Eclipses
An eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up. A solar eclipse is when the Moon blocks the Sun, and a lunar eclipse is when the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. Astrologers see them as turning points.
The full deep dive
Solar eclipses
A solar eclipse happens at a new Moon, when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun and blocks some or all of its light. In a total eclipse, day briefly turns to twilight and the Sun’s glowing outer atmosphere, the corona, appears. Total eclipses are visible only along a narrow path. Never look at the Sun directly: use proper eclipse glasses.
Lunar eclipses
A lunar eclipse happens at a full Moon, when the Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon and its shadow falls on the Moon. In a total lunar eclipse the Moon often glows a deep coppery red, sometimes called a “blood Moon”. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye and can be seen from the whole night side of the Earth.
Why they do not happen every month
The Moon’s orbit is tilted about five degrees, so most months it passes above or below the Sun. Eclipses happen only when a new or full Moon falls near the Moon’s Nodes, which happens in “eclipse seasons” about every six months. There are between four and seven eclipses each year.
Eclipses in astrology
Astrologers see eclipses as powerful turning points, speeding up change in the areas of the chart where they fall. Solar eclipses are linked with new chapters, and lunar eclipses with endings and revelations. In many traditions eclipses were also seen as times to rest and reflect rather than launch something new.