How to Work with Your Natal Black Moon Lilith

Image by Regina Felice Garcia

In astrology, our Lilith sign connects us deeply to our primal instincts and natural impulses--aka wildness.

Both revered and feared, the goddess Lilith has long been associated with the more shadowy aspects of spirituality. But like most powerful women she was greatly misunderstood. I consider her an idol as someone pushed against patriarchy as none other than God himself. Her name comes from the Hebrew word laylah, meaning “night,”* and her symbols include creepy crawlers such as serpents and the screeching owl, as well as the dark/crescent moon. (As I type this I'm wearing a snake shirt.);)

The first wife of Adam in the Jewish Talmud, Lilith refused to submit to his sexual domination and fled Eden to mate with the Angel of Death, giving birth to hundreds of demon babies per day. Etymologically the word demon comes from the word #daemon from Proto-Indo-European meaning "provider of destiny."*

After Adam realized his mistake (how could he not miss a woman like that!), Adam asked God to bring Lilith back — but she refused. And God created docile Eve as his new mate, someone who wouldn't push back or in his own image. Lilith then became ostracized and banished for not complying.

As punishment God told the angels to kill Lilith's children everyday...hundreds of them as she was a fertile and creative with her demon soulmate. This was where Lilith became feared as someone who would steal your children as hers were being murdered and the word lullaby evolved from Hebrew Lilith, Goodbye as a way of warding her off. Though I can't imagine as a mother that Lilith would have ever done this.

Archetypally, Eve represents the patriarchal, acceptable version of womanhood, closely associated with Venus, Lilith represents the primal, instinctual feminine that puts her needs first and seeks approval from no-one. In astrology, it’s little surprise that Lilith in Capricorn from November 2017 through August 2018 (the sign ruling the patriarchy), was the backdrop to the #metoo movement.

There are four astrological points representing different aspects of Lilith’s dual role as both devouring mother and enlightened goddess. But the most talked about is Dark Moon Lilith — an alignment position rather than a physical planet, indicating the point in the Moon’s orbit farthest from Earth. I prefer to use the "mean" calculation rather than "true" as I find it more astrologically accurate in readings.

Lilith currently sits in Cancer awakening consciousness around Lilith’s unpredictable and earthly instincts, and the protective instinct of mothering and parenthood. Perfect timing for the fierceness needed to defend reproductive rights and feminine choice.

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On a personal level, our Lilith sign and house placement shows us how we can uncover a deeper connection with our own primal instincts and witchiness. To find Lilith in your chart click HERE, enter your birth information, choose “Extended Chart Selection,” scroll down to “Additional Objects,” and select “Lilith.” *Make sure to read for both your Lilith sign AND the house that holds Lilith in your chart.

LILITH IN ARIES // LILITH IN THE 1st HOUSE With this placement, Lilith craves expression that matches a strong identity and is asked to explore how personal passion fuels instinct. Journal Prompt: How does my sexuality inform an aspect of how I or others see me? In what situations do I use my intuitive gut-instincts and where am I afraid to?

LILITH IN TAURUS // LILITH IN THE 2nd HOUSE Related to self-worth and values, with this placement Lilith wants to own her power without relying on others. Cultivating magnetism beyond seduction and in service of love itself may be a part of your Lilith mission. Journal Prompt: What skills of sustainability or survival do I practice? How can I cultivate more of my own self-acceptance (who cares what God or Adam thinks)?

LILITH IN GEMINI // LILITH IN THE 3rd HOUSE Here, Lilith wants to create a healthy dynamic with receiving and giving information, and its important to learn to own wisdom for yourself. Journal Prompt: Where can I open up my sense of wonder about myself and the world around me? Am I afraid that learning new things from people means they are dominating me in some way?

LILITH IN CANCER // LILITH IN THE 4th HOUSE Emotions or home life may be where Lilith in Cancer reveals her raw side the most (though 100 babies a day may be out of the question). The relationship to the family may also be a catalyst for expressing and harnessing the goddess’ power. Journal Prompt: Am I willing to express my feelings to the fullest extent or do I keep them quieted down? How can my emotions offer a gateway into my connection with the natural world?

LILITH IN LEO // LILITH IN THE 5th house With this placement, Lilith may manifest through more private sexual and creative acts of self-expression. Take pride in the many ways artistic potential moves through you. Journal Prompt: Do I hide my creativity or art for fear of rejection or isolation? Can I integrate Lilith through story, visual art, another form of expression?

LILITH IN VIRGO // LILITH IN THE 6th house With this placement there can be a sense of duty or responsibility that takes over Lilith’s needs. Pay attention to when you may be afraid to leave “Eden” because of an agreement. Journal Prompt: How can I become less rigid of my day-to-day routines and allow more creative chaos? Do I feel tied to what I should do rather than doing what is best for me?

LILITH IN LIBRA // LILITH IN THE 7th HOUSE There can be a tendency to project Lilith qualities onto others with this placement, and it’s important to reclaim her within so that she doesn’t show up through external domination. Journal Prompt: How can I own more qualities of Lilith for myself? If I’m befriending or connecting with people who hold this energy, how can I reclaim it for myself?

LILITH IN SCORPIO // LILITH IN THE 8th HOUSE Here, Lilith becomes a powerhouse for personal transformation and awakens depth through intimacy (though it may be necessary to have sex with the Angel of Death to do so!) Journal Prompt: Do I hide my desire for power and domination? How can I honor Lilith’s wildness and primal power as a part of my internal process?

LILITH IN SAGITTARIUS // LILITH IN THE 9th HOUSE Aspects of Lilith may consciously or unconsciously be a guiding force for ideals or religion. Here, Lilith leads with the heart and seeks truth. Above all else, utilize this placement to be guided by instinctive wisdom. Journal Prompt: What is my relationship to religion and to the feminine in my spiritual seeking? Is my instinctive self-expressed in my spiritual practices?

LILITH IN CAPRICORN // LILITH IN THE 10th HOUSE With this placement, Lilith may be reflected in how you’re seen publicly but not how you feel internally. Claim your natural self-authority and allow it to inform your own version of feminine legacy (who knows, maybe you too can have four astrological points named after you?) Journal Prompt: Can I use Lilith’s power in my career or work? Do I take responsibility for themes of authority, or fear them?

LILITH IN AQUARIUS // LILITH IN THE 11th HOUSE As Lilith nears your natal placement, you may feel called to bring more of Lilith into modern consciousness. Your ability to tap into the collective means you are able to help create a future vision of how this goddess serves the whole. Journal Prompt: Is my community full of Liliths or wild feminine figures? Or do I play that role of going against the grain in groups?

LILITH IN PISCES // LILITH IN THE 12th HOUSE In the placement of spirituality and unity, Lilith craves connection to the whole. Gifts of this Lilith position include opening up to visionary abilities and intuition. Journal Prompt: Do I fear Lilith and my own unpredictable nature? Can I integrate more of Lilith through connecting with the spiritual dimension of nature?

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*I include etymology to demonstrate the evolution of language and consciousness. Into that sort of thing? Read my thesis research here. or take an Etymologically Enchanted Quiz here.

Please note this article originally appeared in The Numinous in September 2018