Eclipse Season: The War on Peace

Buckle up. We have officially entered the eclipse window, and something tells me it’s about to pop off. Now, I don’t mean to sound alarmist, because plunging into fear twice a year during these routine astrological events is definitely NOT the vibe. The ancients feared eclipses, but these days we have levelled up enough in our cosmic understanding to know how to approach the eclipses with a more positive mindset and actually work with their powerful energies.

So what’s the big deal with eclipses?

Eclipses open the energetic door for profound personal and collective change, which makes them somewhat unpredictable by nature. Eclipses happen in pairs twice a year, and they relate to the themes presented by the signs that the Lunar Nodes reside in. Collectively, we “purge” the familiar, limiting energy of the South Node and work towards embracing and embodying the lesser developed qualities of the North Node that will assist us in our spiritual evolution.

This transformation isn’t always an easy shift, which is why eclipses kind of get a bad rap. On occasion, the Universe will throw certain “surprises” at us just to try to get a response (i.e. get us to make a change that is necessary for our soul, but otherwise not convenient in any other regard). Consider eclipses a period of course-correction from the Universe, for better or for worse. They key is to remove your ego from the equation and surrender to the fact that you aren’t always in control (as much as we’d like to be). During eclipse windows we typically experience more “big” life events, personally and collectively. This might include moving, getting engaged, getting married, having a baby, getting a promotion, suddenly losing your job, getting in an accident, or anything that pulls you out of your routine and comfort zone. As you can see, eclipses can be times of very positive change (or upheaval)! It all depends on where we need to be guided, and that call comes from the cosmic guidance team upstairs.

The April eclipse series is taking place in the signs of Aries and Libra, otherwise known as the axis of Peace & War. Given the recent escalation of global conflicts around the world, we might correctly assume that war will be a very literal theme during this eclipse season (I’m sorry to say). But when it comes to our personal lives, this axis relates to how we relate—with others and with ourselves. Aries represents the Self (“I am”), and Libra seeks to understand their identity through relationship. Both signs in excess have their flaws (see “war”, above). We need to strike a balance between the personal will, identity, and autonomy of Aries that motivates us as individuals with the relational piece cultivated by Libra that fosters connection, cooperation, harmony, and social protection.

There’s no arguing that we need our “people” and we need our community, but we also need to have an equally strong sense of self, especially in a world that is hellbent on programming us to all act and think the same way, with little to no opposition or room for rational discourse or respectful disagreement. This tension is what leads to conflict between Aries and Libra. Friction that is created when motivations of the individual (or the entity/nation/culture) clash with the ideals and objectives of the collective. Libra is a natural diplomat and a master at finding win-win solutions, but the current astrology is pushing us to find the path that favors a personal victory over a superficial group compromise that puts a pretty pink band-aid on a bullet wound.

So what’s the vibe for the upcoming eclipses?

During the Aries/Libra eclipses, we are saying goodbye to codependent relationships where we haven’t been showing up as our authentic selves as a means to “keep the peace” or maintain the harmonious status quo. We are finding our courage to explore new parts of ourselves that we had previously abandoned for fear of judgement from our peers. Anywhere in your life where you have been superficial, indecisive, or avoidant will be brought to light so that you can finally make a move, no matter who might be disappointed or upset by you making a choice that is aligned for YOU. In real life, this energy could manifest the ending of many long-standing relationships (even the ones you thought were rock solid). This includes friendship break-ups, leaving the 9-5 job that sucks your soul to pursue your entrepreneurial dream instead, telling your parents that you’re tired of living life on their terms and having to live up to their expectations all the time. The doormat days are over, people, so take a page out of Aries’ book and tell some of these toxic people in your life to kindly, fuck off.

Whatever contracts in your life need renegotiating so that they benefit YOU, this eclipse window is going to give you the chance to rewrite them (or throw them out entirely). This is a huge moment for standing in our personal power, wherever we need that confidence boost. Don’t be afraid of what you might lose by speaking your truth. Anyone who doesn’t make the cut during the eclipses was never meant to go with you anyways.