The Full Moon on the 19th is at the very last degree of Libra. The 29th degree is also called the “critical” or “anaretic” degree – it is a degree of completion and marks the end of one cycle and the evolution into another.  There is a poignancy to this degree, and it is often associated with the idea of chickens coming home to roost – it’s too late to control the outcome, but the facts must be faced.

The 29th degree, sometimes called the “critical” or “anaretic” degree, is associated with the endings of cycles and new beginnings.  The word “anaretic” derives from “anareta,” which in ancient astrology signified the planet of death in the natal horoscope.  The Hellenistic astrologer Ptolemy’s writings use the word “anaretic” as an antonym for “benefic,” meaning dstructive or fatal.  This is what has given the 29th degree such a bad rap, although endings are actually the harbinger of new beginnings and not to be feared.

This Full Moon in Libra, the sign of balance and integration, encourages us to find a way to leave behind anything in our lives that is standing in the way of our finding that internal balance. Something is bound to come to an end in order to help us to continue to grow in that integration and harmony.  At the Libra Full Moon, the Sun is in Aries and a balance is required between our personal needs (Aries) and our ability to integrate those needs into our interactions with others in a way that will maintain equilibrium and balance.  Libra’s love of beauty stems from this need for peace within, and at this Full Moon it will be helpful to surround yourself with objects and decorations that you love and which help you to feel that deep sense of peace that Libra craves.

A harmonious aspect from Jupiter to the Sun (trine) and Moon (sextile) will bestow the confidence that we need in order to face the future knowing that change is inevitable.  Jupiter is in its own optimistic sign of Sagittarius now, and as it harmonizes with the Full Moon we can face any potential change with faith that life is moving us in just the right direction for optimum growth.

Saturn (tests and challenges) is very close to an alignment with Pluto now, and this combination of planets demands a transformation (Pluto) to the structural foundations (Saturn) of our lives and the structures of our communities and nations.  Often under this 33-35 year cycle there is a contraction, and challenges that must be faced.  These two planets are straddling the South Node of the Moon right now, bringing up old karmic debts and lessons to be learned.

This energy is embedded into the chart for this Libra Full Moon, and the 29th degree is a symbol that we are at the end of something important and about to begin anew.  Less than two hours after the Full Moon, at 8:41 EDT on April 19th, the Moon will slip into Scorpio and begin to align with Uranus, the Disruptor.  The energy of this Full Moon, seeking balance and equilibrium, will help us to prepare for that shift into the Scorpionic embrace of all that which is intense and powerful and the radical change of Uranus.  You will likely experience that transition as a rushing river that requires all of your attention in order to maintain the equilibrium offered by the Libra Full Moon.

Questions for this Full Moon:

  • Where is my desire to be polite and avoid conflict (Libra) standing in the way of my own initiatives (Aries)?
  • Is there a person from my past to whom I owe an apology?
  • Am I involved in a relationship with someone with whom I need to create a separation of energies?
  • Are there changes I can make in my home or surroundings to help me to feel greater balance and more peace?
  • Am I holding on to something which is creating stress?  And if so, how can I release or transform it?
Share this article...