Resolution, Reflection, & Direction at the Close of an Eclipse Cycle

The last eclipse on the Aries-Libra axis is upon us, closing a cycle that began on April 19th/20th, 2023. With both Mercury and Venus currently retrograde first in the sign of the Warrior and Leader, Aries, and ‘moving’ backward into that of the Mystic and the Dreamer, Pisces, this eclipse is meant to bring resolution, reflection, and a clear direction forward as we gather to ourselves the wisdom we have gained while moving through this two-year process.

Eclipses generally come in sixes, which sounds a funny thing to say since we actually generally have eight of them per year. And yet the axis on which an eclipse takes place contains six, with either the eclipse cycle that has been unfolding already or the one that is to follow throwing itself in here and there for good measure. For example, we began the Aries-Libra eclipse axis on April 19th/20th, 2023, and then had a couple more continued eclipses on the Taurus-Scorpio axis, which finished in the Fall of 2023. The next eclipse axis in Virgo-Pisces began in the Fall of 2024 and will continue until the Winter of 2027. And the one taking place on March 29th, 2025 is finishing the Aries-Libra cycle, as this note has hopefully made epically clear! If this sounds confusing, just let it wash over you and release it, for it doesn’t need to stick right now anyway.

At this point, it’s always good to remember that eclipses are times when things that have been brewing beneath the surface for months, years, or even lifetimes, come to light in a new way to reveal something we haven’t yet seen or been made aware of.

The Aries-Libra axis is the “me-we” axis of astrology, the one that asks us to focus on ourselves in a healthy way, making sure that our needs are being met by, well, ourselves, by the relationships we hold dear, and by life itself. This axis needs a strong container of intimacy that allows us to feel seen, heard, and deeply understood, to be truly met exactly where we are. It asks us to speak up if we aren’t feeling our needs getting met, and to develop the courage necessary to do so. It also asks that we take responsibility for our frustration, anger, or defensiveness when our ‘protectors’ come in to dominate the relational space, in order to make room for another facet of ourselves to express itself, and to indeed meet the other sitting in front of us. This axis wants us to claim the conditions necessary in order for our true selves to be seen while giving the people we hold dear grace and generosity so that we might do the same for them. Sometimes we’re met with the falling away of relationships when we do this, and other times we’re able to deepen the container of heart and soul intimacy with someone close in a way we didn’t quite expect. Every now and then, someone even comes along to meet us in ways we didn’t even know we needed until their arrival.

The cycle of the past couple of years has provided us an opportunity to get clear on the connections in life that anchor, inspire, meet, and resonate with us most deeply and significantly. Those that don’t have possibly fallen away or have shifted their place in our lives, allowing other connections to draw closer, ones that nourish us in the ways we now know we need, those we feel brave enough to stand up for. Aries carries the imperative to cultivate the courage necessary to claim a boundary in ourselves and in our lives. When in the Libran relational zone (be that romantic, friendly, soul family, client, professional, or any other relationship we’re engaging in closely), this is sometimes a daunting yet necessary task that must take place in order for us to feel safe and seen, one that shifts the relational space into a place where intimacy for all parties involved is deepened. I’m not talking about sexual intimacy here, though that is certainly included. The intimacy I refer to is of the heart-mind-soul nature, one that allows each person involved to feel truly met in ways that are only possible when both people show up with complete presence for the event that is taking place.

As Carl Jung has said, “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” And when both parties show up receptively and courageously keen on this task, magic absolutely happens, one that inspires and ignites, uplifts and expands, reminding all involved of what is possible when we allow ourselves to come together in this present and real way. This is meant to be possible quite often, but not so much that we take it for granted, and perhaps only with those who resonate in a similar enough frequency as our own.

While the above may be true, so is this: when both people become available to an energy they are called into by the relationship itself, creating what we could think of as the third entity, and what astrology would term the ‘composite chart,’ all kinds of interesting things arise! This chart ignites a whole new set of relational dynamics that play out between two (or more) people, one that both calls forth their highest selves and encourages those involved to grapple with their shadow tendencies in the midst of the relational dynamic. When we know how to skilfully work, dance, move, and breathe with these patterns in ourselves and the relationship, evolution is imminent. When we fall prey to our more unhealthy behaviors over again without developing the skills, tools, or presence to show up more clearly, confinement is inevitable. Yet there is always the choice. And if we figure out how to heroically show up to this task with our full selves, anything is possible, and we are gifted with the boon of knowing who we truly are and what we’re capable of, knowing we can rely on ourselves to show up bravely in meaningful relationships even when it’s hard, and knowing we can be present for others we care about, holding space as they move through their own powerful experiences.

Since Mercury and Venus will have both retrograded back into Pisces — Mercury until mid-April and Venus until the 1st of May — we are given more time to bask in the cosmic waters that hold all possibility, especially with Saturn and the North Node here as well. Continued reflection is important, particularly when it comes to all the current conversation has invited us to, and how we have and are continuing to integrate this material. We are meant to spend perpetual time “spacing in,” steeping ourselves in and finding deep connection with the inherent intelligence of life, giving us enhanced awareness and perspective as life continues its unfolding.

Neptune will have just moved into Aries on the day of the eclipse, there for just shy of seven months before retrograding back into its home sign of Pisces for three months at the end of the year. From the beginning of 2026 until May of 2038, we can get used to this configuration (Neptune in Aries), which will invite us to cultivate the courage necessary to more clearly be 'divine beings having a human existence,’ and learning how to show up as spiritual warriors who know we have what it takes to face down all of the demons we must to be the beings we came to this planet to be. And while the demons are most often our own, facing, healing, and integrating them will remind us of what a part of us has always known. This is a hugely important part of our earth journey, one of the primary reasons we come here in the first place! And while this topic is most definitely a long one, I’ll stop here and put a pin in it for a later date…

Yet here we are, in the sign of Aries, the first of the zodiac and the most initiatory of them all. This New Moon also encourages us to gather the wisdom and material we have just learned, gained, and lived, carrying it with us as we embark upon a new cycle, a new beginning, and a new journey. We are asked to be decisive and focused with where we’d like to place our energy now, knowing what we do and hopefully more clearly who we are. We are encouraged to be daring and bold, especially if where we’re headed seems daunting, and if we can already feel a bit of trepidation creeping in. We are invited to begin the task we have perhaps always known we were meant to start, recognizing that we were made for this, and it for us, and the only way to move forward is by doing so valiantly. As Goethe said, and before him, William Hutchinson Murray, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

Hopefully if you’ve made it to the end of this post, you will have a bit more clarity on just what it is you’re meant to begin, those you are meant to move forward with, and a hint of the magic that is in store for you along the way. May you be blessed on your journey, and may it take you exactly where and how it’s meant to!