Exploring The Black Moon Lilith
Word Of The SEASON
Alchemy
noun
1: a science that was used in the Middle Ages with the goal of changing ordinary metals into gold
2: a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way
The Black Moon Lilith point in astrology is not an actual celestial body, but a calculation point, kind of like the lunar nodes. It marks the point of the moon’s orbit that is farthest away from the Earth, or the apogee. To understand Lilith’s symbolism and significance, let’s dive a little into the associated mythology.
The traditional story of Lilith is “the one before Eve,” considered to be defiant, insubordinate, prideful, and the wicked ‘Mother of Demons’. Lilith is associated with darkness, shadows, shame, lust and pride, but she’s also associated with strength, power, the raw feminine, magnetism, liberation, autonomy and embodiment. The story goes that Lilith was actually the first wife of Adam, but she was far too empowered and sexually liberated to submit to him or agree to be his inferior. She decided instead to leave Eden and find her own path forward. By leaving Eden, she has been associated with the Devil and Demonic entities; but I have my own thoughts on the matter.
First, we can explore the significance of Lilith following her inner voice, refusing to be subordinate and demanding equal respect. In this way, Lilith can symbolize our inner calling, our autonomy, and that incessant push from our specific inner voice, or that pull in our specific direction, regardless of what the people around us might want from us.
Next, we can explore the word “demon” and its origins. A few newsletters ago, my word of the season was “daimon,” which first appeared in Homer and referred to “god-like” influence, or fate, or divine guidance that interfered with happenings on Earth. These divine influences were god-like and yet, unlike the Gods who hid themselves far away in the heavens, these were present and active powers on Earth; sort of a bridge between us and them. The word “demon” is derived from this “daimon”, which later became associated with dark, Satanic, evil entities wandering the Earth, as opposed to the original idea of our personal “guides”, “geniuses”, or “fates”. Originally, daimons were neither good or bad, positive or negative - they were simply divine influences on Earth; representing those moments that feel completely out of our human control, synchronistic, or guided.
To call Lilith the “Mother of Demons” is perhaps more applicable to the original meaning of daimon, rather than the modern-day Christian perspective of demon. She was, afterall, the first to follow her own inner calling, as opposed to obeying what man asked of her. If a personal daimon is a divine entity attached to an individual, urging them in a certain direction, perhaps Lilith was the “Mother” of this concept in humanity. The first to follow an inner voice, as opposed to instructions from external sources.
Astrologically speaking, the Black Moon Lilith point shows the piece of us within that goes against modern society rules. It’s the inner voice, both personally and collectively, that urges us down a unique path, that whisper that feels like truth, and yet feels wrong. Or at least we are conditioned to believe it is wrong. Often, Lilith remains hidden in our psyche, as we’d rather play by the rules and not cause discomfort for ourselves or others. Because she represents where we may have the power to transform and go against the grain, she also represents what we are most ashamed of and prefer to hide. When our Black Moon Lilith placement shows, we may experience criticism or disconnection. This is because this is the part of us that does not fit neatly into society, and so society tries to make it go away. The irony here is that we all have this and yet we still participate.
Important to note: because the Lilith themes are shamed, belittled, or repressed, they often present as a visceral roar or a raging fire when we are finally able to see and express them. This is why Lilith is associated with darker themes like anger and destruction; she’s pushed down and down and down until she can’t take it anymore. Anger can be incredibly productive, when used wisely. These traits, when embodied, balanced and understood, are the traits that revolutionize societal structures, initiate incredible transformations, and wake us up to entirely new ways of being.
As Lilith is quite active this Cancer season (Cancer fittingly being the sign of Divine Feminine), allow us to embody her story; by being brave enough to follow that inner calling, even if it seems to go against what the world is telling us to do. We are at an incredible period of transformation, collectively. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to follow our inner guidance, as opposed to getting lost in the sea of external direction. There is so much noise, so many opinions, so much fear and so much pain in the world. Social media is completely out of hand, and discerning truth is harder now than ever before. Which means now, more than ever before, it is crucial that we develop a relationship with ourselves and our own inner knowing.
LOVE, JENNA
