The Astrology of April- the Aries Solar Eclipse and more... part 2

We’re at another threshold with the upcoming New Moon/Total Solar Eclipse in Aries happening on April 8th/9th  depending on where you live on the planet. This is the most highly anticipated Eclipse of 2024, not only because it’s path of totality crosses the United States ( the last Total Solar Eclipse to do this was plugged as the ““Great American Eclipse”” in August 2017) but also because there are a number of notable planetary alignments, one being the once in every 14 years conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus taking place on 19th-22nd April.
 
Solar Eclipses are super charged New Moons with an unpredictable energy which can shut down, stir up and realign. In ancient times they were regarded as omens -particular the rarer Total Solar Eclipses- which came to be regarded as signalling rulership changes, the fall of nations and political, economic changes in the places where they were visible.

As evolutionary markers for life chapters and completions, Eclipses assist us to free up life areas- e.g people, situations or attitudes- that we’ve outgrown so we can begin a new cycle. So while they can be associated with endings or loss, wherever there’s a vacuum created in nature, life will seek to fill it.

On an astrological level,  Eclipses can signal shifts in the personal life areas where they fall but as we have Eclipses at least twice a year they may not be impactful on a personal level unless the Eclipse comes into contact with personal planets or points . This is where an individual Astrology reading can be insightful.

The last time we had a Solar Eclipse at 19 degrees Aries was 8th April 2005. If you’re old enough can you remember where you were or what was going on around that time? It occurred to me the other day that I was in Varanasi, whilst travelling in India, but that’s a story for another time...

In terms of the impact on the Earth’s electro-magnetic energy field, Eclipses can imply seismic effects or shifting tectonic plates, volcanic or earthquake activity. The conversations between the planets in the Eclipse chart offer us insight into what themes may be playing out & what makes this one intriguing is that as the Sun and Moon come together at the same degree, Chiron is at the same degree almost to the minute as the Sun and Moon.

Chiron is an enigmatic “minor”’ planet with an erratic orbit around the Sun between Saturn and Uranus, the first of various centaurs and dwarf planets that are coming into prominence in the Astrology world. Since November 1977 when he was discovered, there’s been a consciousness shift around holistic health & alternative ways of healing through therapies that consider the body/mind and spirit connection.

Chiron in mythology was the centaur who not only was skilled in war craft but in the process of suffering, learnt to heal. He holds archetypal signatures of the wounded healer, a mentor or teacher who shares his discoveries and wisdom. But due to the eccentricity of this planet (that defies categorisation having a body rather like a comet) Chiron also represents the maverick or outsider. With Saturn being the established order and Uranus the revolution from old ways, Chiron holds a key (which is it’s astrological symbol) for the bridging of the two.

With the North Node of destiny being so close by to this trio in Aries at this Eclipse, the Sun, Moon and Chiron are initiating a new conversation which could change perceptions around what it means to be whole, honouring our diversity, our unique paths, that make us who we are warts, wounds and all.

Perhaps this will include Aries themes around courage, autonomy, independence... or with Chiron being so intimately present as the Moon’s disc obscures the Sun, something may come to light that has been in the shadows or hidden around victim consciousness or self sabotage. In Aries he represents the warrior’s quest for self-identification. In the collective psyche, there have been deep wounds around rejection, or fear of persecution for what we identify with. 

On the planet there has never been a time like now to express the essence of one’s self with it’s unique strengths, challenges and capabilities- and there’s ground breaking studies like those of Brene Brown that support the power to be vulnerable, to choose courage over comfort as a more authentic expression of a core sense of self.

Mars is the ruler of this Eclipse and will be conjunct Saturn on April 11th   in Pisces. In Pisces Mars can feel out of his depth and combined with Saturn’s restrictive influence there may be challenges around taking action from a compassionate angle rather than using domination or force. Passive aggressive energy, setbacks or delays could be potential triggers for frustration, anger or blame. Pushing against the river or snap decisions especially around the days of the Eclipse portal with Mercury also Retrograde are not recommended.

In a Natal chart these two planets can be used constructively if harnessed correctly, at best suggesting stamina, military-like discipline or focused execution. A great way to direct this energy might be through a martial art, sporting endurance technique or dance discipline. And in Pisces more people may find themselves now turning towards some sort of regular spiritual practice to maintain a sense of composure and ease.

On a global scale this may also be a signature for military maneuvers but disillusionment around leaders who aren’t acting for the greater good of the people they serve may be rising too. Mars will be conjunct Neptune at the end of the month reinforcing a collective feeling of dissatisfaction, futility or disappointment.

With Mercury Retrograde conjunct the dwarf planet Eris, sister of Mars (and known also as the Goddess of Discord), in conversation around this Eclipse we have additional fuel for discontent. Alan Clay, a New Zealand Astrologer who has written a wonderful book on the new dwarf planets out beyond Pluto ( New Stars for a New Era) and who I will be studying with over the coming months says Eris encourages us to simultaneously see ourselves in an uncompromising way and be inclusive in our world view”.

So she stands by her convictions. This could see people taking a louder vocal stance for silent majorities or those who are not heard, misrepresented or not included. This may well be a time when many are questioning what -or who- they stand for. Not to run out into a battleground fighting for what or who you believe in but to stand in the truth that is yours only and embody it, once you know what it is.

I haven’t even touched on the Jupiter Uranus conjunction on the 19th-21st of the month but that deserves it’s own write up, so I'll be writing a part 3 for April ina few days!

Usually the annual Aries New Moon is considered an opportune time for initiating new beginnings but given the planetary dynamics at the time of this Eclipse and the other planetary alignments happening later in the month, it strikes me that this a powerful but potentially unpredictable window, acknowledging the elements or patterns are no longer serving us individually and as a whole, needs to come from an unhurried place, with space and time for tuning in, sitting with the awareness that may arise for integration & healing to happen. Patience is not an Aries quality....much more a virtue of the following sign Taurus!

With the amplifying energy of the upcoming Uranus Jupiter conjunction in Taurus however, there could be certain pieces of the puzzle that need to activate in our self-awareness for new vantage points, initiatives and pathways to open up more clearly in the right timing...

On a practical level I’ve written about Mercury Retrograde in Aries in a previous blog post ( see previous post) but during this Retro period, staying present with here and now, deliberate, conscious communication, revising plans, taking time with major decisions or slowly formulating clear intentions is a good idea . Due to the unexpected energy that can be part of an Eclipse portal it is a great time to really observe what’s unfolding before taking action. It’s also advisable to factor in extra time when travelling or meeting deadlines!