Solar and Lunar Eclipses

tags: eclipses, lunar cycle, moon, nodes

What is an eclipse?

The apparent path of the Sun and planets around the Earth (called the Ecliptic) and the Moon’s orbit around the earth are not parallel to one another. If you were to represent them using two hula hoops, you would cross them over in the middle, like this. (the angle is exaggerated here for effect.) The two paths intersect in two places. These points are called the Moon’s Nodes.

If the animation stops before you want it to, click the “reload” or “refresh” button on your browser.

An eclipse is a New or Full Moon that occurs near the Moon’s Nodes. Because the Moon and Sun are so close to the Nodes, they are aligned perfectly enough with the Earth to cast a shadow.

During a Solar eclipse, the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth. During a Lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.

What is the astrological significance of an eclipse?

First, consider the Full and New Moons. We get one each of these every month.

The New Moon is the beginning of the waxing phase of the Lunar cycle, or the two weeks when the Moon increases in light. We can use the energy of the increasing light of the Moon to plant seeds, both literally and figuratively. We start new projects, buy new things, make new contacts. Things we start in the world outside during this time tend to grow. Farmers use this time to plant above-ground crops.

A Solar eclipse is a very special New Moon. Things that are begun between the eclipse and the next Full Moon (about 2 weeks), seeds we plant, projects we undertake, contacts we make, and intentions we set, take on added significance 6 months down the road.

The Full Moon is the culmination of the Moon’s cycle, and the beginning of the waning phase. During the two weeks following the Full Moon, the Moon decreases in light. This is a good period for working on ourselves, finalizing things, processing information, wrapping up, and letting go of the things we don’t need anymore. This is a time for progress in the inner, rather than outer, realm. Farmers often use this time to plant root crops, which grow under the surface of the earth.

A Lunar eclipse is a very special Full Moon. Decisions we make, things we let go of, and things we finish during this waning cycle have significance in the future. It is an excellent time to give up an old habit, for example, smoking.

Full Moons in general, and Lunar eclipses in particular, are times of high emotion, and they bring awareness. The Sun and the Moon, our animus and our emotions, are on opposite sides of the sky, as if the other were a mirror. This is a time of mirroring, we can see ourselves in others if we are willing to look. Many are not.

Your homework assignment, should you choose to accept it:

The Solar Eclipse list

You can do this anytime between the Solar Eclipse and the next Full Moon. Take out a sheet of paper and a pen. Find yourself a nice quiet spot. On the paper, make a list of 100 things you want. Don’t hold back! Don’t let your inner voice tell you that you can’t have it. It will be hard to think of things after the first 50, but keep at it. Be positive: “I will get a raise,” not “I want a raise.”

Example:

1. I will make some new friends.
2. I will have a beach named after me.
3. I will be my own boss.
4. I will save the whales.
5. I will have a new car.
6. I will have a Xena Warrior Princess doll.
7. My houseplants will live long and be green.

…and so on.

When you are finished, place your list in an envelope, seal it, write the date on it, and put it in a sacred place in your home. Or you could just bless it and stick it in a drawer. You have just asked for what you want. This is how you plant seeds. After 1 year has passed, take out your list, and see which of these seeds have taken root in your life.

The Lunar Eclipse meditation:

You can do this anytime between the Lunar Eclipse and the next New Moon. Same as the Solar Eclipse list, except this is a little harder. This time, think of the things in your life you would like to bring to a close, finish, or end. That contract you want to get signed, that job you want to finish. That guilty feeling. That unhealthy relationship. That nasty smoking habit.

Take some time to sit in a quiet space and breathe. Visualize the inner workings of that habit, the issue, the situation, as people. Give them names and faces! My addicted smoker and my inner doctor. My gentle self and my angry self. Visualize them each holding one end of a rope, like a tug of war. They can see each other now, how can they better understand one another? How can they work together to achieve balance? Picture each one gently dropping their end of the rope.

You have just asked for assistance from the universe to clear out old energies and make room for the things you want to bring in. There is great power in this request.
For more information about eclipses:

NASA: Fred Espenak’s Eclipse page
Contains lots of good astronomical information, including where the eclipses are visible, and exact times.

Comments:

1. I love your website. It's really helping me to learn Astrology.
   
   The animated illustration on this page is really helpful, but I wish the animation were a little slower so I could focus on each stage.
   
   Thank you!
   
   — Elizabeth    13 May 2005    #
2. I know what you mean, Elizabeth. It moves too fast, and it's not the best depiction of the Earth-Sun-Moon relationship either.. does anyone out there know of a better one? Just comment here or send me an e-mail.
   
