Your Guide to Lunar & Solar Eclipses in 2021 and How They’ll Affect Your Life

Each month, we can depend on the moon's consistent cycle: the velvety darkness of the new moon, the vivid illumination of the full moon, and all the phases in between containing divine intuition. But every so often, the moon's orbit creates a powerful alignment with the sun, forming a potent lunation known as an eclipse.

In school, an eclipse is an excuse to go outside and wear funny glasses. In astrology, however, eclipses are known for being drama queens. That's why, while your science teacher might have lead you outside, astrologers tend to advise staying in and laying low during an eclipse. Life gets dramatic enough without your meddling making it worse! Both solar and lunar eclipses (and we'll talk about how they differ) bring massive shake-ups and surprises. While 2021's four eclipses should prove to bring less chaos than the six we saw in 2020, it would still behoove you to read through this guide to getting through them.

What is an eclipse?

Eclipses are dynamic cosmic occurrences that activate the lunar nodes. Simply put, the moon glides across an elliptical that is constantly rotating around the zodiac. The highest and lowest points of this orbit correspond with the lunar nodes, which appear in our birth charts as south and north nodes. The south and north nodes, often referred to as the Nodes of Fate, symbolize our past and future — our karmic pathway. Accordingly, eclipses activate these nodes within our birth charts, illuminating our destiny.

What is the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse?

There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. Solar eclipses occur during the new moon phase when the sun and moon are positioned at the exact same degree within the same zodiac sign. In this configuration, the moon passes between the sun and earth, temporarily obscuring the sun. If this occurs during daylight (as it did in August 2017, during the "Great American Eclipse") the result is breathtaking: For several moments, the sun is completely obscured by moon’s silhouette.

Lunar eclipses, on the other hand, correspond with the full moon phase. But, unlike a normal full moon that reflects the sun’s illumination, during a lunar eclipse the moon emanates the Earth’s shadow (known as the umbra). With Earth perfectly wedged between the sun and moon, the moon exudes a tawny-red tone — this distinctive hue is why it is often referred to as a “Blood Moon.” Lunar and solar eclipses also signify different types of shifts in astrology; we'll get to that in a minute.

What are the dates of all the eclipses in 2021?

According to Cafe Astrology, eclipses will occur on the following dates this year:

• Wednesday, May 26: Total Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius
• Thursday, June 10: Annular Solar Eclipse in Gemini
• Friday, November 19: Partial Lunar Eclipse in Taurus
• Saturday, December 4: Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius

But even though eclipses are major, they're actually not that rare. In fact, each year, there are between three and seven eclipses and they often occur in clusters. A year and a half eclipse series began on Friday, June 5, 2020 that will be electrifying the Gemini-Sagittarius axis, shifting our methods of communication (symbolized by Gemini) and interest in learning new ways of living, in addition to connecting with other cultures (represented by Sagittarius) — sounds about right, doesn't it? As we bring in a new administration and reckon with a post-Trump world, we must try to unite the nation to deal with everything from the pandemic to systemic racism and undoing our own biases. To accomplish all of this, we must not only be willing to have tough conversations but also be open to changing our own minds. The final eclipse on this axis will occur on Saturday, December 4, 2021, when a total solar eclipse at 12 degrees Sagittarius concludes this year and a half cycle. However, that's not the only date this year that's important to circle in your calendar.

The year 2021 also kicks off a series of eclipses upon the Taurus-Scorpio axis, which will last for nearly two years starting with a partial lunar eclipse on Friday, November 19, 2021, in 27 degrees Taurus and ending on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Taurus is a reliable earth sign, and Scorpio is a passionate water sign. These eclipses upon this axis will push us to put in the work to make our dreams come true and understand which relationships are worth our loyalty and which ones can fall to the wayside (remember, if we won't end an unhealthy relationship, eclipses tend to do it for us).

What kinds of energetic shifts do eclipses signify?

These dynamic phenomena were feared by our ancient ancestors. Early human civilizations built their societies around season changes and annual movements of the sun, so when an eclipse occurred they believed that the natural order had been compromised. To them, eclipses were a harbinger of danger — quite specifically, the apocalypse. Although we no longer connect these lunations to end days, astrologically speaking, eclipses are still a very big deal.

