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Leo Full Moon Eclipse: The HI Life

By Jessica Shepherd

It’s a rockstar morning in Hawaii. The Oahu sun is shining too brightly as I peel back my eye mask and feel the weight of fatigue. I feel like I went on a bender last night, when in reality I ate a healthy meal, worked out and went to bed. I recollect that we were here in Hawaii during the Leo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at this time last year (then, having no idea that we’d move here), and today, here we are, new residents of this beautiful island. This change, that felt it was taking place so awfully slow over the past year, now feels like it happened quickly.

Cognitive dissonance is a thread that runs throughout these first days, here. Life continues, with its necessities to be bought, dinner to be made, dogs to be walked, it’s easy to be lulled into “same routine, new place”. Until my head spins and I realize how floaty I feel, and I squirt my B vitamin into my mouth and the bright cherry red liquid lands on my only t-shirt (because our household belongings, including my wardrobe, is still on a boat). Well…maybe I should just lay down.

I go to a Starbucks, where I sit and attempt to collect my thoughts. Really, I’m just people watching at this point. I watch the young smiling girls in line, wearing their bikini tops and cut-offs. Older people gather to share coffee and “talk story”. I could be anywhere, Starbucks is like that. Except I am in Hawaii.

Ooh, I love the energy here. It is elevated, higher, so different from what I’m used to. It’s like drinking a shot of wheatgrass, energetically, and this higher vibration resonates with me, even if it’s going to take some time to California detox and adjust. The fact that I go to a coffee shop to get centered, instead of sitting at home, makes me smile. In Marin, I’d never been able to sit in a crowded coffee shop and stay in my own energy field… but here I am.

Honestly, it’s a bit confusing for my Ego. I’ve gotten so used to fielding aggressive and fearful Ego vibrations that being here in this elevated vibration- the HI life– is akin to a miracle, really. I waver between feeling high and giddy, and like a hung-over rockstar, but overall my entire energy body has been liberated. A small part of me worried the other shoe will drop, what if it is fleeting, what if it doesn’t last? Another, wiser part of me knows that’s not true and is singing glory, glory hallelujah to the highest. I periodically burst into happy tears of joy- at the sight of a full rainbow greeting us upon first arriving at our new neighborhood (see picture above), my first visit to the beach, at the invisible barriers once so solid that now gently, easily, fall away.

The invisible barriers are falling away. A big issue I’d been struggling with for years, that has kept me from feeling fully liberated, suddenly freed itself the other day -just a subtle shift in perception that I wasn’t able to “get” back in California, effortlessly revealed, here. This has happened enough for me to see a pattern.

I don’t just attribute this to Hawaii, not entirely. It’s not unusual for eclipse season to usher in new energies, create openings, accelerations of awareness. Astrologers refer to eclipses as portals for rapid spiritual openings, expansion, awakenings. I’ve found this to be true. Big biographical events in the external world (moves, births, deaths, endings, beginnings) tend to get a lot of air play during eclipse time and that’s not unwarranted – but this is a lunar event. If you keep your eye on the external world, focusing on the loud lives of other people and events, instead of what’s going on inside of you, you’ll be missing out on juicy goodness for your self.

During this Leo-Aquarius eclipse cycle, realizations we experience can liberate us from old patterns, roles, expectations, the status quo… and into the unfolding fullness of our authentic, Divine expression. I am unfolding into the fullness of myself. I can feel it, a depth and intimacy within myself, full of promise, expansion. I’d been living with an anchor chained to my ankle, making everything extraordinarily laborious, hard, but arriving on the shores of Hawaii has freed me in ways that I couldn’t do in California. When I described this feeling to my husband, he said, “I’m experiencing the same thing in my professional life.”

He and I have talked philosophically about how easy it is to use the experience one is having (the unfulfilling job, relationship, life) as proof that it’s all we can have- and how that can keep you in chains, stuck. Because from the moment this adventure began unfolding, those illusions showed up as what they really were: fear of change, of our own greatness, our own power, worthiness. Over and over, as I’ve put faith in my Soul’s truth, all the Ego’s fears proved unfounded.

When you receive a message from your Soul, trust that the Divine already has your coordinates in hand. The hardest part is to gently but firmly redirect the voices of doubt/fear into faith. Then to trust, listen, and then trust and listen some more.

Lately, a line from a Prince song called Breakdown runs through my mind: “Baby, baby, see there’s a door that you can walk through, where there used to be a wall…” Yes, yes, I say to myself. This is happening. On so many levels.

Eclipse season is a magical time. Eclipse energy feels big, it’s exaggerating the message for a reason. Go inside your self, listen to your heart. Because, as crazy as it sounds, there’s nothing stopping you from following it. And if you doubt that, “Baby, baby, see there’s a door that you can walk through, where there used to be a wall…”

 

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About Jessica Shepherd

Jessica Shepherd is a writer, astrologer and health coach who has studied and practiced modern astrology since 1992. She is the author of A Love Alchemist’s Notebook: Magical Secrets For Drawing Your True Love Into Your Life (Llewellyn, 2010) and the books Venus Signs: Discover Your Erotic Gifts and Secret Desires Through Astrology
(Llewellyn, 2015) and Karmic Dates and Momentary Mates: The Astrology of the Fifth House (Moonkissd, 2014). In 2018, after living in California for twenty years, she relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband, dog, and cat. Find out more about Jessica at Moonkissd (www.moonkissd.com).

Comments

  1. Stella says

    Feb 11, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    I loved this article , the triumph over fear
    and how beautiful a new life can be if one dares. I have felt a parallel in my life on many levels moving, age group and experience.. I feel hopeful because of your writing Jessica, thank you !

    Reply
    • Jessica Shepherd says

      Feb 12, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      I’m so glad it spoke to you, Stella. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Lara Flynn says

    Feb 2, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Thank you for sharing!

    If you ever get a chance to visit Maui – check out beach dance

    Reply
    • Jessica Shepherd says

      Feb 5, 2018 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you, Lara. I used to live in Maui– I will be back!

      Reply
  3. Wendy says

    Jan 30, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    Thank you Jessica
    This post is invigorating.
    Enjoy your new life in Hawaii 🙂

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Last Quarter Phase

in the
Sign of Libra


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Sun
    9:43pm Jun 21 2026

  • Moon trine Uranus
    2:49am Jun 22 2026

  • Moon opposite Neptune
    4:54am Jun 22 2026

  • Moon trine Pluto
    6:13am Jun 22 2026

  • Moon sextile Venus
    5:03pm Jun 22 2026

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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.