   Molly
   
   — Molly    24 May 2005    #
3. Just found your site on Google.com .......delighted! Have 5 retrograde planets at birth.....told max is 7 on ones Natal chart..........have had professional astrology done on several ocassions, very few absolutes or (nails on the head) have been hit......cannot overcome inner anxiousness long enough to follow through with accomplishments with the exception of health & Physical disciplines which I've a handle on after yrs. of wildlife!!!!! Knowing, ultimately always it's up to each individual to achieve, I still feel there's a bit of a magical key hidden in my Natal chart which I've yet to understand in order to propel forward and practice cosistency in my artistic endeavors.........very mobile lifestyle.......what do you recommend? Thanx for listening.........Maggs
   
   — Maggs    19 September 2005    #
4. Hey Maggs-- Congrats on getting healthy!
   
   It's very hard to speculate on something like this without looking at your chart. It could be a chemical imbalance or just waaaay too overtaxed nerves. (Do you drink a lot of coffee?) Maybe you need some work with a healer to identify and work with the fear that's behind the anxiety. I'm just speculating here, an off-duty astrologer without a chart to look at. If you want to book a session I'll be glad to let you know what I see in there.
   
   Blessings and best of luck.
   Molly
   
   — Molly    20 September 2005    #
5. This solar elcipse 10% Libra squared my moon in cancer 10 % exact. My moon in in my first house. How will this effect me in the next 6 months.
   
   Thank you,
   
   Anna
   
   — Anna    12 October 2005    #
6. 9-28-1951 10.25 PM CLEVELAND OHIO 81W42 41N30 HOW MUCH MORE THANK YOU
   
   — lisa    22 October 2005    #

7. You didn’t anser my qustion and I am mad

   
   
   — jack    24 March 2006    #

8. I hate this website

   
   
   — jack    24 March 2006    #

9. nothing in particular to say except thanks for the guidance thru the last month.

   I’m sending this really because we need to move on from the negativity of the previous comment – who needs destructive energy like that?

   Jack – I hope things feel better for you soon.

   Thanks for all Molly

   
   
   — Kate    29 March 2006    #

10. Cool stuff, thanks.

    
    
    — Surfer    5 January 2007    #

11. I am hoping you can shed some light on (pun intended) as to what happens when your progressed full moon conjuncts north node (total lunar eclipse) this is occurring in my life tomorrow.

    Kind regards,
    Pamela

    
    
    — pamela    13 March 2007    #

12. Pamela,

    Progressions happen slowly, over time. So a progressed aspect that’s exact tomorrow has actually been going on for a few weeks to a month. What’s going to happen? I don’t know. What has been happening? That’s your answer.

    
    
    — Molly    13 March 2007    #

13. Hi, Molly, thanks for the above-info. What is the general impact on a native’s life if born at the time of a total lunar eclipse? could it be karmic? is this incarnation designed to conclude some unfinished business from past lives? or
    would it put a cloud on the native’s emotions for the present incarnation?

    
    
    — D.P.    1 January 2008    #

14. D.P., if you were born at a Lunar Eclipse, then the Sun and Moon are both conjunct the Nodes. So there is a karmic pattern there, but I don’t have a one-size-fits-all interpretation for you. But I think the idea of having unfinished karmic business to take care of is a good place to start. The signs of the Sun and Moon, and other aspects will help you fill in the details of the story.

    
    
    — Molly    2 January 2008    #

15. My husband and I were married just a tad before a total lunar eclipse (October 27, 2004.) We had been discussing getting married but had no date set, and on a whim decided to do it on a trip which was planned for a few days away, and it just so happened to be this night. He is a Virgo with Scorpio rising and Taurus moon. I am Pisces w/ Leo rising and Capricorn Moon. We had known each other just under six months! We have an astrologer friend who, as the first one to hear our news, couldn’t tell us on the spot what this sign meant to us. Obviously, our sun sign are opposite, so my simplistic interpretation is that we balance each other perfectly well and should see this as our biggest strength, not our worst fault. What is your thought?

    
    
    — Julia    2 March 2008    #

16. my dad’s south node is exactly conjunct my pre eclipse pre birth on 21 degrees pisces . I suspect a karmic connection there are difficulties in creating harmony yet a let of psychic awareness what do you think? Viv

    
    
    — viv    31 March 2008    #

17. What does it mean if you were born on a solar eclipse. I’m a Saggitatarius 11/23/46 with the majority of my signs in Scorpio and Saggitarius and the rest in Leo, Gemini and Libra.

    
    
    — Cheryl Glickauf-Hughes    27 April 2008    #