-9) and star cluster M14 invite us to seek balance and objectivity to compensate for gaps in productivity, food and our relationship with nature

April 15/16: Lunar Eclipse conjunct Ceres and the Butterfly Nebula (M2-9).

     Today, like every six months, we have a lunar eclipse, which suggests some of the major astrological trends during the period it is in effect, which is until the next eclipse takes place. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on our satellite, giving it a reddish appearance. Hence the talk in some media of a "Blood Moon," but that is just a sensationalist title. The red color is due to the polarization of light, similar to what happens in a sunset and does not have anything to do with its true meaning. The reality is that, at the exact time of the eclipse, the sunlight reflected at the full moon, associated with fulfillment and consciousness, is blocked. This momentary dimming of consciousness in a moment of fullness is like putting aside the rational mind and let the fullness come from an unconscious source, the collectivity of the Cosmos. A lunar eclipse indicates the awareness of one or more important topics that will be developed and worked out in the months following the event.

    This time, the lunar eclipse falls in ecliptic conjunction with asteroid Ceres, which represents Mother Nature, protective tendencies, prosperity, food, and our relationship with the environment. It is therefore expected that these issues will become increasingly present in our everyday lives, dramatically in some cases. Ceres is in contra parallel to star cluster M14, a globular cluster with several inconsistencies. M14 has a large number of variable stars, which are near the end of their lives as they drain down their fuel. This represents inconsistencies, variability and lack of strength in the role of the provider Ceres. No wonder, as we have done so much damage to nature, and our economic system is based on over-exploitation of resources. This may indicate problems with productivity, inconsistencies in food, difficulty in providing the elements needed to produce and live, but also can represent a major alteration of the natural cycles. Obviously, this has been going on for many years, only now the eclipse points out the urgent need to work at it, both at the global level and in our individual lives, during the next semester.

     On the other hand, the eclipse itself happens in parallel to the Butterfly Nebula (M2-9), a dying star in the constellation Ophiuchus. Like all dying stars, the star at the center of M2-9 is of very high temperature, which relates to the reflective, philosophical, aspects of the higher mind. But what really grabs the attention in M2-9 is its bipolar appearance, as seen from its equatorial plane, with two almost equal jets, one to the right, the other to the left, as if they were the wings of a butterfly. Therefore, it is also known as the Twin Jets Nebula. This highly symmetrical appearance suggests a mental activity directed toward balance and objectivity, like a scale adjusting things in a middle ground, able to see both sides of a situation, the "two sides of the coin", as well as adjusting excesses and compensating any existing gaps.

     Therefore, thanks to the Butterfly Nebula M2-9, we see that the effect of this lunar eclipse is about setting our mind to look objectively at our actual connection with nature. The symmetry of M2-9 also suggests balancing areas with deficiencies or excesses to be leveled. If Ceres has difficulty providing, producing, caring, generate resources, we have to balance and compensate for these deficiencies during the next semester. But we can only do that if there is neutrality in our mind, as an extremist or negligent attitude would only deepen the problems in our relationship with nature, which are already quite complicated.

     For example, on a personal level, we can objectively analyze our nutrition. If you have nutritional deficiencies, the cause might be that we are consuming foods that are not good for our body, perhaps out of habit or because junk food is more readily available. If we make an objective analysis of what we eat, we can modify these shortcomings through a healthier diet and according to our nature and not the needs imposed by consumption or advertising. It's an ideal time to significantly improve our diets and nutrition, during this next semester! Also to fill gaps related to our garden, our pets, and to compensate for the time that we have not given to children or to develop productive projects. The idea is to balance at any level needed the shortcomings and deficiencies according to natural laws. At work, for example, the goal is not to have the greatest possible gain at all costs, but to have consistency and usefulness within the whole we are in. Or perhaps if you have spent too much time in the city or in front of a computer, you have to balance going to the countryside, hugging a tree, opening your eyes to the sky, to animals, to plants, orlistening to your own body ... There are many ways to do it.

    In this way, the lunar eclipse tells us that we must work objectively on the weaknesses and shortcomings of our relationship with Mother Nature. If we think we can live exclusively in an artificial world, we are wrong. After all, humans are also part of nature. Following the lunar eclipse indications, seek for better food, real nutrition, organic and sustainable productivity, and give yourself the opportunity to correct the behaviors and procedures that are harmful and make us lose and pollute. In our individual lives, this is possible, but the message of the lunar eclipse is for all mankind. Let´s just hope this won't be through ecological disaster! Although natural destruction happens all the time, the events that are framed by the lunar eclipse of April 2014 have to do with a desperate nature that seeks balance, sometimes violently. Let's observe what happens around in the world, but when it comes to our individual actions, there´s a lot we can do to improve things.

     Let's enjoy the eclipse! Both in its visual beauty and the balance that it is inviting us to perform ...

     Carlos Duarte
     Research Astrologer