Eclipses 101
What they are and how they affect you
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to my Substack! So grateful to have you as a reader!
What a week it has been. I have heard collectively that last week was just a shitshow. And for me personally, I can attest to that. But with the eclipse shadow period coming into effect, I am not surprised!
I have felt called to share a breathwork practice for releasing stagnant energy. With all the heaviness and uncertainty in the media and possibly being stuck inside because of the weather, I think it would be good to chat about how to get energy moving when things feel stuck or uncertain. Be on the lookout for that later this week!
This post today is all about Eclipses, what they mean and how we can help discern how they will affect us.
What is an Eclipse Astronomically?
There are two types of eclipses. A Solar Eclipse is when the Moon comes directly between the Earth and the Sun and we see the blackout of the Sun. A Lunar Eclipse is when the Earth comes directly between the Moon and the Sun, and we see the blackout of the Moon.
What is an Eclipse Astrologically?
Astrologically, an Eclipse is when there is a new or full moon within 10 degrees of the North and South Nodes of the Moon.
What are the North and South Nodes?
The Nodes of the Moon are two mathematical points in a chart and are considered “Shadow Planets” because they aren’t actually planets. There are two different ways to calculate them, True Node and Mean Node. To be completely honest, I have NO idea what the difference is calculation-wise, but I have followed the True Node system as that is what my teachers have followed.
The North and South Nodes are always directly opposite of each other in a chart. The North Node represents the Karma and lessons we are meant to start building. We may see ourselves as a little naïve in the area that our North Node lives in our chart.
The South Node represents the lessons that we have already learned well and good in past lives. It can represent a comfort zone in the chart and is ultimately an area we are meant to move away from in our lives. It can make us neurotic in the areas in which this planet lives.
The Nodes in Vedic Mythology
I spoke a little bit in last week’s post about the Mythology of the Nodes and wanted to repeat it here as it is such an interesting story and shows us how these energies come up in our charts!
The myth goes that the North and South Nodes were once one being named Svarbhanu. Svarbhanu snuck in line during the churning of the ocean, which produced the elixir of immortality. The planets were lined up, and Svarbhanu was between the Sun and the Moon. Both planets were suspicious of Svarbhanu and told Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu decapitated Svarbhanu, but not before he drank the elixir. So Vishnu put the head, Rahu, and the body, Ketu, on opposite sides of the sky.
The North Node is Rahu, the head with no body. This becomes significant in understanding the North Node’s meaning as he is insatiable and egotistical. Planets that are near Rahu become materialistic, and in the birth chart are naïve.
The South Node is Ketu, the body with no head. Ketu is reclusive and introspective, as he does not have the head aka the ego to keep him worried about material things.
The Axis of Rahu and Ketu
As mentioned previously, Rahu and Ketu are always opposite each other in your birth chart and in transit. It is important here to understand the axis that they are in to better understand what you are moving towards and what you need to let go of. There are 6 axes, though they can both be flipped as to which house you have Rahu in and which you have Ketu in. Below are the overarching themes that I have gathered between each of the axes:
1st/7th House Axis - Self Identity vs Relationships with others
2nd/8th House Axis - Emotional vs Material Stability
3rd/9th House Axis - Community and Curiosity vs Worldly Expansion
4th/10th House Axis - Inner Happiness vs Worldly Success
5th/11th House Axis - Self Expression vs The Collective
6th/12th House Axis - Material Service vs Spiritual Surrender
Now, this is very generalized. In a one on one reading, or at my Cosmic Rhythms Collective meetups. Here I just have the houses listed, and that is because the houses show what area of life you will be feeling the energy. The Zodiac sign will show how that energy will play out. This all can get a little complicated as you also have to look at what planet rules the sign your Nodes are in and what planets you may have next to them, etc., so I will keep it simple with just the houses. I also want to note that you can also get into the Nakshatra, or Moon Sign, that your Nodes are in which will give you even more depth. If you are not familiar with the Nakshatras or need a refresher, you can read about them here.
Natal Axis vs Current Transit
We all have the set place that Rahu and Ketu sit in our chart, but we also have where they are currently transiting in the sky affecting us. In our Natal Chart, the Nodes are the general theme of karma that we will be working through throughout our whole lives. But the Nodes transiting the sky can show us collectively where karma may come up, and gives us opportunities in every part of our lives to open new doors and close old ones. Where the Nodes are transiting currently can also show what areas you may be experiencing karma, but it will be temporary (unless you are running a Nodal Opposition or Nodal Return, which we will get into next). The Nodes change signs about every 18 months (and always move backwards through the Zodiac!).
Nodal Return
A Nodal Return is when the North and South Nodes are currently transiting the same place they were in when you were born. This only happens every 18.6 years, so it is a crazy transit. These are times of massive change in your life. It can change the course that you are on. Think of it like a checkpoint. Are you going to continue with the same lessons and obstacles, or have you learned from them?
Nodal Opposition
This is an interesting one, and is a transit I am currently going through! This is when the current Nodal Axis is flipped from where it is in your birth chart. So for example, my Natal Rahu is in my 12th house, and my Natal Ketu is in my 6th house. Currently, Rahu is transiting Aquarius (using the Sidereal Calculations) which is in my 6th house, so it is going over my Natal Ketu. That means Ketu is currently transiting my Natal Rahu. I’ve been reading into what this time means because let me tell you, it has been confusing me. But it seems like it is a time for reflection. Taking the time to look at how far you have come, and if there is anything you can do to better yourself and continue this forward movement.
If you think about it, your first Nodal Return is when you are 18. What a pivotal time! After that, you have a Nodal Opposition at 27-ish. You do a LOT of growing in that time. When I was 18, I thought I wanted to be a famous singer-songwriter. I moved to Nashville to study songwriting and music business. I never thought I would get married or have a relationship. Here I am at 27, working on the back end of the industry, building a spiritual business and getting ready to get married right after I turn 28. I’ve gone to therapy, found what I love to do, changed my mind a million times over, and love looking back on how far I have come as I get ready to step into life as a married woman. Gosh why am I getting emotional…
Final Thoughts
Wow. That was a long one! All that to say, eclipses are an intense time. Even if you aren’t in a return or opposition! Eclipses are portals and opportunities for change. While considered inauspicious in the Vedic system, it is great time for introspection and spiritual connection. This is NOT a time to completely change your life out of no where. If there is a something that you have been contemplating for a while, this is a good time to make that decision, but not act on it until after the season completes.
If you would like to book a reading to better understand your chart and how this season will be affecting you, leave a comment and I will share the link to my Calendly!
Thank you for your time and I hope that you like and subscribe to hear more!
About the Author
Hi! My name is Maddie and I am a Vedic Astrologer, Breathwork Facilitator and Yoga Teacher in Nashville, TN. I am passionate about self discovery, everyday mindfulness and being a life long learner. And trust me, with Vedic Astrology there is no shortage of things to study and learn! In Tropical Astrology I am a Libra Sun/Rising, Scorpio Moon, in Sidereal I am a Virgo Sun/Rising, Libra Moon (can’t get away from that Libra energy!). In Human Design I am a 1/4 Emotional Projector.
We can make it through this eclipse period!!