An eclipse occurs when a New Moon or Full Moon occurs within 18 degrees of the lunar nodes. During this time, the Sun, Moon and the Earth all occupy the same plane, therefore, the light they radiate and reflect interact with each other.
There are two types of eclipses. The solar eclipse occurs at the New Moon where the Sun’s light is blocked by the Moon. The second type of eclipse is a Lunar eclipse, which is a Full Moon where the Moon’s light is blocked by the Earth.
Some eclipses are total, others are partial. This is dependent on how close to the Node the Sun is within that 18-degree qualifying range. Once the Sun reaches no more than 18 degrees from the Node, it heralds the beginning of an eclipse season. Eclipses occur in seasons twice a year, 6 months apart. There are differing opinions on how long the effects of an eclipse can last for. I generally go by the length of the season itself, once the Sun is no longer in range.
The Nodes spend 18 months in a pair of signs. The Nodes are always opposite each other. At the moment, the North Node is in Virgo, and the South Node is in Pisces. As they are always exactly opposite, they will also occupy a house axis in your birth chart eg 2nd/8th, 3rd/9th,4th/10th. Since November 2015, the nodes and eclipses have been in the same signs and in the same houses of your birth chart, although in differing degrees.
For example, if you have Pisces rising, the eclipses have been triggering the houses that pertain to you and your relationships. If you have Gemini rising, it’s been your career and home life. If you have Leo rising it’s your income and joint finances/debts.
As the Nodes reach the end or the beginning of a pair of signs (the Nodes are always in retrograde) eclipses can occur in the neighbouring zodiac pair. Although this week brings a Lunar Eclipse in Leo, the Nodes are in fact, still in Virgo and Pisces, because the Sun is within 18 degrees to the South Node, still in Pisces.
Eclipses also occur in groups or family’s known as the Saros Series. Each of the Saros Series lasts for approximately 1300 years. Eclipses within each Saros Series occur every 18 years. Bernadette Brady, an Australian astrologer, has a great resource on the Saros Series in her book “Predictive Astrology; The Eagle and the Lark.” A Saros Series provides additional predictive insight into an eclipse as it adds a tone or flavour to how it will feel.
In ancient times, the eclipses were seen as omens of disaster. As you could imagine, seeing the Sun’s light eclipsed, bringing a period of temporary darkness across the Earth would have been terrifying. Even more so if those around you became blind from looking at it an eclipse!
Astrologically, eclipses are very tricky phenomena to predict. They are a bit like the joker in a deck of cards. Sometimes, potent life changing events can occur, whereas, at other times, it’s much ado about nothing.
Here are a few tips for interpreting an eclipse:
•The quality and strength of the eclipse ruler
•The signs and houses that are activated in your own chart
•The totality of the eclipse
•The Saros Series the eclipse belongs to
Although this eclipse occurs in the signs or Aquarius/Leo the Nodes are still in Virgo/Pisces. This eclipse may feel like ‘crossing a threshold’ from themes you wish to release that have been in play since late 2015.
This eclipse will provide a kind of real life trailer from a movie that isn’t being released until August- when the potent and dramatic total Solar Eclipse in Leo occurs. Keep note of what happens this month, both personally and globally. August is likely to be the month that brings the potential of February to fruition.
From Bernadette Brady,
“This is a family of eclipses that brings with it the element of the pleasant surprise. Sudden happiness, a joyful event, the lucky break, the lucky win. The events which will be occurring can be believed and can positively change the person’s life.”
This eclipse will be especially significant if you have planets or angle at 23 degrees Leo or Aquarius.
February 11
Brisbane: 10:32am
New Zealand: 1:32pm
Singapore: 8:32am
February 10
New York: 7:32pm
Where are you hoping for a lucky break or a life changing positive event?
