Guru Purnima Eclipse on the 4th of July: Planting the Seeds of True Freedom

As we in America celebrate our national birthday and our “freedom” this July 4th, it is a celestial celebration as well, with a prenumbral lunar eclipse on July 4th and/or 5th, depending on where you are located. This full moon is called Guru Purnima, and it falls in the Hindu month of Ashada, usually in the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the indicator of teachers and wisdom. Guru is the one who brings darkness to light (“Gu” is darkness, “Ru” is light) and shows us what we did not before have eyes to see. You may be fortunate enough to have a Sat Guru, or an enlightened being to guide you, but if not, you likely have many teachers or even one special teacher who helps you “see”. This is a day to honor teachers, and the teachings they pass on to us.

This prenumbral lunar eclipse is the other half of the eclipse from one month ago. While that lunar eclipse focused on our emotional state, with the Moon still in Scorpio, this one is fully in Sagittarius and the ruler Jupiter has just made his way back in to join. This allows for us to expand into wisdom and beliefs that resonate over all time and space, not just relevant to this moment. This also allows us to move past much of the fear-based paradigm we have been operating in since Jupiter first made his way into Capricorn at the end of March, and into one where we are able to recognize how what we believe to be true becomes the seeds we plant for the future. We need discernment now more than ever, because “truth” is now used interchangeably with “facts” and “data”, when actually, Truth is always universal and cannot be proven or disproven. It just is. In the Western world, this is a difficult reality to wake up to, because we are taught to obsess over the details, the facts and the figures. We are brought up in a world where the dictates of a belief system are more important than the core of it, and we do not recognize many systems of belief through which we operate. We lack discernment and we lack connection. This is a challenging paradigm to uproot, because it does not recognize itself, and like a fruit that has been genetically modified to bear no seeds, it requires that we always reach outside ourselves to grow more. This is the last eclipse in the Gemini/Sagittarius cycle that began in January 2019 and our last chance to really “grab the gold” and heal this part of our person and our world.

This eclipse is happening in the star of Purva Ashada. This is the “Early Victory”. It's where we can see tiny results from what we have planted so far in the great gaping holes that the previous star, Mula, left for us to replant. Perhaps a little green sprouts. Maybe it's as simple as the act of watering our seeds daily, but those simple victories give rise to us to continue acting in alignment to our beliefs because it is evidence that what we are doing is working. Ruled over by Apas, the celestial waters that permeate and bring forth new life, we can see the magic of the cycle of life in the smallest drop. This nakshatra is also depicted by a winnowing basket or a fan. Here we are able to sift and discern what is the kernel of wisdom to be planted, and what is merely husk or shell.


"Can't talk to you without talking to me; we're guilty of the same old thing." -The Grateful Dead


This discernment is necessary for us, as across the way, where our solar eclipse was two weeks ago, we have the last week of Mercury Retrograde. Mercury, the ruler of the north node, Rahu, who has been creating a blast of mis-information in Gemini since last January has had a rough 2020, and is in large part to blame for just how abysmal communication, media and basic conversation has become. When he moves forward July 12, we will finally see the mark of buddhi, discrimination, that has been so sorely lacking. While just being in his own sign is helpful for this discriminatory capacity, the retrograde action is causing us to perhaps become more discerning within, but less capable of manifesting that in the form of solid communication to the outside world.


Saturn is still retrograde in Capricorn and offering dristhi to Mars in Pisces. This is the cold gaze of properly assimilated fear, solid boundaries and the harsh reality of Time. With Mars trying to find discipline and courage in a sea of emotions and spirit, this gaze can keep him on track. Likewise, Mars is giving his own dristhi to the Sun, Mercury and Rahu in Gemini. Mercury especially is lined up in degrees to receive this one-way glance. Watch for a sharp tongue and a fast fight here, as Mars preys us to the logical world of “right” vs. “wrong” and fight first, get the facts later. With Mercury Retrograde, we have an opportunity to listen instead of speak now and use that army-like energy of Mars to self-discipline instead of barking orders at everyone else.


Thankfully, Venus is now direct and still in her own sign of Taurus, so the chance for us to relate, love, and feel good is turned on. If we have smaller gatherings, or even with just one other person for this Independence Day celebration, we might find that is the most satisfying time spent. We have a capacity to create beautiful things and enjoy ourselves right now in connective and harmonious ways.


The exact time of the prenumbral eclipse is from 8:07 pm PST July 4th to !0:52 pm, with the max point being at 9:29 pm. The exact time of the Full Moon is 9:44 pm PST. Enjoy whatever luminescence and fireworks you witness, whether they are in your head, your heart or in the sky.
Jai Guru Dev!

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