Solar Eclipse in Aries — the article

On April 19th/20th, at 12:13am EDT,  a powerful New Moon/Solar Eclipse becomes exact in an exalted degree of Aries — 29 degrees and 50 minutes! That’s only 10 minutes shy of 0 degrees of Taurus. This launches a new Moon and Eclipse cycle.

This is a Hybrid Solar Eclipse which is not observable from the U.S., but will be visible from western Australia, East Timor, and Eastern Indonesia. 

Hybrid Solar Eclipses shift from “Total” to “Annular” as the Moon’s shadow races over the Earth. According to Space.com, these Eclipses are quite rare, occurring just a few times every century.

Solar Eclipses are extra-powerful New Moons that occur approximately every six months — this is the first in 2023 and the first Solar Eclipse in Aries (in this particular Eclipse cycle that will be in effect until January 2025). You may also want to watch my Solar Eclipse video.

During a Solar Eclipse, the Moon momentarily interrupts the normal flow of Solar Radiation, destabilizing existing energy configurations and reorganizing consciousness to a higher level. Solar Eclipses indicate the beginning of a new experience, project, or cycle.

Eclipses usually come in pairs (Solar and Lunar), and “Eclipse seasons” start with the Lunation that precedes the first Eclipse and ends with the Lunation that follows the last Eclipse.

This Eclipse season began on April 6th, when the Full Moon in Libra became exact. It will end 14 days after the Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio that follows this Solar Eclipse with the New Moon in Taurus (in other words, by May 19th).

If you want to know how Pluto’s current journey and Eclipse Season might impact you personally, feel free to click here and get my latest  webinar: “Pluto in Aquarius & Eclipse Season“

While Eclipse season is underway, allow for new templates to download, stay centered, and do your best to ground from within — try using conscious breathing and conscious flexibility — and best of all, see if you can move to the “observer position” when it comes to the emotional and mental body. And remember, this will only last for a while: on May 19th, the downloads are complete.

Eclipses are a time for clarifying and affirming our highest path. We are bound to experience a release and recalibration of some sort — “old” codes will get deleted and new ones downloaded — and for this Eclipse, this is especially true in connection with our relationship to our human identity and our sense of agency in the world — in other words, how capable we feel to get things done.

This begins with our role in our interactions with others, whether we are capable of being direct with others about our personal goals and passions, and whether we can inspire others to follow our example. This helps us be more aware of how passionate we are about life or what’s missing to get us back on track with our passion-projects.

The Sun and Moon are connected to one of the Moon Nodes during an Eclipse, alternating between North and South Node Eclipses, emphasizing the evolutionary upgrades available to us during such times.

This is the first North Node Solar Eclipse in Aries since 2004. The Moon Nodes will move into the Aries-Libra polarity on July 17th, 2023, and land on the Solar Eclipse degree. So it is safe to say that something will happen around July 18th that will resonate back to what began around April 20th…to read the whole Solar Eclipse article and get access to all of the Coaching questions, click here.

North Node Eclipses help us move towards a new exploration of an energy that promotes our Soul’s evolution. They ask us to focus on the energies of the sign involved in the Eclipse (Aries, in this case) and work with the lighter/higher frequencies of those energies as much as possible. They highlight our ability for individual and collective growth and evolution.

Eclipses are crossroads or turning points along our Soul’s Journey. They are often marked by events or situations that signify a critical shift in our lives, nudging us to either change and grow or face more significant difficulties at the next turning point.

In this case, the next turning point will be on July 22nd — when the Sun in a late degree of Cancer squares this month’s Solar Eclipse degree.

Solar Eclipses, in particular, often correspond to significant endings and beginnings. They occur close to the same degree every 19 years, and the last time we had a Solar Eclipse in this particular degree and sign was on April 19th, 2004. 

We will likely experience a resonance between now and that time — “resonance”, not repetition — so think back to the Spring of 2004 and ask yourself: Were there any major endings and beginnings? What was important to me back then? If I were to take those priorities to the next level, where would that next level find me?

If you’re looking for more guidance on those questions, I would suggest taking a look at your Natal Chart — the House placement of the Eclipse will indicate which area of life is the readiest to embrace a healthy sense of Self and rise to a new level of consciousness around independence and forging your path.

Solar Eclipses are also a good time to go within and seed anything we would like to learn over the next six months — we’ll dig into this in more detail towards the end of this article when we talk about setting Solar Eclipse Intentions. Setting Intentions for Solar Eclipses differs from a regular New Moon! So stay tuned!

Since this Eclipse is the second of two New Moons in a row in the same sign within the last 30 days (called a Black Moon), we are getting an extra dose of our inner warrior energy.

The very last degree (or more specifically, the last 10 minutes) of a sign is also quite potent and tells us that we are invited to deepen that which got initiated — at the time of the Super New Moon on March 21st — over the next six months.

