Leo Lunar Eclipse: Working With Eclipses

eclipse

Lunar Eclipse [11 Leo 37]

January 31, 2018 (13:27 GMT)

Eclipse season is upon us once again with the first pair of eclipses of 2018 taking place on January 31st (13:27 GMT) and February 15th (21:05 GMT).

If my website statistics are anything to go by, eclipses still strike awe and wonder in people today. They were probably way more frightening thousands of years ago when the light of the Moon blotted out the Sun and people thought the world was ending. Yet, even with the knowledge we now have about eclipses, this blog, What Does The Leo/Aquarius Eclipse Mean For You is the most-read article on my website. Eclipses remain one of the fascinating aspects of astronomy/astrology.

The Royal Factor

In past history, eclipses were perceived as an omen that there would be a change in leadership or a significant event would befall the royal family. The classic example in recent times was Princess Diana (b. July 1, 1961). Here’s an extract from an article written previously about her:

Eclipses are relatively rare events in the astrological calendar as they take place in pairs twice a year and one of the planetary bodies involved is Cancer’s ruling planet the Moon. An eclipse takes place when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a unique pattern in the heavens and the Moon intersects with the karmic Nodes on the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun through the zodiac.

Eclipses pinpoint events in the lives of key individuals intertwining their own individual journey with the path of destiny. They often play a prominent role in the lives of royalty as the Sun represents the King in astrology and the Moon the Queen. Not surprisingly, Princess Diana’s role in the Royal family was closely linked to the eclipse cycle.

Diana married Charles on July 29, 1981 two days before a solar eclipse, her first son William was born on June 21, 1982 the day of a solar eclipse, the announcement of her separation from Charles was announced on December 9 1992 the day of a lunar eclipse and Diana died on August 31, 1997 within 24 hours of a solar eclipse.

Diana’s fate and her role in life were inextricably linked to the heavens, especially the Moon. She was a Cancerian, the sign ruled by the Moon and her name Diana referred to a Moon Goddess. She would have become Queen if she’d remained happily married to Charles, stepping up to the symbolic role of the heavenly Moon.

Born On An Eclipse

I’ve been working recently with clients born close to an eclipse and there’s always a sense of destiny about their life path. Very often, they find themselves in the public eye and can develop a split persona as they act one way in public and another way in private. This fits the eclipse theme, as one aspect of your personality is hidden or ‘eclipsed’.

Being born close to an eclipse may lead to greatness, but it needs to be handled carefully otherwise you end up falling from grace. Be wary of hubris, when excessive pride and, in traditional terms, defiance of the Gods can lead to your downfall. The mantle of an eclipse is not one to be worn lightly.

N.b. The first eclipse of 2018 falls in the star sign, Leo, linked to royalty. In the UK this year there have already been two Royal Wedding announcements, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Incidentally, Meghan Markle (b. August 4, 1981) is a Sun Leo (the royal sign) and was born four days after a Solar Eclipse in Leo. She’s definitely stepping up to her eclipse destiny potential joining the Royal family in the UK.

Eclipses And You

So when are eclipses most significant for you and how can you work with them? An eclipse has the most impact when it falls within 2 degrees of a planet or angle in your birth chart. Very often, an event close to the eclipse date sets the wheels of change in motion and the eclipse energy plays out over the next few weeks or months.

This is also because eclipses take place in cycles that last for over two years. What often happens is you get a run of eclipses triggering key points in your birth chart and your life shifts significantly within the two to three year period. When you look back on the past, you invariably see that major turning points in your life, moments of destiny if you like, coincide with important eclipse cycles.