Just as new moons are linked to beginnings and full moons are tied to culminations, eclipses serve as celestial checkpoints. An eclipse is a high-octane lunation that helps illuminate our karmic path, but just as these cosmic events can be visually striking, eclipses can also be a bit dramatic. Astrologically speaking, they speed up time: They open new doors by slamming others shut, so we often find abrupt and sudden shifts occurring during eclipses. Though the shifts can be jarring, they can help us by speeding up the inevitable.

So, if you've been dragging your feet, an eclipse will be sure to give you that extra push (or shove) needed to take action. While the results can be shocking, remember that these lunations simply expedite the inevitable — these events were going to happen eventually.

Solar eclipses, which will occur in 2021 on Thursday, June 10 and Saturday, December 4, correspond with new beginnings and unexpected opportunities. However, since the sun (which symbolizes our external experience) is obscured by the moon (representing our emotional inner-world during this lunation, solar eclipse events often first begin internally before they affect our relationships with others. For many people, solar eclipses are when we realize we need more than what we’re currently receiving. They're a time to send cosmic invitations to the universe and to welcome abundance.

Lunar eclipses, on the other hand, help us realize the external implications of these shifts. It is often during a lunar eclipse that we become aware of the influence of others. As the moon emits a mystifying umber tone, it allows us to see people under a different light. This shift in perspective is critical, even though you may not always like what you see. During lunar eclipses, we are encouraged to let go of whatever is no longer serving the soul. This is the time to release, purge, and say goodbye. In 2021, lunar eclipses occur on Wednesday, May 26 and Friday, November 19. Remember, cosmic warriors, endings are hard, but everything is cyclical: A culmination always occurs on the edge of a beginning.

What do these eclipses mean for me?

OK, so what does this all actually mean? Well, the Gemini-Sagittarius eclipses will impact everyone differently based on their personal birth chart.

When astrologers discuss these lunations, we refer to the ways in which they impact a chart as an "eclipse story." These narratives unfold over the series (approximately two years). Accordingly, the lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 5, 2020, was a big deal because it was the first lunation in a brand-new series. In other words, it marked the very first chapter of a new karmic story. Think back to what occurred in your life at this time and consider the major players, conflicts, and the location.

This round of eclipses come to a close with the solar eclipse in Sagittarius on December 4, 2021. Relationship issues, in particular, those surrounding your ability to speak your truth (while Gemini is all about the nuances of communication, Sagittarius is a bit bolder, and may speak loudly to get what they want) should come to a culmination at this date. In all honesty, while both Gemini and Sagittarius are highly attractive and charming signs, they can also be a bit messy. Cycles may come to a close, but don't expect tidy endings tied up with a nice bow. Either you're going to work things out and feel like a star, or you should be prepared to let a relationship end; if the latter happens, just know it's for the best in the long run.

As for the Taurus-Scorpio eclipse cycle which begins on Friday, November 19 with a lunar eclipse in Taurus, the last time these came around was in November 2012 to October 2014. What life lessons began for you nearly a decade ago? Is your life on your dream path? Or does this next cycle in 2021 mean finally using your will power and psychic passion to turn dreams into a reality? Scorpio in particular, which is ruled by warrior planet Mars and Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, knows how to transform and shed old skin to get what it wants.

Everyone will be impacted by these eclipses, though some charts will be electrified more than others. Take a look at your birth chart: If your lunar nodes are in Gemini-Sagittarius or Taurus-Scorpio, buckle up. This next year and a half will be wild. By 2023, everything will be different. And don't worry, it will likely be for the better.

If your nodes are not in these signs, things are still going to change: Planets are also activated by the eclipses. Planets in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) will be activated by the Gemini-Sagittarius eclipses, while those in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) will be activated by the Taurus-Scorpio eclipses kicked off by the November 19 lunar eclipse in Taurus. Whether this placement is your sun, moon, or somewhere else, you will feel the shifts from these potent lunations.

Whether or not the upcoming eclipses of 2021 will make a direct hit on your birth chart, eclipses are a powerful, impactful, and significant time for everyone. The best way to embrace these celestial moments? Expect the unexpected and accept the unknown. Remember, celestial darlings, although our vantage is limited to our current realities, we know the horizon extends past our vision. Life is a journey — enjoy the ride.

And now, read more about astrology:

• How to Harness the Magical Power of Each Moon Phase
• Your Sign's 2021 Horoscope Predictions Are Here
• Birth Charts 101: An Astrology Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Planets

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