Are you looking for something you can despise in me or love in me? Are you looking for something you can relate to in me or fight against? Are you looking for something ugly or beautiful?
~ Julieanne O'Connor

The Overview

Solar Eclipse

It's Eclipse Season again! Twice a year we get a pair of eclipses: a Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse. The solar eclipse is on October 14, and the lunar eclipse is on October 28. This Solar Eclipse can be viewed*** best in the southwest United States, Central America, and across the northern region of South America. Most of North America will see at least a partial eclipse. ( ***To watch live in real life, you must have proper eye protection to avoid damaging your eyes. You can get more information on the NASA website, or just watch it online.)

Eclipses in general tend to be times of significant change and/or disruption. With the Lunar Nodes being involved, this phenomenon may trigger what feels like a fated event. This solar eclipse is in Libra at 21:07. Libra is about balance, fairness, harmony and beauty, and re-establishing these qualities if they've become out of whack. As a result, Libra is often called the Peace-maker, usually looking to create peace by balancing the scales.

However, one person's balance and fairness may be another person's disturbance or upset. One side might feel that if balance can't be achieved through peaceful, diplomatic negotiation, they may believe a more insistent, aggressive strategy is called for. Hence, Libra is sometimes also called the War-maker. Peace through re-balancing is Libra's priority, and in extreme situations, extreme measures are sometimes used to achieve it.

Tragically and horribly, we are seeing the eruption of unprecedented violence between Hamas, Israel and Palestine. My heartfelt empathy and condolences go out to the victims and their families at this painful, traumatic time. May we find a path to peaceful coexistence.

The shocking, unexpected attack began on October 7 – just 3 days after Mars (planet of aggression and war) exactly crossed the South Lunar Node, and a few days before Pluto stationed direct while being exactly square Mars (potentially intense conflict). It was also a week before this solar eclipse (eclipses often stir up turmoil), and during this time the dwarf planet Eris (also associated with crisis) has been fused in a prolonged conjunction with the North Lunar Node. Alas, it seems the time was ripe for a political pressure cooker to boil over. (More about the Nodes below.)

The solar eclipse is at the South Lunar Node, often seen as an indicator of adversity and misfortune, or perhaps simply a need to let go of something that is in the way of upcoming opportunities. Mercury in Libra is conjunct the Sun and Moon, which might amplify a tendency for indecision, or it could push you to adjust your perceptions and thoughts to see both sides of a dilemma.

On the other side of the Sun and Moon is Mars who just recently entered his own sign of Scorpio. Actions can be powerful and consequential; a little goes a long way. Mars, along with the Sun and Moon, are also square Pluto, so this potent energy needs to be used wisely. Transformation and compassion are likely the best intentions to use when wielding this potentially volatile energy, and with the eclipse being in Libra, any actions need to be balanced out to attain peace.

At the other end of the Nodal axis is Chiron conjunct the North Node. This energy can bring out either wounding or healing or both. The North Node is also exactly conjunct Eris, which unfolds throughout this year and early 2024. Latent or suppressed emotion sometimes needs to come out in order to reduce the pressure or strain, and in high intensity situations it usually takes a while to process what comes up and clear the air.

Venus: Healing Through Cooperative Action

Venus rules both the current solar eclipse in Libra and the lunar eclipse in Taurus coming up on October 28. During both events, Venus is in Virgo which is a difficult place for Venus (in fall). That said, her mutual reception with Mercury encourages a mental, logical approach to issues rather than an intuitive one. Your interacts with others, and how you handle finances and possessions, may require more scrutiny and critical thinking than you'd like. However, could bring about some healing in those areas by carefully choosing who and what you give your attention, time and energy to.

Venus is tightly parallel Chiron (declination), and both of them are closely contraparallel to the Sun and Moon who are parallel each other. This amplifies the connections between the eclipse (Sun conjunct and parallel Moon) and Chiron (conjunct the North Node and opposite the Sun and Moon) and Venus (ruler of the Libra eclipse).

Venus is also opposite Saturn, suggesting that a clear strategy and boundaries can help you lean into the healing side of things. Venus continues her extended sextile with Mars which remains within 6° from Sep. 6 to Oct. 24, and (I recently realized) is actually a second near-pass of their exact sextile back on March 11 of this year.

Mars: Do It But Don't Overdo It

Mars becomes the apex of a Wedge aspect pattern with Venus opposite Saturn. Using carefully considered passion and instincts when taking action can help you make the most impact with a minimum of unnecessary damage. That said, with Mars strong in its own sign of Scorpio and squaring Pluto, the line between potent impact and excessive force may be unusually fine.

Within that Wedge configuration, Mars and Saturn are in a tight trine aspect with each other, as well as being parallel. Mars and Saturn have rather different agendas. Mars: act fast with passion; Saturn: go slow with careful consideration. As a result they tend to be adversaries and their conflicting energies can feel very frustrating.

However, when they join forces and work together, they can be a force to be reckoned with. Being both trine and parallel, this is one of those times. Disciplined use of your energy, resources, time and emotional expression can greatly increase your productivity, effectiveness, and energy reserves.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
hey give that they may life, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
~Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, On Giving

Sabian Symbol for Libra 22

A child giving birds a drink at a fountain.

This image seems to show the best potential of Libra energy. Innocently, spontaneously, generously giving to another something that is essential for life. The child isn't just taking care of their own thirst needs, but thinking of others too and wanting them to benefit in the same way. This is a prime dynamic of Libra – to ensure there is equality, equity and balance between oneself and something or someone else. Whether this comes through kindness, compromise, strategy or etiquette, it is about establishing at least the image of equilibrium, symmetry or neutrality.

