Aries and Libra Eclipses: What have we learned?

Throughout the past year, the journey of the Nodes of the Moon across the Aries and Libra axis has set the stage for a series of eclipses in these two signs, prompting us to confront all manner of challenges concerning both our individuality and our connections with others. Central to this transformative period has been a profound re-evaluation of relationships. Aries, the sign of self, has compelled us to re-examine our relationship with ourselves, urging us to delve into our own identity, desires, and assertiveness. Meanwhile, Libra, the sign of partnerships and balance, has cast a spotlight on our interactions with others, be they romantic, professional, or platonic, demanding that we re-assess the dynamics, boundaries, and harmony within these relationships.

The South Node serves as a mirror, reflecting back to us the familiar patterns and behaviours we’ve grown accustomed to over time. These patterns often represent our comfort zones, the places where we’ve found solace or security in the past. However, as the south node traverses through Libra, the sign of harmony, diplomacy, and cooperation, it urges us to scrutinize these ingrained habits. What once felt comfortable may now reveal itself as stagnant or even detrimental to our growth. Conversely, the north node beckons us towards uncharted territory, pushing us beyond our comfort zones and into the realm of Aries, the sign of initiation, courage, and self-discovery. While the path ahead may be fraught with challenges and uncertainty, it offers the potential for profound personal evolution and fulfillment. As we navigate this karmic dance between the south and north nodes, we are called (often aggressively and painfully) to confront our old patterns and embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that lie ahead in Aries’ pioneering domain.

Eclipses indeed wield a powerful influence over our lives, serving as agents of change that disrupt our routines and stir the depths of our souls. While they may bring gifts, their primary function is often to strip away the old and usher in the new, whether we are ready for it or not. Understanding their impact requires delving into their alignment with the lunar nodes, which act as markers of destiny and evolution.

Solar eclipses, being the new moons on steroids that they are, mark the culmination of one cycle and the beginning of another. When occurring at the South Node, they signal the death knell of outdated patterns, relationships, or circumstances that no longer serve our highest good. These eclipses serve as karmic pruners, cutting away the deadwood to make room for new growth. Conversely, when situated at the North Node, they herald fresh beginnings in uncharted territories of our lives, in Aries beckoning us to step into the unknown with courage and conviction.

On the other hand, lunar eclipses, akin to full moons, illuminate the areas of our lives that are ripe for transformation. When near the South Node, they act as spotlights, shining with stark, white clarity on the aspects of our lives that are no longer sustainable or fulfilling. These eclipses prompt us to release old habits, beliefs, or attachments that hinder our growth and evolution. Conversely, when near the North Node, they illuminate the areas where we may be struggling to integrate new patterns or to fully embrace change. These eclipses serve as reminders to align our actions with our soul’s evolutionary path, even in the face of kicking-and-screaming resistance or uncertainty.

In essence, eclipses serve as checkpoints, urging us to assess where we stand on our journey of self-discovery and transformation. While their effects may be intense and often challenging, they offer invaluable opportunities for growth and renewal. By embracing the lessons they impart and aligning ourselves with the currents of change they unleash, we can navigate these waters with grace and resilience, emerging stronger, wiser, and more aligned with our true selves. But it is important that we do in fact embrace these changes.

In this post we’ll delve into the intricate story woven by the four recent eclipses within the Aries and Libra axis over the past year. Our focus will primarily be on the main aspects between the eclipses and other celestial bodies, as well as the interactions of Mars and Venus, the rulers of Aries and Libra, respectively. Let’s set off on this journey and attempt to unravel the hidden meanings within.

Solar Eclipse in Aries (April 20, 2023):

This eclipse, positioned at the critical 29th degree of Aries, served as a potent catalyst for self-discovery and assertiveness. It prompted us to re-evaluate our roles both within our relationships and in the broader world, igniting a deep introspection into our individual identities.

Mars, the fiery ruler of Aries, found itself in watery and emotional Cancer during this eclipse, infusing the already intense energy with an emotional depth that bordered on passive-aggressiveness at times. This emotional undercurrent added layers of complexity to our actions and reactions, stirring up unresolved feelings and tensions within us and our interactions with others.

The sextile of Mars to Mercury and Uranus conjunct in Taurus sparked innovative (and not always peaceful) communication and gave us unexpected insights, pushing us to break free from stagnant patterns of thought and embrace new perspectives. However, the square to Pluto in Aquarius cast a shadow over these breakthroughs, intensifying the transformative energy of the eclipse and bringing power struggles and conflict to the forefront.

In the realm of social change and group dynamics, this aspect highlighted the ways in which we have been increasingly allowing technology to dull our human relationships, leading to painful revelations and confrontations. It challenged us to confront the darker aspects of our collective psyche and asked us to reclaim our power in shaping the world around us.

Solar Eclipse in Libra (October 14, 2023):

During this eclipse, the spotlight shone brightly on the intricacies of our relationships and partnerships, pushing us to seek equilibrium and repair amidst the seeming chaos that has befallen some of our connections.

Venus, the ruler of Libra, found herself in Virgo during this time, adopting a nit-picky and critical stance that emphasized the need for practicality and organization in our interactions with others. This hyper-meticulous approach may have highlighted flaws and imperfections in our relationships, focusing on the smallest details of hurt and wrongdoing and the imbalances inherent in our services to others, all the while bringing up the areas that we felt needed to be addressed by our partners in order to make us feel better.

