2020 begins with a significant Lunar Eclipse at 20 degrees Cancer. Any eclipse is considered a game-changer, and it can have far-reaching effects in an individual’s life. No matter how I spin it, this cosmic event brings change, chaos, and transitions. Not every eclipse will be a year of changes or events you remember. It is determined by the symbolism in your astrology chart, planetary aspects, and zodiac placement. The Sun sign is not always the best gauge of all the possibilities that await. Despite the challenges an eclipse can bring, it can also manifest as the best of times, good fortune, and new beginnings for some. All of this combined planetary symbolism is gearing us for the events to come.
Energetic Shifts and Growth
Eclipses can show what energies an individual is working on and what the themes for the year ahead hold. They symbolize developments, transitions, closure, and new beginnings. While the overview is based on the zodiac signs, aspects, and symbolism, one needs to look at how it is playing out in their own astrology chart. This will hone in on the specific houses and planets that the energies are awakening or disturbing with its cosmic dust.
Eclipse cycles often bring change. Their symbolic meaning can be deciphered and interpreted; yet, the personal message depends on an individual’s birth chart. In Eclipses: Predicting World Events and Personal Transformation, Celeste Teal states, “eclipses reveal the escalating stepping-stones in our lives when we complete one of our prearranged tasks or are summoned to the next” (Teal, 2006, p. 96). They initiate a period in time where “individuals are called to their personal destinies” (Teal, 2006, p. 98).
A Lunar Eclipse is associated with endings, conclusions, and developmental cycles. It creates changes from within and stimulates emotional reactions to external events. With an emphasis on the emotions, the eclipse brings desirable and undesirable changes. One’s personal status quo can forever change.
Dueling Vibes – Axis of Cancer and Capricorn
While the eclipse is occurring, there are five planets in the Capricorn constellation (Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn). Defined as a stellium, it gives solid earth energy and dominates this eclipse with heavy energies and Capricorn themes. Capricorn, represents big business, government, wealth, and economies. The Lunar Eclipse occurs at 20 Cancer on January 10, 2020. The eclipse is occurring on the Cancer/Capricorn axis of home versus career, which also represents authority figures and one’s parents.
There is rich symbolism for Cancer and Capricorn, even if they are polar opposites. The challenge and opportunity are how to navigate the changes and transitions that unfold during the next one-two years, while positively integrating the energetic elements. The celestial bodies give us the insights, and how it unfolds in each person’s life is based on free will.
Homebound or Hiding Out
The eclipse in Cancer is ruled by the Moon. This eclipse is a water sign, which highlights emotions, emotional security, sensitivities, intuition, feelings, and a connection to maternal figures. Cancer is the sign of the home, family, traditions, and domestic activities. It is also signaling that whatever is occurring in people’s lives can trigger their emotional nature, which is as changeable as the tides. Cancer is symbolized by the crab that hides in its home when it feels emotional or vulnerable.
However, you give and receive nurturing is being activated now. You may find yourself sharing time with family or reaching out to a friend or family member who needs a little extra caring. Cancer energy is great for expressing your intuitive side, healing, cooking, baking, and sharing time with loved ones. The awesome qualities of Cancer show us that we all can use a little extra nurturing at this time.
Status and Material Gains
During the eclipse, Mercury at 18 Capricorn is making a difficult connection to the eclipse point. Mercury symbolizes communications, thinking, and learning that can take place on a more practical level. There is a methodical approach versus an empathic, caring mentality with your or those in your inner circle. In Capricorn, communications circle around status, and sadly it can focus on material gains without regard for human life.
God of the Underworld
This aspect is troublesome and how it will play out needs some patience and oversight. During the eclipse, Pluto (22 Capricorn) and Saturn (22 Capricorn) were making exceedingly rare conjunction in the exact same degree. Simultaneously, they were both opposing the eclipse. Worrisome outcomes. Let’s do a deep dive here because this is pretty significant. Pluto represents the God of the Underworld, life, and death transitions. It emphasizes a crisis and it can manifest via tapping into past traumas or traumatic situations that resurface, or we face a traumatic issue. This planet related to life and death scenarios and either feeling powerless or a loss of control. This, the themes of power struggles and control issues slowly start to manifest.
For me, the takeaway is that the intensity of this energy can directly or indirectly impact us. There is no hall pass that allows anyone to be excluded from cosmic energies. While money and power are always emphasized with Pluto, there is a larger emphasis on the metamorphosis that is occurring. For Pluto’s energies to be positive, there needs to be a process of elimination to begin the rebirth and regeneration phases. This is the symbolism of the Phoenix Rising. From the darkest days, people will re-emerge forever changed with hopefully spiritual enlightenment.
