The Full Moon in Virgo is on March 14 at 06.54 UTC (see www.timeanddate.com for moon rise in your location as in some places this moon will appear on the night of 13th).
A significant moon since it is the first full lunar eclipse since November 8, 2022. The full lunar eclipse can be viewed in North and South America and lasts 65 minutes; also in parts of Europe where it will be seen in Portugal, Ireland, western UK, Spain and northwestern France. The full eclipse begins at 06.26 UTC.
The partial eclipse can be seen from 05.09 UTC in other parts of Western and Central Europe and in much of Australia, Africa and Asia.
The Penumbral shadow when the moon moves through the faint outer part of the earth’s shadow, the penumbra and the moon is dimmed, starts at 03.57 UTC. You can however wherever you live in the world catch the full eclipse on the internet.
This full lunar eclipse, is the first of three in 2025 and 2026 and is often called the Blood moon because it will turn reddish orange during the eclipse.
It is known also known as Full Worm Moon because at this time of the year in some parts of Native North America from which we receive with thanks many traditional moon names, the earth was soft enough so returning migratory birds could feed again as the worms came to the surface. It is also called Sap Moon as the maple tree sap begins to flow and abundance returns; another name the Crow or Magpie moon is mark when the cawing of these birds heralds the end of winter and you greet the bird if you see one alone for luck until the following full moon.
But wherever in the world you view this moon at whatever time in your own zone, this is the Full moon of Hamaliel, angel of perfection, high ethics, honesty, hard work, perseverance and patience when the road is hard.
It shines this month over uncertain world peace where the measured words and thoughtful actions of this Virgo moon are needed to steer the world from conflict, revenge and blame towards negotiation and compromise. The same is true whether in the workplace, home or on social media that unless you have a positive spin or a solution to resolve a challenging situation, refrain from reproach, blame and criticism.
In the modern world, where text speak rules and a phone can deliver a Luv U message in predicted text in seconds, some question why trudge through the rain with a bunch of roses for your beloved or pour out your soul in a poem that took a week to compose and then didn’t quite rhyme?
In Ancient Egypt Nefertum, young god of perfection emerged from the first lotus on the first morning and thereafter recreated each morning the joy of that first dawning as he returned in the early sunlight.
Perfect moments should be cherished as we step off the 24/7 road race for a few minutes, admiring the silvery moon emerging from behind clouds rather than missing the moment because we are so desperate to capture it on the iPhone.
This is the moon of telling a bedtime story we first heard from our grandparents complete with growly voices, for checking what is happening outside the Smart phone or half-hourly world news bubble, focusing instead on the flowers, the trees, the flowing waters and the people we should care for most, speaking heart to heart.
Time too for talking at dinner to those round the table instead of responding instantly to intrusive texts from semi-strangers about trivialities. Virgo reminds us not to seize, but cherish each moment and hold precious every unrepeatable pearl of time.
Finally, this is the moon for bringing order out of chaos. If your life is a frantic muddle, cluttered with unfinished tasks and seemingly impossible deadlines, on the night of the Virgo full moon make a list in order of priority, put it away and enjoy the moon. Next morning complete just one task, make one awkward phone call or mail you have been putting off and tick it off on the diminishing list.
Use the eclipse energies to let go of anger, resentment, envy and fears as you light and snuff out a purple candle as the eclipse, full, partial or penumbral begins in your region; when the moon shines bright again relight the candle and send blessings to where most needed in your life and the world.
Let the moonlight guide you to the next Libran moon and hopefully growing peace in the world.