Eclipses have fascinated humanity for millennia, seen as both celestial wonders and omens of change. In astrology, they mark powerful turning points, moments when the cosmic balance shifts, unveiling what was once hidden and setting new cycles into motion. Whether solar or lunar, each eclipse acts as a portal for transformation, realignment, and karmic revelations.
Here, we’ll explore the general meaning of eclipses, but if you’re looking for insights on specific eclipses, we’ll be sharing brief posts with horoscopes for each one on the Born Under Saturn Instagram page and here on the blog. Follow us for upcoming updates!
What Is an Eclipse? A Brief Astronomical & Astrological Overview
Eclipses act as catalysts for transformation, often accelerating events that feel destined. They mark moments when the cosmos intervenes, nudging us toward change, revelations, and realignments. But what exactly are eclipses, and how do they influence us?
Let’s explore the two types of eclipses we can be blessed by, their meanings, and the deeper impact they hold in astrology.
The Two Types of Eclipses: Solar & Lunar
Eclipses occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, a phenomenon known as syzygy, temporarily obscuring either the Sun or the Moon. However, due to the Moon’s tilted orbit, these alignments don’t happen every month, but only when the celestial bodies meet at specific points in their cycles.
A solar eclipse takes place during a New Moon, when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that can either partially or completely block sunlight.
A lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs during a Full Moon, when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Moon to darken as it passes through Earth’s shadow. Depending on how deep it enters this shadow, a lunar eclipse can be penumbral, partial, or total.
In astrology, the difference between these two eclipses is key. Solar eclipses spark new beginnings, dramatic shifts, and bold opportunities, often pushing us into uncharted territory.
Lunar eclipses, however, bring closures, revelations, and emotional turning points, highlighting what must be released or transformed. While solar eclipses propel us forward, lunar eclipses invite reflection, urging us to let go of what no longer serves us.
The Role of the Lunar Nodes in Eclipse Cycles
Eclipses don’t occur randomly, they always happen near the lunar nodes, two mathematical points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic (the Sun’s apparent path in the sky). These points, known as the North Node and South Node, are deeply tied to themes of destiny, karmic lessons, and soul evolution in astrology.
The North Node represents growth, purpose, and the direction we are meant to move toward in this lifetime, often pushing us out of our comfort zones. The South Node, on the other hand, is linked to past patterns, familiar energies, and what we need to release or transform. When eclipses activate these points, they bring fated events, life-changing shifts, and opportunities for deep personal evolution.
This is why eclipses feel so intense, they aren’t just regular lunations. They act as cosmic accelerators, aligning us with our greater life path, sometimes through unexpected disruptions or awakenings.
Curious about where your nodes are in your birth chart? Calculate your birth chart here.
What Is an Eclipse Season?
Eclipses don’t happen in isolation, they occur in pairs or clusters during what astrologers call eclipse season, a period of heightened intensity when the Sun is within approximately 18 degrees of the lunar nodes. Each eclipse season lasts about five to six weeks, bringing significant shifts, revelations, and course corrections in our lives.
Since eclipses come in solar-lunar pairs, their effects unfold in a sequence: a solar eclipse may introduce a new chapter, while the following lunar eclipse brings closure or emotional insight related to that shift. These seasons often feel like times of acceleration, where changes that might have taken months or even years unfold rapidly.
Eclipse seasons occur twice a year, and their themes are linked to the zodiac signs where the eclipses take place. This means that each eclipse season carries its own unique energy, influencing different areas of life depending on the signs and houses activated in your birth chart.
🌑 Want to know when the 2025 eclipses are happening? Here are the Eclipse Dates:
- Lunar Eclipse in Virgo — March 14, 2025
- Solar Eclipse in Aries — March 29, 2025
- Lunar Eclipse in Pisces — September 8, 2025
- Solar Eclipse in Virgo — September 22, 2025
What Happens in Eclipse Season, Astrologically Speaking?
Eclipse season is a time of cosmic acceleration, a period when life seems to move at double speed, pushing us toward necessary growth, revelations, and shifts. Unlike regular New and Full Moons, which bring subtle transitions, eclipses act as powerful catalysts, often triggering events that feel fated or beyond our control.
During this period, you may experience sudden endings, breakthroughs, or unexpected opportunities that realign your path. Old patterns, relationships, or situations that no longer serve your evolution might be illuminated and released, while new doors open in unpredictable ways.
But eclipses aren’t just about sudden events, they are part of a larger cosmic cycle designed to keep us aligned with our personal and collective evolution. These seasons highlight themes we’ve been avoiding, bringing clarity to areas where transformation is long overdue.
