On Wed, January 31st, we'll have a Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse. If that sounds intense, it could be!
It's a total lunar eclipse, which can give the moon a reddish orange glow, hence the blood moon. It's a super moon because the moon will come closest to the earth. It's a blue moon, because it's the second full moon this month.
In general, lunar eclipses offer opportunities to tend to the relationship you have with yourself. It can be a gateway into your internal landscape. Maybe a revelation will strike you the night of the eclipse. This could be as major as realizing you actually hate your job, or as minor as realizing you actually hate, say, your current hair style. On the other hand, you might still be coming to terms with a personal truth that you unearthed months ago. Now's the time to embrace that fact about yourself wholeheartedly.
With this eclipse, the moon is hanging out in Leo the lion, the fiery sign of passion and courage. For most of us, that means this eclipse will probably have a more heart-opening effect than anything too earth-shattering. In other words, this may be an opportunity for self-acceptance or divine creative inspiration if you want it to be.
In the last post, Wisdom of Oracle Cards, we described ways to gain meaning and insight from oracle card decks. I thought I would use the 2-card draw to ask Rumi, the great 13th century poet and mystic, for insights to help us get the most out of this particular eclipse. I'm using the Rumi Oracle deck by Alana Fairchild, artwork by Rassouli.The first card drawn is called the path, or heart of the matter. The second card is the obstacle or complication.
Heart of the Matter
Love is without reason; rationality is like a cane. Judgment needs a cane, because it is blind. When love arrives, thought dies in its shadow. Love is the sunrise, while thought is only a flashing light.
~ Rumi
This card is about your ancient heart. It will roar like the lion at the wolves that would casually devour it. So trust in the courage of your heart. You are not hard. You are not careless. You are passion personified. You are the Lion of Love. So allow yourself to be the lion, not the lamb. Stand true n your own heart. Cause trouble, make noise, be proud and be mighty.
This oracle comes with particular guidance for you. You are not to give into less than you are worth, or to the shaming stories of our culture that would cast your regal lion nature into the false belief that you have no choice or power. You are not to give into the idea that you are a victim, or that you are less than any other. This oracle has come to you to remind you that you are empowered to succeed, you have what is required within to do it, and that the time of your victory is drawing near.
Obstacle
Weary and consumed by longing, I was caressed by my beloved last night. My wounded soul was set free, when I tasted the sweetness of love.
My spirit was lifted at once. I was surrendered my life, while overflowing with joy, and my vision was filled with light.
Love said, "Don't feel so hopeless, my weary and gloomy one, for my generosity is beyond forgetting those devoted to me."
See how boundless divine justice can be. Behold my immeasurable kindness!
Love embraced my spirit, and all my doubts vanished at once. A new and glorious robe of honor was placed on my shoulders.
Love offered me the power of new vision and the transforming touch of divine generosity and placed the chalice of eternal wine in my hand.
~ Rumi
This second card in the eclipse spread uses the imagery of a gown of new colors that is being given to you. The symbolic robe will allow you to step into empowerment in a new way and is to be honored. Do not allow yourself to be dragged into dramas or power games. You are worth more than that. Cast off the shabby, tattered cloak you have been wearing and tap into your inner dignity and power.
One of the things I really like about this deck of Rumi Oracle cards is the sacred honoring ritual that comes with each card. The rituals are simple, and I've found to be a great way to embrace the wisdom that is beyond words. I plan to do the following ritual (from card 38) on the night of the blood moon, and invite you to join me! Before you start, wrap yourself in a new gown of light, radiant with all the colors of the rainbow.
Sacred Honoring Ritual
Say aloud: "I call on Rumi, lion of love, and my own wise higher self. I now choose to assert the dignity of my soul and the power of my heart. I release all lesser bonds based in fear and deception. I no longer need to hold onto these. I am ready for truth, and with unconditional love, I am supported, protected and guided on my path to victory, held in guardianship by the unending power of love. So be it."
If you feel the need to get down on all fours and roar a bit, do it - with relish! Then, you have finished your honoring ritual.