On Saturday, October 14th, 2023 we will experience a solar eclipse at 21 degrees of Libra. The moon will be blocking out the sun's rays temporarily. Here is a visibility chart, it will be visible in North America, starting at the Oregon coast. Check your birth chart (you can get a free one at astro.com) to see what area of your life will be impacted the most. For example, if it falls in the 9th house, of higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel you might find a new partnership in this area will be fruitful, but it may create some upheaval, as eclipses often do. Whereas if it falls in your twelfth house, a new creative or spiritual partnership, or recovery sponsor, could be just the thing. The eclipse is at its peak at 10:55 am PST. Set intentions about new beginnings after seeing what arises during the lead-up to the eclipse. What would be helpful to focus on?

The sun, moon, and Mercury, will be close together in Libra and opposite Chiron (the wounded healer), Eris (the warrior woman) and the North Node in Aries. This creates tension between themes of individuality (Aries) and partnership (Libra). There is a sense of isolation and a need to fight for what is right whatever the cause (Chiron & Eris in Aries, respectively). The sign of Libra is very moderate, so I expect this eclipse to be a little softer than usual. Mercury in Libra wants to soothe and balance through communicating. Mercury is in mutual reception with Venus in Virgo. Venus is sextile Mars in one of its signs of rulership. There is a lot of positivity here to facilitate new growth in the area of relationships. Communicating now can yield softer, supportive, yet reality-oriented discussions. Meanwhile, Venus in Virgo and Mars in Scorpio respectively bring love down to Earth and add a lot of depth to the flighty Libra and fighty Aries energies. 

Most of the intensity of the moment comes more from the opposing Aries energies and the wide square to Pluto. Pluto has just started moving forward (it stationed direct on 10/11), so its impacts may be stronger right now. There should also be some sense of relief as it starts to move forward. 

The T-square we are experiencing during the eclipse, (an opposition coupled with a square,) is a very tense energy dynamic. My preferred way of managing T-square energy is to find solace in the sign that opposes the squaring planet. That energy tends to be reassuring and far less complicated. For the eclipse, the sign is Cancer. Cancer has to do with emotions, family, and home. Take some time to nurture yourself and others in your family or in the home environment. Connect to reliably supportive family members or show care through food. Remember that taking care of your emotions is an important part of being a good person to yourself and others.

Eclipse energies that are felt personally can last quite a while, sometimes taking 6 months or even 18 months to fully work themselves out fully. If you have planets around 16-27 degrees of the cardinal signs (Libra, Capricorn, Aries, or Cancer) this could be you. In this case, the main questions that come up will likely be around whether you have given too much of yourself for relationships (Libra). If there is fighting, why? Has someone been neglected? Is there a just cause that can't be resolved with the person you're involved with? Sometimes it may be better for everyone to call it a draw and hope for a brighter future with someone else. It is a good time to start a new relationship, although there could be something about it that feels startling or disruptive. 

While eclipse watching is a pastime, I find it more helpful to stay inside and engage in contemplative practices.