As baby astrologers, when first introduced to Eclipses they’re often presented as rather frightening transits with a heaping of doom and gloom on the side, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients or students in freakout mode when eclipse season looms on the horizon. And doing a quick google search it’s easy to see why - tales of loss, endings, breakdowns - the outlook can be seem pretty grim.

However, eclipses hold the potential for great change and opportunity - and yes at times it may come through a shocking turn of events - but if an eclipse is directly impacting a natal planet, it can also be a fast-track of personal evolution, just with a few growing pains in the process.

Did you know Eclipses occur twice every 6 months - that’s 4 times a year! They are not rare events collectively (although some aspects within eclipses can be!), but having an eclipse aspect your natal chart is a more rare and important occurrence, and happens to everyone at different times in life. This is why astrology is an invaluable resource to support your own personal development and evolution as you get a glimpse into your personal rhythms and cycles within a great cosmic thread.

So I wanted to share some helpful tips for you when Eclipse season rolls around - to remind you to check your chart and see if your number is up this time or not for an incoming eclipse portal. Is it a time of personal transformation and regeneration for you? Or are you perhaps a bystander or support for someone else for their own transformation - an important distinction!

1. Not everyone is affected by every eclipse.

Yes you read that right! We may all feel the collective build up around the themes of the transit nodes and lunar cycle, but those who have planets or angles within 0-2 degrees of the eclipse itself will be experiencing the most pressure and urge for change. This is why it's so important to know your own chart to understand your own personal cycles for when eclipses do impact you directly.

2. There is no need to ritual!

The eclipse itself is the ritual. The nature of an eclipse is to begin or end something, so there is no need to try and force or work with "the energies" and spirits etc at this time - to be honest it's far too volatile in the cosmos to expend your energy trying to "manipulate" change - as this is often coming from your ego, and is not change that is initiated by divine, cosmic order. Step back, rest, reflect and allow the cosmos to make some stellar moves for you!

3. Eclipses come in series - look for the full story

Eclipses come in pairs, and being aligned with the nodes they follow an 18 year cycle or series of completion, requiring a look at the bigger picture. These are never just singular events, and often what shifts an eclipse may bring to you are based on a repeated cycle you have been experiencing long term, whether you are conscious of it or not! Look back 16-18 years ago to see what events were shaping your growth and evolution at the time, and see how far you've come and what foundations you can build upon this time around. You can also look at around 8-9 years ago for the nodal opposition - meaning that what you are now releasing is what you were initiating and beginning when the nodes were in opposite signs to now. Food for thought and a deeper dive for the cosmically curious!

4. Time feels warped during an eclipse

Especially in the voidal space between the eclipses. Things often don't make a whole lot of sense at this time - and that's part of the process. We need to let go of control as much as possible as this voidal space is where the magic actually happens! A lot is going on behind the scenes that is beyond your control, so trust the unfoldment of events. Clarity will come once the storm has passed.

5. Listen to the portents and omens

The cosmos is very revealing during eclipse season - Of choices to be made, of peoples' intent and true motives and ways to move forward. Trust what you feel at this time, as things shown to you around an eclipse have a spotlight shone on them. Just remember, these choices don't need to be forced, an eclipse has a way of playing a hand for you. and if there is ever a time to "trust your vibes", it's during an eclipse. If something or someone is "eclipsed" out, it is often unexpected and for reasons beyond your control - like a friend is moving away, a boss or colleague quits their job, you meet a new lover/partner etc. It all comes back to the first point about whether you are in the line of sight for the eclipse or if it's someone elses turn for change!