As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, we welcome the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial event, coinciding with the Sun's entry into the cardinal sign of Cancer around June 21st, marks the beginning of summer season and is celebrated in cultures worldwide as a time of renewal and abundance.
As I gazed into the chart for the Summer Solstice on June 21st, 2023, I was struck by the intriguing alignment of Black Moon Lilith and Mars in 18º Leo. Although Black Moon Lilith is a lesser-known point in astrology, this powerful conjunction with action star Mars in the expressive queen Leo has piqued my interest. On the day of the Summer Solstice, which also happens to be my Solar Return, the phrase that comes to mind is "Awakening of Black Moon Lilith", and it’s no coincidence that I’m talking about it. The cosmic dance of these celestial bodies promises to be a captivating and transformative experience. So, let’s explore together the magic and meaning of this alignment, and uncover the insights and opportunities it may hold for us, shall we?
So, firstly, what is "Black Moon Lilith", you asked? - In short, Black Moon Lilith is a point in astrology that represents the archetype of the "wild woman" or the "dark feminine". This concept is associated with sexuality, spirituality, and power. It is said to represent the parts of ourselves that we often suppress or deny, which are related to memories we hold that are violent, victimized, diminished, or misguided.
Black Moon Lilith is not a physical body like a planet or asteroid, but rather a mathematical point. As the Moon travels along an elliptical path around the Earth, it forms an ellipse with two focal points, with one being occupied by Earth. The other focal point, not occupied by the Earth, has been called the Dark Moon, the Black Moon, or Lilith. My understanding is that this focal point holds the thread that ties the Moon's orbit around the Earth.
Goddesses have been revered throughout history, and Lilith is no exception. However, as patriarchal religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam began to take hold, the meanings and characteristics of these deities were distorted and diminished to fit within the societal norms and values of these religions. The result was a transformation of the Goddesses from powerful, multifaceted beings into mere motherly figures, stripped of their true essence and purpose.
According to https://www.astro.com/astrology/in_lilith_e.htm “The figure of Lilith represents one aspect of the Great Goddess. In ancient Babylon, she was worshipped as Lilitu, Ischtar or Lamaschtu. Jewish mythology already puts her into darker realms - an evil Demon of the night, a fitting mate for Satan, lying in wait for men, and killing children.”
According to https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/black-moon-lilith-meaning-astrology: “According to Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology, Lilith was Adam’s first wife (as in Adam and Eve). Lilith was considered a 'she-dom' (female demon) because she was banished from the Garden of Eden for choosing to not obey Adam. Although they were created as equals from the same source of clay at the same time, Adam wanted Lilith to be subservient to him — something which she refused.”
The placement of Black Moon Lilith in our birth chart can provide a wealth of insight into our psyche. As we explored earlier, Black Moon Lilith represents the parts of ourselves that we often suppress or deny. In other words, it represents our shadow self - the parts of us that we may not be comfortable with or may be afraid to confront. This may be associated with dark memories that are deeply buried in our subconscious. These memories may originate from our childhood, adolescent years, or even past lives. These memories can have a profound impact on our ability to speak the truth and express our authentic selves. It is possible that we carry these memories into adulthood, and they can manifest in various ways. For some, it may show up as a fear of rejection or judgment, leading them to stay quiet and not speak their truth. For others, it may show up as a need to people-please or conform, leading them to suppress their authentic self and fit in with societal norms.
However, the memories that haunt us and feelings of guilt, shame, and powerlessness are a result of living in a patriarchal society for so long. We have become detached from the true power of the goddesses. The goddesses represent the full spectrum of feminine power, from nurturing and compassionate to fierce and protective, but most importantly, creative. As women, we possess the ultimate creative power, as we are able to bring new life into the world. This creative power is not limited to childbirth, but extends to all aspects of our lives. We have the ability to create and manifest our dreams and desires, to nurture and care for ourselves and others, and to protect and defend what we hold dear.
On a personal note, my Black Moon Lilith is placed at 0º Gemini in my 1st house, where my Ascendant and Mercury are conjunct at 25º. Astrologically, having a Gemini 1st house with Mercury in it is often seen as a writer's placement. The native has an affinity towards crafting words and communicating through them. When I contemplate memories associated with this Black Moon Lilith placement, one memory comes to mind.
When I was in about 6th grade, I was an avid writer and avid reader. I wrote a book report on a story about a girl in wartime, and my teacher was so impressed that he submitted my writing to be the school's representative in a state writing contest. Unfortunately, I was informed that the school board rejected my piece due to a conflict with their values. They thought I was being too critical of the government.
I was a little disappointed but accepted the outcome without any fight or anger. However, I didn't realize just how much that little incident had impacted me until now. That little girl, who was an avid writer, stopped writing. From the age of 11/12 until now, for over 40 years, I had even forgotten how much I love writing.
Rejection for something I loved, something that came from my little innocent soul, written with my authentic voice, marked the end of my joy and pursuit. Looking back, I see that my throat chakra was severely damaged. Who knows? If they had only criticized my piece based solely on my writing skill, I may have won the contest and become a writer, having authored books by now.
So, writing these blog posts brings me immense joy and happiness. I am grateful to all of you, dear readers, for being a part of my journey and helping me fulfill my childhood dream.
Here's my point, Astro friends: it’s never too late to start! Tune into your Black Moon Lilith placement to see what she reveals about what you may be forgetting or suppressing, and what creative potential needs to be unleashed. If you're not able to explore your personal Black Moon Lilith placement at this time and space (and it will be a very personal journey), at least listen to your quiet whisper, the creative urge, and explore how you can express yourself in ways that bring you joy and fulfillment.
It is an opportunity to tap into our inner power and stand in our truth, even if it goes against societal norms or expectations. This alignment encourages us to embrace our wild, untamed nature and to celebrate the full spectrum of our feminine power. It invites us to step into our creative potential and to manifest our heart's desires with courage and confidence. So, let us all take this opportunity to awaken our inner Black Moon Lilith and let our light shine bright, unapologetically and authentically.
Happy Summer Solstice!