This month ends with a partial solar eclipse in Taurus. It’s the first solar eclipse in the Taurus-Scorpio series of eclipses that began with the lunar eclipse that. took place in November 2021 and will end with the lunar eclipse in October 2023. The times in which we live may be symbolised by the Taurus-Scorpio axis. It represents the polarity of ownership and values on one side and power and control on the other. Vast wealth, inequality and power and its abuses are right up there for all to see.
So, will this solar eclipse in Taurus open the ‘portal of evil’, so feared by our ancestors or will it simply signal a collective shift in consciousness that tends to happen every few years or so? Such changes are often event driven; as I write this, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man has tabled a bid for Twitter, the world’s most influential social media platform. It’s exactly the kind of wealth-fuelled power play that we may see more of in the months and years ahead. No matter which side of the fence you are on, I think we can agree it’s a polarising issue.
In this post, I want to look at the solar eclipse chart to see what the aspects tell us about this particular solar eclipse in Taurus. What is being hidden in the solar eclipse’s shadows, and what will be revealed when the light chases the darkness away? I’m also going to look at the deeper meanings we associate with solar eclipses – and those mysterious things called ‘The Moon’s nodes‘.
How Does a Solar Eclipse Occur?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth is in the Moon’s shadow, which blocks out the Sun’s light during a new moon. So, a solar eclipse is a new moon – but not all new moons are solar eclipses. For a solar eclipse to occur, the Earth, Sun and Moon have to be in alignment. You would think that they are in alignment every new moon – but not so. The orbital planes of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth need to align on the ecliptic plane – and that happens only a few times a year – and in certain conditions.
As with many things, it’s all in the timing. The Moon crosses the ecliptic at the Moon’s Nodes twice per draconic month (approximately every 27 days) and a new moon occurs once in every synodic month (approx. every 29 days). So, for a solar eclipse to occur, those events need to coincide. This can only happen during ‘eclipse seasons’ which can result in between two and five solar eclipses each year – most of which will be partial, as there can be no more than two total solar eclipses a year. This solar eclipse in Taurus is a partial eclipse.
What do the Lunar Nodes Mean?
That’s the science, but let’s get back to the astrology – and the two points you may be familiar with from your birth chart called the The Moon’s nodes (or the lunar nodes). The Moon’s nodes may mark the point where the Moon crosses the ecliptic but, in astrology, everything has meaning.
Through the manifestation of the solar and lunar eclipses, the lunar nodes contain the potential for shifts of consciousness occur. A door opens and new possibilities walk through – but they have to do battle with whatever is already inside. There is no guarantee what – or who – will win.
Events can go one way or another and, at a personal level, we can choose to go one way or another too. You can take the easy route (represented by the South node in your natal chart) or take things to another level by following the north node’s path. In so many ways, they represent the symbolism of the unconscious, instinctive Moon and the conscious, progressive actor we know as the Sun. It’s so easy to go with the known quantity that is represented by the south node and ignore the challenge posed by the north node. It’s a challenge that needs to be met if you are to reach your true destiny.
The Moon’s nodes travel around the ecliptic in retrograde motion and, now they’re in Taurus-Scorpio, there’s a sense that we really need to explore some basic truths, particularly in connection with our values. With the north node in Taurus, the challenge at a personal level is to re-connect with the things that bring stability and Keep us grounded. At the time of the solar eclipse in Taurus, we may be reminded of this. Practical solutions may be what we need to move from a place of crisis to a place of security.
Solar Eclipse in Taurus: The Chart
Solar Eclipse in Taurus: The Aspects
So how easily will that objective be attained? At first glance, the aspects in the chart for this solar eclipse in Taurus don’t look too stressful. No tense squares or awkward inconjuncts – and Taurus is such a passive and gentle sign. However, when we look at the planets involved, we may think about re-appraising a certain situation either in our personal life or beyond.
This solar eclipse in Taurus may have only two significant aspects to other planets – a conjunction and a sextile – but the planets concerned are Uranus and Mars, neither of whom are the peacemakers of the zodiac. Add in the semi-sextile to Chiron, the wounded healer, and potentially a rather different picture emerges. Let’s look at the aspects in more detail.
Solar Eclipse conjunct Uranus
With the solar eclipse in Taurus conjunct Uranus, this gives a potentially shocking, surprising or chaotic cast to this lunation. It also also adds speed. Under Uranus’s influence things manifest quickly and can appear to come out of nowhere. Uranus in Taurus has been shaking things up for a while – though with Uranus you never ‘quite’ become used to it. When the solar eclipse in Taurus drops another bombshell, be honest with yourself. Are you really going to be that surprised by the events that may come to light around this time?
My guess is that you won’t be shocked by events – whether they happen in your personal life or the public domain. However, you may be surprised by the reaction to them. Both the solar eclipse and Uranus are signifiers for change so, whatever happens, it may feel as if something has changed. Things feel different this time around. There can be no more sticking to the status quo.
Uranus is a planet of action and moves things forwards – explosively so. If there is something in your life that has run its course, or you need a radical solution to a problem that has been making you feel ‘stuck’, this is a great energy to get things moving. Work with it and you’ll find it invigorating; resist it and you’ll find events may take a turn in a direction you least expected them too. With Uranus, that may happen in any event. Expect the unexpected.
Solar Eclipse Sextile Mars
The symbolism of open doors and rapid change is echoed in the sextile aspect the solar eclipse in Taurus makes to Mars in Pisces. Mars in Pisces is an expression of high octane energy that works in hidden ways. It also expresses with compassion and sensitivity towards the plight of those less fortunate than most of us. It may seem an unusually mild placement for Mars, but Mars always wants to see action – and targeting Mars’s energies towards helping those in need is as good an outlet as any for this powerful small planet.
And there are a lot of people in need. The solar eclipse in Taurus may signal a moment when certain issues begin to be acted on or taken seriously. Events may require a rapid response rather than weeks – or months – of debate. This is an aspect signifying the kind of actions that are neither risk-free or planned ahead, but rely on bold and innovative schemes to succeed.
In your personal life you may engage in a spontaneous way with the events that unfold at this solar eclipse time. In the public arena, you may notice those in power needing to make split second decisions. It’s the kind of time where you sense that it’s now or never, as the window of opportunity may close if you don’t act quickly.
Solar Eclipse Semi-sextile Chiron
Finally, we come to the Chiron semi-sextile. It’s considered a minor aspect but, as the devil resides in the detail, any aspect to the solar eclipse in Taurus needs to be considered. The semi-sextile makes us feel uncomfortable. Chiron in Aries reminds us that the only way to heal the pain of inertia (Chiron squares Saturn) is by taking action. It’s a small point, but guilt and emotional discomfort are often great spurs to getting things done. We redeem ourselves by having the courage to face up to things that cause us pain – even if that pain is self-inflicted by our own lack of care and attention.
Solar Eclipse in Taurus: The Background Noise
Looking at the other main aspect patterns in the solar eclipse in Taurus chart brings me back to Elon Musk. The trine and semi-sextile connections between Mercury, Pluto and the Venus – Jupiter – Neptune conjunction in Pisces points towards the power of words and big money and how that combination can be used to make people believe what you want them to believe. Using wealth and power to control and direct information is a big issue right now. Perhaps this solar eclipse in Taurus is the the moment we see some action – one way or another – and begin to answer the question, ‘what do we truly value?’
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© Sara Shipman 2022
Picture credit: Image by Chris Reich from Pixabay
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