Q. What is an Eclipse?

A. A Solar Eclipse is at New Moon when the Moon crosses between the Earth and the Sun. This can be a Partial Eclipse where the shadow obscures only a portion of the Solar disc or a Total Eclipse where the Sun is completely masked for a few minutes in time. Ancients would find this phenomenon very frightening and it was looked on as a rather auspicious time for them.

A Lunar Eclipse is at Full Moon when the Earth crosses between the Sun and the Moon creating a shadow across the Moon’s surface. This too can be either Partial or Total. It is longer lasting than the Solar eclipse usually taking around 2 hrs.

Astrologically the effects of eclipses will depend how they affect the chart in question. This is done by looking at the Eclipse degree (the zodiacal position that the eclipse occurred in) and seeing if it makes strong aspects to anything in the chart in question.

Q. How often do Eclipses occur?

A. Usually there will be 4 Eclipses per year. A Solar eclipse and Lunar eclipse 2 weeks apart and then roughly 5 months later another Solar and Lunar two weeks apart. This can also flip flop having a Lunar then a Solar. Very occasionally there can be an extra eclipse, having 3 in a row as in a Lunar, 2 weeks later a Solar and 2 weeks later another partial Lunar but this is very rare.

Q. What happens Astrologically if an Eclipse makes strong aspects in your natal chart.?

A. If the Eclipse degree makes a strong aspect, particularly a conjunction to the Sun or the Moon in your natal chart, that 12 to 18 month period, from just before the eclipse into early the following year with be eventful. It often indicates major change on some level. This will depend on where it is in your chart and what houses and planets are being influenced.