When I first started studying astrology, eclipses scared the heck out of me. And I did understand (somewhat at least) the astronomical events involved. Imagine the terror in the hearts of ancient peoples when the sky would inexplicably darken and the sun seemed to disappear.

Our entry into what astrologers call “eclipse season” came this year on January 26^th, the first of an unusual six (two solar, four lunar) eclipses to occur this year. These celestial events are typically associated with upheaval and disruption, but despite the bad rap, these times can be ultimately beneficial and bring much needed transformation into our lives.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially hidden. Eclipses can only occur during a New Moon when both the Sun and Moon are together in the same sign — and add power to an otherwise routine monthly cycle. Many people use New Moon energy to plant seeds, start new projects, buy new things, make new contacts. Things begun at these times tend to grow well.

Add to this the energy of the solar eclipse — external, paternal, protective and active. Having both the Sun and Moon in the same sign brings added focus and intensity to that energy. During a solar eclipse the warmth and light of the Sun are withheld for a small window of time and we may feel a lack or absence — a sense of missing energy.

The first eclipse of this year came at 06:30 Aquarius, an intellectual air sign that represents group activities, social pursuits, humanitarian efforts, brotherhood, friendship — and the urge to join. Think outside the box now. Look to the future with positive and hopeful vision. Brainstorm and socialize… expect support and work to be objective… detached from past habits that may not have served you well. This energy gives us the chance to make progressive changes. In this particular solar eclipse there’s a close aspect to expansive Jupiter, enlarging and extending these feelings.

Eclipses are important to us personally when they create a close aspect to planets or points in our own natal birth chart. It’s not uncommon as you start to study astrology to look on these happenings with dread and trepidation, but as with all astrological events, these periods can bring needed change that wouldn’t have come about any other way. Solar eclipses are especially associated with beginnings.

If you find that an eclipse (either solar or lunar) comes within 1 to 2 degrees of a natal point in your chart, the parts of life governed by the house involved are activated, and may remain so for 6 months to up to 2 years afterward. The sign of the eclipse will also play a role in the events that might be triggered — Aquarius is a group oriented, intellectual, detached energy. How this all plays out for you personally depends on the point aspected and the sign and house where the eclipse takes place.

Those born with natal planets or points from 01 to 12 Aquarius, or at these degrees in the other fixed signs — Taurus, Leo or Scorpio — are likely to feel the current eclipse more intensely. Conditions you didn’t know existed may be revealed… look for beginnings (or endings) around you, or you may come to a final, clear understanding of a person in your life.

It’s also been my experience that the message of the eclipse is delivered within four days of the event… so anytime this week. While there can be variation in timing, the day of the eclipse, a month to the day following the eclipse (in our current case, February 26^th), plus four days are the periods to watch.

If an eclipse doesn’t impact a point in your own birth chart, you can view these as times of new beginnings… sometimes bringing the fall of the mighty. Stress is typically felt in the matters governed by the sign or sector of the zodiac… in this case original, inventive Aquarius. Sometimes the locations on the globe where the shadow of the eclipse falls can experience disruption, political crises, or civil unrest.

No matter what happens, in your own personal chart or to the world at large, eclipses harness the energy of change… a push forward in the direction we need to go. Something ends and something begins.

Another interesting tidbit about the eclipses to come this year? 2009 will see the longest eclipse of this century this summer on July 22^nd, lasting 6 minutes and 39 seconds in the sign of practical, hardworking Capricorn. But more on that later…

- Susan Morgan