About Lilith (the Black Moon) in Astrology and Mythology

In the astrological chart, there is a point called the Black Moon, or Lilith.

To clearly understand the influence of the Black Moon (Lilith) in a person's natal chart, let us turn to the metaphorical essence of its archetype. In Sumerian mythology and Babylonian legends, Lilith is mentioned as a cunning demon. In the written part of the Old Testament (Torah), her name does not appear, but it is mentioned in the oral tradition of the Talmud (which was later recorded separately).

However, in some of the oldest texts, such as the Alphabet of Ben-Sira, there are legends about Lilith, portraying her as none other than Adam's first wife—the first woman. Yes, indeed, before Eve, Adam was married. According to legend, it was Lilith, not Eve, who was the first woman, and she was not created from Adam’s rib but from the same dust and clay as Adam himself.

Being created equal to Adam, not part of Adam’s body, Lilith felt no restrictions and in no way inferior. For example, she staged a kind of rebellion in Eden, rising up against two male archetypal figures simultaneously: the Father (God) and the Husband (Adam). She rebelled against Adam on sexual grounds, refusing to make love to him in the missionary position—lying on her back, submissively averting her eyes. Instead, she demanded to be on top, looking him directly in the eyes. She also wanted to experience orgasm, just as he did. "If this is paradise, then it should be paradise for everyone!" Lilith likely declared, essentially advancing the motif of equality for all. At the same time, she rejected having children, violating God’s primary commandment, which in Hebrew is “Pru urvu”—that is, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

Adam was stunned by this attitude, to put it mildly, and complained to God. But before God could act, possibly punishing her, Lilith said, "You know what? Paradise isn’t for me. Thanks and goodbye!" She uttered God’s forbidden name and flew out of Eden on her own.

Interestingly, this half-voluntary, half-forced expulsion took a dramatic turn in the destiny of all future humans, as there is a theory that Lilith took revenge on Adam through Eve by appearing to her as the serpent and tempting her to taste the forbidden fruit.

Three angels were sent after Lilith, and she vowed revenge by killing Adam’s future children. Hearing this, the angels consulted with God and subsequently left her alone in exchange for her promise not to harm the children.

She gained her freedom and lived as she pleased. In mythology, however, she became the image of a female demon who rebels against the Creator and the angels, openly opposing them. It’s no surprise that in the 1970s, Lilith was turned into a symbol of the feminist wave—a woman advocating for equality and considering herself equal to men in all aspects.

From an astrological perspective, Lilith is the third co-ruler of the sign of Scorpio, along with Pluto and Mars. And since the planet of rebellion, Uranus, is exalted in Scorpio, it’s no surprise that Lilith is the point that indicates chain-breaking, equality, and challenging norms.

As the Black Moon is a calculated point projected in the sky based on the perigee and apogee of the Moon, symbolically located on its far side, it represents its shadow. The Moon in a natal chart signifies emotions; the Black Moon represents the dark, often unconscious or repressed side of our emotions—something that challenges us and makes us afraid. The Black Moon is the point of temptation, that which arises from the deepest depths of human nature and is difficult to control. It creates a conflict between what we truly desire and what we fear to approach.

Since the Moon reflects the feminine in the natal chart, the Black Moon represents the shadow side of femininity. Whereas the Moon is the archetype of the mother, Lilith is the archetype of the mistress and lover. While the Moon-mother sacrifices herself for the sake of others and protects them, Lilith stands up for herself and her own interests (especially female ones).

Knowing her legend, it’s no surprise that Lilith also embodies sexual attraction, where the connection with female sexuality and the desire to enjoy intimate connection is vividly expressed. Expanding on this, in a broader sense, Lilith is associated with living for pleasure and one’s own beliefs, willing to pay for her freedom with the absence of children and loneliness—including indulging in "forbidden" pleasures.

The fear of Lilith (an intrinsic feminine energy) is the fear of the "witches" burned at the stake in the Middle Ages. Driven by this fear, society rooted in patriarchal religious traditions for centuries restricted women’s autonomy and free thinking, forcing them to deny their own sexuality, freedom, wishes, and aspirations. Today, we understand perfectly well that denying and repressing anything does not solve the problem. Therefore, astrologically speaking, it is far wiser not to turn a blind eye to Lilith’s energy in one's natal chart but to establish contact with it. In doing so, it becomes possible to unlock hidden potential, achieve harmony with one’s own dark side, and tap into an incredible source of inner energy—strengthening confidence, awakening sexuality, and embracing freedom of expression.

The shadow energy of Lilith might scare us, as it initially manifests as destructive energy. However, Lilith is also a point of insight, wisdom, and knowledge. Therefore, engaging in dialogue with Lilith grants access to her energy in the corresponding house (life sphere) and allows it to be projected into all areas of life.