Before I knew much about astrology, I heard whispers across the internet about eclipse season. It’s meaning eluded me for years. The first time an eclipse fully registered on my radar was in 2017.
It was August, Leo season, just after my partner’s birthday. A total solar eclipse visible to me in Minnesota. It was a hot sunny day. I was wearing overalls with a sleeveless shirt underneath. My partner and I took our favorite walk down to the river. The energy was electric. Palpable. And a little surreal. I remember feeling a pulse, like something celestial was shifting or radiating around us. Lots of people were out, looking at the sky. Everyone seemed to know something special was happening. We saw people wearing tinted eclipse glasses and somehow, we managed to snag a pair. We traded them back and forth watching the moon slowly move in front of the Sun.
I wish I could remember more of what I was working through in my personal life at that time. It hadn’t been an easy summer, I know that. There was tension between my partner and myself; we were at the beginning of a long healing cycle- one that would go on for years. That summer was heavy, but I remember the day of the eclipse feeling light and easy. Maybe the eclipse was “eclipsing” some of our pain. This eclipse was on the Leo new moon. Leo is heart energy and I believe that this particular eclipse season offered us some much needed heart healing.
Astrology offers us structure, touch points in which we can shape our inner work and personal reflections. Following the lunar cycle gives us a monthly structure in which to check in with ourselves. Eclipse season is a similar, though longer cycle. Like a new or full moon, eclipse season reminds us to pause and check in with ourselves.
Eclipses can bring up a lot of different energies, often unexpected. Eclipses are known for opening and closing doors. They bring the energy of change. As human’s we often resist change. I certainly do. Eclipse energy is unpredictable and therefore a little unnerving, like we don’t know what might happen. But that’s a good thing. Sometimes we need an external force to help jump start something in our life. We need an impetus to push us out of the status quo. Eclipses can do that. Whatever changes happen during eclipse season you can be sure that it’s aligned with your highest good. The Universe has your back.
Does this mean that something profound will shift in your life in the next six weeks? Not necessarily. Then again, maybe. It depends on where you are and what you need. Astrology is a great tool, but it’s just that: a tool. The most important thing in any spiritual practice is to be aware. Eclipse season can help you move what needs to be moved in your life. It’s a powerful portal for shifting your foundation. This eclipse season is happening on the Gemini/Sagittarius axis, bringing the focus to the information we gather and hold, our beliefs and finding the truth. Every eclipse season pours transformational energy into our lives. What zodiacal axis it falls on determines where the focus will be. Mercury will be retrograde during our eclipse season as well. This means slow down, especially when it comes to communication. Be intentional about what you say and express. Be on the lookout for truth and take quality over quantity, both in terms of consuming and disseminating information.
The term “eclipse season” refers to the time of year that eclipses happen (some people consider it a month before and after the eclipses occur, personally, I see it as a shorter window of about six weeks). This year the eclipses are happening on the Gemini/Sagittarius axis. Eclipses always happen in twos. We’ll have our first lunar eclipse on May 26th, followed by a solar eclipse on June 10th. So, “eclipse season” roughly takes place throughout Gemini season or mid May through the end of June.
In case you were wondering: Solar eclipses occur during a new moon, while lunar eclipses occur during a full moon. “Solar eclipses result from the Moon blocking the Sun relative to the Earth; thus Earth, Moon and Sun all lie on a line. Lunar eclipses work the same way in a different order: Moon, Earth and Sun all on a line. In this case the Earth's shadow hides the Moon from view.” -stardate.org
The zodiacal axis which the eclipses take place on (i.e. Gemini/Sagittarius) is determined by the lunar nodes. The North Node and the South Node. These nodes always oppose each other, meaning they are in opposite zodiac signs. The nodes shift zodiac signs every 18 months. Wherever the nodes are is where eclipses will happen.
The energy or significance of an eclipse is a bit like a portal or gateway for change and transformation. Except “eclipse season” to offer deep insight, healing and unexpected change. During “eclipse season” you may notice people leave your life or opportunities you thought were moving forward to fall away, but not to worry, eclipses bring new beginnings. If something falls away, be sure that something new and more aligned will take its place.
