We have a minimum of 4 special Solar and Lunar events a year that fascinate the world and are dazzling to look at, but what is the significance of an Eclipse in Astrology.
If you pay attention to lunar events, then Eclipse Season is a term you’re probably familiar with at this point. And if you follow Astrological events, you’ll know that eclipses are very potent times.
Eclipses are New and Full Moons that are charged up. Astrologically, all Moon Cycles are essential and very strong events; however, a Solar or Lunar eclipse is rare. This is why Eclipses in Astrology are so important.
The reason why eclipses are rare is because it occurs a minimum of 4 times a year. We don’t get these kinds of Astronomical events often; eclipses are not typical, which adds to their potency. We get about 13 New Moons and 12 Full ones in a year, and at the minimum, 4 of those become eclipses. So, in a nutshell, it’s not like regular Transits we see daily with the Moon, Mercury, or Venus.
How Do Eclipses Work
Many of the celestial bodies have eclipses, but from a geocentric point of view, this occurs when our luminaries, “The Sun plus Moon,” are covered, resulting in a change of light. This happens when the Moon moves through Earth’s Shadow, known as the Umbra, causing the light to be blocked out.
New and Full Moons is when these events occur from Earth’s point of view.
At a Solar Eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth, blocking out the Sun’s Rays resulting in the light of this luminary being obstructed.
And at the Full cycle, a Lunar Eclipse transpires. This is when the Moon’s light it receives from the Sun is obscured by Earth’s Shadow, causing a darkening over its lunar surface.
Eclipse Seasons happen a few times a year and last about a good two weeks, usually a Lunar followed by a Solar or vice versa depending on the year.
From an Astronomical perspective, these events are powerful because of the effects it causes. Solar Eclipses create a disruption and can trigger weather events. And, Lunar Eclipses can cause a more substantial impact on our tides, causing some shorelines to overflow.
How Many Eclipses Do We Get Per Year
Yearly, we get an average of 4 eclipses per year which is two Solar and 2 Lunar. We generally get 2 Eclipses; having 3 in a 4-week period isn’t common but can occur from time to time.
However, there are times when we get 5 to 7 of these Lunar events, which isn’t very common. The rarest amount of eclipses to have in a year is 7.
The last time 7 eclipses happened was in the early ’80s 1982, with the North Node in Cancer and The South Node in Capricorn.
1982 was also the same year as the Saturn Pluto Conjunction in Libra, which is also an uncommon Astronomical event.
Another event to occur that same year is two of the rarest Retrogrades, Venus “In Capricorn and Aquarius” and Mars RX in Libra. Therefore, having that many Solar/Lunar events along with a major Conjunction and two of the most infrequent Retrogrades speak volumes to events occurring around an unusual number of eclipses in a given year.
We won’t get another year with the maximum amount until 2038, which is another jammed-packed year of Astrological Transits. In 2038 the Lunar Nodes will be in Cancer and Capricorn like they were during the 1982 Eclipses.
January 5th, Solar 15° of Capricorn
January 20th, Lunar 1° of Leo
June 16th, Lunar 26° of Sagittarius
July 2nd, Solar 10° of Cancer
July 16th, Lunar 26° Capricorn
December 11th, Lunar 19° of Sagittarius
December 25th, Solar 4° of Capricorn
During the two eclipses in January of 2038, Venus will be Retrograde in Capricorn just as it was in 82’, adding to the intensity. Additionally, we have rare Outer Planet alignments that year, Jupiter will Conjunct Uranus, Saturn makes a Sextile to Uranus, and so many other significant alignments from the outer planets. During heavy eclipse years paired with a load of Outer Planet Transits things tend to become karmic, so this should be an interesting period of celestial activity.
Types Of Eclipses
Eclipses come in different forms Total, Partial, Solar, Lunar, Hybrid Annular, and Penumbral.
Lunar Eclipses happen during a Full Moon
Solar Eclipses happen during the New Moon
Annular is when the Moon covers only the middle of the Sun, causing a circle of fire.
A Hybrid is when an Eclipse changes its type from an Annular to a Total or from a full coverage to Partial, which often doesn’t occur.
Penumbral Eclipses happen when the Moon is at the faint part of the Earth’s Shadow.
Partial Eclipses happen when the Moon isn’t getting 100% coverage from the Earth’s Shadow.
Total Eclipses happen when a Lunar or Solar eclipse receives 100% coverage.
The Significance Of Eclipses In Astrology
So, why are Eclipses so crucial in Astrology?
These Lunar events are important because there is a change to essential light sources, the Sun and the Moon. We rely on the luminaries to keep us from the dark, so this event is disrupting like someone flipping a light switch on or off; it’s a sudden change in what can be seen. In other words, it’s Earth’s energetic shift to the current vibe we are experiencing.
The way I explain eclipses is like a system or patch update, which means getting new upgrades to the script we are running. When you have an update, you need to reboot your computer, causing a bit of interference as the PC powers up, you wait for things to load, and once they do, you might notice the change. Some improvements might seem subtle at first, or it can be a complete overhaul; whichever one you experience, the change is still noticeable.
Once you’ve updated your system, you want to pay attention to some of the changes that could occur over time. There could be bugs in the system or something that glitched out during the said update.
So Astrologically, you want to pay attention to events around you because eclipses trigger certain situations. And it can cause something to happen quicker than expected; in other words, if you didn’t think something would happen for a few more months, an eclipse can speed that time up. You also want to be aware of what you start during eclipse season or what you are trying to end.
World events tend to happen under eclipses, mainly in the places that are seeing them. A Solar Eclipse can only be seen in specific locations, so that could be where an event happens six months down the line or further out. And a Lunar Eclipse can be seen in most places, so pay attention to the cities with more coverage.
