Libra New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse Horoscopes for October 14, 2023
Musings from Maria's StarGarden
“ Waning Moon with Shadow,” chalk pastel memory sketch by Maria Theresa Maggi
As I begin, I ask that the forces of love and light surround us and bless our communication.
The moon is new at 21 degrees Libra of the tropical zodiac on October 14, 2023 at 10:56 AM Pacific Standard Time. This new Libra moon is also the occasion of an annular solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun but is far enough away that it does not totally block out our entire view of the sun. Instead it leaves a dramatic ring of light around the edges of the sun that are not covered by the moon’s shadow. The path of this eclipse begins at 9:13 AM on the Oregon Coast and crosses Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, ending in the Gulf Coast of Texas. The lunar shadow will also be visible in parts of Idaho, California, Colorado and Arizona. All of us living in this path over the western US will have the opportunity to see it or at least to feel the sunlight darken, but all of us no matter where we live will feel its energetic effects.
Taking that literal ring of light into metaphor, where the literal and the figurative blur and are made equivalent, we might well find ourselves in an emotional ring of fire at this time. The scales, which are the symbol of Libra, and all they stand for, may well be in that fiery circle at this time as well.
Certainly the US House of Representatives is finding itself in such a position, as are, tragically, in all ways, the people of Israel and Palestine.
Recently everyone living in the US got a test warning on their cell phones for an emergency alert. If the solar system sent out such a message ahead of time about this solar eclipse, I like to think it would choose Mary K. Greer’s associative list for the Tower Card in her classic book, Tarot for Yourself. I get a twinkle in my eye thinking of this list being broadcast over electronic boards announcing airline schedules, the TVs in banks and doctor’s waiting rooms, the scoreboard at athletic events and, last but not least, the electronic board that shows the votes in the House of Representatives. It reads like this:.
“The breakup of towering habits, defenses and structures: freedom from ignorance. A spiritual awakening. A bolt of insight from the higher self. A blow to your ego or self-image. Humiliation; thrust down from a high place. Unexpected change or shock. Disruption. Feeling shattered. Anger and frustration. Emotions erupting. Exhaustion or “burn out,” sometimes resulting in illness or accident. Something damaged. Outgrowing your environment. Involvement in a drastic self-improvement program: intensive therapy, exercise, diet, etc. Housecleaning. Fasting. The futility of human structures and technology in the face of Mother Nature. Natural disasters and exodus. Flight from chaos and disaster.”—Mary K. Greer, Tarot for Yourself.
As you read this list, which of these associations is now at the forefront of your consciousness? If you are someone who remembers “humiliation” or “exhaustion or burn-out” or “something damaged” only, I challenge you to go back and see what else you can find in this list. What else is there that’s more freeing and uplifting—because it is there—and because the inclusion of all these possibilities echoes a comprehensive process of deep change that we are all in, collectively and individually. And with deep change comes the opportunity for spiritual awakening and ways to integrate that awakening into our ordinary lives. That process is often challenging, sometimes all encompassing, and exhausting, too.