Here are some things to note in this New Moon/Solar Eclipse chart:

• We have two planets in an exalted state: Mercury in Taurus starts its Retrograde phase the day after the Eclipse becomes exact, and Pluto in Aquarius is also exalted, preparing to come to a halt and going retrograde on May 1st.
• One planet conjuncts the Eclipse (Jupiter in Aries)
• One planet squares the Eclipse (an exalted Pluto) —
• Jupiter and Pluto are both non-personal planets (and thus impact the collective as well as the individual)
• Mars, the ruler of Aries, currently in Cancer, squares Chiron in Aries and sextiles Mercury in Taurus

Before we go any further, let’s first talk about the sign of Aries: This Solar Eclipse in pioneering, fast-paced Aries focuses more on…

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This Solar Eclipse in pioneering, fast-paced Aries focuses more on our independence and dynamism  — you could say that we seek a healthier relationship with ourselves, one in which we are neither too caught up in our passions and enthusiasm for life nor too divorced from such feelings and pursuits. A healthy sense of Self and rising to a new level of consciousness around forging our path will also get a lot of focus.

We are powerfully reminded to take the time to show courage from our hearts, be unafraid to embrace who we are, and inspire others by forging our own paths.

Ask yourself: Where am I being called to take a risk and try something new? What feeds my passions? What is the next step toward becoming an increasingly healthy, strong, and independent person? One who is not afraid to pursue personal goals and desires? One who speaks up for what needs healing in our society around the traditional masculine?

Whether or not we have natal planets in Aries, we all have Aries somewhere in our birth chart, representing where we seek to develop a courageous heart and discover what we are capable of when pursuing our passions.

This is an excellent time to reevaluate our relationships with our human identity and discover who we are, what we are passionate about, and which path will take us forward, so check in with yourself: What came to mind when you read this?

Let’s talk about the exalted planets of this Eclipse chart:

Mercury comes to a halt — starting its 3-week Retrograde phase — only one day after the New Moon/Solar Eclipse becomes exact (on April 21st in the morning), while Pluto will halt on May 1st.

When a planet changes directions, its energy will be “louder” for some days before and after that shift. For example, Mercury has been “louder” since April 15th and will continue asking for our attention until April 28th; Pluto started to slow down on April 9th and will be exalted until May 16th.

When planets get ready to come to a halt to go retrograde, we are invited to pay attention to their energies and become more aware of what they are trying to communicate to us.

With Mercury in Taurus, we are more likely to be aware of any thoughts and information connected to the physical realm, such as money, possessions, or personal resources.

Ask yourself: What am I most aware of? Where do I feel too attached? Too disconnected? What thoughts support a healthy sense of self-worth? Which aren’t?

With Pluto in Aquarius, we are more likely to be aware of any emotional empowerment processes or feeling out of control. We also are more aware of how and when we give our power away to others.

Ask yourself: What habits, behaviors, or fears are holding me back from feeling fully empowered from within? Where am I holding on out of fear?

How might a deeper focus on my inner joy and authentic self-expression help me deepen emotional connections within my various groups or affiliations?

The exalted Pluto in Aquarius is also the modern ruler of Scorpio, where the South Node of the Moon currently resides. And since March 23rd, when Pluto entered Aquarius, it started squaring the Moon Nodes in Taurus-Scorpio. 

We are invited to evolve beyond outdated power structures (internal and external). Pay attention to what disempowers us at this time.

Ask yourself: What social norms or narratives no longer empower me? What am I most aware of right now? If I’m honest, what will almost inevitably break down simply because it no longer serves my networks or the collective?

Might releasing patterns of self-protection rooted in pain or trauma foster a more peaceful connection to life? Once aware of these behaviors or patterns, could I experiment with surrendering all of my fears to a “higher power”, whatever that term means to me?

Again, if you want to know how Pluto’s current journey might impact you personally, feel free to click here and get my webinar: “Pluto in Aquarius & Eclipse Season“

Now let’s talk about some of the aspects in this Solar Eclipse chart:

First, the Solar Eclipse in the last degree of Aries squares Pluto in an early degree of Aquarius. This asks us to live authentically and empower others whenever possible. We need to be more independent, assertive, and autonomous.

We are also invited to look at anything that disempowers us out there as a chance to make a difference and create the change we want to see in the world — from a place of courage and understanding that we can.

Ask yourself: What do I see? What am I painfully aware of? What stems from the past and needs to be transformed for me to have more enthusiasm — and the courage to go after what I truly feel passionate about?

What might transform out there if I focused 5% more on what I have influence over?

As best as you can, open yourself up to the power of love within. These next six months put us face to face with precisely what’s been holding us back from leading a fuller, more meaningful life. That’s a good thing! Release all fears and trust life!