Let’s look a little closer at the Gemini/Sagittarius axis. Every zodiac sign has what I call a “sister sign” or an opposite. Gemini and Sagittarius are sister signs. They complement each other, like colors, red and green, blue and yellow. The first six signs of the zodiac are the “younger” energies (Aries-Virgo). The last six signs are more mature energies (Libra-Pisces). Gemini is the younger version of Sagittarius. Gemini is connected to the mind and imagination. It’s a very creative, playful and cerebral sign. Gemini loves information. Gemini represents the lower mind, where Sagittarius represents the higher mind. Gemini is all about gathering information. The problem with Gemini, it’s youth perse, is that it hasn’t sorted through its findings; this is where Gemini gets its reputation for gossip and shallowness and spreading information that isn’t necessarily true. With the North Node of the Moon in Gemini in the last thirteen months, we can see how across all cultures the desire for information as intensified. Everyone seems to have an abundance of information. But have we found the truth in this information or is it just information for information sake? Gemini’s opposite sign, Sagittarius, is the holder of wisdom and truth. If Gemini gathers the information, Sagittarius pulls the truth and meaning from it. Sagittarius is the philosopher and the student, always searching for truth. With the Moon’s Nodes on this axis, we are called to gather information and find the truth within it all. This will continue to be a theme for the next five months until the Nodes shift to the Taurus/Scorpio axis on January 19th 2022.
What does the Gemini/Sagittarius eclipse axis mean for you? It means that truth will come out. This could take place in the most mundane areas of your life or it could be profound truths that surface. Truth is the name of the game this eclipse season. Be open to it. I know the truth isn’t always comfortable or even desirable. But it’s important. I could go on a tangent here, but I’ll restrain myself. What I’ll say is this: Truth, no matter how painful or ugly, is always healing. So, be open to it. Use it. Heal from it.
Another important cycle taking place this eclipse season is Mercury retrograde. Mercury will be retrograde in Gemini from May 29-June 21st, going direct on June 22nd.
When a planet is retrograde (like Mercury in this case), it appears to be moving backwards in the sky. The planet is not actually moving backwards; it’s an optical illusion, a bit like when you’re stopped at a stop light and a car flies by you- for a moment it feels like you’re moving backward.
All planets except for the Sun and Moon have retrograde periods. The ones that affect us the most are the inner planets: Mercury, Venus and Mars (also known as the personal planets, meaning they affect our personal lives more than the outer planets of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). Mercury goes retrograde about three times a year. A cycle.
Mercury is connected to mind and communication. Retrograde in the sign of Gemini, which Mercury rules, brings an even sharper focus to communication. So, slow down. Double check your emails and texts before you send. Be extra intentional about what you say. This Mercury retrograde is a great time to practice listening. Give yourself time to receive and process information before you respond to it.
Mercury retrograde is also a great time to do all the “re” things. Review, reflect, reconsider, rest, reassess. Some astrologers will tell you not to start anything new during Mercury retrograde or not to sign contracts. I don’t totally agree with that. But do take extra time to consider what you’re signing up for and during eclipse season, don’t be surprised if plans change unexpectedly; if they do, trust that it’s all for your highest good.
Here are a few takeaways for eclipse season and Mercury retrograde:
1. Take time for reflection. Either journal or simply sit. Give yourself extra time to process and digest life.
2. Slow down and don’t worry if things are taking longer than expected. The Universe has its own timeline. Trust and let go.
3. Be flexible. There is a lot of mutable energy with Gemini and Sagittarius. So, go with the flow. Evolve and shift with life’s cues.
4. Take some time in June to check in with yourself, your life trajectory, and your goals. Reevaluate if you need to.
5. Do a daily meditation and intention practice to be connected to truth. Open yourself up to truth. Set the intention to see it and heal from it.
6. Most importantly: pay attention. The Universe speaks to us in signs, symbols and synchronicities. As in “The Alchemist,” watch for the Omens.