Astrology with Alice: Surprise! Another eclipse season
And this one's all about letting go of the things that don't serve us
Words by Alice Smith
Astrology with Alice: Welcome to Astrology with Alice, a monthly astrology column aimed at helping readers understand the vibes of the month ahead in plain English. As a Taiwanese immigrant who grew up in Los Angeles, I specialize in combining western astrology with eastern philosophy. I’ve taught modern astrology through the lens of Buddhism and Taoism, and I also draw from the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Knowing the movements of the planets can help us make decisions around our careers, relationships, family. As the planets move around in the sky, they shift the energetic vibes we experience on Earth, and I believe in flowing with energy instead of fighting it—to work smarter, not harder. So join me on our monthly planetary lowdowns and learn how you, too, can ride the cosmic waves!
Here we go again. We’re heading back into eclipse season, which happens twice a year. This means that we’re going to encounter a pair of eclipses—one solar and one lunar—which are like super-powered new moons and full moons. In astrology, new moons bring new beginnings and full moons bring endings. And if something needs to end before something new can begin, a new moon can also hasten the ending of something to clear the way for a new start.
New and full moons are called lunations, and the power of regular new moons and full moons only last until the next lunation, which is a time period of about 14 days. Eclipses, however, pack the punch of 10 new/full moons and can affect matters for a span of six to 12 months. They’re turbo-charged lunations!
The two eclipses visiting us this spring will happen on March 25 and April 8. (Even though this is the March column, I’ll include the April eclipse since they comprise the complete pair for this first eclipse season of the year.)
The March 25 eclipse is a lunar eclipse (aka a full moon eclipse) in the sign of Libra, and the April 8 eclipse is a total solar eclipse (aka new moon eclipse) in the sign of Aries. The path of totality for the April 8 eclipse will cross the United States from Texas up through the Midwest and into northern New England. I highly recommend making the trip to see it if you can—it’s an incredibly transcendent experience.
A year ago, we talked about how the eclipse axis was switching from Taurus-Scorpio into Aries and Libra. (Eclipses always happen in opposite signs, because that’s how new moons and full moons work.) Last year, the eclipses had one foot in Aries and Libra and the other foot in the old axis, but this year, they’re fully committed. The old Taurus-Scorpio chapter of money stories, safety, and self-worth issues has fully closed out, and we’ve shifted completely into the Aries-Libra narrative, which focuses on the push-pull between relationships and autonomy. We’ll be asking ourselves if we’re asserting ourselves too much or too little and if we’re over-compromising or under-compromising. Then we’ll calibrate accordingly.
And since Aries can represent warrior energy and Libra represents peace, issues of fighting and peace—on both an interpersonal level and on a global scale—can also be highlighted during Aries-Libra eclipse seasons. (I’m, of course, going to be optimistic and hope for peace!)
Pisces is the most spiritual sign in the zodiac, so our higher selves will appeal to us and ask us to learn that letting go of some people can be a kindness. People outgrow each other, and that’s okay.
The March 25 eclipse is a south node lunar eclipse in Libra that will occur while Neptune, Venus, Saturn, and Mars will all be in Pisces. Translation: We will be asked to let go of relationships that aren’t good for us (or the other people involved) anymore. Pisces is the most spiritual sign in the zodiac, so our higher selves will appeal to us and ask us to learn that letting go of some people can be a kindness. People outgrow each other, and that’s okay. We can also confront an outdated way that we do relationships and be asked to let that go.
The April 8 eclipse is a total solar north node eclipse in Aries that will also conjoin Chiron and Mercury. Last November, we talked about Chiron and its association with healing, trauma, and intergenerational wounds, so this eclipse is also going to involve healing work. With Aries being the sign that represents birth and with the north node representing new evolutionary territory, this eclipse is going to push us to start a big new chapter of life. This eclipse will compel us to leave the familiar because we’ve outgrown it, and it might stir up issues of inadequacy (the Chiron element), which will require us to attend to our inner healing to come to a new perspective (the Mercury association).