Eclipse Cycles

The current eclipse cycle cuts across the Leo/Aquarius axis of the zodiac. Here’s the complete set:

  • August 18, 2016 – Lunar Eclipse [25 Aquarius 52]
  • February 11, 2017 – Lunar Eclipse [22 Leo 28]
  • August 7, 2017 – Lunar Eclipse [15 Aquarius 25]
  • August 21, 2017 – Solar Eclipse [28 Leo 53]
  • January 31, 2018 – Lunar Eclipse [11 Leo 37]
  • February 15, 2018 – Solar Eclipse [27 Aquarius 08]
  • July 27, 2018 – Lunar Eclipse [ 4 Aquarius 45]
  • January 21, 2019 – Lunar Eclipse [0 Leo 52]

You can probably see some patterns emerging if you look at the degrees of the eclipse. The eclipses on August 18 2016, February 11 2017, August 21 2017 and February 15 2018 are all within 6 degrees of the zodiac. The eclipses on August 7 2017 and January 31 2018 are within 4 degrees of the zodiac. Therefore, if these eclipses are close to planets/angles in your birth chart, events now may be linked to what was happening last year or the year before.

You can also expand the symbolism to consider the last cycles in these two signs, Leo and Aquarius, as they are triggering planets/angles in the same sector of your birth chart. The last Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycles took place from:

  • February 2008 to August 2009
  • August 1998 to July 2000
  • August 1989 to July 1991
  • August 1979 to February 1982
  • and so on…

Embracing Change

Even if the 2018 eclipses don’t fall close to planets or angles in your birth chart, they are still influencing specific areas of your life. This can be helpful to know where change and challenge are likely and where your life may propel forward at top speed.

It’s never a good idea to venture into eclipse season with your eyes shut or your gaze averted. Hidden themes can and will emerge and, as with retrograde planets, it’s a good idea to tidy things up and deal with any loose ends before eclipse season. The theme of karma is closely connected to the eclipses, as they work in unison with the astrological nodes, destiny points in the birth chart, so bear this in mind.

Also, the day of the eclipse is rarely a good time to take radical action or make a big decision. Eclipses represent intensified planetary energy and it’s only when the eclipse begins to fade or settle that you understand more or can view your situation more objectively. This is particularly important during the Lunar Eclipse, which is a Full Moon when emotions are heightened. Wait a few days for a calmer response.

To help you understand what the Lunar Eclipse symbolises for you, here are the areas of life that are highlighted by the Leo/Aquarius axis for each set of opposite star signs. Read your Sun sign first, your Ascendant second:

  • Leo & Aquarius: 1st/7th houses – your image & appearance, personal goals; love & relationships, significant others, contracts. RELATIONSHIPS
  • Virgo & Pisces: 12th/6th houses – retreat, quiet, solitude, a spiritual path; your health & work, what you sacrifice for others. SERVICE
  • Aries & Libra: 11th/5th houses – your friends, groups & social issues; your children, creativity, love affairs, what you ‘give birth to’. SELF-EXPRESSION
  • Taurus & Scorpio: 10th/4th houses – your career & vocation, your status & reputation, where you’re heading in life; your home & family, your past & roots, where you come from. FOUNDATIONS
  • Gemini & Sagittarius: 3rd/9th houses – your education, neighbours & siblings, how you communicate; the bigger picture, travel, philosophy, religion, what gives your life meaning. LEARNING
  • Cancer & Capricorn: 2nd/8th houses – money, possessions, where your values lie; your joint finances, your sexuality, all things hidden, the unconscious. WORTH

To give you an example, my Sun sign is Scorpio and during the current Leo/Aquarius cycle, I was commissioned to write a set of Twelve Astrology Titles by Hodder & Stoughton changing my status to ‘author’ – 🙂 – and I will most probably be moving home for the first time in 16 years – 🙁 . Therefore, the eclipses are impacting my very foundations. One is a definite win and one seems like a loss, but with time will hopefully feel as if it’s the trigger for positive change.

Do let me know your eclipse story in the comments below. It’s always fascinating to read how the eclipses play out in our lives and whether they really are turning points, moments of destiny and whether we are in control of them or not.