Now, the Solar Eclipse also conjuncts Jupiter in Aries. This gives us extra energy and courage to see things from a different perspective, be less afraid of making mistakes, and forge ahead with whatever feels most inspiring and brings the most self-growth.

Ask yourself: Where am I waiting to make a giant leap forward? What perspective shifts would be most beneficial to me at this time?

What if life were happening “for me” instead of “to me”? Could I just decide to believe that? Just decide that was the case?

Apropos Jupiter, this giant will move into a new sign on May 16th, and we will address this new, one-year transit in great detail in our next Forecasting Forum on May 5th at 5pm ET!… so feel free to join us live or watch the mp4-video presentation, whenever it’s convenient for you. Early Bird Special available until May 3rd ==> either way, register here now.

Let’s talk about Mars, the ruler of Aries, currently in Cancer, squaring Chiron in Aries, and sextiling Mercury in Taurus.

Mars’ Square to Chiron in Aries: This aspect invites us to stretch and grow beyond what we thought was possible concerning our masculine energies.

It requires a creative approach and an ability to see our insecurities around anger or self-assertion as a part of being human.

We may also experience triggers that are connected to past wounds from childhood. Take this as an opportunity to grow and allow yourself to notice (rather than judge) your reactions.

Ask yourself: How old am I when I react to my triggers? What if there was no shame in my feeling angry? No matter how strong the feeling? What if I saw the part of me that got triggered as valid and deserving of my love and understanding? How might a compassionate approach support me next time around?

Mars’ Sextile to Mercury in Taurus: This aspect provides an opportunity to connect thought to action. Body and mind can align; words and deeds connect with ease. That said, as with any opportunity, we have to “take” this one: it will not happen by itself.

Ask yourself: What actions are calling to me? How are those actions connected to my personal talents, financial resources, or material possessions?

Where might adopting a simple, truthful approach support my home life and personal projects?

As best as you can, stay connected to nature, and focus on things that support your emotional and physical well-being.

Ask yourself: what might I discover about myself and my desires if I truly listened to my physical body and emotional needs?

One other thing worth mentioning: The Moon in Aries makes a “mutual reception“ to Mars in Cancer — in other words, these planets are in each other’s signs at the time of the Solar Eclipse — meaning they support each other’s agenda. This allows us to connect a sense of agency with familiarity, courage, or a feeling of safety.

We seek out emotional satisfaction: connecting to what’s familiar, pursuing things that enhance our familiar connections or home life (such as renovating our home), protecting our family and loved ones, etc…. and we want to feel safe! Family, familiarity, emotional safety, and security seem to come from taking actions that support us in having them.

Ask yourself: What actions could I take over the next six months to support this agenda?

To Sum it all up: Being open to trusting the process and keeping our hearts courageously open is key!

This Eclipse in Aries invites us to be brave and alive to the possibilities that life offers us. It asks us to get out of our comfort zone and pursue things that are emotionally satisfying to us. 

While flexibility and open-mindedness are always helpful, they are especially important now, so notice when you are digging your heels in about something — it’s usually a sign that you have some underlying anxiety about something else. Take a deep breath, get centered in your body, close your eyes and focus on your third eye.

Embracing our own humanity and practicing self-compassion, especially around our inner processes and limitations, provides an opportunity for great healing.

Again, flexibility and open-mindedness will definitely help for the next 5 weeks (until May 19th), while we are still in Eclipse Season. Again,  you may also want to watch my Solar Eclipse video.
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Because Eclipses are so powerful, they require a bigger orb than a regular Full or New Moon. I usually use a 5º orb instead of 2º… so since this Solar Eclipse takes place in 29º50‘ of Aries:

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in the following: 24-29 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn, or 0-5 degrees of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, or Aquarius? If so, you may feel the effects of this New Moon more strongly; this is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Cancer (the Sun rules Leo, the Moon rules Cancer)

Setting Intentions for a Solar Eclipse is a little different from the regular monthly New Moon process — after all, we are setting them for the whole 6-month Eclipse cycle rather than just the next 28 days.

Solar Eclipse Intentions are best done 48 hours after the Eclipse becomes exact. This is because we are downloading new templates at the time of an Eclipse, and the energies are pretty intense, so we want to wait until it all settles down a little before setting our intentions — that said, we do not want to set them during a Moon void of course.

Given all this, here are the best and most potent times to set your Intentions for this Solar Eclipse: Between 6:11am, on April 22nd, and 12:13am, on April 23/24th. Note that all times above are given in US Eastern Time — i.e., the New York time zone.

Set powerful intentions — remember, they cover the next six months — and if possible, align them with the Aries energy!

If you live in a timezone other than EDT and converting time zones isn’t your thing, I suggest joining my Facebook Fan-page and following me on Twitter, as I post reminders on those platforms when it’s time to set your intentions.

If you would like more details on how to set Intentions, please click here.