Summer shadows
Yesterday there was a partial solar eclipse in Gemini, heralding the beginning of eclipse season. It continues with a lunar eclipse, also in Gemini, on June 15th, and finishes (at least for six months or so) with another solar eclipse, this time in Cancer, on July 1st. Eclipses occur when the moon, sun and earth are exactly aligned - during a solar eclipse, the moon is between the earth and the sun, blocking out the sun's light. During a lunar eclipse, the earth is between the sun and the moon, so that the moon is unable to reflect the sun's light as she usually does. Eclipses have traditionally been seen as a time of dramatic change, especially in mundane astrology. For example, a solar eclipse may synchronise with dramatic events in the royal family or amongst political leaders, as the Sun rules leadership and those in charge.
Solar eclipses occur close to a new moon - the sun and moon are in the same position in the sky. This concentrates their energy, and can be a seed point for powerful changes. Our inner selves, symbolised by the Moon, are in unity with our outer selves, symbolised by the Sun, so that we find our dreams and imaginings fully aligned with our long term goals, allowing us to move forward. We may not be aware yet of the changes that are coming - the Sun's light is hidden during an eclipse - but they have their genesis here. The house of your natal chart in which the eclipse takes place will show you the area of life in which the events triggered by the eclipse are likely to play out. For example, a solar eclipse in your fifth house may herald a new cycle in your creative or romantic life, whereas an eclipse in your tenth house is likely to relate to your career and your work out in the world.
Lunar eclipses occur close to a full moon, when the sun and moon are as far apart as they can be. At a lunar eclipse, a situation is more likely to end or be brought to a head, and you may find issues which have been in the background for some time reaching a peak at this time. Events or feelings reach a culmination point, and you may find yourself outside of your comfort zone. This is a time when bringing opposing aspects of ourselves together can be difficult, because the earth - the material realm - is directly between our inner or emotional self, symbolised by the Moon, and our outer conscious self, symbolised by the Sun. Because the Sun and Moon are opposite at the time of an eclipse, both houses of your natal chart will be affected. Of course, the opposing houses often have related concerns, so that if a lunar eclipse falls across your second - eighth house axis, you are likely to find yourself dealing with issues of security and resources, both the possessions and physical resources symbolised by the second house and the emotional resources of the eighth house.
You are most likely to feel the effects of an eclipse if it impacts prominent positions in your your birth chart, such as your Sun, Moon or Ascendant.. This usually means if it is closely conjunct, square or opposite any of the key planetary positions, and the effect of the eclipse will depend on the symbolism of the planet it is aspecting. If an eclipse makes an aspect to your natal Sun, for example, you are likely to find yourself thrust into the spotlight, or at least into circumstances that cause you to question and develop your identity. An eclipse aspecting your natal Venus may show up as as change in your relationships, whilst an eclipse affecting your Saturn might pinpoint a block which only you can overcome. Solar eclipses are more likely to find outward expression in your life, whereas the effects of a lunar eclipse may be on an inner level, so that only you are aware of them. An eclipse is generally a catalyst for change, on an outer or inner level, and eclipses can often be a trigger point for longer term transits which are affecting you. For example, an eclipse affecting your natal Saturn around the time of your Saturn return is likely to force you to take action to overcome the obstacles you face, and to highlight or trigger the Saturn issues which you are probably already dealing with. You may notice the effects of an eclipse in your life for a few weeks either side of the eclipse itself, and for up to six months if it forms a close aspect to your natal chart. The interactions of the luminaries add both drama and subtle changes to our personal astrological weather - it's always worth noting what they illuminate for you.
Solar eclipses occur close to a new moon - the sun and moon are in the same position in the sky. This concentrates their energy, and can be a seed point for powerful changes. Our inner selves, symbolised by the Moon, are in unity with our outer selves, symbolised by the Sun, so that we find our dreams and imaginings fully aligned with our long term goals, allowing us to move forward. We may not be aware yet of the changes that are coming - the Sun's light is hidden during an eclipse - but they have their genesis here. The house of your natal chart in which the eclipse takes place will show you the area of life in which the events triggered by the eclipse are likely to play out. For example, a solar eclipse in your fifth house may herald a new cycle in your creative or romantic life, whereas an eclipse in your tenth house is likely to relate to your career and your work out in the world.
Lunar eclipses occur close to a full moon, when the sun and moon are as far apart as they can be. At a lunar eclipse, a situation is more likely to end or be brought to a head, and you may find issues which have been in the background for some time reaching a peak at this time. Events or feelings reach a culmination point, and you may find yourself outside of your comfort zone. This is a time when bringing opposing aspects of ourselves together can be difficult, because the earth - the material realm - is directly between our inner or emotional self, symbolised by the Moon, and our outer conscious self, symbolised by the Sun. Because the Sun and Moon are opposite at the time of an eclipse, both houses of your natal chart will be affected. Of course, the opposing houses often have related concerns, so that if a lunar eclipse falls across your second - eighth house axis, you are likely to find yourself dealing with issues of security and resources, both the possessions and physical resources symbolised by the second house and the emotional resources of the eighth house.
You are most likely to feel the effects of an eclipse if it impacts prominent positions in your your birth chart, such as your Sun, Moon or Ascendant.. This usually means if it is closely conjunct, square or opposite any of the key planetary positions, and the effect of the eclipse will depend on the symbolism of the planet it is aspecting. If an eclipse makes an aspect to your natal Sun, for example, you are likely to find yourself thrust into the spotlight, or at least into circumstances that cause you to question and develop your identity. An eclipse aspecting your natal Venus may show up as as change in your relationships, whilst an eclipse affecting your Saturn might pinpoint a block which only you can overcome. Solar eclipses are more likely to find outward expression in your life, whereas the effects of a lunar eclipse may be on an inner level, so that only you are aware of them. An eclipse is generally a catalyst for change, on an outer or inner level, and eclipses can often be a trigger point for longer term transits which are affecting you. For example, an eclipse affecting your natal Saturn around the time of your Saturn return is likely to force you to take action to overcome the obstacles you face, and to highlight or trigger the Saturn issues which you are probably already dealing with. You may notice the effects of an eclipse in your life for a few weeks either side of the eclipse itself, and for up to six months if it forms a close aspect to your natal chart. The interactions of the luminaries add both drama and subtle changes to our personal astrological weather - it's always worth noting what they illuminate for you.