*This eclipse guide was a part of the collection of resources compiled for The Golden Circle Club members for December 2020. If you’d like to subscribe and get all the insights each month, you can find out more here.
- This post has been updated for the Solar Eclipse at 10 Taurus on April 30 / May 1, 2022
Eclipses are a disruption of the regular lunation cycles. Rather than the usual monthly New or Full Moon’s an eclipse sees the light of the Sun or Moon temporarily blocked. A New Moon eclipse, called a Solar eclipse, see’s the Sun’s light blocked by the Moon. A Full Moon eclipse, know as a Lunar eclipse, is where the Moon’s light is blocked by the Earth.
Unlike normal lunations, eclipses occur when the Sun and the Moon not only occupy the same or opposing zodiacal degree, but also the same plane within the ecliptic.
Eclipses occur in seasons, twice a year, every six months. What qualifies an upcoming lunation as an eclipse is that the Sun needs to be within 18 degrees of the North or South Node. This means, the Sun can be 18 degrees before or after either Node, spanning a 36-degree area, in total. The closer the Sun is to the Node on an eclipse, the more totality the eclipse will have. Thus, the effects of the eclipse tend to be felt more intensely.
When the Sun reaches the 36-degree range, then ‘eclipse season’ has begun. As the Sun moves one degree per day, an eclipse season ‘technically speaking’ lasts for 36 days, in which two or three eclipses can occur. There are varying ideas about how long eclipses last for. Some astrologers say their effects can linger for six months. This would then mean that we are always under the influence of eclipses, to greater or lesser extents.
Where you born on an eclipse? Look at your chart!
1) The Sun needs to be within 18 degrees of the North or South Node
2) You need to be born on a New of Full Moon
The diagram below outlines the path of the Sun and Moon around the Earth. The points of intersection are the ascending (North) or descending (South) Node. When lunations occur within range of these points, they are eclipses.
Eclipses follow the lunar nodes. The Nodes occupy opposing signs for around 18 months. Eclipses will always activate a house axis in your birth chart. Unlike planets, the Nodes transit retrograde, so they move in reverse zodiacal order. When the nodes are either at the beginning or end of a sign, eclipses can occur in the adjacent sign. The eclipse will occur in one sign, but the nodes occupy the other.
For example, the upcoming solar eclipse on the Solstice occurs at 00’ Cancer, meaning it’s a New Moon in Cancer. As this lunation occurs within 18 degrees of the North Node in Gemini (will be 29’ Gemini) not only is it an eclipse, but also total. The proceeding lunation, the Full Moon at 15 Sagittarius on June 5/6 falls within the 18-degree range of the Nodes. This eclipse sees the lunation and the nodes, occupy the same signs. From an interpretive standpoint, it’s the sign of the lunation itself that counts. For example, the upcoming Solar Eclipse occurs in Cancer, not Gemini.
Other factors of interpretation to consider is the tradtional planetary ruler of the eclipse. In the case of a Solar Eclipse, look to the traditional planetary ruler of the Sun, and the same applies for a Lunar Eclipse, except you’re looking at the Moon.
The eclipse path is also important. From a mundane perspective, the eclipse path will be felt more strongly where the eclipse shadow is felt.
You can find out the path of eclipses at https://www.timeanddate.com/
Eclipses also happen in groups or families, known as the Saros Series. These are some of the longest cycles used in astrology. Each Saros Series lasts approximately 1300 years.
These Saros Series add another distinct layer worth considering when it comes to how an eclipse may be felt, which can differentiate it to the signs the eclipse occupies. The meaning of these cycles is based on the planetary aspects, patterns and themes of the first eclipse of the Series (think the birth chart of that first eclipse), some of which are difficult and some are not. Eclipses within each of these Saros Series repeat every 18 years.
The upcoming eclipses, belong to the Saros Series 6 North. Brady says of this family;
“This family of eclipses is concerned with the individual’s relationship to father figures, authority figures, or the need to take responsibility and control. This is a time to accept the commitments that are presented, commitments which could occur due to another person’s illness or another person’s unreliability.”
p;316, The Eagle and the Lark
To work with the upcoming eclipses and interpret the possibilities in your life, you’ll need to consider;
- The sign the eclipse occurs in and the house it occupies in your chart
- The strength and condition of the eclipse ruling planet
- The totality of the eclipse
- The flavour the Saros Series brings to the eclipse
This particular eclipse is a partial solar eclipse, therefore we won’t see the stunning image of the Moon with the Sun’s rays surrounding it. The Sun will only be partially blocked and visible in the South America’s, especially the southern areas of Chile and Argentina. Check it out here!
