This New Moon eclipse at the end of Aquarius is complex, intricate, and far-reaching.
All eclipses are times of change. We can lose stability in some areas of life, and move into a new configuration. This one may feel more unstable than usual, so let’s look at why.
This eclipse occurs at the very end of Aquarius. At 28º49’ we’re at the edge of the final, anaretic degree, which in itself is a powerful degree in any sign linked to significant change.
Aquarius is a sign that includes contradictions. As the fixed Air sign, Aquarius thinks incisively. Concepts and values are important. Clear understanding, precise communication, and commitment to goals are all vital.
We think of Taurus as the sign that doesn’t want to change, but neither does Aquarius.
Taurus commitment is based on careful processing and then loyalty. Fidelity is based in personal commitment. “I said I would do this.” “I agreed to this.” “I have chosen this.” Of course Taurus weighs options carefully, yet once a decision is made, it has the nature of a vow: “No matter what the future holds, this is where I stand.”
Aquarian commitment is based on principles and values. The Aquarian process is conceptual. “What does this mean?” “Is it aligned with my core values?” “Can I articulate the end goal clearly?” Aquarius commits to a worldview and principles, more than to people or organizations. “No matter what, I will follow my conscience.”
Aquarius is also associated with innovation, the idea of advancement, and a willingness to strike out in unknown directions to pursue an ideal. This is where the theme of exile comes in.
An Aquarian may be exiled, or choose exile, because their core values no longer align with the actions and choices of the particular group they were in before. Aquarius chooses the unknown over a known misalignment.
This eclipse could show up as a feeling that the world has radically changed. Since we’re already experiencing this, it might seem like, ok, so what else is new?
The Aquarius nature of this eclipse implies a personal reckoning: At this point, what am I called to do in the face of these larger changes?
There’s another sense in which this eclipse signals new beginnings. Remember eclipses move backwards through the zodiac. This eclipse at the end of Aquarius is the beginning of a cycle of eclipses across the Leo–Aquarius axis, and the ending of the current cycle of eclipses across the Virgo–Pisces axis.
In fact, at this eclipse, while the Sun and Moon are clearly at the end of Aquarius, the Nodes of the Moon remain in Virgo and Pisces. We’re in transition.
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This eclipse is annular, referred to as a “ring of fire” eclipse. This is because of the distance between the New Moon and the Nodes. The closer the Sun and Moon are to the Nodes, the more “total” an eclipse will be. Annular eclipses still count though.
We’re at a beginning and an ending. Which is kind of what eclipses do: They shake up current normal, to make space for a new normal. I use the term “normal” loosely here. This eclipse is definitely a bit extra.
Now consider the eclipse chart. Notice the intense focus in three signs. We have a huge stellium in Aquarius, a small but significant stellium in Pisces, and a medium and very consequential stellium in Aries.
The Aquarius stellium spans the sign, with Pluto in the first decan, and Mars and the New Moon in the third.
The Pisces stellium features Venus tightly conjunct the North Node in the first decan, and Mercury separating from the Node in the third.
In Aries, we see Saturn and Neptune conjunct at 0º and the asteroids Ceres, Chiron, and Eris in the third decan.
We have a fixed stellium, a mutable one, and a cardinal one: All three modes are represented.
We have an Air stellium, a Water one, and a Fire one. Three out of four elements, with no Earth.
Who is not in these groups?
Uranus at the end of Taurus squares the New Moon. This is another destabilizing force. Taurus is a stable sign, but at the end of Taurus, we face into the realization that nothing in the physical world lasts forever. Uranus is inherently unstable and also the modern ruler of Aquarius. Change is on the table.
We will need to bring in grounding, stabilizing, self care practices on our own, for ourselves and those in our care, because that energy is not included in the eclipse package.
Jupiter is retrograde in mid Cancer, trining Mercury. This is a helpful, supportive connection. Mercury is not at their best in Pisces, preferring the grounded, detail focus of Virgo. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer. He stands ready to help out as and where he can.
Venus is exalted in Pisces. She, like Jupiter, is in an especially benefic place. Having both Jupiter and Venus ready and able to help is a boon. Call on Venusian and Jupiterian energies for support and insight.
It’s a paradox, but the intense focus of this chart means the eclipse is likely to affect more of our birth charts than less focused eclipses do.
Usually, we focus in, and say these placements and these degrees are important. But this eclipse includes strong, important placements in three adjacent signs that cover all three modes and three out of four elements.
The Aquarius planets will conjunct Aquarius, oppose Leo, square Taurus and Scorpio, trine Libra and Gemini, and sextile Sagittarius and Aries.
The Pisces group will conjunct Pisces, oppose Virgo, square Gemini and Sagittarius, trine Scorpio and Cancer, and sextile Capricorn and Taurus.
The Aries group will conjunct Aries, oppose Libra, square Cancer and Capricorn, trine Leo and Sag, and sextile Gemini and Aquarius.
This creates a web of important and interwoven connections.
This eclipse also coincides with the Chinese New Year and the beginning of a Fire Horse year. The intersection of two very different cycles adds to the significance of the moment. The two systems, though, are quite different.
The Fire Horse brings change, speed, and great energy, which is signified by conditions of the eclipse New Moon, but overall, I expect to see Fire Horse energy emerge over the course of the year ahead, rather than set everything on fire right now.
Are we surprised to see Big Change energy in the sky? No, we are not.
What do we do?
I mentioned staying grounded. This is important.
Do check how this eclipse chart intersects with your birth chart. Many of us will be affected, but not all, and not in the same ways. If you can see which planets and points, and which houses, this New Moon eclipse affects the most, that provides a heads-up on where you might anticipate change.
Remember manifestation work is never a good idea at eclipses, and especially not at this one. The energy eclipses access is too big for individual humans to manage. It would be like taking your toaster and plugging it into main current. Not advised.
A better approach is to pay attention to what comes up for you. Think of eclipse events as omens. We might get hints, or signals, about where we can anticipate changes.
The weeks around an eclipse are good times to record night dreams. We can attend to odd things that happen, or things that feel significant. A call or text from someone we haven’t been in touch with. A surprising conversation. Something unusual that grabs our attention.
“Open focus” is a term that applies here. We’re paying attention but not fixating. We’re noting but not interpreting.
We are already in this eclipse field and will be, for the next weeks. The Full Moon on March 3 is also an eclipse.
Plan for self care. Add in time for feeling extra tired, or needing quiet time. This eclipse is consequential but not disastrous. It will feel small for some, large for others. I hope it does initiate big changes in the world, good ones, because we need that.
Take care of yourself and your community.
Title image from photo by Buddha Elemental 3D on Unsplash