This Symbol carries the message that no matter what lens you're looking through at an event, person or choice, there is always another side to it. It's not just about ourselves because whatever affects us also affects others. This is cosmic algebra of interaction and co-existence. It is the principle of mirroring, of seeing oneself in another, of recognizing that beyond anything else, we're all living creatures.

So, when someone brightens your day, do something to pay it forward with a smile to someone else. When you are tempted to choose sides in an argument, consider where both sides are coming from. Find the balance point between the pros and cons, the right and the wrong, the good and the bad. But let that guide you to action. Don't just appreciate the birds fluttering around, turn on the tap and let them drink too.

In the space between yes and no, there's a lifetime. It's the difference between the path you walk and the one you leave behind; it's the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are.
~ Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

The Close-Up

Lunar Nodes: Choosing Between Me, Thee and We

The eclipses always take place across the axis of the Lunar Nodes. Eclipses and the Nodes are associated with major changes that carry you through many of Life's Big Learning Lessons. The axis of the Nodes is like a lightning rod for the energy of eclipses and other planets that have a major dynamic aspect to the Nodes.

We might think of the Lunar Nodes as a kind of cosmic undercurrent or slipstream that runs between where we've been (South Node) and where we're going (North Node). Matters tied to the Nodes—and therefore also the eclipses—can feel somewhat fated, inevitable or karmic.

The North Node (especially in the natal chart) is like the compass on a map with the note, "Whatever else you're doing in your life, keep moving in this direction." The South Node has a note too: "Been here, done that. Move on!" And eclipses are like being poked by the Great Teacher who warns, "Wake up! There's work to be done here."

Astronomically, the Sun's corona becomes more visible during a solar eclipse, and looking directly at it can damage your eyes unless you're wearing proper eye protection. In a similar way, on an astrological and metaphorical level, hidden or camouflaged energies may become more noticeable near the eclipses, whose astrological effects may be observed for days, weeks or even months before and after the exact eclipse.

During this current solar eclipse in Libra, there are many planets clustered around the Nodes, which blend many different energies together. Mercury, Mars, Sun and Moon are conjunct the South Node, while Chiron and Eris are at the North Node. In between, Pluto is square to both Nodes. This is a very busy eclipse!

Mars and Venus are the ruling planets of the Lunar Nodes: Mars rules the Aries North Node and Venus rules the Libra South Node. That makes their lingering cooperative sextile aspect especially important. This suggests that resources, support and ingenuity are available to help you do the work of the Nodes – moving from Libra to Aries in this case; and from Mercury, Sun, Moon and Mars to Chiron and Eris. That said, these supports aren't likely to just fall into your lap; you'll still need to apply effort, thought and deliberate choice.

The Unfolding Eclipse

From September through December, there are a number of dynamic aspects to the Nodes from planets that are aligned with the Nodes at the Solar Eclipse. So, these transits are not just the fuel that launches the eclipse energy, but they also have prepared the way for the eclipse energy to emerge, as well as bringing that energy into focus going forward. (See the table below for detailed transits, dates and positions.)

Pluto is still squaring the Nodes. Although its one exact aspect was 3 months ago (July 23) they remain in-orb from February to December of this year, making it one of the most dominant transits of 2023. It indicates a long-term struggle with how to choose an empowering path forward that is balanced between one's own priorities and others'.

You'll probably feel this eclipse more if you have natal planets between 16-29° in Cardinal signs (Libra, Aries, Capricorn, Cancer), or from 0-2° in Fixed signs (Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, Aquarius). You are likely to feel this as a call to action in some part of your life. You may need to make room in your life for something new, so the challenge is to decide what you need to let go of or pull back from.

Your natal house where the eclipse takes place is where this might affect your life, but being in Libra this could also involve close relationships or your style of interaction. You might find you need to rethink how much of your time and energy you give to other people. Perhaps it's time to give yourself a higher priority, which can help you focus on the area of your life that needs healing, especially the natal house opposite where the eclipse is.

This South Node eclipse is where we clear away what is no longer needed or what is getting in the way of future growth. In Libra it involves making yourself and your life light and balanced. The next eclipse is the Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, where you will plant new seeds in the freshly cleared earth.

Table: Major Transits to the Eclipse Chart

Dates are in Eastern Standard Time (05:00 from GMT). Nodes are the True Nodes. Orbs used are 8° for cnj and opp, 6° for sqr. Dates in brackets are near-passes but not exact.

The next update will be for the Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon in Taurus, coming up on Oct. 28. This Lunar Eclipse has many of the same transits still in-orb as the Solar Eclipse, as well as other new alignments. The eclipsed Full Moon in Taurus is conjunct Jupiter, and both are opposite the group conjunction of the Sun, Mercury and Mars.

Astronomically this is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (also called an Appulse Lunar Eclipse), which means that the Moon may appear to darken somewhat but won't put on a dramatic show by turning red or orange. However, astrologically the energies can still be powerful! So, tune in to the next update for the Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon in Taurus, available by October 28.

In the meantime, stay safe. Stay sane. Stay awesome. The world needs you! ❤️

Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.
~ Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

© 2023-10-12 Wendy Guy, all rights reserved. Astrological diagrams by Wendy Guy. Divider of Hands by Jackson David via Unsplash.com. Sabian symbol photo of Boy and Bird Fountain by Bashka Peiff in Boston's Public Garden, photographer unknown, via Peakpx.com.