Eclipse Wisdom: What Lunar & Solar Eclipses Mean; and How to Move Through Their Energy

Eclipses are not just cosmic events; they are cosmic accelerators of profound change. They always come in pairs, two weeks apart, reshaping timelines and nudging us toward the very lessons our souls designed into this life’s journey.

In astrology, eclipses always involve the nodal axis: the North Node (our destination) and the South Node (our past). Technically, the Sun and Moon align with the nodal axis within a 10° margin, or orb. Energetically, that’s why eclipses feel intensely personal and potent; we’re working with the self (Sun), emotions (Moon), and purpose (nodes) all at once.

Astronomical Basics (Plain and Simple)

Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon)

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth slips between the Sun and the Moon, aligning them perfectly so the Earth’s shadow obscures the Moon’s light. It always happens at a Full Moon, when the Sun and Moon are opposite one another.

This is a highly intense time; often marked by quick developments, high points, and significant achievements that reveal what’s ready to be completed or released.

Solar Eclipse (New Moon)

A solar eclipse occurs during a New Moon, when the Sun and Moon are conjunct (together), within 10° of the nodal axis. You can think of it as a “triple conjunction”: Sun + Moon + Node clustered together.

Astronomically, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, temporarily blocking the Sun’s light. The impact of solar eclipses in astrology is profound; they signal powerful cosmic developments and the beginning of a new chapter.

The next Solar Eclipse will take place at 29° Virgo on September 21 (Eastern Time). It marks the end of one cycle and the initiation of fresh beginnings; new seasons of life, relationships, jobs, career changes, romance, family additions (weddings, babies), and even transformations in the home.

The Astrological Core: The Nodes Make It Distinctive

Eclipses only happen when the luminaries meet the

North and South Nodes; those energetic points that map both our life design and our choices within it. The North Node represents our future, our growth edges, and the new skills we need to develop. The South Node, on the other hand, represents our past, the patterns we’ve mastered, and the things we need to release. The natal chart shows the blueprint we brought with us, but we always have free will in how we engage with the possibilities.

Because eclipses are tied to the nodal axis, a pair in itself, events tend to unfold across paired themes: me/we, home/career, past/future, holding on/letting go.

Solar Eclipse (New Moon): New doors open. Circumstances reset. You step into roles, commitments, and directions aligned with your life design.
Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon): Truths surface. Chapters reach a finale. Emotional clarity helps you make choices, complete tasks, and let go with certainty beyond logic.

“Suspicions,” Superstitions & What Helps

Across cultures, eclipses have been viewed with awe and sometimes fear. You may hear cautions like “don’t manifest”or “don’t do magic” during an eclipse. Here’s my grounded take:

Do simplify. Eclipse windows are excellent for clearing your calendar, grounding, and listening more than pushing.
Do observe. Notice what’s surfacing without forcing outcomes. Let revelations land.
Do nurture your nervous system. Hydrate, rest, journal, and go easy on stimulants and doom-scrolling.
Ease up on elaborate intention-setting. Eclipses already set the intention. A simple journal note like “I allow aligned beginnings/necessary endings” is more than enough.
If a big decision lands in your lap, honor it. Take a breath if you can. If you must act, do so with clarity and compassion.

No fear needed; just respect for the potency. Think of it as a spiritual weather advisory: prioritize presence and self-care while the cosmic winds change direction. This is a time to nurture yourself and your nervous system, to hydrate, rest, and go easy on stimulants and doom-scrolling.

How to Work with an Eclipse (Step by Step)

Locate the Eclipse Houses. Find the degrees of the eclipses and see which two houses they touch in your natal chart. Those life areas are your active storyline.
Name the Theme. Is it identity vs. partnership? Home vs. career? Wellness vs. rest? Knowing the axis gives instant context.
Track the Node’s Influence.
- North Node involvement: growth edges, new skills, stretching into the future.
- South Node involvement: release, mastery, and completion of old patterns.
Choose Your Role. Solar eclipses call for initiation; lunar eclipses favor discernment and completion. Either way, act from grounded presence.
Create Rituals of Care (not control). Simple, soothing practices beat complicated ceremonies: breathwork, journaling, a salt bath, tidying a sacred corner, or a quiet walk to watch the light shift.

Quick Guide: Solar vs. Lunar

Solar Eclipse (New Moon, Sun–Moon conjunct, within 10° of the nodes)
New beginnings, visible starts, announcements, relocations, new jobs, launches, proposals, family additions, and home shifts. The “lights go out” briefly so a new light can turn on.
Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon, Sun–Moon opposite, aligned with the nodes):
Finishes, realizations, conclusions, and emotional truth.

What to Avoid (If Possible)

Over-scheduling. Build margin into your calendar.
Forcing outcomes. If a door swings, respect its timing; if it won’t budge, that’s information. Never force outcomes.
Reacting from adrenaline. Let the first wave pass. Respond, don’t reflex.

A Note on Timing

Eclipses come in pairs, oscillating across the identical two houses of your chart. That’s why you’ll often see related themes pop up around each one; they’re chapters in the same story. The shifts may feel sudden, but the fusion unfolds over time as you assimilate the lessons.

Ready to Personalize It?

If you’d like help pinpointing where the next eclipses land in your chart and what doors they’re likely to open (or close), I offer a gentle, insight-rich Personal (Eclipse) Transits Forecast. We’ll map your eclipse houses, nodal themes, and practical timing so you can move forward with confidence rather than guesswork.

✨ Get on the waitlist for my Eclipse Workshop (coming next year)by emailing ev@holistichealingastrology.com or texting 757-513-7771. Or book your Personal (Eclipse) Transits Forecast. If you need help pulling your natal chart, I’m happy to assist.

Eclipses don’t ask you to be perfect; they ask you to be present. When you align with the Sun, Moon, and nodes, you align with your next, evolved chapter.