True Winds AstroBlog

The Cyclical Nature of the Moon & Eclipses

Moon Cycles

An easy place to begin working with astrology is to simply attune oneself to the moon’s monthly cycles. The affect of the moon on our emotions is evident to even most astrological skeptics. After all, the moon obviously affects our ocean’s tide, and humans consist of approx 70% water. In astrology, the water element represents the unconscious and emotions. So the moon reflects on us as an emotional barometer illuminating the ebb and flow of our moods and emotions.

Every 28 days the moon completes a cycle. The new or dark moon marks the beginning of the cycle and waxing period that lasts for half of the cycle or 2 weeks. Likewise this is a good time to begin new projects in life, with the waxing of the moon representing a growth period. At 2 weeks, the moon is full, symbolizing an ending or culmination point. The full moon is an ideal time for letting go of emotional attachments or issues from the past (important for the fixed signs: Taurus, Leo & Scorpio). The 2 weeks following the full moon, the moon wanes, indicating it is the best time for completing projects or unfinished business.

Solar and Lunar Eclipses

Eclipses are a powerful time when the status quo is shaken up, and we are directed to change and grow in an unexpected way. The solar and lunar eclipses always come together as a pair, about 2 weeks apart. They cyclically happen 2 times per year, about 6 months apart.

The eclipses are like magnified moon cycles. The solar eclipse occurs when the moon stands between the sun and earth, cutting off the light of the sun. It always involves a new moon and indicates new beginnings. The lunar eclipse occurs when Earth stands between Moon and Sun, cutting off sun light from the moon. It always involves a full moon and illuminates endings or culmination points. It’s best to utilize these paired eclipses in a balanced way, realizing that one must let go of what’s been outgrown, to make room for the expansion and new  growth.

 Eclipse Tips

1. Eclipses bring news or significant events in your life, that bring you forward. 

2. Always give special attention to signs or messages received around the eclipses. 

3. As mentioned above, Solar Eclipses bring new beginnings and Lunar Eclipses  bring endings or culmination points. There is no exact length of time that the effects from eclipses last. My experience is that the continuum of letting go the outgrown and aligning with the new direction is a significant influence in one’s life until the next eclipse, 6 months later. 

4. For information on how eclipses specifically effect an individual, it is interpreted from their astrological birth chart. General facts, such as the dates and degrees of signs only explain circumstances at the macrocosmic level.

5. Try not to make any big changes or react immediately to circumstances under an eclipse. Give at least a week to contemplate and be sure that you have all the information necessary to make decisions or act in the most beneficial way.

6. You will be more emotional, especially around the lunar eclipse. This is another reason to avoid being reactive and wait until you can respond to any situation or news with clarity and good judgment.

7. Eclipses turn light within, illuminating awareness about unknown parts of yourself.

8. If an eclipse is on your birthday, you will have a very significant year making profound changes in areas emphasized in astrological birth chart.

9. Take extra care of your health if an eclipse is on your birthday or rising degree.You will have less energy than usual.

10. Eclipses play with your sense of time. Sometimes they bring situations that you thought were months or even years away to you now.