October 2 2:49 PM EST
New moon solar eclipses are times of potent transformation and new beginnings. This solar eclipse is in many ways a ‘companion’ eclipse to the Solar Eclipse in Aries, Libra’s partner sign, that occurred in April of this year. That was a mega-eclipse instigating the start of a massive new chapter for many. But Aries is the SEED energy- it is the first sign of the zodiac- that primordial creative impulse. There is a long journey from that first moment all the way through the journey of the unknown and into solid manifestation. Half way through that zodiacal journey we encounter Libra: “the other”. Where Aries represents the self and it’s goals, desires and impulses, Libra signifies the ‘significant others’ in our life that we must connect and collaborate with as we move forward. These can be romantic partners, of course, but also important allies, business partners or clients. Libra has rulership over anyone we have an agreement or contractual relationship with, either formally or informally. So all of those themes are front and center for us now.
How are things going in our relationships? Are there certain ones that are breaking away? Are there certain new ones perhaps appearing on the horizon and coming into focus? Again, this is not solely romantic in nature. Perhaps a new accountant, lawyer, hair stylist, nutritionist, agent, etc is someone we are looking for in our lives. This is the ideal time to set intentions, ask for referrals, and start having conversation.
Conversations are important here. The eclipse, at 10 degrees of Libra, is more or less exactly conjunct Mercury at 11 degrees. Mercury rules all things related to communication and transportation logistics, including emails, texts, paperwork, and travel schedules. So those themes are very significant now as well. Even though Mercury is not retrograde, eclipse energies are so dramatic that when Mercury is involved it almost has a similar effect: expect the unexpected. And as always- when we expect the unexpected- we are better able to ride the waves of change without resistance, find silver linings, and perhaps very happy surprises.
As far as conversations go, this is also an important invitation for a “fresh start” in how we deal with interpersonal communication in general. An eclipse in Libra conjunct Mercury is a rare and valuable window of opportunity to “level up” in our ability to clearly express ourselves while also being respectful of others and different perspectives. It’s a chance to re-establish lines of communication in a healthy way. It’s a opportunity to listen deeply in the present moment to what is actually being communicated (verbally and nonverbally) so that we can respond and choose accordingly, rather than making assumptions.
This can, of course, have a massive impact in our relationships! We could realize that a certain person’s words and actions do not align, and make adjustments to distance ourselves from that situation. We may notice sources of loving communication in our lives that we had overlooked or taken for granted and put more energy and effort in that direction. Exciting new connections will thrive best when we pay close attention to both our clear and respectful communication, and their ability to meet us in kind. Making sure to deliver on any promises or agreements we make is important in demonstrating that we also “keep our word”.
The ruler of the eclipse is Venus, the planet connected to magnetism, money and relationships. This underscores what we have been discussing. All connections in our personal and professional lives can be up for reappraisal, and Mercury is the key to making sure we are “keeping our side of the street clean” and observing others ability to meet us, or not meet us- as shown by their words and actions.
In some ways all of this is very simple and basic. But often that’s where we can have blind spots and need a reset! So in some ways this eclipse IS practical, basic and foundational. But the lesson here is that we cannot go where we want to go (our big Aries solar eclipse new journey that we began in April) unless we are able to show up and meet the other people on our journeys from a place of high integrity, and CHOOSE who we want to partner or work with accurately and appropriately, without these basic foundations in place. In existing relationships, we may need to do the difficult work of re-setting boundaries, having sensitive conversations, and setting new trajectories as a couple or alliance.
We are highly supported in doing this work. Venus at 11 degrees of Scorpio is part of a gorgeous water sign grand trine that connects her to both Mars at 15 degrees Cancer and Saturn at 14 degrees Pisces. So while this is an AIR eclipse we have massive support from the WATER element. This is interesting to note this in contrast to the most recent Pisces lunar eclipse in mid September which was a WATER eclipse but had massive support from an EARTH grand trine.
So we can deduce here that we are in a certain kind of rhythm: We are getting lots of intuitive hits about what we need to see and do now (water eclipse) but we must ground down and take practical action (earth trine) in order get to the next level, which involves a readjustment of our ideas and communication (air eclipse) so that we can feel (water trine) our way through the relationships and situations that are present in our lives most accurately. Again, this comes back to observing and deciphering what is *actually* happening and being said and done, rather than carrying around stale old ideas and assumptions about who people are what their agenda or priorities are.
Venus in Scorpio is shrewd. She watches power dynamics and plays the long game. We are wise to do the same. She also underscores the importance of genuine trust in all serious personal and professional relationships, so can raise of awareness of where that may or may not be present. The caution is to avoid being manipulative.
Mars in Cancer reconnects us to our innermost instincts and needs. Through the lens of Mars in Cancer we can have kind of “knee jerk” reactions to situations around us, seeing them almost exclusively through the lens of how they will personally affect us. Sometimes this hyper-sensitivity and reactivity is not such a optimal state, but in the context of this eclipse and what we are working on, this is a valuable tool for getting that fast “hit” on whether or not we are comfortable with something. Mars in Cancer also tends to take a more subtle approach rather than going towards goals or targets ‘head on’. So likewise, while we may need to be having serious conversations and reassessments now, it’s a subtle but effective and strategic approach that will yield more success than a blunt delivery. Be wary of tantrums which can be shadow expressions of this energy.
Saturn in Pisces has been in effect since March 2023, re-adjusting our relationship with our inner knowing and intuition, and upgrading our energetic operating system. At the half way point now of it’s 3 year journey and positioned at 14 degrees in this strong grand trine to Mars and Venus, it’s like Saturn is stepping its role as leader and authority and offering Mars and Venus their guidance and upgrades as well. So whatever we have been working on since March 2023 when Saturn in Pisces began, we are starting to see fruits and are now able to apply what we have learned more easily. Mars and Venus are “taking notes” and ready to run with the new. Benevolent Jupiter at 21 degrees Gemini is also highly supportive of the eclipse in a loose trine, which encourages us to have faith in the the process and changes that are occurring, and keep a positive attitude.
Finally, this is our last eclipse with Pluto in Capricorn. EVER. Or certainly in this lifetime, as Pluto leaves Capricorn for the final time on November 19th and will not return for more than 200 years. So we can also take this eclipse as a “final” opportunity to apply the lessons we have been learning since 2008 when Pluto first entered Capricorn. Especially lessons around Capricornian themes such as authority figures, rules, heirarchies, bureaucracies, and tradition. This Libra eclipse is the ideal time to invite a NEW RELATIONSHIP to these topics as well and what they have meant in our lives. We have learned valuable lessons over the past 15+ years and we can fully shed the old and claim new interactions and engagement with what we find in front of us RIGHT NOW. And here, at the last Libra eclipse for 8 years, that is a great gift indeed. Especially as, at a primal level, our relationship with others and the world around us is truly a reflection of our relationship with ourselves.
*art by @sanjamarusic
vibrational-astrology.com 