You can draw up your birth chart for free here: https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.php.

This is part one of two articles helping you work with eclipses. Part two will be available a few days before the Solar Eclipse on February 15, 2018.

37 thoughts on “Leo Lunar Eclipse: Working With Eclipses”

  1. I just signed up for my first solely owned apartment. Huge leap for me,excited and skeptical at the same time because of the mortgage etc. But nonetheless happy to have stepped out of my comfort zone as a single mother. I’m a design 20 degrees Gemini with Capricorn rising at 23 degrees.

    1. Very exciting, Amrita. That fits the Leo/Aquarius money theme for your Capricorn Ascendant. Good luck. I hope it goes well for you.

  2. Hi my name is Prema. The eclipse is going to directly hit my Moon in Leo 11 degrees in the 11th House. Can you give me any hints as to what this is about for me.

    1. It’s likely to be around friends, your group connections. The Moon in Leo needs to be loved, adored, appreciated, praised. So you may not be feeling that way or perhaps the dynamic of a friend or group situation shifts dramatically. Think along those lines.

  3. Dear Sally, thank you for an excellent article – it’s fascinating reading and it’s interesting to look back to previous cycles where important things happened and make a connection.

    I’m slightly anxious about the upcoming lunar eclipse on Jan 31 and am not entirely sure how to interpret it. I believe it hits my MC/IC as they are 11 degrees, plus my Mercury is also 11 degrees in Cancer. My ASC is Leo. Was the previous eclipse 21 Aug 2017 more significant to me than this upcoming one, as my ASC is 28 degrees?

    1999 was a huge year for me with lots of important events that happened back then. My sister gave birth, my mom was in hospital, my grandmother died, I suddenly emigrated to a different country and left everything behind and met the love of my life.

    My date of birth is 22 June 1974, Helsinki, Finland. I would appreciate any guidance you can give. My knowledge of astrology is limited, but I’m learning 🙂

    1. The Solar Eclipses on your Ascendant and Descendant, the relationship point in your chart are most significant – Aug 21, 2017 and Feb 15, 2018. This is about your relationship with a significant person in your life. The Solar Eclipses are about new beginnings, a fresh start, someone new coming into your life. Did the eclipse in August trigger something new for you, a change of direction or a new perspective, new goals? The two eclipses are connected so it’s about working out how they are linked. Hope that helps.

      1. Sally, thank you so much for your insight! I feel things are still ‘brewing’ and there has been no major changes as of yet, however I do feel this year will be important to me.

  4. Hi Sally, I feel I am in the middle of the Eclipse cycle. I am 25 Aquarius…..birthday 15th Feb… with 2 Cancer Ascendent..and Saturn 14 Cap. In Sept 2016 I decided to sell my house…. personal and career financial issues and used 2017 as a “gap” to regroup. I am in a a much better place now. Looking for an apt to buy and a part time job after having my own business. Feeling that this year will be a year of action and have feelings of excited anticipation…. should the eclipse on my birthday be more exciting?? Thanks. Cheyrl

    1. The eclipse on your birthday suggests a completely new chapter of your life. It is good to go into this period with excitement and a positive attitude. Saturn is in your 7th house so relationships may be more challenging, but this is still a time to put yourself first and follow your own path. Sending best wishes.

  5. Hi Sally

    I have a court hearing on
    Feb 15 eclipse day. The court decided this date. This involves Asteroid Ceres (compromise related to children ) . Court will decide fairly as the father lives alone now and I have taken everything. He was removed from the property by police with restraining order.

    I am a bit nervous about this moment. I will not react like Ceres. I want to use this free time to establish a second source of income online – signing up for courses.

    What do you see for me? Thank you kindly.

