Solar Eclipse in Leo 8*12*26
Solar eclipses are powerful New Moons. We know that. We also know there is a cyclic rhythm to them. They come in pairs, they land along a particular axis of signs that are opposite each other so we can explore the complementary patterns through which we express those signs and choose to modify those patterns to better work with those energies in authentic ways. We grow into the expression of the signs through the awareness of the eclipse. Remember we have all the signs in our charts. No one comes into this world missing a Leo or a Capricorn. That said, the emphasis of one sign in an individual's chart varies. You have Leo somewhere. It just might not be strongly represented in the architecture of your birth chart until it gets activated by some planetary movement (transit/progression) and you are drawn to (sometimes forced to) engage with that sign's energy through the planet doing the activating. That is why broad brush interpretations and predictions are of limited use - each chart has a different structure and how you, the individual, chooses to express the energies at any given time is just that - your choice. Last post I compared the astrology of any period to the way the currents are flowing. Your birth chart is the key to knowing where you are relative to the currents. But I digress. The point is that no matter how calm or rough the currents, your experience depends on lots of different factors, most of which are your choice.
This is the first solar eclipse in Leo since August 11, 2018. That one was a North Node eclipse, meaning the emphasis was on planting a seed that addressed the positive aspects of Leo - sovereignty, personal power, dignity, leadership, graciousness, self-worth, inclusion, playfulness. Themes that surfaced for you then will likely be coming up again under this eclipse but from the other side. This is a South Node eclipse; the perspective is different. The South Node in the context of eclipses shows where we are being called to be done with a particular expression of the energy it is inhabiting. The South Node just moved into Leo the end of July. It will make its way through Leo for the next 18 months, so we will be offered opportunities to refine the way we "do" leadership and personal power. Anticipate an increase in dysfunctional leadership on display in the macro. When it shows up, it is an opportunity to review your own personal expression of your Leo. Looking for ongoing validation, attempting to dominate instead of inspire, or demanding to be the center of attention in every relationship are all shadow patterns of Leo. So is shrinking down rather than shining your light. (Check out the post for the End of July if you want more details.) This eclipse is asking us to stop pretending and acting "as if". It is asking us to come from our heart. Leo rules the heart, and it is ruled by the Sun. The Sun shines no matter what. Leo asks us to shine in our own way. Confidently, honorably, and courageously. New Moons are about new beginnings but not all are initiatory. South node eclipses are about releasing old patterns that have taken you as far as you can go, and preparing for the next stage in your creation of your life.
Wednesday afternoon the Sun and Moon will meet up at 20 degrees of Leo. What is interesting about the chart of this eclipse is that pretty much every planet is engaged in some way with another or many other planets except for the Sun and Moon. It's like the host and hostess of the party are not interacting with the guests, but are off in the loft overlooking the crowd down below. They have created the environment, the guests have showed up, but they are waving from a distance.
The other planets, however, are interacting enough that no one is truly missing the hosts. Bear with me here because there is a lot going on.
1) The outer planets, Pluto (4 degrees Aquarius), Neptune (4 degrees Aries) and Uranus (5 degrees Gemini) remain in a supportive "mini-grand trine" with cooperative 60 degree angles between them. They have been in this configuration since Uranus moved into Gemini the end of April and they will continue this through early 2029. While these are primarily affecting things on a macro level since they are generational, slow moving planets, they are also influencing how we each receive these energies through their connection to Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
Pluto in Aquarius is restructuring how power is seen and wielded, but first it is exposing what is corrupted and unsustainable about the current system. It is flattening the pyramidal hierarchical model that has been accepted for so long, where power is concentrated at the top. Pluto uncovers the ugly and puts it on display so it can be clearly seen and addressed. It will bring forward obfuscation and false narratives; anything attempting to control the external through fear will be revealed. Pluto in Aquarius shifts power from centralized control to empowered individuals collaborating and cooperating for a common purpose. It seeds self-empowerment and appreciation of individual capacities to contribute to the greater good.
It is being supported by the other outer planets, Neptune and Uranus. Neptune in Aries brings the soul back into human expression. It asks us each to embody our individual dream for ourselves and the type of world we want to exist in. Uranus in Gemini is disrupting how we communicate, receive and process information, and connect with others. Pluto uncovers the decay, Uranus makes sure it becomes common knowledge, and Neptune asks us how we want to express our higher knowing of who we are as souls, experiencing human life on this planet. They are all working in tandem.
2) Venus at 5 degrees of Libra and Mercury at 5 degrees of Leo are joining the outer three, adding their energy. They are making easy aspects (sextiles and trines) to all the outer planets. Venus is what we value, what we appreciate, what we admire to the point that we will invest our resources (time, money, creativity, etc.) in it. In Libra, one of the signs she rules, Venus values relationships. She appreciates and creates beautiful environments that are soothing and foster harmony among diverse elements.
Venus is very busy in this eclipse. She is forming a grand trine with Pluto (in air sign Aquarius) and Uranus (in air sign Gemini). Here she is adding her perspective on the importance of creating relationships that are mutually beneficial. Venus in air sign Libra understands the roles of diplomacy, graciousness, and maintaining social graces. She is charming here and brings some needed lightness to the intensity of Pluto and Uranus. She is making sure that all conversations about what needs to change on a macro level include values and consideration of others. Venus reminds us that self-empowerment, which is Pluto's ultimate goal, must not result in others becoming collateral damage in the process. As you move through this Leo eclipse, notice if your important relationships are at odds with your ideas about personal power. They are not mutually exclusive. How well do you cooperate with your dear ones towards mutual goals? Are you open to another's influence or do you resist really exploring another's point of view? Venus in Libra knows how to navigate the middle ground of compromise without abandoning herself or her important relationships. This eclipse can open the door to expressing yourself with more confidence (Mercury in Leo) while maintaining awareness of both the power of words (Pluto) and the effect your ideas have on your relationships (Venus in Libra).