And with the lunar eclipse coming before the solar eclipse, it means that we must let go of something first before we can move forward.
Before we talk about how this pair of eclipses will affect each sign, let’s first talk about the historical precedence of these eclipses. Every eclipse is part of a saros series, or, eclipse family. Each saros series spans over a millennia, and each eclipse in that series happens about every 18 years. That means that the last time eclipses from the same saros series as this year’s eclipses happened was back in 2006. And before that, 1988. So if you’re wondering how these spring eclipses might affect you, think back to those years and recall what was happening around you. (For me, 2006 was the year before a big career shift and I remember being hard at work laying the groundwork to prepare for this change.)
Ready to find out how these eclipses will affect your sign? Find your sun sign and rising sign below and read your predictions! (If you don’t know your rising sign, use this free birth chart generator to find out.)
Aries
This is a dynamic eclipse season for Aries! Relationship issues may come to a head. It’s time to let go of outdated ways of being in partnership that have caused you to compromise too much of yourself. It’s time to put back together the fragmented parts of you and reunite with the whole.
Taurus
It’s time to let go of the same old, same old as it relates to your health and your work. You need to learn to loosen your grip on control and comfort—which I know can be difficult for Taurus—because you’ll hear the siren’s call to try something new in the coming months.
Gemini
These are gorgeous eclipses for Gemini because new love will be illuminated by the lunar eclipse and new opportunities to network and join social groups will emerge. Stay open to socializing!
Cancer
These eclipses are activating Cancers’ career sectors. Pay attention to your insights and feelings around the topic of career, because these eclipses mark the beginning of multi-year transits that will affect your career. Don’t ignore them!
Leo
It’s time to make your life more meaningful. The eclipses will ask you to let go of minutiae and the details and focus instead on the big picture. You might travel or broaden your mind by going back to school. It’s also a great year for broadcasting or publishing.
Virgo
You’re working towards financial freedom. Something is coming to a head when it comes to money—maybe you’re finally paying off debt or you’re investing. Maybe you want to earn money in a different way. The narrative is changing when it comes to your income and assets.
Libra
Like Aries, you’re going through relationship changes. But where Aries is letting go of relationships that don’t work, you’re letting go of old perspectives that keep you from fully engaging in relationships. These eclipses are challenging you to do relationships in a more courageous and authentic way.
Scorpio
It’s time to let go of self-limiting beliefs. It’s also time to stop thinking and dreaming and start doing. These eclipses are presenting the opportunity to actually manifest your ideas by working on them. It’s also going to be a great year for you to start a new exercise or health routine.
Sagittarius
Have you outgrown a friend group? Or is there a community that’s taking up too much time and attention? If socializing feels like work, it might be time to let it go. Instead, start a new hobby or get into a new creative outlet. If you’re looking for a new relationship, it’s a good time to get back into the dating scene. And if it’s also a good time to start a family (or add to one)!
Capricorn
Is your career on your mind? Like Cancer, Capricorns are thinking about career changes because you need something that’s a better fit for your family. A change within the family or in your living situation might be on the horizon.
Aquarius
This is a good year for social media, creating content, writing, and communication in general. Write, publish, record podcasts, research—let your mind wander and share what you find with the world!
Pisces
This is the year for changing your money story. Let go of habits and patterns that are keeping you from reaching your money goals, work on financial management, and start accruing and manifesting wealth.
Published on February 29, 2024
Words by Alice Smith
Alice Smith has loved astrology ever since she read her first horoscope as a kid. She’s a certified, professional astrologer who reads birth charts for clients all over the world and has spoken at events throughout the Pacific Northwest. Alice learned to write horoscopes from her mentor Rebecca Gordon who was herself mentored by the grande dame of horoscope writing, Susan Miller. Alice has a degree in sociology from the University of Washington and is (too) obsessed with her “Furgo” (furry Virgo) cat, whose birth chart she often interprets on social media.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is the Social Media Editor for JoySauce. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans.