February’s lunar eclipse involves a self-centered Leo Moon supported in a Grand Trine with Saturn and Uranus. These fiery-placed planets are not going to hold the Moon back but the Sun in Aquarius (with help from Jupiter in Libra) has other ideas. The mood is one of grandstanding and large gestures—but does all this sound and fury signify anything? Sometimes a blowhard just wants attention and doesn’t care if the audience is bored.
Details About This Eclipse
Date: February 10, 2017
Time of eclipse: 4:33 PM Pacific Time
Type: penumbral (weak in intensity)
Visible in: Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America.
At: 22º Leo
Nodal Orientation: Initiating. The eclipsed Moon conjunct North Node in Virgo creates an Initiating (not Releasing) nodal orientation.
Shadow Agents: Uranus in Aries, Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Libra
Does It Affect You Personally?
If your birthday is on any of the following dates, you’re most likely to experience this eclipse:
February 5 to 15
May 8 to 18
August 10 to 20
November 9 to 19
Remember, not every eclipse touches everyone, but when it does, it’s usually noticeable. A lunar eclipse is likely to bring up strong emotions and to be experienced as a subjective event (unlike a solar eclipse, which is likely to be marked by an external, real-world event). You may notice events happening anytime within the week surrounding the eclipse (up to a few days before or after). The following script is just one possible way it could go.
You hear a knock at the door. You answer it. The Moon in Leo is on your doorstep, dressed in a fiery orange superhero costume. The Sun in Aquarius is behind the Moon, trying to hold him back. The Moon bursts into your living room, quickly followed by Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is wearing black, including a pencil skirt, and has a clipboard, with a pen tucked behind her ear. Uranus is covered in wires, trying to untangle them. All burst into your living room, where they land in a heap.
Moon (pulling himself out of the heap): And I want thunder and lightning and a big, big spotlight right on ME!
Uranus: I’m still working on untangling these wires I put away so badly last season. Then I’ll get to work on your special effects and lighting. Believe me, this is going to be SPEEEEcial!
Saturn (standing up and smoothing her clothes with dignity): I’m seeing this as the smash hit of the year. We’re going to get an award for this one!
Sun (finally walking in the door, followed by Jupiter): Are you guys remembering that it’s not just about making a splash, but that the critics will be watching and we want to make a good impression?
Moon: This production is MY baby! It’s an expression of ME! It’s going to go how I WANT it to go!
Jupiter: But have you really thought about what the audience wants?
Sun: Yes, have you put out any surveys on social media?
Uranus: That’s my department and I’m all over his social media!
Moon: They LOVE me on social media!
Sun: Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you have a big head?
Moon: No, NEVER! I really am this great.
The Moon in Leo seems unable to speak except in superlatives. There’s another knock at the door and the North Node in Virgo walks in. As the North Node approaches the Moon, the Moon begins to go dark.
Moon: Hey, stay away!
North Node: It’s eclipse time.
Sun: Thanks for coming, North Node. Thank goodness you’re in Virgo and have a sense of discernment. I think the Moon needs your input as a theatrical critic. What is your genuine opinion of this production?
North Node: It’s got a lot of holes in it.
Moon (getting darker): It’s not finished!
North Node: I really don’t think it’s going to be worth paying attention to.
Moon (getting darker still): I’m not ready!
Saturn (standing behind the Moon and propping him up): It’s ok dear, just go on with what you’re doing. Others see you as an authority and you can do what you want.
Uranus (also standing behind the Moon): Be the change you want to make in the world! It doesn’t matter what others think. Especially those stupid critics. They just want to tear you down.
Sun: This is a vanity play for you. It’s not enjoyable for the audience.
Jupiter: I totally concur. This isn’t just you broadcasting whatever you want. It’s a relationship with the audience. They have a choice about whether to watch.
Just then, the South Node in Pisces walks in the door. She’s carrying a scrying bowl.
South Node: Here’s what the future holds.
Everybody looks in the bowl to see what is to come. The water in the bowl is cloudy at first, then images form. Days flip by on a calendar, and a week later, the show opens. A newspaper appears on the following day, saying “the show flopped.” The critic has written an article about the show, calling it a narcissistic exercise in self-aggrandizement, doomed to implode in its own. . . manure. After another week the show closes due to lack of ticket sales. Watching all this, the Moon, at his darkest, flops down on the sofa and bursts into tears.
Moon (bellowing tearfully): What should I do?
Sun: Still the center of attention, aren’t you? Before it was all about your bellows. Now it’s all about your tears.
Jupiter: Are you ready to actually listen?
Moon: Yes!
Jupiter: Think of it as a dialogue. You have a relationship with the audience. What do they actually want to see? What do they need from you?
Moon: I’m having an epiphany. I need to rethink this whole thing. I need to listen to the audience. It’s not about me.
Sun: Yes, I think some THINKING is exactly the point. You’ve been doing, not thinking.
The Moon starts to brighten up again.
Moon: I don’t know how to pay attention to the audience’s needs and interests. Will you help me?
Everyone: Of Course!
Jupiter: We only needed to be invited.
North and South Nodes (in unison): Our work here is done.
They lock arms and stroll out the door while the rest of the group begins brainstorming the next season’s show.
