Astrology is the millennia-old practice of studying the movements of the stars to determine their influence on our lives. Mixing the scientific and the mystical, this ancient art is still popular today in the familiar form of horoscopes and zodiac signs.
Those who practice astrology refer to twelve equal divisions of the belt-like region of the sky, called zodiac, that corresponds to the apparent path of the sun in order to forecast a person’s future. This prediction is called a horoscope.
Each zodiac sign corresponds to a certain birth month, and each of these signs are affected in different ways by major celestial disruptions.
Few such disruptions are as spectacular as a total solar eclipse, wherein the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking it out for a few moments as stellar plasma peeks out around the edges of this dark disk. Fairly rare events, eclipses have historically been looked at with reverence and fear, and have a habit of snatching away the familiar both in the physical sense, as well as the astrological.
Indeed, it’s strange coincidence that a total eclipse can happen at all—the sun is around 400 times larger than the moon, but it is also almost exactly 400 times farther from the Earth, making the two celestial bodies appear nearly the same size from our human perspective. This means that the moon can perfectly block out the sun, creating an eclipse.
Sounds like there just might be greater forces at work here, doesn’t it?
It’s natural to look up into the universe and wonder if it all means anything. According to astrologists, it does, and we can know ourselves better by familiarizing ourselves with our zodiac signs, and how the cosmos affect them.
Do you know how a total solar eclipse affects your own sign? Read on to find out!
Aries
If you were born between March 21st and April 20th, your zodiac sign is Aries. Here’s how an eclipse can affect you.
The time surrounding an eclipse may usher in both creativity and change for an Aries. This newfound creativity can result in a new ability to express yourself, but may also simultaneously feel as if your life is being turned upside down.
But fear not! This change is for the better, and a fresh start is coming. Be sure that you take advantage of both your fresh start and creative expression to change your life for the better.
Taurus
The sign of Taurus belongs to those who were born between April 21st and May 20th. For these people, an eclipse signals an usual time of change for the normally-stagnant Taurus.
Like Aeries, you’ll begin to see some major life changes under an eclipse. For a Taurus, these changes will be both necessary and beneficial—a solar eclipse will get you out of the rut you’ve dug for yourself in your family or romantic relationship situations.
A bonus for Taurus: this is a time to take what you want. If you focus on your goals during this time, you may just achieve your dreams.
Gemini
Born between May 21st and June 20th, those of the Gemini sign are in for a treat during an eclipse.
For you, change is going to look like new approaches to relationships, learning, and self-expression. This is a great time to start a new job, move to that new location, or to embark on that degree you’ve always wanted.
Now is the time for letting go of the past and forging ahead. Don’t let anything hold you back, and you’ll experience renewal and invigoration in all of areas of your life.
Cancer
If you were born between June 21st and July 20th, you were born beneath the sign of cancer. Despite its name, this is a great sign to be under during an eclipse.
Now is the time for you to finally find harmony and support at home—a big change for you. Use this newfound stability to go after all of the projects you’ve been wanting to work on, and you’ll find a new level of happiness.
Leo
Born between July 21st and August 20th, those under the sign of Leo will receive a clean slate during an eclipse.
Now is the time to get rid of those bad habits you’ve been trying for years to kick. This transition may leave you with the feeling that you’ve been swept up by uncertainty, but know this—it’s for the better. This is your chance to leave your negative habits behind and embrace something better.
Virgo
If you were born between August 21st and September 20th, you’re a Virgo. And under an eclipse, you can expect an eclipse to herald a potentially rocky time.
As the sun darkens, you’ll find yourself looking inward, kicking off an intensely introspective part of your life. You may not like what you find, but now that you’re finally slowing down and taking account of yourself, you can change things.
Don’t waste the opportunity—it’s not often you’ll get this chance.
Libra
If you were born between September 21st and October 20th, you’re a Libra, and an eclipse will kick off a time of renewed friendship for you.
If you’ve been foundering in life because of a lack of cooperation with others, now is the time to connect. Seek out those beloved people you’ve been putting off for various reasons, and get together. Talk out your issues and projects—you’re much more likely to solve them with a little help from those around you.
Scorpio
Born between October 21st and November 20th, the fiery Scorpio will see some old issues coming to the surface.
This might be an unpleasant experience, but as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, it’s time to deal. Get your affairs in order—particularly your financial affairs—and you’ll usher in some positive life changes that will last well into the next year.
Sagittarius
November 21st to December 20th is the date range you need to be born in to be a Sagittarius. And if this is your sign, an eclipse will have an especially positive effect on your life.
This is the time for personal growth. In fact, the eclipse will bring with it an irresistible desire to grow beyond your present boundaries, and to forge a new path through life.
If you want to find that elusive balance between pleasure and responsibility, this is the time to do it.
Capricorn
You may like schedules and predictability as a Capricorn, born between December 21st and January 20th, but you’re about to get just the opposite.
First of all, you’re going to find new levels of support from those around you—people that you haven’t seen in ages will show up in your life, unannounced.
And second, you may find yourself presented with new financial opportunities that involve others, such as joint loans or investments. Make shrewd use of this, and you’ll find yourself receiving a great return.
Aquarius
Born between January 21st and February 20th? You’re an Aquarius, and the eclipse is going to inspire your oddball mind to think up some great new ideas and give you a greater shot at the romance of your dreams.
As an Aquarius, you’re inspired by the weird and the different. This period of unusual darkness will provide you with just what you need to jumpstart a mind numbed by sameness.
At the same time, you may be headed toward a new relationship in the coming months—keep an eye out for the signs of love. Your crush might just start getting a twinkle in his or her eye soon.
Pices
Finally, the sign of Pisces falls between February 19th and March 20th. If this is you, listen to what the eclipse is telling you—as darkness falls, you need to learn to slow down. If you don’t, you’re going to burn out.
While you might feel infinitely industrious, you’re only human, and everything you have going on in your life is going to catch up to you eventually. Take some time to pay attention to your health, daily habits, and mental health. Think about the routines you go through each day, and weed out those that are unhealthy.
Above all, make a little room in your life for rest. If you don’t, you’ll have a much harder time achieving long-term success.
A Time of Change
If you haven’t noticed, a solar eclipse is a time for change, sometimes inverting the usual predictions for each sign. While this may be uncomfortable for many, it’s also a great opportunity to see life from a different perspective for a while, and to get a fresh start with that information.
Embrace eclipses when they happen, and you’ll fulfill your potential all the better.