    1. Wow – that is some date that was elected for your court hearing! I don’t know a great deal about the asteroids – Jessica Adams and the Oxford Astrologer both have more on their websites about Ceres – but I did wonder why you don’t want to react like Ceres? I thought she was the goddess of parenting and willing to go to great lengths for her child? From what I know, compromise is important too around Ceres. The eclipse can’t be ignored either and traditionally it’s not a good date for making decisions because of the shadowy, eclipse theme. Make sure you are as fully informed as possible going into the court hearing, get your lawyer to dig deep to find out as much as they can beforehand. It is a solar eclipse so often a powerful turning point, the start of a new chapter and I guess it fits the court hearing, i.e. someone or something is ‘eclipsed’. Good luck and do let me know how you get on. best, Sally

      1. Thank you. I hope I am not the one to be eclipsed out . Having both parents is on their life is best for the kids.

        I have another hearing on 27/Feb to get the restraining order permanent.

        My DoB 27/9/1972 at 20:47 pm in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

        Thank you

        1. I’m sure you’re not the one to be eclipsed out, especially as the one who is being ‘eclipsed’ on some level at least is their father with the restraining order. That fits the eclipse symbolism.

  6. Hi Sally

    I’ve Gem Sun at 14, Aqua AC at 15, Pisces 26 Moon. No planets in either Leo or Aqua.
    Looking at the 11-12 things in my chart: Taurus Jupiter and IC at 11; Scorpio MC at 11; Pluto at 11 Virgo.

    Thanks for providing the dates of the earlier cycles – a general theme/story line that I see relates to me losing a job, having financial struggles, moving house, but eventually overcoming the challenges, if you like ‘rising to the occasion’. I feel the initial losses possibly stemmed from me having a dummy spit, so in that sense I initiated the negative things.

    Am obviously trying to avoid doing similar…having over the last year rearranged aspects of my day-to-day life to support wellness, including finances. Kind of stemmed from 7 August 2017 eclipse and decisions I took. Aug 21 I heard back from a potential client regarding a project to say interested. We didn’t get the funding but maybe that will come back on line.

    I also put my own biz into mothballs, so working day job to keep $$ coming in. Want to get back to my own biz.

    1. The eclipses are triggering the angles of your birth chart so you would expect to see significant changes in your foundations, security, etc. This year’s eclipses remain pivotal for you, so work with the eclipses as best you can, especially the one on January 31st and August 11th. My best advice is to keep close tabs on anything you suspect is hidden and be as informed as possible leading up to the eclipse. Then see what happens close to the eclipse date. This is often when shadowy or hidden themes emerge. Wait a few days at least after an eclipse before making any major decisions and look at how you can take advantage of change. I hope things go well for you. best, Sally

  7. Hi Sally Im a scorpio – lots of major uncertainties for me – money/inheritance, job, relationship hanging in wait. I only have Leo in Uranus in my natal – 14 degrees. Rising Leo, Moon Sag. Does the leo in uranus have an effect on this eclipse? thanks alot jan

    1. What degree is your Leo Ascendant? If Uranus is close to it, i.e. within 5 degrees, then January 31 eclipse and August 11 eclipse are most important for you. Uranus is about change already, so think renewal, keep up-to-date with new technologies, keep looking ahead to your future. Focus on you and what you want and need rather than waiting too much for other people to make the decisions. Sending best wishes.

      1. Thank you so much for your reply. As a matter of fact my Leo Asc is 24 deg 41 min. Brilliant though – really appreciate your comments. Thank you.

        1. Then the February 15 Solar Eclipse will be powerful for your relationships as it falls at 27 Aquarius 08. That should bring answers/a fresh start. Good luck!

    1. All about relationships for you, Leslie, but more importantly how you are able to shine in relationships. Ensure you get your own needs met either in a personal or professional context. Sending best wishes.

  8. I was working with full energy and dedication on a project in my office. Morning had planning session and was well prepared for that. Beginning of session , first thing , I am told is I will be moving to another project. Never ever happened before.