3) Venus is also involved in a T-square with Neptune at 4 degrees of Aries and Mars at 0 degrees of Cancer. Mars just moved into Cancer the day before the eclipse. Mars, our physical energy, the way we express our desires and take action to get what we want, is not comfortable in Cancer, the sign of home, nurturing, and expressing care. Mars in Cancer turns its yang energy towards protection of family and home. Because it is out of bounds for most of August, it can take some extreme actions and be more argumentative or defensive than it would normally be. It will be helpful to sit with your desire to "do something" about your domestic situation before reacting. Consider how you can best create a secure foundation that is sustainable for yourself. This is a great time to prioritize your self care and use that Mars energy to create a sanctuary to replenish yourself. When you "feel" cared for (Cancer) you are more likely to do things (Mars) that come from that reservoir of care. And that is the essence of Cancer.
In this T-square, Venus and Neptune are balancing your values and fairness to important others (Venus in Libra) with the self-awareness and dreams we each have for ourselves (Neptune in Aries). This opposition can bring up the tendency to be a martyr, to dissolve (Neptune) the concept of self (Aries) in the attempt to be fair to important others (Venus in Libra) or alternatively infuse the vision of the idealized self (Neptune in Aries) into your relationships to the detriment of them. The need to make a secure home base (Mars in Cancer) and protect your space, both personal and environmental, is challenging the need to balance being your ideal self (Neptune in Aries) while valuing and investing in relationships (Venus in Libra).
Bringing in Capricorn energy can give these competing drives an outlet. Capricorn (the sign opposite Cancer) asks you to be realistic about what you are trying to do, prioritize, and play the long game. It is willing to invest the time and effort to create a sustainable home base that nourishes you. It knows that consistency is the key to creation. This is a cardinal T-square, so initiating a new way of taking care of yourself and being in relationships through consistent actions is the path.
4) Mercury is at 5 degrees of Leo, engaging in the sextiles and trines with the outer planets and Venus. Mercury is how we communicate. When Mercury does Leo, conversation can become about self-validation and aggrandizement if it is the lower expression of the sign. Alternatively, higher realized Leo energy inspires, encourages, and motivates. No sign is better at rallying the troops. The higher expression of Leo paints a clear picture of the beautiful goal and generates excitement around achieving it. This Leo's confidence in both itself and its team is unshakable. It knows how to infuse this into the group and ignite their belief in themselves. As Mercury in Leo takes its place in the string of sextiles, it brings warmth and leadership to the power shifts being precipitated. It is also opposing Pluto in Aquarius. Oppositions require balancing two complementary but different priorities. Mercury in Leo is here to express confidence and leadership in its communications. Pluto in Aquarius asks how those qualities will be used to contribute to the collective creation of a better world. It challenges Mercury to look beyond its personal goals and ideas. Pluto in Aquarius is encouraging each of us to show up as our empowered self and collaborate with others to achieve the vision of future that works for everyone. Are you contributing to your community? Are you willing to show up and devote your unique perspective and talents to a mutually valued goal? Can you move beyond the desire to be in charge and instead, find your place in the circle? Can you be a leader while honoring others' sovereignty as well? The new expression of power will be cooperative. Can you play in that field?
Mercury is also conjunct Jupiter at 9 degrees of Leo. Jupiter amplifies things. In Leo, where it will be traveling until next July, it is expanding the qualities of Jupiter, both the higher (heart centered leadership, confidence, warmth and generosity) and the lower (drama, ego, arrogance, dominance). Here, it can magnify Mercury's expression to be more inspirational or more demanding. Notice your thoughts and how you express them. What type of Leo is being voiced?
5) Jupiter is also trining Saturn at 14 degrees of Aries. This adds some grounding to the expansion. Saturn is retrograde now until early December, retracing its steps since February when it entered Aries. Saturn pressure tests anything started in the first half of the year. As it trines Jupiter, it is making sure that our Leo expression, wherever it is in our birth charts, is being held to the highest standard. Saturn demands we meet the moment with maturity and awareness of what is sustainable. What vision for yourself has been coming online since February? Have you been gracefully releasing those aspects of yourself that are no longer aligned with that vision? How have you been grounding it into your daily life? What excuses are you telling yourself about why you can't do something you are being called to do? Jupiter in Leo can intensify self-confidence. Saturn in Aries makes sure it is grounded in a version of self that is your best expression and supported by realistic practices.
So, lots of challenges but also lots of support for us as we move through this time of transition. In a solar eclipse the Moon (emotions/unconscious) is between the Sun (consciousness) and the Earth (life as we experience it). The disruption blocks the Sun's light from the Earth , causing darkness for a while. It is meant to initiate an opportunity to turn inward, notice what we have been committed to below the surface, and decide if we want to continue to bring it into our lives. Hint - south node eclipses call for something to end so the path forward becomes more available. It's time to lighten what you carry forward and trust in your capacity to create what you need as you need it going forward.
“Life is not about control or making things happen in the ways we think they should happen. In fact, it's rather arrogant for us to be on this planet that's been here for so long and expect to be able to control life on it. If we want to see changes, then our task is to set things in motion, not to micromanage and make them happen in the ways we think they should."
~ Tom Walsh
