Total Eclipse of the Heart

So this morning there was a partial lunar eclipse.  What happens during a lunar eclipse is that the sun, the moon, and the earth are aligned so that the shadow of the earth is cast upon the moon.  This blocks out some of the moon, making it look like part of the moon has disappeared.  Lots of ancient cultures have folklore about various animals eating the moon, and would even do things like hurl curses and sticks at the sky to try and prevent the animal from its nighttime snack. 

This makes me think about some things.

The earth is the thing casting the actual darkness on the moon.  What's funny about the ancient traditions of blaming an outside source for the darkness of the moon, is that it is indeed our home planet hiding the light.  So it's the earth's own doing that it can't see the light of the moon - it's standing in its own way…ahem…sound familiar to anyone?  In the astrological context, it is said that this is a representation of material things standing in the way of true knowledge.  Just as if the earth were aligned in a slightly different way we could see the entire moon, if our perspective were able to shift just the tiniest bit then greater truth would be illuminated for us.

Another thought.  The earth isn't BAD for casting a shadow on the moon.  How in the world could that be so?  The earth isn't doing anything other than being exactly where it is, without any preconception or control.  In fact, it has absolutely no choice at all about where it is - there are forces far beyond its reach that hold it into its relationship with the sun and the moon.  And where it is, it casts a shadow on the moon.  There will always be somebody casting their shadow on you.  It is very important to remember that they are not doing so because they are bad.  They are being exactly where they are, which has nothing to do with you.  And whether or not you know it, you are casting your shadow on somebody else.  It is the nature of being pieces of matter.  There will be light.  Sometimes we will block it, sometimes it will be blocked from us.  But it's still there.  The matter in the way of it isn't good or bad, it's just being in the only place it can possibly be at a given moment.

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Eclipses tend to be a time of illumination.  Things that were blocked from view become clear and simple.  I hope this is the case for you.