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| from Tarot of the Pagan Cats |
Astronomically speaking, a solar eclipse is when the Moon appears to travel across and 'hide' the sun from those of us on Earth. It is simply when the rotation of the Moon brings it between the Sun and us. A lunar eclipse is when it appears that the Moon is consumed by darkness. It is simply the Sun behind the Earth. The Earth then casts its shadow upon the Moon.
Astrologically speaking, eclipses have always meant big changes.
Solar Eclipse: A Time to Sow
A solar eclipse joins the life-giving energy of the Sun with the mysterious and spiritual nature of the Moon. As the Moon slides over the Sun, it is sometimes said that the energy of the spirit and rationality combine anew. This is a process that repeats itself many times over our lives.
First, think of the New Moon. This is the dark moon; when our closest stellar neighbor isn't in her normal darkened sky but instead travels the daytime sky with the Sun. As the moon goes back into the night sky it appears to wax, or grow. The New Moon period is a time to plant, to start, to begin anew.
Solar Eclipses are considered beginnings. A Solar Eclipse takes the growing energy of a New Moon and supercharges it. You may feel the urge to begin a new project, find a new job, seek a new lover. You may find yourself seeking to enter a new stage of life, travel, seek new challenges or completely conquer an existing obstacle. Some people may experience a restlessness that they normally wouldn't feel. Others may simply feel emotionally raw; as if each emotion was new again. Every astrological sign is affected slightly differently.
Eclipse energy can be felt for quite a while. Most people will begin to feel it slightly some three months before the event. Everyone will feel it the two weeks surrounding the event. For many it may feel like slight anxiety. Reverberations can be felt by sensitive types for several years after a full eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse: A Time to Reap
Just like in Tarot, the Moon is a font of the unconscious self. As the Moon fills up, so does its pull on our collective unconscious. We feel more strongly, react more instinctively. As the Moon wanes so does its ability to tug on our emotions. It becomes time to finalize and let go of things holding us back.
A Lunar Eclipse takes the energies of the Full and Waning Moons a step further. It can be thought of as our 'shadow side' coming out from behind the light. Our emotions will run stronger. We are all about our relationships and how they make us feel - not so much their logistics or structure! We will look for new perspectives and work to shed those things that no longer fit who and what we are.
During a Lunar Eclipse the Sun and the Moon, symbols of our emotional and mental selves, are at opposite points. In a way, it is a visual reminder to not get too hung up on materiel concerns. Actions and decisions made around this time will make a lasting impression and bring awareness. They generally do it in a way that is unexpected; forewarned is forearmed. The energies of a Lunar Eclipse are strongest the two days before and for two days afterwards. Sensitive individuals may notice them for a week afterwards.
In Tarot
The Sun card is noted for being one of the most optimistic cards in a deck. It is expansive spirituality, joy de vive - life itself. The Moon is not known as being so optimistic. It's the card of the shadowed self, our unconscious with all its hidden horrors. The stars (our heavenly backdrop, so to speak!) in the Star speak of a creature with one foot on land (practicality of the Sun) and another in water (intuition of the Moon). Balance, perhaps?
Astrologically the Sun card is paired with the Sun while the Moon card is paired with Pisces. The Star is paired with Aquarius. Some say that a reading that features these cards in a positive aspect to each other could point to something written in the stars. Myself, I like to keep an open mind.
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