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10 Signs this Eclipse is Touching You

By Dana Gerhardt

The truth is, the Libra solar eclipse (officially arriving on Saturday at 10:55 am PDT) is already jittering the atmosphere—eclipses don’t wait until the day of to bring their news. The war that no one saw coming in Israel is an example of an eclipse-situation. But not everyone will be touched with the same intensity, in the same ways. What do you sense is going on for you?

I never try to predict eclipses for myself or clients. By their very nature, they’re unpredictable. What we can do is meet them–open-eyed and calm. So first, it’s wise to slow down, feel your feet and get grounded if you’re not. Next best practice is to send love into the atmosphere; then wrap it as a blanket around your own auric field and those of your loved ones.

Then watch, is this eclipse reaching out to you?

Below are a few signs that you’re being touched by this week’s solar eclipse.  But first, a little perspective on this sky event.

The terror of eclipses runs deep in astrology tradition.  For the first astrologers, over three thousand years ago in Mesopotamia, solar eclipses were the top feared sky event, capable of unraveling a kingdom.  Eclipses signaled floods, famine, disease, and the death of kings.  Yet unlike us, the first astrologers didn’t believe the sky was causing these things to happen—they rather saw it as a message.

The Mesopotamian sky was an enchanted tablet onto which the gods were always writing messages—about living in balance for the good of the whole.  An eclipse was an omen, a warning—something the astrologer priests would then scurry to address through sacred rituals performed by the king.  Dire events could always be averted—otherwise, what’s the point of knowing astrology?

Unfortunately—the original perspective has long been lost.  Today people tend to fear the sky will cause upsetting events.  Most worry more about what might happen than what the gods have to say.  What’s worse, today astrologers consider eclipses important whether we see them or not—while ancient astrologers worried only about the ones visible in their skies.  They might observe a handful of eclipses in a 30-year period—unlike us, for whom the “eclipse danger” bell tolls twice a year, every year.

So what do we do with eclipses?  Their cultural endurance makes them worth watching—as they can indeed crack worlds open or jiggle things loose.  Yet whether or not the gods intend a big message for you—you won’t fully know this until the eclipse has passed.  It’s a portal—like a tunnel you have to walk through—not knowing whether a bright gift, a bucket of water over your head, or nothing special—is waiting at the end.  Not everyone is shaken and rolled into a new future—but it’s wise to pay attention.  If you’re nimble, there might be an opportunity to grow.

Signs this eclipse is touching you

Following are a few signs that you’re inside this New Moon’s Eclipse Zone.

  1. An event far away, beyond your control, brings an unexpected change in direction.
  2. Something doesn’t go as you thought it would. Important plans are delayed.
  3. Time is accelerated. There’s too much to do.  Big changes seem to happen overnight.
  4. A startling truth—like someone’s true character—is revealed.
  5. You’re forced to handle an unexpected difficulty.
  6. Physically, you’re agitated, ungrounded. Nerves are raw. You may have insomnia (especially with lunar eclipses).
  7. Ultimatums backfire. Situations that are tense or frayed could snap.
  8. You hear news—big or small—that alerts you to future changes. Respect these messages!  They could help you make smarter decisions.
  9. People unexpectedly leave your life—maybe it’s an argument or a break-up. Or they move/get a new job/go through a significant life transition.
  10. Where there are endings, there are also beginnings. You may meet somebody who will be significant in your future.

For a more detailed view of how this eclipse impacts your chart, I highly recommend the eclipse report from my colleague, April Elliott Kent:  “Followed by a Moonshadow Eclipse Report”!

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About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Lindsay Gunn-Ouellette says

    Oct 13, 2023 at 9:05 am

    Yes! 2 and a half weeks ago I stood up to someone at work who was saying transphobic nonsense. Today I have a 2nd HR meeting to conclude the situation. The fact that I yelled at the transphobic person makes me wonder is I have lost my job. And even if I haven’t it feels somewhat awkward to go back. I have been off with covid also.

    Because of all this, I have finally started working w a family member in advertising, to create communication about my side-trade, Somatic Movement Therapy. So far she has created 3 amazing, beautiful videos just yesterday, and we are just getting started. Who knows where this will take me? I am willing to work to create my future!

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Oct 13, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      The universe works in mysteriously beautiful ways …

      Reply
  2. RiRi says

    Oct 13, 2023 at 5:41 am

    Alo! Great article. I wondered about the frequency of how many eclipses we have to watch out for. It’s so often and exhausting these days. I almost stopped paying attention.
    However When you wrote:” An eclipse was an omen, a warning—something the astrologer priests would then scurry to address through sacred rituals performed by the king. Dire events could always be averted—otherwise, what’s the point of knowing astrology?“ I was hoping that you were going to mention what those rituals were, if known. Because that’s similar to how I’ve felt for many years about astrology. What’s the point of know all this very interesting stuff if you can’t do anything about it but brace yourself at best? Or at least provide some tools or hints to mitigate the worst of it.

    Do you know of any rituals that could avert or mitigate dire events during eclipses?

    Also is there a way to know which eclipses are visible (and therefore worth paying attention to) where one lives?

    Mèsi anpil for all you do!

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Oct 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      Yes! The astrological world has to suffer under solar eclipses every six months, when it would be maybe one in a couple decades in the ancient world. So the rituals were called the “namburbi rituals,” which means “unwinding” and they were a way to unwind an unfortunate fate. Most often they were used after the eclipse to unwind what had happened–it was only for the king they tried to avert them. I’ve read quite a few of their scripts. What I love is that they use the same simple symbolic gestures of sympathetic magic that we might use today; for example, someone who had taken ill, would enter the room through one door, make the offerings and recite the incantations, and then exit through another door, symbolizing they were now on a new path. The rituals were effective for two reasons: one, they worked on the consciousness of the person needing the ritual (and consciousness is the source of magic)–and the priests had relationships with the powers they were appealing to. Today we might like to buy a book with all the recipes–as though the magic was some technology outside of ourselves. But if your heart has no relationship with the gods, there won’t be much power in it. Just empty words. Today we prefer to call the gods archetypes–same thing, powers inside, outside, and all around. If there’s a fate we wish to change, we negotiate with them, the archetypes. Astrology helps us to track the relevant powers in any particular situation. It does a far worse job of predicting events and outcomes. So, better than predicting futures is working to change them. And that’s THE focus of the book I’ve been writing on astral divination and hope to release next year! I’ll keep you posted.

      Reply
  3. Daphne says

    Oct 12, 2023 at 6:36 pm

    I’m printing this article, and leaving it with family and friends along with eclipse glasses.
    Thanks for sharing this wisdom!!!!

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Sagittarius


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon trine Venus, 2:48am  May 14 2025
  • Moon trine Mars, 8:27am  May 14 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.