I have always looked at eclipses as wild cards in astrology because on one hand they can obscure or hide things (as the moon blocks the sun or earth’s shadow overcasts the moon) making things fail to materialize as expected. Yet on the other hand they can reveal what is hidden (as the stars and planets can be revealed during the day during a solar eclipse and in the moon’s near proximity during a lunar eclipse) and show us opportunities or options we were previously unaware of. So, if something fails to materialize as expected – WAIT. It may still come to pass, though either not on time or not in the way you thought. If something is perplexing – WAIT. More options may be revealed.
Of course, every eclipse will affect us differently and how it affects us will differ from others depending on our charts. It is important to know the house where the eclipses land in your chart. (There are always 2 eclipses: a solar and a lunar at consecutive new and full moons, or vise versa – either can occur first. At time there can be eclipses at 3 consecutive new and full moons, either solar-lunar-solar or lunar-solar-lunar.) Vedic Astrology typically uses whole sign houses. The houses of Sagittarius and Gemini will be the houses that are affected for you.
The Solar Eclipse on December 25, 2019 at 11:54 PM EST occurs just before the New Moon on December 26th at 1:13 AM EST. The solar eclipse occurs at 09°19’ Sagittarius in Mula Nakshatra (the New Moon is at 9°52’ Sagittarius, Mula Nakshatra). Because Solar Eclipses occur when a New Moon aligns with one of the Nodes (so Sun-Moon-Node in conjunction), they tend to obscure or reveal something related to beginnings or the start of a cycle. The Lunar Eclipse on January 10, 2020 at 2:02 PM EST occurs just before the Full Moon at 2:21 PM EST. Both the New Moon and Lunar Eclipse occur at 25°40’ Gemini in Punarvasu Nakshatra. These are the sidereal zodiac degrees using Lahiri ayanamsha. Because Lunar Eclipses occur when a Full Moon aligns with one of the Nodes (so Moon-Node opposite Sun-Node), they tend to obscure or reveal something related to fruition or the culmination of a cycle. The Gemini-Sagittarius axis is about learning. Gemini learns facts and shares them with others. It is related to the thinking mind and concepts of the rational mind. Sagittarius learns and shares through broadening experience. It is related to the philosophical mind and concepts that are spiritual, moral and ethical.
The next layer to add is which node is involved in the eclipse. Both Nodes tend to relate to doubt, confusion and illusion but in their own way. Rahu the head of the serpent relates to doubts, confusion and illusions on the path ahead and illusions born from the attachments to what we think we need or want. Ketu the tail of the serpent relates to doubts, confusion and illusions from the past and self-doubt born from past experiences or psychological programming. Rahu is more material, going after the attainment of things that will think make us happy when really happiness comes from within not things or status or other people. Ketu is more spiritual, where the tail thrashes back and forth because it is getting glimpse of the material illusion that we tend to see through loss of what we thought we needed.
Putting Together the Energies of the Eclipses
The New Moon Solar Eclipse on December 25th/26th (depending where you live) is formed by Ketu, the south lunar node in conjunction with the Sun and Moon. It is in Sagittarius and Mula Nakshatra. Mula means root. Its symbol is tied roots. The Galactic Center runs through Mula. Mula is a sharp Nakshatra presided over by Nirriti, the Goddess of Death and Destruction. And it is a Ketu Nakshatra. So we have symbolism of a central root (Mula) related to doubts, confusion and illusions of the past (Ketu) and the way we expand our experiences and philosophical or spiritual mind (Sagittarius). This makes for a good time to examine our core values, ethics and morals at our core. Are we walking our talk, practicing what we preach, acting in accord to our beliefs? Mula has the Shakti Power to destroy the root to create. This means we have to do some depth exploration to see if there is a weed growing in the spiritual garden of our self-talk that needs to be destroyed because it causing us confusion, self-doubt or illusions that are getting in the way of our spiritual progress. Pulling that weed up from its root is the metaphorical way to begin a new cycle for the New Year where we align with the light in our soul, work toward spiritual growth and actualizing our true dharma or purpose at this time in our lives. By ferreting out the obscuring darkness (aka ignorance or negativity) within, new light can be revealed to us.
The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on January 10th is formed by Rahu, the north lunar node in conjunction with the Moon. It is in Gemini and Punarvasu Nakshatra. Punarvasu means return of the light. Its symbol is a quiver of arrows. It is a moveable Nakshatra presided over by Aditi the Mother of Gods. And it is a Jupiter Nakshatra. So we have arrow symbolism of direction and aim (Punarvasu) related to doubts, confusion and illusion of where we are headed (Rahu) and the way we exchange concepts, thoughts and ideas with others and ourselves in our own chattering minds (Gemini). This makes for a good time to aim to bring in the light (higher knowledge, God) to cast out the shadows of the past (Ketu’s Solar Eclipse occurring first in Mula) as we go forward in our quest and intent that began at the new moon. Punarvasu brings renewal and has the Shakti Power to gain strength and substance to restore order. This these two eclipses are like clearing the past, making things anew and feeling the renewal that brings as we go forth into the New Year, keeping in mind that our quiver of arrows should aim true to our dharma and highest good as we point them in the direction of growth.
Look at your chart and the opposite houses that these eclipses fall in to see what areas of life are most impacted for pulling up roots of negativity and brining in the light of renewal and growth.
Sagittarius – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 1st house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 7th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of your negative self-talk or the habits that are harming your body. Look to your healthy relationships for strength, support and direction on the path to a new You.
Capricorn – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 12th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 6th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of debts and that which brings you sorrow or suffering. Look for ways to promote positive habits for a healthier body-mind or find renewal and direction through service.
Aquarius – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 11th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 5th house. Set the intention to pull up roots related to groups or friends that feed on negativity. Spend more time with children, be playful, be creative and use your intellect in a way that brings renewal to your inner light.
Pisces – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 10th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 4th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of negativity in the work place or related to your public status. Create a spiritual space in your home for strength, support and renewal that fills you with love, light & happiness.
Aries – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 9th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 3rd house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of negativity in your beliefs and philosophies. Let your courage be your strength and look to your allies for support. You may find renewal through your hobbies.
Taurus – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 8th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 2nd house. Set the intention to pull up the roots related to your actions or non-actions that bring crisis in your life. You may discover a source of strength, support or renewal through your family or through creating a savings plan.
Gemini – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 7th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 1st house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of resentment with important relationships that ended badly. You may find peace, light and renewal lifts the dark heavy space within you. Learn and grow from this experience.
Cancer – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 6th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 12th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of negative habits impact your health or the way you serve. Strengthening your spiritual practice can bring you a sense of direction. Selfless service can bring a sense of renewal.
Leo – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 5th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 11th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots of negativity related to your children, creativity or intellect. Look to groups and friends for strength and support in new directions that lead to gains on your dharmic path.
Virgo – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 4th house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 10th house. Set the intention to weed out negativity related to your early upbringing that gets in the way of your current happiness. Look for strength and renewal through fulfilling your dharma in career or society.
Libra – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 3rd house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 9th house. Set the intention to weed out negative communications and thoughts that undermine your courage and prowess. Look to your morals, ethics and spiritual practice brings you strength and renewal.
Scorpio – The Solar Eclipse falls in your 2nd house and the Lunar Eclipse falls in your 8th house. Set the intention to pull up the roots related to negative spending habits and poverty consciousness. It may open you up to receive other’s resources, a loan, or reveal renewal where there was crisis.