Today is the Total Solar Eclipse in Leo, perfecting at 10:37am PDT. There are several things that elevate this eclipse over others. It is the first eclipse in the new paradigm of North Node in Aquarius leading us to service. The South Node in Leo helps us release the shadow of too much or too little self, so we can know who we are (a Leo construct) and how we serve (invented by Aquarius). The close proximity between the Nodes changing signs just two weeks ago and this first eclipse has to count, and it is likely to amplify this particular lunar cycle. And of course, it’s being held by a pattern in the outer planets that is absolutely unprecedented.
This is a South Node eclipse, as the Sun in Leo is Conjunct the South Node that holds our past. There is a slight misunderstanding about this, as even though this is a New Moon, it’s not about setting intentions for the future; the whole cycle is about releasing the past in order to start up anew. In Leo, the centering of the Self is organic, like the Leo-ruled Sun that burns brightly and consistently in the center of our collective experience.
The I Am That I Am at the personal level is directly reflected by this eclipse, helping us all attract more love and joy by living centered in our hearts. Traditionally, eclipses are not thought of as a good time to focus on manifesting new things. The instability, amplified chaos, and the broken beam of consciousness are incompatible with manifesting, but better spent in receiving the reset.
In Leo, it’s easy to tap into this self-centered consciousness and rest back into knowing who you are. And while this is not a Full Moon, so we are not in that release mode, we still want to approach this New Moon with the mindset of recognizing which shadow of Leo you are meant to release in this eclipse wormhole. It’s either too much of you in the room, led by a narcissistic wound that leads to a need for attention. Or the contrast of not valuing yourself enough when who you are is all that and a bag of chips.
The Sun and Moon meet up at 20° of Leo, so if you know your chart, you can see where this fits into your world. Any planets or points you have between 16° and 23° of any sign are being hit directly by this New Moon. There is a loose Trine to Saturn in Aries, so there’s a grounded sense of importance in this moment. I say grounded because Saturn reflects that idea, but in Aries we learn our lessons and meet our responsibilities through fire and action. This also provides something that Saturn is known for, which is the reward for a job well done.
This easy geometrical connection to the Teacher says we have his blessing to expand and grow because of past lessons learned. This reminds me of how I end any conflict or criticism that feels like projection. The other day on social media, someone remarked on how alarming the #redrobeastrology video was. Others came to my defense since they know me as not a fear mongerer. But my response was simple: I know who I am. And as a Leo Sun and Venus, it has been a long life lesson to do this from the center of my heart. Not above it, where I am the shit, or below it, where I think who I am to stand in this confidence? We take this in as we move through this lunar cycle, letting go of the ego that can get in the way of service.
Mercury is in Leo, so our mind and thinking have access to boldness and ease in centering the self through our voice. We have just come out of a deep excavation of feelings that hold us back or cause us to feel unready for the fast pace of the new Earth. Mercury is now at 5° Leo, close enough to Jupiter to fill our minds, voice, and perceptions with boatloads of confidence and optimism. But notice the degree point. Venus is at 5° of Libra, so a Sextile between the mind and heart is loving out loud. On the other side, Mercury will also Sextile Uranus at 5° Gemini. Pluto is at (almost) 4° of Aquarius, so not quite precise, but darn close.
Put these together and you have a Grand Air Trine (Venus, Uranus, and Pluto) with Mercury splitting that Trine into a small triangle that sits on top of the bigger one. This shape is called a Kite because it looks just like one. It’s a truly powerful pattern that suggests movement forward, in this case led by Mercury, so our brand new perceptions lead us into the cycle. The tail is the death and rebirth that’s behind us, thank you, Pluto. And as we remain loving in our hearts (Venus in Libra) and stay graceful with sudden change (Uranus in Gemini), you can use the wings of this Kite to fly into an unknown future with the confidence that comes from knowing who you are.
Mars has just entered Cancer, so our sense of action is a bit underwater for this entire cycle. Mars doesn’t like it here, but we have an exact Sextile between Mars and Chiron that tells us that, if we pick up some tools (Sextiles require behavior), we can move forward more gracefully because we have been releasing so much wound and shadow from the past. This Sextile imprinting itself in the New Moon means we can now go deeper into healing fear, hesitation, and the feeling of being unready for the work ahead. You are ready.
Neptune at 4° of Aries is not part of the Kite formation, but it is at the magic degree point. As such, Neptune is in Opposition to Venus, so there are confrontations with love, relationships, and intimacy that could result in confusion and uncertainty. It can also reveal things that have been hidden from your heart by delusion, impressionability, and blind spots. Venus will go retrograde in Libra, though she’s not in that cycle quite yet. But this eclipse is so dialed into Venus that we are being set up for a more transformative Venus retrograde than ever before. Venus in a Grand Air Trine with Uranus and Pluto also tells us that the heart at the personal level is meeting the revolution of changes on Earth. We are emotionally excited with Venus and Uranus, and the Pluto Trine brings the gravitas and intensity of deep change that all eclipse seasons bring.
Eclipses are fated and transformative. What I love about this next chapter of the Nodes in Aquarius/Leo is that it fits the narrative that I’ve been teaching for two years now. To meet the world at the level of its changes is to transform ourselves to meet these chaotic and revolutionary times. So let this eclipse have its way with you. The invitation is to transform, not eventually, but right here in the wormhole of shadow and light. Center yourself in your heart, know who you are all the way to the bones, and let the old Leo shadow fall into the abyss where it belongs. Then turn that certainty outward and serve, because a world in revolution is waiting for exactly what only you can bring. Fly into the unknown with the confidence that comes from knowing who you are. You are ready. Now go be seen, and have at it!
