By AstrologyByLauren | Source

Welcome to Eclipse Season. The next several weeks are jam packed with astrological significance. Even as Saturn enters Aries this Friday the 13th, we are being asked to take greater control over our own lives and destiny. However, I suspect it will all we can do to keep up with the volatile Solar Eclipse on February 17th, which is launching the dynamic Year of the Fire Horse.

Things move quickly in Fire Horse years where many changes can be made, and fire driven perseverance wins in the end. As Saturn enters the fire sign Aries, we are being asked: Do you want to be hopeless and helpless? Or do you want to take the reins of your own life, leading it where you want it to go? This gains even more significance, when we see both Saturn and Neptune sextile Pluto in Aquarius, which asks us as a totality, to reclaim our lives. The tenacity and speed of the Fire Horse combined with Saturn/Neptune in Aries measured by indefatigable Pluto is a force to be reckoned with. You can just feel humanity as a whole releasing the bow lines as they step into their power.

This is not all. Mercury has entered its shadow with the North Node at its side, opening doors to the inner world. If we follow the path he is showing us, it will lead us to our own true purpose. All we have to do is step through the door that is being opened for us, which leads us to the source. Venus is finally rising as an evening star on the night of the Eclipse, reminding us that we are not alone on this journey. There are others here with us. We have guides who have been this way before. There is magic in the air during eclipse season. And this one has guides and fellow travelers along for the ride.

The Solar Eclipse at 28º Aquarius 56’ falls on February 17th at 7:12 am here on the East Coast of the United States (4:12 am on the Pacific Coast; 12:12 pm British time). It is an annular eclipse, sometimes referred to as a ‘Ring of Fire’, as the Moon at this part of its orbit is not quite large enough to cover the entire Sun, creating this fiery halo. Very few of us will be able to visualize the full ring of fire effect, which will only be seen in Antarctica, however many will get to see what appears to be a partial eclipse of the Sun in some of the southeastern countries of Africa.

Just be aware that Eclipses are unpredictable, and this one could be ever more so. With a very close square aspect to Uranus we could be in for a few surprising shifts. This is the sort of weather in which things get tossed up in the air, scattered hither and yon, and falling we know not where. Illuminating, revelatory, and volatile this eclipse can strike light lightning with its suddenness. Because the energy is so restless and impulsive, Saturn will have its work cut out for him as he aims to take control over the chaos.

It may take a while for the dust to settle. Solar Eclipses are New Moons, which are associated with new beginnings. The difference being that eclipses are much more extensive in their reach and influence. They tend to leave imprints, so that when other planets come to the same degree of Aquarius, they can serve as a catalyst, activating the potential of the eclipse. This will be true when Mars reaches this degree on March 1st, just after completing its own square to Uranus on February 27th. This looks like a twisty rollercoaster ride taking on a speed and momentum of its own making.

Americans take note: This eclipse is quite close to the Solar Eclipses in the Summer of 2017 and February of 2018. What is also significant about the degrees of all of these eclipses, is that they crossed and are crossing the American President’s Leo/Aquarius, Ascendant/Descendant axis and the planet Mars… a (very loud) and sensitive point in his chart. Interestingly, it also crosses the Ascendant/Descendant axis of the Vice President. There is no doubt these eclipses are stirring something up. Some questions to ask: Will this Eclipse mirror the previous Solar Eclipses? Could this Eclipse act as a catalyst for events that have been gradually brewing  and simmering on the back burner all this time?

On their own, Eclipses can be highly unpredictable and even life altering, especially if it hits a sensitive point in your chart. It is true that there are times when they appear to be negligible. Or the effects seem to be more internal and subtle. However, even subtle changes within the auspices of these sort of Eclipses, can have major ramifications. These are times when the veil between the worlds seem to thin, and when karmic causes appear to ripen. As a result these can be very powerful times of new beginnings with profound and perhaps unexpected consequences.

The Sun represents our vital energy, and especially with the Solar Eclipse, even an Annular Solar Eclipse at the South Pole, such as this one will be, can still feel as if our energy is being eclipsed as well. The space that we will be traveling in between the Solar and Lunar Eclipses can feel like a crazy roller coaster of emotions, and an overload of information. This is that place where space is altered, time warps converge, and all we can do is walk through this turbulent period, in order to reach the other side.

Eclipses are times when everything is shifting just enough to allow the seeds of new experiences find fertile ground in which to grow. With Aquarius some of these experiences could be:

• Finding a group that shares the same ideals or aspirations as you do

• Realizing that so much more can be accomplished in the company of others, than could possibly be done on your own

• Being inspired through a group to fulfill your destiny or pursue a vision for the future

• Becoming aware of new opportunities to expand your world in some significant way

• Having a larger Vision emerge in the company of others

Due to this being a North Node attending Solar Eclipse, it is also important to step out of our own way in order to realize our higher purpose. There will be others here to help you. This is when we are being asked to consider what is best for everyone concerned. It is also often the case that truths are revealed at these times that can literally change the perspective, direction and landscape of our lives. All the more so this week with this radical square from mind-bending Uranus to the Solar Eclipse.

I would not recommend making intentions with this Solar Eclipse New Moon. You won’t want to invest any intentions with this sort of chaotic energy. Best to sit with the eclipse and see where it brings us. Ride any waves. Sweep up the messes. Hold space as needed. Walk through the open doors. And be open to the possibilities that are unfolding.