My designation as an empath has always been challenging, but sharing with the world that empath is how I identify and move through the world has presented stark criticism and soul-crushing life lessons about judgment. 

The criticism we receive from others based on how they perceive us haunts our past and implodes the version of ourselves we hope to become. However, what we learn from others' perceptions has the power to teach lessons that will last lifetimes. 

At the intersection of perception and judgment lies the most accurate revelation of the full moon lunar eclipse in Libra. This eclipse coincides with the third full moon of 2024, which is also the first of spring. It occurs due to the earth's position between the sun and the moon. Every full moon marks the end of a cycle that began six months earlier with a new moon in the same astrological sign. The cycle that started on October 14, 2023, with a new moon in Libra that coincided with an annular eclipse, has been incredibly transformative. The ring of fire around the moon during this event symbolizes a significant shift in our identity, as the sun represents our identity in astrology. Therefore, this full moon presents an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the evolution of our identity over the past six months.

In the sign of Libra, this energetic makeover relates to how we perceive others, how others perceive us, and the lessons that we exchange in that duality. 

But what is it to be perceived?

Astrology, while seemingly providing the roadmaps to our incarnations past and present, has an aspect that evades us when we are lost in our sun, moon, and rising signs. Beyond the big three, the energetics in every season teach us the deeper meaning behind the phenomenon that is astrology. 

Perception can distort reality to a great extent. Often, how we think we are being perceived is not how others perceive us. As individuals, we may intend to present ourselves in a particular manner, such as being kind, vulnerable, and nonjudgmental. However, others may see us as authoritative, direct, and uncompromising.

In actuality, even though we can learn from others' perceptions of us and they from us, we can never truly know how others perceive us, and counting on that information to inform who we are at our core can create roadblocks to achieving the highest expression of our identity. 

As someone who provides intuitive guidance and is somewhat of a public figure, I often receive unsolicited criticism about my work. Having an online presence gives people the permission to say whatever is on their minds. On the eve of this full moon in Libra, I received an email from someone who sternly criticized my work and demanded that I explain myself to them. While some people might say that it comes with the territory of putting oneself out there, it felt more like an emotional assault to me. It's the type of situation where there is little to gain other than understanding how you relate to criticism and if you have grown since the last time you were criticized similarly. Often, our perception of others is the most basic form of emotional manipulation, in that we hurt them to gain something we desire. Shaming them into believing something they are doing is wrong and suggesting that they correct it in a way that is pleasing to us is the type of trauma that many people are running hard and fast, trying to escape within their family dynamic. 

Many of us tend to project our emotions onto others, especially when seeking guidance or therapy. Sadly, the person offering help becomes the target of our emotional outbursts. This is similar to the saying, "hurt people hurt people." The upcoming Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Libra aims to highlight the fundamental aspects of human nature.

This Full Moon in Libra is a time for introspection and self-reflection. We should examine the areas where we feel fear, judgment, shame, or the need to please others. Understanding how we can fully embrace our true selves is also essential. When the north and south nodes move into the Aries-Libra axis, we aim to find a balance between our existence and the lessons we can learn from others. This balance requires us to assess our energy and any issues we may have with judgment while acknowledging the complex nature of human relationships.

As you reflect on the Full Moon in Libra and break out into eclipse season, it is critical to decide whether the opinions of others hold any significance for you. Consider whether the people around you can help you become more self-aware. To embark on a spiritual journey, it is essential to welcome Spirit's guidance and adopt its perspective as a constant rather than just using it as an escape route when facing difficulties. By allowing ourselves to be guided by our spiritual guides and inner urges, we can effortlessly connect with our soul mates and learn about ourselves from a soul-level perspective.

If you are ready to embark on a soulful journey to the ultimate truths, unlock a new understanding of your soul-level truths, or harness light for the greater and universal good, schedule some time with me, and let's see if we can travel this road together.