Solar And Lunar Eclipses
Solar Eclipses in Astrology:
These eclipses are New Moons when the Sun is within 17 degrees of the Nodes and are very potent for starting a new cycle. So something in your life becomes illuminated and switched on. There could be changes when it comes to male figures in your life with this kind of event.
Lunar Eclipses in Astrology:
A Lunar Eclipse is a Full Moon when it is within 12 degrees of the Lunar Nodes and can mark the ending of a cycle; something needs to be cleared or switched out. This could be a period where you have an aha moment about something that isn’t working. With these cycles, we deal with feminine energies; as a result, a change could occur with female figures during these Lunations.
The Lunar Nodes
Eclipses happen around the Lunar Nodes of the Moon.
These are mathematical points in the sky with a North and South point called the Nodes. These calculated points are where the Moon’s rotations intersect with the Ecliptic Path of the Sun. The North Node is the Ascending Point, and the South Node is the Descending part.
Every 18 months, the North and South Node begin a new cycle in a Sign. Depending on where it is aspecting in a personal chart, that will be an area that needs a fresh start, new beginnings, achievement, and endings that will keep coming up until the cycle is complete.
We get two Signs because the North and South Node are like a pole with opposite ends. In other words, each point of the Nodes are across from one another, so when these poles Transit the Zodiac, it connects with opposing signs. And even though they are polar opposites, these Signs are connected by Quadruplicities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable.) An example would be Aries and Libra, which are polar opposites; however, they’re both Cardinal Signs. Or Leo and Aquarius, which are contrasting Signs, but they’re both from the Fixed Quadruplicity.
These events are karmic and open up a vibration for two weeks between the Eclipse windows. Therefore, when an eclipse occurs, we see some sort of fated event take place on a collective level.
What Does It Mean To Be Born With Eclipses In The Natal Chart
People with Eclipses in their Birth Charts were born during a New or Full Moon, and yes, it does carry a different energy than a regular lunar event. We are all born with the Sun and Moon in our chart, and even though they are some of the most important energies in a Birth Chart, eclipse put a completely different spin on your natal placements. In other words, your luminaries are connected with the Nodes, so the karmic energy from the Sign of the eclipse will be connected to your path.
Depending on what Sign and how many degrees your Sun plus Moon are from the Lunar Nodes, your soul gets a karmic charge due to being born during an eclipse. These natives have an impact and are tied in with the collective and are the game changers in their world, their effect tends to transform others.
Individuals born with a Solar Eclipse in the Natal Chart will have more of a sense of purpose and specialness ingrained in them. These natives could believe they were being chosen to do something great and very driven to align with their destiny. They also have an influential effect on others that’s more outward and obvious. This could be things like swaying a group or being the reason others adopt a new trend. Their energy pulls others and acts as conduits for change with the people who connect with them.
People born with a Lunar Eclipse in the Birth Chart tend to be more intuitive and instinctively know they are meant to do something, but they have an introverted approach to seeking out their destiny. Like Solar Eclipse individuals, they significantly affect others, but it’s more of an unconscious one. In other words, they give people a more internalized shift in their way of being.
Additionally, no matter what kind of eclipse you’re born under, your path ties in with the collective. And for this reason, Eclipse people have a way of being tastemakers, disruptors, and people who shift the environment around them.
Why You Shouldn’t Manifest During Eclipses
It is an uncompromising version of New and Full moons, so don’t manifest or cast spells because it takes the light out and flips the switch on unexpected situations. In other words, this is the kind of Solar/ Lunar event that can give a mighty charge but chaotically.
Eclipses are explosive energy that can cause a sudden shift to what is going on, so be careful. Remember, these kinds of Lunar events cause changes in weather patterns and powerfully affect our tides, so imagine what kind of situation could occur, simply from sending out ritualistic energy. You don’t want to send out anything energetic during an unpredictable, active period because that would be counterproductive.
Things Not to Do:
Don’t light candles and set intentions
Put rituals on hold for at least a week
Doing negativity clearings should be put on hold until Eclipse season is over
Please put your crystals away, don't charge them under this intense energy
Try not to do any spiritual baths
Any kind of energy work or resetting of your aura or chakras
No setting intentions vision boards or journals
I would even wait a few days before using sage, palo santo, or any incense
Things To Do
Reflect on what’s happening in your life
Look at a non-manifestation way you could improve your life
Do some self-care, whatever that might mean for you as long as it isn’t spell work
Do something artsy
Or do something educational like research, reading a book you’ve meant to check out, looking for how-to’s on YouTube, or even binge-watching documentaries.
I know manifesting is something most people want to do at an eclipse, but it’s better to have the odds in your favor if you are into energy work. Why do something that could blow up in your face when you can just wait until we are out of the Eclipse Zone?!
For example, let’s say it’s a Lunar eclipse in the Sign of Capricorn; something like that might set you back for years. In other words, Capricorn is a sign about delays, things taking time, slow and steady progress, so you could slow the process down on what you were hoping to go in your favor.
Also, a delay might be the least of your worries; this energy could backfire in a more uncomfortable way than waiting another year to get what you truly desire. Eclipses tend to clip things out, so it is just something to be aware of to protect yourself.
-End of Rant
Potent Vibes
Astrologically and Astronomically, eclipses are very potent times, but they aren’t something to be afraid of at all. Just practice safety during these times, like wearing protective goggles if you view a Solar one, and keep your hands neatly folded if you are into rituals until eclipse season is over.
Hopefully, all of these things I mention helps you have a better understanding of eclipses.
-Later Guys
If you enjoyed this blog post, a fresh cup of java would be greatly appreciated, thanks again!! 😺☕😻