Astrologically, the fact it’s a partial eclipse suggests it may not have quite as much of an impact as a total solar eclipse. That said, the eclipse at 10 degrees is in close conjunction with Uranus at 14 Taurus. The disruptive nature of an eclipse coupled with the unpredictable nature of Uranus, even the suggestion of change is likely to annoy the Bull.
Consider the fundamental requirements of survival – food, clothing, shelter and money. These most basic principles are likely to be impacted which we are starting to see already – inflation, interest rates set to rise in Australia, food insecurity, wheat and fertiliser shortages and an odd phenomenon of food production factories burning down in the USA – and I’m not even scratching the surface of what’s going on here.
So apart from the fundamental stuff, we each have a part of our life ruled by the sign of Taurus in our birth charts – even if you don’t have any planets in Taurus. Thus, there will be life topics you won’t appreciate instability or uncertainty around. So even if you’re a fun – loving adventurous Sadge, you won’t be particularly enthusiastic having an ailment or illness slow you down or having to work harder or longer and without recognition.
As the eclipse portal opens, sound sleep can often be an issue due to tossing and turning all night or from vivid dreams. Fatigue is common and generally speaking, the next couple of weeks will feel like the week between Christmas and New Year, where you lose track of the days and aren’t sure what you’re meant to be doing.
As I mentioned above, an eclipse sees the Sun, Moon and Earth occupy the same plane. In effect, the Sun and Moon are forming direct lines of communication to us on Earth. There are messages to be had and insights to be gleaned – if you slow down enough to smell the roses – or probably in the case of this eclipse, the phrase – wake up and smell the coffee – is probably more appropriate.
Consider the house of your birth chart that is ruled by Taurus as well as a few tips suggested by the sign itself.
The Moon will be in Taurus from
April 30 – May 2
Brisbane
10:19am – 8:46pm AEST
London
12:19am – 10:46am UT
Los Angeles
April 29 – May 2
5:19pm – 3:46am PDT
Solar Eclipse at 10 Taurus
May 1
Brisbane
6:28am AEST
April 30
London
9:28pm
Los Angeles
12:28pm
A few tips while the Moon is in Taurus
REST – it is an eclipse in Taurus after all. Luxuriate, eat, sleep and do whatever it is that makes you feel good.
Want to stay up late in bed, scrolling through Instagram? Do it! Don’t let the voice in your head tell you that you could be doing something more productive. Just be sure to turn off your alarm so you can wake up whenever you feel like it in the morning!
I’ve done this very thing the past two nights with the added bonus of two back-to-back nights of ten hours of sleep – complete bliss. I’m a new woman!
EAT – some advice you may hear about eclipses is to eat minimally or even consider fasting while the Moon tours the sign of the eclipse.
It’s totally your prerogative to do that if it feels right for you. Though, considering this is a North Node eclipse in Taurus, food is glorious, after all. Be sure it’s healthy, fresh and nourishing. Taurus is an earth sign, so eating food that comes from the earth is ideal. Vegetables, salads and grains will be grounding and satisfying. If you’re not adverse to eating meat, indulging in your favourite cut of steak is a great way to honour the sign of the bull. Just pass on the Maccas (Australian for McDonalds). Taurus isn’t fond of cheap fast food.
ENJOY – Taurus is a Venus—ruled sign and no one enjoys a little bit of pleasure quite like Venus. Taurus is a tactile sign who thrives when the five senses are evoked. A bunch of roses will feel opulent and delightful. Burning some of your favourite essential oils or incense will cleanse the energy and feel good. Sipping some fine wine while playing your favourite tunes will bring you joy.
If you enjoy beauty routines like exfoliation, soaking in a bath or putting on a face mask, all these kinds of self-care will help you get back into your body.
By getting back into your body, you’ll feel grounded and centered for whatever the eclipse rays hurl your way.
For a few more tips on the eclipse via video – check out my most recent YouTube!
