Negotiating The Next Eclipse Cycle

Astrological signs will influence how the event will be experienced

Editor’s note: As 2020 was drawing to a close, astrologers were suggesting that Lunar and Solar eclipses in the opposing astrological signs of Gemini and Sagittarius were symbolically putting the finishing touches on a year that changed everyone’s world. Miami astrologer Maria Pascual shared these observations:

The time around eclipses and in between feels like we are moving between realities. There’s a numinous energy, as if walking through dense fog. The conscious and unconscious blend and overlap; the Sun and Moon, the rational and irrational. There’s an air of excitement as well, that anything could happen.

Twice each year we experience eclipse cycles as the Sun, Moon and Earth join in alignment. During a Lunar eclipse, which always occurs on a full Moon, the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. During a Solar eclipse, which happens at the new Moon, the Moon is between the Earth and Sun, which partially or fully eclipses the Sun.

The area of the sky or, more precisely, the astrological signs where the Sun and Moon are located during an eclipse, influence how the event will be experienced by humanity. On November 30, 2020 a partial lunar eclipse occurred with the Moon in the curious, talkative, inventive sign of Gemini. Across the heavens 180 degrees away the Sun was in the sign of Sagittarius which, among other things, is symbolically linked to expansion, optimism, playfulness, fun (remember fun?) and seeing beyond horizons.

Astrologically, the Moon represents the feminine feeling nature. Because it is focused on the Moon, a lunar eclipse tends to bring up family, past relationships, and deep seated feelings. Emotions can be easily fired, sensitivity may be pronounced and senses more fully engaged. There might also be a stronger connection with nature and the Earth.

During an eclipse, the boundary fades between the visible and invisible; hidden truths and secrets may be revealed. Or new aspects of our selves may come to light.

As this is being written, the solar eclipse in Sagittarius is only a few days away and will occur at 23 degrees of the sign. Also, the North and South nodes of the Moon are, respectively, in Gemini and Sagittarius, both mutable signs. The mathematically calculated nodes are sensitive points in space where the moon’s orbit around the earth intersects the earth’s orbit around the Sun – the ecliptic. The north or ascending node is where the moon’s orbit crosses north of the ecliptic and the descending or south node is where it crosses the ecliptic to the south.

The Moon’s nodes remain in the same sign for about one and a half years, creating a theme for humanity for that time period. Those with either their ascendant (rising sign) or planets in the mutable signs of Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo or Pisces are the most sensitive to current transits.
The north node of the Moon, currently in Gemini, relates to future possibilities and direction. The south node reflects past karma and tendencies. The mutable signs teach us adaptation and flexibility when dealing with change. The eclipsed Moon in Gemini arouses our curiosity, heightens our need to communicate, and enhances our love of language in all of its expressions. On the flip side, the South node in Sagittarius looks to unite human potential with our wild nature.

In a really important development, Jupiter, the astrological “ruler” of Sagittarius, enters the sign of Aquarius on December 20. The planet has been out of sorts and in its “fall” in the sign of Capricorn, and not exhibiting a lot of optimism. The good news is Jupiter is finally leaving the doom and glooms of this more restrictive and cautious sign.

During its 2020 stay in Capricorn, the giant planet was joined by Saturn, Pluto, Mercury, Mars and other solar system travelers, giving an ominous and extraordinary heaviness to this fateful year. But Jupiter will conjoin (land in the same degree as) Saturn at 0 degrees of Aquarius on December 21, hours after the Winter Solstice. Astrologers hope that the momentous beginning of a 20-year cycle, exact at the first degree of Aquarius, will usher in Aquarian ideals and values.

The start of an exciting new cycle cannot erase the chaos we’ve all been experiencing on so many levels. But it can ameliorate the darkness. New paths open up, and we can look beyond the horizon. Let Jupiter’s message to us be that this is a time to heal and recover. A willingness to change for the greater good is our truest friend right now.