  9. Hi Sally!

    I’m so so nervous and worried, I’ve been looking for a job for 7 months now and no luck.
    Year 2017 was just a pain and lots of changes.

    I am waiting now to get some response from a job that I’ve applied 16th of January.

    Im born 30.01.1987 and I am a capricorn ascendant.

    Please if you can give me an answer about this eclipse for me.

    Is it giving me a new opportunities for job?

    1. You have Jupiter in your 10th house of career until November so that’s got to help. Expand your horizons wider than usual, keep up-to-date with latest technologies too as the eclipses are in your sign Aquarius. Think renewal, rebirth. Good luck!

  10. Hi Sally,

    A very informative article. I am a Leo (born 31 July 1963, @5:45HRS,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). I am looking to find a suitable job as I was laid off in July 2016. Still not been able to find something that is right for me, despite having sent out a ton of resumes. I am currently working at a job that I took to help pay the bills but not what is ideal for me. Will these series of eclipses bring about the right change for me?
    Also, husband is an Aquarian (Born 30 Jan 1964, @23:29HRS Lethbridge, Alberta – Canada)… so I am sure we both would be affected by this series of eclipses in the Leo/Aquarius.
    I have been very worried over these past two years and it is hard to stay positive.

    Thank you for insight on this.

    Kind regards
    Nandi

    1. Opposites attract! Work together and support each other during this cycle of eclipses. I guess the turning point for you will come in May of this year. Use technology, keep up-to-date with all things modern, use your networks to find the right job for you. Good luck.

  11. Aquarius of January

    Hi, this solar eclipse was very nice.
    I’m Aquarius/Scorpio, just for the record. Afther 6 years, a few days before The Eclipse I finaly sold my apartment, very nice and very bad place at the same time.
    Solar eclipse has to bring nothing, I’m already happy. 🙂

  12. Scorpio with a Moon in Aquarius

    Hello! I am Scorpio and have a Natal moon in Aquarius 27° in my 9th house, and a natal Jupiter in Leo at 11° in my 3rd house.
    I really felt the eclipse on January 31st, it was really emotional. I am curious how things will go on February 15th.
    So about my January eclipse experience….Two years ago I started my conversion to a different religion to that of my birth. The path is quiet long and difficult. During this process the man/professor i was following died and i had to find another one, the whole process for this reason was very stressful. The whole thing was going very slowly. Finally on January 31st (exactly one hour from the eclipse) my partner and I finally met with the new “professor” and received very good news, even better than what we expected. By the end of this summer my conversion may be concluded and we will be able to marry. Now we need to officially get engaged and conclude my exams. Let’s see what news will February 15th bring….

    1. Wow, sounds like a powerful eclipse cycle for you. Jupiter is linked to religion and so is the 9th house so this is where profound change is taking place. Let the eclipse energy settle for a few days and then see in which direction you’re ready to move. The Moon rules your inner needs but is also a symbol for the mother and the home in astrology. Sending best wishes.

  13. Wow, this eclipse cycle was truly life changing for me. First, I was born july 29 1981. And you’re right on about being born around or on an eclipse putting you in the public eye, I was on the cover of a magazine in 2006.
    These particular eclipses started touching my life in july of 2016 when i decided I was absolutely done being abused. I started pulling away from a narcissistic soon to be ex husband (july 22 1986) of 10 years, filed bk that December, left him that following may 2017, quite more abruptly than I would have liked, spent June through the following January (now in 2018) in intensive outpatient treatment for complex ptsd, was finally granted a criminal restraining order to keep the ex away in april 2018, met another man January 16th 2018 and have been physically with him during every major astrological event so far this year (2 18 1981) absolutely wild and amazing and deeply disturbing yet soulfully satisfying.

    1. Sally Kirkman

      Wow! Quite a relationship ride you’ve been through during this Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycle. Hopefully it will continue to be primarily soulfully satisfying, wild and amazing, and not so much deeply disturbing. Wishing you well.

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