This month's full moon is a partial Lunar Eclipse that takes place at 3:57 AM (EST) at 27° Taurus. This Full Moon is special for a couple of different reasons. Not only is it the longest lunar eclipse of the century, but it’s also the first eclipse to happen in the sign of Taurus since April 29, 2014. We are currently at the transition point between two cycles — wrapping up the eclipse cycle that has been in Gemini-Sagittarius for the past 18 months, stepping into the new cycle of Taurus-Scorpio. This full moon is likely to feel extra depleting and draining, as we feel the transition in our bodies and start to witness the events in our lived experience.

A lunar eclipse takes place when there’s a Full Moon falls in line with the Earth’s shadow, which casts a dark red shadow on the face of the Moon. That’s why lunar eclipses are called “Blood Moons.” This is a very eerie sight, and you can imagine how it must have frightened ancient humans — the comfortable and familiar face of the Moon suddenly turning red and angry.

Omens of change; stepping stones across timelines

Eclipses represent a break in the normal rhythm and patterns of light. The Sun and the Moon, whose interactions form the bedrock of humanity's calendars, are suddenly appearing very differently in the sky. The light that is normally there is suddenly obscured or tainted. What is visible is suddenly invisible. But likewise, what is invisible, is now visible.

These are times of change and unsteadiness. The resources, structures and systems you normally rely on might not be available to you right now. Things might feel extra rocky or unstable in your life. But likewise, things that we normally don't have access to might suddenly appear. Maybe you find a job posting the day before it closes and you decide to apply at the last minute. Maybe an old flame comes to town and you have an opportunity to rekindle it.

The changes eclipses bring tend to be sudden, dramatic and fast. Time feels like it speeds up as we step into the whirlwind. Eclipses can feel very consuming — suddenly it feels like all of your time and energy is being directed towards one focus and it's all you can think about.

Lunar eclipses can be draining and depleting

Ancient peoples used to take shelter from the eclipses, withdrawing from society and retreating inwards. Lunar eclipses tend to be emotionally exhausting and draining. The Moon is connected to our body and our emotions, and often we feel changes to the Moon's cycles in our bodies. It's common to feel physically or energetically exhausted and depleted during eclipses, especially Lunar Eclipses, which represent a peak in energy.

This might be a time of heightened stress, worry, fear or anxiety. Lunar eclipses tend to bring up really big feelings or inspire us to obsess over something. You might be churning something over in your mind, worry about it like a dog with a bone. This kind of obsession can often be our mind’s way of distracting us from getting into the deeper insights and revelations possible during this time.

During times like this, it's important to listen to your body and lean on your favourite self-care tools. Trust your intuition when it comes to how much energy you have. Say "no" to things that are draining and depleting and turn up the volume on the practices that make you feel nourished and supported.

What do you really, really want?

This Full Moon is illuminating something about what drives you forward, what motivates you, what you hunger for. Taking place in Taurus, this eclipse is ruled by Venus, the planet of harmony, union and pleasure. It governs our desire, especially sensual and erotic pleasure. Venus represents what makes us happy and how we find peace and pleasure in our lives.

During the Lunar Eclipse, Venus forms an exact trine to Uranus, the planet of rebellion, liberation and authenticity. Uranus has been a major player in the astrology of November 2021, revealing the structures in our lives that are holding us back and encouraging us to say "fuck you!" to the obligations and responsibilities that feel heavy on our shoulders.

Trines are flowing, harmonious and energizing aspects — it means the two planets can support each other. The planet Venus governs our desire and instincts towards pleasure. Uranus wants us to be wild and free. Uranus wants us to live an authentic life and Venus wants us to live a pleasurable life. How can you centre and focus on what you truly want?

There's a quality of wildness to this energy — a desire to be unbound, to be able to roam free. There might be a desire to operate according to your own instincts, desires and will. This eclipse might make you suddenly yearn to be free or remove yourself from the bound of tradition or responsibility. If you have been hiding your true self or not acting in a way that is authentic to who you truly are, this might be a time where you suddenly explode and share yourself with the world.

