The Longest Lunar Eclipse in 7 Years

As the month of August draws to an end, all of those who watch and learn from the night sky will enjoy an exceptional event...the longest lunar eclipse in 7 years. In the early morning hours of August 28, sky watchers across much of the world will see the Moon as she crosses in to the shadow of the Earth, becoming completely immersed for one hour and 30 minutes. This period of time is quite a bit longer than most lunar eclipses and as the longest in 7 years is a much anticipated event.

At first there may be little change, the edges of Earth's shadow are as pale as the Moon, herself, but as the Moon goes deeper into the Earth's shadow, the color of the Moon will change from moondust-colored gray to a sunset red. This is the total eclipse phase and will last almost a full 90 minutes.

If you look carefully, you should be able to see that the ground at your feet will appear to glow. The rim of our planet will seem as if it is on fire because the Earth's circumference will showcase every sunrise and sunset in the world...all at once.

This incredible joining will beam light into the heart of our Earth's shadow, transforming our Moon into beautiful colors. The view will be different from every location on this planet. But those of us on the Pacific Coast, like here in Oregon, to where I shall be ...back home in Alaska, should all be able to witness this event. For us on the west coast, the entire event will be visible from start to finish before moonset in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 28, 2007.

As a Full Moon in Pisces, it i also known as the Full Sturgeon moon (after the large fish of the Great Lakes) or the Full Red Moon, the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon. Astrologically, it is a time for a personal commitment to caring for others and raising them and ourselves to a place of pure consciousness. It is a good time to let go of ego identification, to put our intentions into pure action and offer gifts of the heart in service. It is a time to relearn just how much we truly care for each other and to transcend all perceived separations. It is not about me and you, but ruly about " I and Thou." Each and every being we meet, is an extension of pure Spirit, each of us a part of the whole, a part of the eternal and the universal.

This Full Moon comes at the very height of our harvest season and foreshadows the coming of natures's transition into the winter months of rest and renewal. If we can recognize the importance of gratefulness and non-attachment to perceived outcomes, we will go much farther towards furthering the good of our entire planet and all of its inhabitants.

Each of us, no matter who or where we are, carry old wounds of pain and anger. Take those darker emotions and cradle them with compassion and let love work her healing magic. Know that our pain does not define who or what we are. When we practice compassion, and unconditional love, first with ourselves, and then outward into the world for others, the inner eclipse that casts a shadow on the brilliance of the love in our hearts is allowed to release and to heal.