Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast and an exploration of the Sabian symbol for the full moon and lunar eclipse in Taurus.
The October 2023 full moon/lunar eclipse falls in the sign of Taurus. The Taurus archetype is grounded and steadfast, calm and composed, firm and also somewhat stubborn. This is a sign that is practical and earthy, and is associated with material pleasures, desires, luxuriousness, and abundance.
Spiritually, the Taurus archetype teaches the principle of belonging through presence…our presence as sacred human beings…honoring the body temple…honoring the flow of life. This can be difficult given the society we live in, which praises the hustle over reverence and treats time as money rather than a finite resource that should be used wisely in the pursuit of the things that give us meaning.
We also have a partial lunar eclipse that is visible over parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, North/East South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic and Antarctica.
Lunar eclipses typically bring endings and closure, helping us to release things that no longer serve us. Expect sudden changes in consciousness, intuitive insights, and pattern-breaking a-has around this time. The seeds that you planted six months ago, at the solar eclipse, will also start to blossom around this lunar eclipse. April 2023: Tarot spread for the new moon solar eclipse in Aries – Modern Gypsy
Astro-tarot influences for the October 2023 lunar eclipse
To throw some more light on the astrology of the October full moon, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Taurus full moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the 5 of Pentacles. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Hierophant, which is associated with Taurus.
The Daily Pause Oracle Deck
I designed this beautiful, 40-card oracle deck to bring in some stillness, to give us a word or an idea to reflect on as we go about our day.
Supported by the four elements – earth, air, fire, water – and a carefully thought-out structure that connects the cards, The Daily Pause oracle will help you to listen to and trust your own inner knowing.
There’s no learning curve involved with using this deck. Just get quiet, shuffle the cards, pull one out, and reflect on the word you’re presented with.
There is a heightened sense of feeling unmoored, disconnected, and adrift with this full moon. Patterns of belief that keep us feeling isolated and misunderstood are likely to come up yet again, asking us to break down the narratives that keep us feeling small and stuck, and to look at our stories and our lives through a slightly different lens.
After all, a perspective shift is often the catalyst for a much-needed change. And with Pluto, the planet associated with the Underworld, squaring the moon, we are tasked with casting a light in our shadows, to unearth persistent patterns, and to take a step forward into the light.
Mercury and Mars are also very active during this lunation, forming an opposition to the moon. Oppositions tend to create confrontations, and with Mercury and Mars in play, the stage is ripe for heated conversations, harsh words, and overt aggression.
This energy is already at play in the collective, with the war in Gaza, the social media hate-wars, and misinformation campaigns. We are seeing a binary of us versus them, but Jupiter, which is conjunct the moon, can help us to see things from a larger perspective, if we so choose.
Instead of us versus them, what if we adopted a both/and attitude at this time? We can hold space for both a ceasefire in Gaza and a free Palestine and the condemnation of Hamas’ attack on Israel and hate crimes against Jews. There absolutely is space for both.
A similar energy can also play out for us at the personal level during this time, in the minutiae of our own lives. Pay attention to your own self-talk, to the places where you close yourself off when maybe being more open could serve you better. Look at the systems and structures that you use to make sense and meaning in your life, and see if any are wobbly or in need of fortification.
Overall, this lunar eclipse in Taurus challenges the current power structures in place and asks us to form our own informed and considered opinions — not just on global events, but on the messages we consume and the codes by which we lead our own personal lives.
Sabian Symbol for the October 2023 full moon and lunar eclipse in Taurus
The Sabian Symbol for 5 degrees Taurus is A Bridge Being Built Across A High Narrow Gorge.
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This symbol speaks to me of connection. And I wonder, what within myself do I need to connect to? What outside of myself do I need to connect to? What seemingly opposing forces can actually be reconciled and connected?
While distances and separation can sometimes feel insurmountable, this symbol serves as a reminder that bridging gulfs can lead to new possibilities. And while building a metaphoric bridge could take time and effort, in the end, the fruits of that labor will be worth it.
Tarot spread for the October 2023 lunar eclipse in Taurus
Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this Taurus full moon.
- Pattern: This card represents a deeply held pattern that is ripe for change at this time.
- Break: This card offers a perspective shift on the previous card
- Open: This card represents a new, perhaps deeper understanding that you can glean from the previous two cards.
- Mamma moon says: This is always an encouraging message.
If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.
Resources for the October 2023 full moon and lunar eclipse
In lieu of journaling questions this month, I am offering a few resources to address the collective trauma of this time.
Middle East Eye, an independently funded digital news organization that covers stories from the Middle East and North Africa:
Breaking the Silence, an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada and have taken it upon themselves to expose the public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories (i.e. Palestine):
Making sense of a fractured world: Understanding the role of race and racism in the narrative surrounding conflicts and a transcendental approach to terrorism.
Books on Palestine: Books are the best way to develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. This list of books {and a few articles} can you help you understand the current crisis.
Finding beauty in a fractured world: On the role of art and creativity during difficult times, featuring words of wisdom and comfort by Wendell Berry, C.S. Lewis and Howard Zinn.