This eclipse is a great time to reflect on what you truly want and to say "yes" to opportunities to centre your pleasure. Say yes to unexpected opportunities that you are genuinely excited about. What do you really want to do? Be honest with yourself. What would you pursue if there would be no negative repercussions? What would you do with your life if you had everything you needed to survive?

This is a great time to do journaling, meditation or talk therapy about what you truly desire and what figure out what it is you truly desire — what you want, not what your parents expect from you or what your peers are doing. What makes you happy? You can use this moment to reflect and get clear on where your passion wants to lead you. If we're not honest with ourselves about where we want to go, we will never get there.

Advice for the lunar eclipse in Taurus

The Moon in Taurus seeks safety and comfort through the body and the senses. Because Taurus is an earth sign, we can use the element of Earth in order to ground and support us during these unsettled times.

• Reduce your plans as much as possible. As soon as the Moon enters Taurus (~9 pm on Nov 16), we are going to start feeling the intensity of the lunar eclipse. Try to keep your schedule as light as possible. Of course, everyone will have *some* amount of non-negotiable obligations (you need to care for your kids!). But if possible, say no to extraneous plans or last-minute favours that are draining.

• Take shelter and be chill. In ancient times, people took shelter from the eclipse. This is a great time to get quiet, to put your phone in Airplane mode, to play quiet music instead of listening to podcasts. Your mind might already feel full and overwhelmed right now, so make your life as soothing and gentle as possible.

• Go with the flow. The advantage of not making any plans is that you have the chance to be spontaneous! With Venus forming a trine to Uranus, we might have an unexpected opportunity to pursue pleasure and joy. And if you are overly scheduled, you won't have a chance to say "yes" and take advantage of it.

• Eat warming and grounding foods like curries, stews, chilis… anything that makes you feel warm and cozy. This is a great day to use a slow cooker if you have one. Bonus points for using warming and grounding spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.

• Go for walks, be in nature. This is always a good idea, tbh, but especially for a full moon in Taurus. Going for a walk and intentionally feeling the wind on your face and the ground beneath your feet can be incredibly helpful. Even if you live in an urban area, see if there's a way to connect to nature — I like to say hello to the trees outside my window and on my street

• Indulge your senses. If there are any comforting or grounding scents, this is a great time to adorn yourself with them. Invoke the earthy energy of Taurus with earthy, woody scents like pine, cedar, cypress or juniper, or dark roots like vetiver, patchouli and oakmoss. Perfumes and candles are lovely ways to invoke the senses and quiet the mind. Messaging oil or lotion on your skin can help you lean into the tactile. Take a few moments to intentionally focus on the feeling of the oil on your skin.

• Cleanse with good old-fashioned salt and water. When in doubt, salt and water are always a great way to soothe frazzled energy and get yourself back to a more settled baseline. Adding sea salt to your bath or using a salt scrub in the shower is a great way to cleanse your energy. Or you can take it one step further and follow this purification ritual from Sphere and Sundry.

Discover what this eclipse means for you, personally

Everyone will experience eclipses differently, depending on your birth chart. If you have any important placements (like your Sun, Moon or Ascendant) in Taurus or Scorpio, this Full Moon will be extremely relevant for you. If you are a Gemini or Sagittarius (Sun, Moon or Rising), this eclipse season marks the end of an important cycle of development in your self-development. What you’ve been working through for the past 18 months is coming to a head or reaching its climax.

The best way to understand the meaning of this eclipse is by reflecting on the House that contains Taurus in your chart. What topics related to that House are a source of fear or worry? Where can you give yourself permission to be a bit more wild and free regarding those topics?

Have absolutely no idea where to begin? Do you look at your birth chart and go WTF? An eclipse season reading is a perfect introduction to the upcoming eclipse cycle and how it will impact you. We’ll review the past 18 months of your life in the context of the eclipse, and then we’ll also discuss the possibilities of the cycle you are stepping into. If you’re feeling anxious about what eclipse season has in store for you… if you want to feel prepared and empowered for what is to come… if you want to work WITH the energy instead of against it… book an eclipse season consultation so you can stop freaking out and instead, get prepared.