In the coming month, we have both a Lunar and Solar eclipse making it is a perfect time to discuss their significance. Every year we have at least two of each so it’s not a rare occurrence. What gives significance to an eclipse is the position of the planets relative to the eclipse point and, more importantly, how closely it aligns with your personal natal chart.
Lunar eclipses occur at the time of a Full Moon when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon casting a shadow on the Moon making it visually dimmer. Since the Moon represents emotions and habit patterns, when it is eclipsed there is possibility of irrational emotional responses. The Ancients view an eclipse of the Moon’s light as a bad omen.
Actually, the time of the Full Moon can be extra emotional anyway for those who have the Moon or Cancer planets (the sign it rules) prominent in their chart. A Lunar eclipse could be said to be an exaggerated Full Moon.
The coming Lunar eclipse on March 3rd will occur at 13 Virgo. You may feel emotionally stressed out a couple days on either side of this date if you have personal planets or the angles of your chart within a degree or two of 13 Virgo. The Sun in Pisces will be conjoined Uranus making it even more possible for chaotic circumstances and erratic behavior. You could have a hard time separating your ego from your emotions.
As erratic as Lunar eclipses may be, they are relatively short-lived compared to a Solar eclipse. Lunar eclipses usually resolve in a couple weeks, by the time of the New Moon/Solar Eclipse. Solar eclipses are more powerful. They have a window of influence that can occur from a couple months before to more than six months after. Something is coming to an end and the new beginning needs time to take form.
Solar eclipses occur at the time of a New Moon. In this case the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth blocking some or all of the Sun’s light. Total Solar eclipses are less common and are seen from only a small region of the Earth. The Ancients believed that the loss of the Sun’s light was cause for dread and predicted the fall of the ruler and his armies.
On March 18 a Partial Solar eclipse will occur at 29 Pisces near the end of the Zodiac and be visible in Eastern and Central Asia.
Those most affected will have a planet or angle within a degree or two of 29 Pisces or 29 Virgo. The planet or angle will hold a high energy charge that may act for good or ill. The difficulty of the eclipse depends on the condition of the planet by house and aspect. The time of action is usually triggered by a conjunction of Mars to that point, which will take place May 12. We can look to May 12 to see more clearly the significance of this eclipse.
In addition, this Solar eclipse is happening square (at 90 degrees) to Pluto in late Sagittarius giving the likelihood that power and control issues will arise. Watch out for a clash of belief systems yet don’t dishonor your own point-of-view. Anyone with a planet or angle from 27 Pisces or Virgo to 1 Aries or Capricorn will be affected along with me. (Just because I am an astrologer doesn’t make me immune to the planetary influences !)
The beginning of the Zodiac at 0 Aries is known as the Aries Point and holds a resonance for world events. Major planetary alignments to this point usually have a global societal effect. It will be interesting to pay attention to what occurs around this time that has a global result.
Anticipating what the meaning of the March 18 Solar eclipse might be for me personally has helped remind me that appearances can be deceiving. The most that can be said is that eclipses are heralds of change. But change can be good too, not just ill. What appears as ill, such as the end of something that is no longer needed or purposeful, can bring in a new beginning to a life of more joy and satisfaction.
I welcome the new beginning ahead!