Each eclipse season is tied to a specific zodiac axis, meaning the eclipses will fall in two opposing signs, shaping the lessons and energy of that cycle. For example:
What Does Eclipse Season Mean for Relationships?
Last year, during the Libra Solar Eclipse in October 2024, we received a question on the Born Under Saturn Instagram page about eclipses and relationships. It was clear that many people automatically associate eclipses with romantic or personal connections. But is this always the case? Well, yes and no.
Eclipses don’t inherently focus on relationships, they trigger themes based on the zodiac axis they activate. When an eclipse occurs in Libra, the sign of partnerships, it naturally highlights themes of love, balance, and interpersonal dynamics. But not all eclipses are relationship-centric. A Virgo or Pisces eclipse, for example, may focus on personal healing or spiritual growth, but these themes can still ripple into relationships in more indirect ways.
Because eclipses represent major life shifts, they inevitably affect multiple areas of our lives, including our connections with others. Even when the eclipse isn’t directly tied to relationships, the general changes it sparks can influence them.
Here’s a brief, general overview of how eclipses can influence relationships:
- For strong relationships, eclipses can be a turning point—deepening commitment, prompting important conversations, or ushering in a new phase together.
- For unstable connections, they may bring sudden endings, realignments, or necessary truths to the surface, showing us where things are no longer working.
For single individuals, eclipses can introduce fated encounters, reconnect people from the past, or shift perspectives on love and connection.
FAQs About Eclipses
As we mentioned earlier, we’ve received many questions on Born Under Saturn’s Instagram page during past eclipses. There are two in particular that we want to answer, but before we do, let’s clarify something.
A common theme in astrology, not just with eclipses, is people asking: “How can I use this energy?” “What should I do or avoid?” While these are valid questions, the most honest answer is: follow what feels right for you. Astrology isn’t about rigid rules, it’s about awareness, inspiration, and alignment.
With that in mind, the answers below are not strict do’s and don’ts, but rather suggestions and perspectives to help you navigate eclipse energy in a way that resonates with you.
What Should You Not Do During Eclipse Season?
There’s no absolute right or wrong way to move through an eclipse. That said, many astrologers observe that eclipses bring heightened intensity, rapid change, and cosmic realignment, which might make certain actions feel more aligned than others. Here are a few things that may be useful to keep in mind:
- Give yourself time before making big decisions. Eclipses often bring hidden information to light, so what seems like the right choice in the moment may look different once the energy settles. If possible, allow space for clarity before committing to major changes.
- Manifestation may not work as expected. Unlike regular New and Full Moons, eclipses tend to bring fated events that are beyond our control. Instead of setting intentions, consider observing what naturally unfolds and adjusting accordingly.
- Let go of what is leaving, rather than resisting. Eclipses are known for accelerating necessary shifts, even the ones we didn’t expect. Clinging too tightly to the past may create unnecessary tension, while embracing change can open new doors.
- Be mindful of emotional intensity. Lunar eclipses, in particular, can stir deep emotions and subconscious patterns. If you find yourself feeling reactive, take a step back and reflect before making impulsive choices in relationships or personal matters.
- Ultimately, eclipses aren’t something to fear, they are opportunities for realignment. Instead of trying to control the outcome, allow events to unfold and observe where the universe is guiding you.
How to Work with Eclipse Energy Based on Your Sign
Eclipses affect everyone differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to working with their energy. Rather than focusing on strict rules or dos and don’ts, it can be more helpful to observe, reflect, and navigate these shifts in a way that feels natural to you. Below is a broad guide on how each zodiac element may experience eclipse energy:
🔥 Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
Eclipses can ignite bold action, reinvention, and new adventures. Instead of rushing into change impulsively, allow things to unfold naturally and trust the process.
🌱 Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)
The unpredictable nature of eclipses may feel unsettling for earth signs, who thrive on stability and routine. Focus on small, practical adjustments that help you adapt and stay grounded.
🌬️ Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)
Eclipses often bring new ideas, unexpected conversations, and shifts in perspective for air signs. Stay open-minded and embrace fresh insights, even if they disrupt previous plans.
🌊 Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
Deeply intuitive and emotional, water signs tend to feel eclipses on a soul level, triggering inner transformation and emotional release. Instead of withdrawing, create space for healing, reflection, and emotional flow.
No matter your sign, eclipses aren’t about control, they’re about embracing transformation. Rather than trying to force an outcome, observe what is shifting and trust that it’s leading you where you need to be.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below or send us a DM on Instagram, we’d love to hear from you!
