New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries
On Thursday 20th April, we begin our first eclipse season of the year with a solar eclipse, occuring in the final, ‘anaretic’ degree of Aries. It is the second Aries new moon in a row, and so represents a second and much intensified call to connect with that burst of fiery Aries initiative to spur us into action and catalyse new initiatives. Being a solar eclipse, however, we need to be especially mindful of the shadows that can gather around our intentions at such a time, and check our true motivation and calling.
The Sun and Moon are separating from a conjunction with the ‘light-bringer’, Jupiter, and applying to a 90˚ square aspect with Pluto, the underworld lord of dark manoeuvrings and hidden motives, who covets the deepest secrets of the soul. Pluto lies close to the bendings of the moon’s nodal axis, compelling us to face our fears and confront our own dark agendas. There may be a ‘right moment’ to act decisively in a particular direction now, before the opportunity is gone. At the same time, we may be tempted to make a hasty move, perhaps out of jealousy, a desire for power, or fear of missing out; that could lead us off track, or have unforeseen consequences. The challenge over this eclipse is to pay close attention to where our motivation comes from, remain humble and present, and seize the moment in alignment with what is most authentic to our own true nature.
The new moon solar eclipse occurs in the early hours of 20th April (5.17am UK time), in the sign of Aries, and is followed by a full moon lunar eclipse two weeks later on 5th / 6th May, across the Taurus/Scorpio axis. Eclipses carry a more potent charge than an ordinary new or full moon, and their energy reverberates longer - for six months, to the next eclipse season. Solar eclipses happen on a new moon, and so they carry a powerful seed energy that can grab hold of us, with an especially strong force. And particularly with this occurring in Aries, it seems to insist that we initiate something or stride forth in a particular direction. It is certainly important that something moves in us over this time, that some shift is enacted, but over an eclipse like this, all kinds of unconscious forces can gather around our intention and can obscure the truth of what is happening. It can be difficult to see the whole picture, and perhaps we are not meant to.
Being the second new moon in a row in Aries, we are called again to connect with our passion and fiery Aries intent. Last month, the new moon occurred at the Spring equinox, with the Sun and Moon aligning in the first degree of Aries. Now they align over this eclipse in the final, anaretic, degree of the sign, the cuspal moment just before the shift into Taurus, which carries a liminal energy where we are poised to make the move to the next sign, but must face a crucial important aspect of the current sign energy that has not yet been addressed or realised. So whatever didn’t fire up last month, it carries a will to kick into action now, and you may feel a sense of urgency around this.
There is a fine line here, though, because we don’t want to act out of urgency and shoot for something that is not properly aligned with our purpose. What is motivating us to act right now? Could there be something that we are not seeing? The shadow of Aries is a kind of blindness or blinkeredness. We can become overly self-absorbed and lose perspective if we act in isolation and without consideration for the consequences. So it is important that we take wise counsel, to keep our impulses in check. And yet at the same time, the will forces are strong and charged with energy to do something to instigate change. Eclipses carry a more potent charge than an ordinary new moon, and their energy reverberates longer - for six months, to the next eclipse season.
There is a square from Pluto in the first degree of Aquarius, making an almost exact 90˚ aspect, with Pluto also sitting at the bending of the nodal axis. This further emphasises the powerful unconscious forces that are gathering around this eclipse. We should be especially wary of acting on an impulse that has shady associations, and be prepared to hold fire on any opportunity, where we are forced to compromise our values, or where it seems that our integrity could be corrupted - and such a situation could certainly arise at this time.
Is there a project that requires your urgent focus and attention? Is there a start button you have been hesitiant to press, fearful of the consequences perhaps, or maybe you just haven’t got around to it? With all the warnings cited above not to act in haste or from blind passion, it is precisely because this new moon eclipse falls is in the final degree of Aries, that we may need to seize the moment and take a necessary action before the opportunity is gone.
The Greeks have the word kairos which seems apt here. It denotes a ‘time out of time', a boundless, eternal moment, full of uncompromising presence. It is a propitious time, the ‘right time’, the right moment for action, a moment loaded with serendipity and meaningful correspondence.
Kairos is the ‘god of the fleeting moment’: a youth, winged and running, with a prominent tuft of hair for a fringe, and bald at the back. When Kairos enters your life, you have to grab him by his forelock. If you wait a moment too long, he will get away from you, and there is nothing at his back to seize hold of!
As Wolfgang Goethe said: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” (Wolfgang von Goethe)
Many blessings for this solar eclipse xx
A few places still available on this course in Glastonbury…
And if you can’t be there in person, you can book a place on the Livestream on Friday evening.
The Moon's Nodes: A Karmic Journey
Fri 21st April (6 - 9pm UK time) & Sat 22nd April (10am - 5pm UK time)
This special event on the Moon’s Nodes, is timed for the April eclipse season, where the energy of the Moon’s nodal axis is at its most potent. The Moon’s north and south nodes, which mark the points in the zodiac where the Moon crosses above and below the Sun’s path (respectively) act as eclipse predictors, and a crucial significator in astrological work, known to the ancients as the Rahu & Ketu, or the Dragons' Head and Dragon’s Tail. The nodes point to our soul’s deep karmic patterning, and where there is an imbalance that needs addressing in this lifetime.
On the Friday evening, I will be presenting a talk about the eclipse season, and how to work with eclipses. And from there, looking at what the Nodes represent in astrology, how we interpret them karmically, and how to work with them in the context of the birth chart. This talk will be delivered in person in Glastonbury, and will also be live-streamed online. There will also be a Q&A, and an opportunity for participants both in person and online to ask questions relating to the topic.
On the Saturday, I will be facilitating a one-day workshop, where you will have the opportunity to work experientially with your own north and south node dynamics. And for those who choose, you can experience having your own nodal axis dynamically enacted for you by other members of the group in short astrodrama pieces.
Confessions of an Astrologer Podcast with John Wadsworth & Charly McCreary
Fourth Episode Now Released!
I have now released the fourth episode of the podcast: Embodied Astrology, Astrodrama & Astrological Theatre, in which I share my experience of working with astrology as an embodied practice, and my work with the spontaneous enactment of astrological archetypes through astrodrama and astrological theatre. Charly and I both have experience with this type of work, which makes for a rich and deep conversation. We discuss how embodied astrology involves leaning into the archetypal expressions with the client, within a spirit of enquiry, and experiencing the planets and zodiac signs as living energies or presences that one can dialogue with and, indeed temporarily embody, as occurs in astrodrama and astrological theatre. It's a fascinating and unusual discussion which brings up themes that are rarely discussed in astrological circles. Hope you enjoy it!
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify…
All Four Episodes Now Also Available to Watch on Youtube!
Episode 1: How Astrology Changed My Life
Episode 2: A Love Affair with the Zodiac
Episode 3: The Ethics of Astrological Practice
Episode 4: Embodied Astrology, Astrodrama & Astrological Practice