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Eclipses happen during New and Full Moons. The South (past) and North (future) Nodes symbolize our evolutionary path. Eclipses catalyze destiny’s calling.
Eclipses serve as catalysts for us to aspire to our destiny’s deeper calling. Use creative self-reflection to experience inner alignments and transmute the past into new sources of energy.
March 25: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 5° Libra gives us pause as the light dims. We may want to cover up, but instead use the renewed illumination to reveal ways we can share our true selves in harmony.
April 8: Total Solar Eclipse at 19° Aries. As the Sun darkens, lead by intuition to the places your heart awaits for renewal. Invite light to bring the spiritual grit we need, and look for a plot twist to reclaim your game.
September 17: Partial Lunar Eclipse at 25° Pisces. When the Sun dims on our dreams, peek at the hidden pieces of the puzzle of our self identity. Ask what roles we are playing, then bring forward your real essences.
October 2: Annular Solar Eclipse at 10° Libra. Use the insights emerging from the depths to shed understanding about relationships. Allow innate artistry to extend ourselves to others with humility and grace. Be real.
Eclipse © Deedee Sanderson 2002
Sandra Pastorius aka Laughing Giraffe (Ashland, OR) has been a practicing Astrologer since 1979, and writing for We’Moon since 1990. Look for her collected We’Moon essays under "Galactic Musings" at wemoon.ws. As a Gemini she delights in blending the playful and the profound. Email her about Birth chart readings and local Astrology Study Groups. Peace Be!
There are 3 types of eclipses that we list in the We'Moon Calendar: Penumbral, Annular and Total. Understanding what the difference between these can be complicated. Let's break it down:
Imagine the shadow that is cast by the Earth, directly opposite the Sun. In the very center, or umbra, is complete darkness, but as we look further out from the center of the shadow some light is visible. This shadowy ring around the umbra is called the penumbra. When the Moon passes through this shadowy veiled penumbra, we experience what we call a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The Moon does not completely disappear, but her light becomes more dim.
[Art credit: New Moon—Venus © Pamela Read 2010]
As you may already know, a Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon crosses between the Earth and the Sun, blocking our Sun momentarily from view. As you might imagine, these rare occurrences were very frightening for our early ancestors. Imagine not being sure if the Sun would reappear at all! If you have ever been lucky enough to be in position on Earth to witness a Total Solar Eclipse, you will know the dramatic effect the complete blotting out of the Sun has, wherever the Moon casts her shadow.
The Birds still their songs and light on the branches. The bees and damselflies wait and watch from petaled perches. And as the sky darkens mid day, all in the shadow of the Moon grows more silent, and a chill begins to descend. We are, indeed, plunged momentarily into the night, mid day. But our sweet companion, the Moon, stays on Her trajectory in orbit around the Earth, and before long the Sun is again fully revealed. The heat of the Sun reaches us again.
The bees and damselflies buzz and flit in relief. We humans, did we doubt for a moment the Sun's return? Perhaps, from way back in your most distant ancestral memories, you felt the panic of impending doom, of seasons and cycles out of sync, of apocalypse. For surely that experience was indelibly etched in our ancestors cells, this and respect for and appreciation of the Sun.
When this happens, the Moon is close enough to us in her orbit that she appears larger than she would if she were further from us in her orbit. (Read more about Apogee and Perigee in our Astrology Basics Article) And just like when we hold our hand up close in front of our eyes, our hand will eclipse any objects that were otherwise in view.
When the moon is further away from us in her orbit, she appears smaller. Again, put your hand in front of your eyes, right there at the end of your nose. Can't see much, can you? Probably can't even read this anymore, unless you are peaking! Now, draw your hand further away from your nose, straight ahead. The objects right at the very center of your field of vision are still eclipsed by your hand, but your hand appears to be getting smaller. Because your hand seems to be getting smaller, more is visible in your field of vision. The same thing happens when the moon passes directly between the the Earth and the Sun when the moon is further away from the Earth. The Moon appears smaller, and we here on Earth get a dramatic view of the Moon blocking our view of the center of the Sun, but she's far enough away from us that a thin border of the Sun, or corona, is visible surrounding the Moon.
Featured art for this blog is called Moon Woman and is by Denise Kester. More of her dreamy visionary art can be found at her website.
What if we could reduce our and our beloveds stress levels faster and more efficiently?
You can. In this article, Mary Cole of 7Tarot, outlines how we can use the strengths and characteristics of our sun signs to reduce stress.
Mercury, planetary muse and mentor of our mental and communicative lives, appears to reverse its course three or four times a year. We may experience less stress during these periods by taking the time to pause and go back over familiar territory and give second thoughts to dropped projects or miscommunications. Breakdowns can help us attend to the safety of mechanics and mobility. It’s time to “recall the now” of the past and deal with underlying issues. Leave matters that lock in future commitments until Mercury goes direct.
The Moon changes signs every two or two and a half days, and passes through all 12 signs of the zodiac every 27 and 1/3 days. That's one Sidereal Month. So we have ample opportunity to experience how the sign that the moon is in affects ourselves and those around us.