Lord of Karma and Father Time
During the eclipse, Saturn was making a rough aspect to it. Saturn archetypes fall into the categories of Father Time and Lord of Karma. As a 29-year cycle, it relates to Saturn Return energies for those born 29 years ago. For the rest of us, Saturn represents responsibilities, restrictions, limitations, and harsh realities. It requires us to be disciplined, do the work, and put in some sweat equity. Yeah, this is not a warm and fuzzy aspect of prosperity and abundance. Saturn is a cosmic teacher who implements structure and limitations. Even after all the hard or difficult circumstances, Saturn creates delays. Yet, Saturn brings rewards after hard work is accomplished. Honestly, with whatever shit storm Pluto dredges up, you will need the Saturn/Capricorn energies to bring stability.
On a side note, Saturn represents the elderly, our parents, teachers, mentors, and authority figures. In a natal chart, Saturn aspects can represent timing related to events. It indicates that the events can occur in middle age or later in life. Since it is a challenging aspect, the emotional barometer of this configuration brings some heavy-duty Saturn vibes of feeling weighed down, rejection, inadequacy, or abandonment issues. Collectively, there is a higher purpose and meaning to all the chaos is creates. Some of us will face the storm head-on, while others will play supportive roles. Some of us will rise up and some may redefine life by their own terms. From a karmic perspective, there are tough lessons we all face under a Saturn transit. How it plays out is individually unique.
With these two planetary powerhouses and the eclipse, I am not feeling the next 1-2 years will unfold the way we desire in this area of the chart. Remember, there are 12 houses in astrology with additional planets. They are all pieces into a larger puzzle of the soul’s evolutionary cycles. There is always the saving grace and the silver lining.
Lord of the Oceans
The nice aspect to the eclipse is with Neptune at 16 Pisces. Neptune rules the oceans, water, and occupations related to the sea. On a positive note, Neptune is in a good aspect with this eclipse emphasizing the water element and emotions. This is the psychic juju, lucid dreams, intuition, telepathic moments, and a feeling of connectivity to the spiritual realms. There’s an opportunity for visualization, music, creativity, and feeling inspired. You can journal it out, or just express this amazing energy in a creative outlet. It is extremely powerful.
On the flip side, be mindful that you are not diving headfirst into the illusions and delusions this planet is known for. It can be associated with idealism, treachery, and enemies, but one misses the red flags. Confusion, lies, deceit, and cloudy circumstances all fall under Neptune’s realm. Think nebulous, mystic barriers, and the morning haze that hinders our eyesight. You can’t see the person, situation, or experience for what it is. Honestly, don’t set yourself up to be catfished or scammed by an online lover only to find out they never existed.
Key Dates for Eclipse to be Activated
Prior to the eclipse, the energies can be felt 4-6 weeks out. You will begin to notice a shift in your life and hear about events, changes, and transitions in your family, friends, and acquaintances’ lives. Here are additional dates where different celestial bodies will connect with the eclipse point.
- 1/29/2020- Mercury crosses the eclipse point signifying information regarding the eclipse’s topics
- 1/31/2020- Venus trines the eclipse offering some opportunity, or topics of love and money
- 2/26/2020 – Venus brings challenges with and love and money
- 3/4/2020 – In the next 6-7 days, Jupiter will connect with the eclipse point and expand or magnify the eclipse topics and events
- 3/11/2020 – Sun
- 3/17/2020- Mars crosses the eclipse point! This is a big deal! Highlight this is bold and be aware of the days leading up to it. Expect action, movement, and momentum.
- 3/25/2020- Venus makes a nice supportive aspect, which can indicate a good result with love or money
- 3/4/2020 – Jupiter opposite and again in October- Indicates expansion and growth on eclipse topics.
- 4/5/2020- Mercury in good aspect means information is being communicated
- 4/23/2020- Neptune will connect with the exact degree of the eclipse- be wary of illusions, delusions, treachery, and deceit. This is long-term due to Neptune going retrograde on the eclipse degree and staying there until September 2020.
- 5/7/2020 – Mercury connects to the eclipse in a supportive way bring free-flowing information, yet, it is on the same day as the Full Moon that makes difficult emotional connections to the eclipse.
- 5/11/2020 – Sun trine
- 6/13/2020- Mars conjunct Neptune on the eclipse degree. Again, Mars brings things to the forefront and it can indicate jarring circumstances. With Neptune, it can be nebulous. *Addition: Neptune rules viruses, Mars rules inflammation and fevers. Let’s see how the week leading up to this date plays out. Prayers & Positivity.
