Even the most stoic, sceptical, analytical person looks up during an eclipse.
An eclipse has an astronomical component — technically, the moon slides in front of the sun, so for a moment we stop seeing it. And an astrological component: the symbolism of the signs the eclipses fall in.
On 26 July the lunar nodes moved onto the Leo–Aquarius axis. They stay there until March 2028, and the eclipses follow that axis. Such an axis always has a south node, where we are moving away from, and a north node, where we are heading. Leo now sits on the south side, Aquarius on the north.
For the next year and a half this collective movement — and with it every eclipse — carries one theme: how do you relate to yourself and to the larger whole?
A different look at leadership
That asks for a different look at leadership. The shadow side of Leo is the need to be seen. Proving yourself, standing at the front, leadership that revolves around your person. That is what we are moving away from. Aquarius calls towards collaboration, renewal, the larger whole.
This is no call to erase yourself — dissolving into what the group expects of you is the shadow at the other end of the axis. Your individuality is allowed to get sharper. What we get to learn is how to put it in service of something larger than ourselves.
What began for you in 2017?
This axis has come by before, from May 2017 to November 2018, with the nodes exactly reversed. Back then Leo pushed you onto the stage: show who you are, take up room. Look back at that period. What was going on for you? What began, what was given room, where did you step forward? Good chance something from then returns, with the question turned around.
A new moon usually carries the energy of a beginning, and we can set intentions. An eclipse is more complicated. The solar eclipse of 12 August fell right on the south node, which makes letting go part of the new start. So my Leo eclipse question for you:
What can you let go of to make room for a new beginning, one in which you put your individuality in service of something larger than yourself?
Curious what comes up for you.