The sextile of Venus to Mars in Scorpio infused our interactions with depth and intensity, igniting empassioned exchanges and driving us to dig into the deepest layers of our emotional connections. However, Venus’s opposition to Saturn in Pisces posed significant challenges, creating roadblocks and limitations that forced us to confront the harsh realities of our relationships.

The eclipse’s conjunction with Mercury underscored the importance of communication in fostering harmony and understanding within our relationships. However, Chiron’s opposition brought a wave of vulnerability and emotional wounds to the surface, amplifying real or imagined feelings of hurt and betrayal. This aspect may have stirred up unresolved pain from past experiences, and posed the seemingly insurmountable challenge for us to confront and heal old wounds in order to move forward.

Lunar Eclipse in Libra (March 25, 2024):

Here we fell into the deepest gullies of our emotional landscapes, where hidden truths and unresolved tensions within our relationships awaited our discovery.

Venus, the gentle ruler of Libra, found herself in the mystical waters of Pisces, alongside the stern presence of Saturn. This conjunction added a sobering (and at times even depressing) influence to matters of love and partnership, reminding us of the importance of limits, definition and structure, no easy thing in the boundless and murky realm of Pisces. It urged us to navigate the delicate balance between compassion on the one hand and much needed self-preservation on the other, to maintain integrity in our interactions while remaining open-hearted.

The sextile of Venus to the Jupiter and Uranus conjunction in Taurus offered a glimmer of hope amidst the Pisces emotional tide swings, infusing our relationships with optimism and potential for growth. This aspect encouraged us to embrace innovative solutions and expand our horizons, even in the face of uncertainty. However, the eclipsing Moon’s trine to Pluto in Aquarius brought deep emotional transformations and age-old power struggles to the surface, helping us to confront our deepest fears and desires with courage and resilience.

In the wake of this eclipse, we found ourselves at a crossroads, faced with the imperative for complete, ground-up restructuring and reassessment in our relationships. We sought to find a delicate balance between stability and fresh, new innovation. Between the traditional, habitual and failed ways of old, and new and untested routes towards progress. It was a time of profound introspection and growth. Here the hope is that we navigated the complex terrain of emotional connections with grace and wisdom.

Solar Eclipse in Aries (April 8, 2024):

This Solar North Node eclipse in Aries was arguably the most impactful of them all and marked a pivotal moment for growth and introspection.

Mars, ruling Aries, was conjunct with Saturn in Pisces, emphasizing the need for disciplined action and strategic planning. Saturn slows Mars down and limits his impulses. Although frustrating at times, this can really help us to think first and act later, and that in emotional Pisces may not be a bad thing! This begs us to confront obstacles with a practical mindset, to look back at our experiences and formulate a clear path forward.

With Chiron exactly conjunct the eclipse and Mercury retrograde also in Aries, we were keenly aware of our past wounds but at the same time we knew in the depths of our souls that there were steps available for healing. The question is… did we pay them any heed? Did we take the fresh new steps presented by Aries that we needed for repairing ourselves and our relationships?

Where are we now?

Opportunities for transformation and personal growth abounded through this eclipse series, provided we confronted our fears and addressed our self-limiting beliefs. Courage and resilience were essential in embarking on the new journey of self-discovery that these eclipses have presented.

In its aftermath, we find ourselves on the brink of significant evolution, armed with new-found insights, determination and abundant healing, all there for the plucking if we want it. As we navigated the inner landscape of our being, we discover our innate capacity to overcome challenges and embrace our true potential.

The Nodes of the Moon indeed serve as powerful indicators of our karmic journey, highlighting the lessons and experiences we are meant to encounter in this lifetime. They point us towards the areas of our lives where growth, evolution, and transformation are necessary, guiding us along the path of our soul’s development.

But it is essential to remember that ultimately, the responsibility for enacting our own individual karmic change lies solely with us. While the eclipses may serve as catalysts for transformation, it is our response to these cosmic nudges that determines the course of our evolution. We have the agency to either heed the lessons presented to us and take proactive steps towards personal growth, or to resist and remain stagnant in old patterns.

Facing our karmic lessons requires courage, honesty, and a willingness to delve deep into our innermost selves. It involves acknowledging our shortcomings, owning up to our mistakes, and actively working towards self-improvement. This process is inherently personal and deeply introspective, as it requires us to confront the shadow aspects of our psyche and to embrace the journey of self-discovery with humility and compassion.

On the other hand, ignoring our karmic lessons and blaming external circumstances or other people for our challenges only perpetuates our cycle of suffering. It keeps us trapped in a state of victimhood, preventing us from taking accountability for our actions and hindering our potential for growth.

Ultimately, the choice to embrace our karmic journey and actively participate in our own evolution is ours and ours alone. Especially in Aries, it is a choice that requires courage, resilience, and a brave willingness to walk the path of self-discovery with an open heart and mind. Let’s face it… life can be very hard! But by taking ownership of our karmic lessons and committing to personal growth, we can navigate the challenges of life with grace and elevated wisdom, ultimately transforming ourselves and our destinies in the process.