The most potent of all astrological phenomenon are eclipses. They’re astrology’s version of Darth Vader. Don’t mess with them. They are triggers that can transform both you and the world forever. Dun, dun, duuun.

People have been afraid of eclipses for thousands of years. HUMOR. During an eclipse, the Sun or moon seems to disappear. Ancient people were terrified when the Sun went dark in the sky during a solar eclipse. They thought the Gods were angry because eclipses often occurred at the same time as major weather or climate events – like earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, and tsunamis.

Eclipses are times of radical change and surprise. The energy of the world feels heavier. Random and unpredictable things happen – not the way you expect and almost always out of your control. They bring about big changes in your life. You get a bad health report. Your house burns down. You get sued. 

Eclipses are also warning signals. They hit you over the head with the truth, whether you want it or not. You may accidentally get a text or a call from an unknown number that makes you see someone or something negatively. And you can’t unsee or unhear it. You can’t put the toothpaste can’t be put back into the tube. This knowledge changes things forever. Your only option is to move forward.

Eclipses force you to confront things, whether you’re ready or not. They want you to focus on things in your life that you may be neglecting or ignoring. You know that convo you’ve been avoiding with your boyfriend about forgetting your birthday? Well, it’s probably going to happen during an eclipse whether you’re ready for it or not.

Eclipses also affect you mentally and psychologically. They bring things to the surface that you didn’t even know were an issue. Let’s say someone says something to you that rubs you the wrong way, but you don’t know why. During an eclipse, you may suddenly remember that it was the same thing your Aunt said to you that affected how you see yourself.

If you get gut instincts around this time, don’t dismiss them. This is not a good time to ignore anything. You should also watch your health. You may feel more tired and worn out.

Ultimately, like everything in astrology, an eclipse's goal is to help you learn, grow and transform. It can release issues from your life by making you deal with them. It helps you know that it’s time to pick yourself up and move on.

There are two main types of eclipses – lunar and solar. Eclipses happen between four and seven times every year, but some are considered partial. Eclipses of the Moon and Sun happen roughly twice a year about two weeks apart during “eclipse seasons”. These are 30-35 day periods during the year when there will be at least two eclipses. Typically there are two “eclipse seasons” a year roughly six months apart.

A “total” eclipse happens only once every hundred years. The last one was August 21, 2017.  

Not everyone will be affected by every eclipse. If the degree of your Sun, moon, or ascendant connects to the degree of the eclipse, you'll feel it more strongly. It will also affect you more significantly. Something will be triggered in your life that may need your immediate attention. It could relate to things that are important to you like money, family, love, or health.

Even if your chart is hit directly by the eclipse, you may not feel its effects on the exact day it happens. It’s more of an unfolding process over the next few months. You may even feel pressure building just before an eclipse.