Think of an eclipse as a specific energy matrix that comes along and, no matter what else is happening in your chart at the moment, POW! this energy pattern is superimposed like a lightning strike. If an eclipse makes close contact to a natal planet or point, it’s important you read this as a Universal energy (the eclipse) affecting personal ones, meaning the shape the eclipse energy takes in your life will be highly unique, in terms of your experience and your response. The nature of the contacted natal energy becomes vital in understanding how the event will play out. For example, if it contacts the Moon, you may not be consciously aware of what’s happening, or with something like Saturn, the effects may come from interaction with authorities, or some form of external oppression, or some real-world event or consequences. In any case, we don’t want to miss the energy wave we can ride in our destined direction, even as we must proceed with caution in terms of what changes we institute; changes can be not just long lasting, but irrevocable, so choices should be examined to the point of tedium before we commit.

Don’t forget: an eclipse is just a New or Full Moon where, from our point of view here on Earth, it seems one body occults another, but that appears so only because the bodies (Earth, Sun, Moon) are aligned. In a Solar eclipse the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking our view of the Sun (we’re in the Moon’s shadow), and in a Lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the Moon and Sun, throwing our shadow on the Moon. Now back to the astrology of it.

An eclipse to a natal body doesn’t seem to energize/ set into motion the natal planet and its aspects in their natal manifestations, as we might normally expect, at least, not strongly; instead it seems to bring to life Archetypal and/ or Mythological energies of the body in question. It’s like the legends and stories for which the entity is known or named come to life in some form. This seems to be true for all the planets and for the commonly watched asteroids (Chiron, Pallas, Vesta, Juno), but the impact is less direct on points in the chart (the Nodes, the Midheaven, the Ascendant, the Part of Fortune, and so on), as they don’t seem to be as responsive to the ‘lighting up’ to which the planets, lights, and asteroids are sensitive. Keep a very tight orb when looking for eclipse effects. I typically use a 1 degree maximum either side of the eclipse degree and minute in determining aspects to natal placements, with these important exceptions: contact to the Ascendant, Sun, Moon, or chart ruler, to which I allow a 2 degree orb.

A few observed effects from previous eclipses: falling on the natal Moon an eclipse ushers in a period of extreme sensitivity, and sometimes confusion and mystery–it seems as if ‘the details’ are just unobtainable, or that they are as changeable as the Moon itself. To the natal Sun, look for major change in how others perceive you, and/ or in how you perceive yourself–there might also be a surge in personal confidence, a kind of ‘Apollo Effect,’ and a possible protective effect in situations where you might otherwise expect physical injury or in changes to the body or life situation that normally would strike at the Self-concept. When an eclipse hits Mercury the Trickster may rear its head in all manner of chaos or disguises–brace for disruption and, with openness to input, illumination. Venus conveys an aura of protection, a certain grace to move through difficulties–watch closely how the values, relationships, and what you ‘love’ changes between the hit by the eclipse and the next eclipse set six months after–and sometimes contact to Venus brings a ‘Midas Touch,’ while Mars seems to trigger situations that, while not exactly negative, require the mustering of the Self-defense mechanisms and the pushing forward of the Will, generally for positive results if one can avoid a loss of temper.

Jupiter seems to bring opportunity, though this can have positive or negative consequences, depending on the personal capacity for Self-discipline and the ability to discern true possibilities from hype; the sudden ‘opening up’ of one’s world or opportunities can be enlivening or threatening, and can send the life careening off its previous course. With Saturn one may face the usual unexplained restriction to efforts, and the slowing down of that which seemed to be proceeding well, even a sudden graying of the hair or physical deterioration, a clear manifestation of Saturn as time’s representative, though some will see the manifestation of a long-held and worked for goal.

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all seem to bring varying degrees of upset, uncertainty, and upheaval (not necessarily negative) to associated circumstances, particularly to the house where the natal planet is posited, or to affairs of the House it rules. I can only guess that this is generally disruptive simply because so few of us have a solid, conscious handle on the majority of these heavier energies, though Neptune can usher in, until the next eclipse set, a period of extraordinary creativity for those so inclined, Uranus can bring enhanced capacities to the functioning of the Higher Mind, and Pluto can signal a re-birth, phoenix-like, from the ashes. With Chiron, a period of personal crisis centered on the wound, or on manifesting the gift is promised–a life changing choice may be presented between contact and the next eclipse set. With Vesta, crisis in sexuality or in commitment of some kind (such as to the family, within a sexual relationship, or to a particular domestic role), also usually forcing a choice, while with Pallas the effects I’ve seen have been relatively mild and similar to the calling forth of strength that we observe with Mars activation. Ceres often requires a ‘letting go,’ and possibly an appropriate period of mourning after, while Juno may bring crisis in marriage or with the mate, centered on fidelity and/ or the sharing of power within the relationship, or Juno configured with an eclipse can bring tremendous Self-empowerment, a loss of same, or possibly a power balance showdown with the partner. To the Ascendant or Midheaven: unavoidable change change change! Not necessarily under your control, and not necessarily something we have a choice about.

Don’t neglect the Houses these contacted natal bodies rule in interpreting the eclipse effects for yourself; they can be vital clues as to what part of your life may be affected.

Commentary on the eclipse will follow.