The great moment is upon us! On Monday, 21 August 2017, the much-hyped New Moon eclipse occurs in dramatic fire sign Leo. It’s a time where millions turn their attention to the heavens in reverence of our brightest luminaries. Hidden Insights has advice to make the post of this potent portal.
During the eclipse the Sun, the animating force of consciousness is briefly obscured — eaten by the great dragon, conquered by undesirable forces, — but ultimately emerges victorious.
Classically, eclipses have a negative connotation, particularly in regards to the fates of leaders and kings. The Sun is the leader of our solar system, and our leaders — especially heads of state or government — are its counterparts here on Earth. The Moon is the general population and their collective sentiments. And just as the Sun’s warmth and power is diminished by the transit of the Moon, so is the power of the leader said to be eclipsed by the people. Look into longer term eclipse cycles and you’ll find patterns of attempts to remove leaders from power. (Some were more successful than others.)
During the New Moon, the Sun and Moon are conjoined. A conjunction is seen a fusion of whatever forces are involved. For individuals, this special moment may reflect the potential for unification between the emotional realm and heart-centred conscious awareness.
The Nodes of the Moon are the mathematical points — an axis — in the sky that are used to predict eclipses. Astrologically, this is often considered a karmic axis. Many use it to determine soul purpose, or even past lives. And their use deepens a sense of fatedness within astrological narratives.
But what is fate, anyway? In some ways, it’s just the natural consequences for actions taken in the past. There are many choices in life that are already made for us. There are some choices that are within our power, but require a shock to the system before our will is catalyzed enough to make any bold moves on our own behalf.
Willful, action-oriented Mars is also close to the nodes over the next few weeks, and will eventually transit over these now-sanctified hot points of the zodiac. Mars: the separator, the henchman to the Sun, and the God of War. It’s easy to imagine what this transit could look like.
With all this happening in the sign of Leo, our experience of the eclipse, and the days to follow, will ultimately come down to how we use our imaginations. And this choice can be yours.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up for your sign this week:
Aries (21 March — 19 April)
The New Moon eclipse in Leo highlights your relationship with your divine inner child, Aries. This week, almost anything that looks like a tantrum should be understood in this context. Childish drama is a sacred signal. It’s not to be resented, or pushed aside, or catered to. It’s a flag that some basic needs require your attention. This is a chance to honour this important aspect of your own consciousness, and a time to find your way back to a sense of innocence and openness.
You solar eclipse ritual objects totally enthrall your inner child.
Taurus (20 April — 20 May)
The New Moon eclipse is a time to get imaginative about how you approach recuperation, Taurus. While it can be a regenerative experience to slow down and switch off, this is not the kind of nourishment that will sustain you in the long run. It’s actually more stimulation, not less, that you need to refill your tank. Start planning some novel sensory experiences that remind you that you’re alive.
Your solar eclipse ritual is like stopping to smell the roses.
Gemini (21 May — 20 June)
You may not be able to get a lot of real world traction, but that shouldn’t stop you from staking your claim with confidence, Gemini. Dropping any need to get things done will actually free up some useful bandwidth that you can use for talking yourself into almost anything. So keep an eye out for bright, bold, beautiful ideas that are winging their way to you. It’s in your interests to think bigger than usual. You can figure out the practicalities later on.
Your solar eclipse ritual gets you way out of the box.
Cancer (21 June — 22 July)
You get to decide what’s important, Cancer. This may or may come as a revelation to you. Whether you already know this or not, signs point to the fact that you could do with standing more proudly in testament to some of your more passionate ideals. This doesn’t have to be a hugely earnest display, but it can be. Not only is it in your power to decide what matters, you get to decide how you wear it.
Your solar eclipse ritual inspires a shameless expression of what’s most important.
Leo (23 July — 22 August)
Ready or not, it’s your time, Leo. Some of your preparations are going to pay off, and some will have been in vain. Although being ahead of the game is helpful, your overall success doesn’t totally depend on how much groundwork you’ve done thus far. What’s more relevant is how willing you are to adapt to conditions as they arise. The more presence you can maintain throughout this current phase of evolution, the more likely you’ll thrive.
Your solar eclipse ritual has opened a portal to your future. Walk through it and don’t look back.
Virgo (23 August — 22 September)
The New Moon eclipse has brought you a new mandate, Virgo. Something resonant has been stirring deeply within you, barely perceptible. But it’s there, and it’s beginning to work its magick through you. Now’s not the time to grasp for understanding. Now’s the time to allow yourself to be moved by this experience. You don’t need to put your trust in anything external, just trust yourself and your own unfolding.
Your solar eclipse mantra is a resounding Yes to the experience.
Libra (23 September — 22 October)
Enthusiasm is a clean-burning fuel, Libra. It lends power and takes you far further than determination alone. The New Moon Eclipse is a great time to take your eyes off the whirling chaos of the external world and turn inwards. Spend some time brainstorming new imaginative strategies for how you can cultivate and harness this quality within yourself more effectively.
Your solar eclipse ritual is a savvy investment.
Scorpio (23 October — 21 November)
The New Moon eclipse can come along with a tricky emotion or two, as well as a test for your hard-won resilience, Scorpio. And it’s nothing you can’t handle. You’ve been rising stronger than ever lately, and in doing so have challenged some deeply-entrenched ideas regarding success and failure. The more comfortable you continue to become with your own ambition, the more of a force you are to be reckoned with.
Your solar eclipse ritual objects challenge assumptions.
Sagittarius (22 November — 22 December)
The New Moon Eclipse reflects your undergoing process of renewal, Sagittarius. Along with this comes the need for new stories that align with your current experience. These insights about where and who you currently are may suddenly emerge into your consciousness, or they may take longer to develop and flesh out. The key is to remain both committed to the release of the past, and radically open to what’s arriving on the wave of the present moment.
Your solar eclipse ritual tears you down and cracks you open and it’s wonderful.
Capricorn (22 December — 19 January)
The New Moon Eclipse in Leo emphasizes shadowy territory for you, Capricorn. In general the solar, brightly-burning, dramatic Leonine style provides a sometimes awkward counter-balance to your more melancholic, stoic tendencies. If there’s too much insecurity, then the juxtaposition can manifest in needless grandiose displays meant to demonstrate bravado and power. It’s at it’s most endearing when you’ve got nothing to prove.
Your solar eclipse ritual levels up your courage.
Aquarius (20 January — 18 February)
Are you a winner, Aquarius? Who gets to decide that exactly? Some days you just feel luckier, more capable, and more open to possibilities. Other days this sense seems to escape you entirely, and the reasons why are manifold. External circumstances hold value, that’s true. But how much of it comes down to a simple matter of choice? The New Moon Eclipse in Leo challenges you to stop giving your power away.
Your solar eclipse ritual lets you lift yourself higher.
Pisces (19 February — 20 March)
The New Moon Eclipse is your opportunity to get consciously co-creative, Pisces. Believe it or not, your current dilemmas are likely linked to an over-abundance of creativity. Without you taking the reins and directing yourself, you’re likely to find that it manifests in peculiar and destructive ways. The image that comes to mind is the kid that pulls legs off spiders for fun. Don’t be that kid.
Your solar eeclipse ritual helps you to determine where to focus your energy.
