Eclipses happen when the sun, moon, and earth line up with the lunar nodes, which are astrological destiny points. 

The North Node symbolizes where we are focusing our attention, what matters to us, and where we’re reaching toward as a collective. The South Node symbolizes where we’re moving from, our past, our history, as well as any old or outdated ideas and beliefs. The transiting North Node signifies what we must integrate into our collective awareness if we are to grow as a society. 

This year, the North Node is in the sign of Cancer, which relates to the home, family, security, mothering, emotions, and the divine feminine. These are themes you might see up in news, pop culture, social media, or in your own life.

The South Node is always exactly opposite the North Node. This year, it’s in Capricorn, the sign associated with authority, ambition, government, career, patriarchal ideals, and public life.

The eclipses punctuate those themes and the tension between the two. 

Eclipses are like extra powerful full and new moons. Solar eclipses happen when the sun blocks the moon, and they occur during new moon phases. Lunar ones happen during full moon phases when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow. 

During eclipses, things feel more intense, and that two weeks between the solar and lunar eclipse, that energy is palpable. I call this the eclipse tunnel because often, that’s how it feels- like you’re in this compressed period of time when all emotions, senses, your intuition, and awareness is heightened.

Solar eclipses can catalyze external change. There’s a shift of some kind in your life. Often, though, it takes time to manifest. It can be a sudden bang, but you’re more likely to see the full manifestation of that change evolve over several months. That time depends on how long the eclipse is visible and what factors in your natal chart are involved. 

During a solar eclipse, you might have more restless energy, more momentum, and even some frustration. All of that energy is necessary because it motivates you to make changes in your life. 

During a lunar eclipse, the shifts are generally internal and focus on your personal life, emotions, relationships, and family. You feel things internally, and you can become aware of aspects of your life that aren’t working for you. Because the nodes are involved, the eclipses offer you the chance to face some of your biggest fears and access the courage you need to take a step forward toward fulfilling your purpose and reaching your destiny.

During a lunar eclipse, you may have the realization you need to make a career or relationship change. Don’t feel as if you need to drop a bomb or make a sudden move. Instead, see the awareness as a first step in an unfolding process. One mistake I see people making is acting on that first impulse during an eclipse because things do feel more intense and you want to do something about it. You can do something- pay attention! Look for guidance in your dreams, in conversations with friends, or through connecting with a healer, therapist, or astrologer. 

Realize, too, not all eclipses will affect you equally. So much of it depends on how the eclipse involves your chart. 

Now, let’s talk about the two July eclipses.