Exploring Individuality, Community, and Leadership
In natal astrology, eclipses indicate personal turning points. Today’s new moon and solar eclipse in Leo takes place at 10:47 a.m. Pacific time. Let’s explore how to use the new moon solar eclipse in Leo in our lives.
The Overthrow of the King
The metaphor for an eclipse is the overthrow of the king. The symbolism derives from the Moon, which is representative of the people, blocking the Sun’s light, the Sun being the leader or overseer. This is particularly interesting in the sign of Leo, the sign of the the king. The opposite sign, Aquarius, represents the population. You could say that Leo is the ruler and Aquarius is the people that the ruler rules. The fact that Leo is the Sun’s sign helps to explain why the symbolism matches both the general eclipse signification as well as that of the signs involved.
An eclipse happens when a lunation–a new or full moon–occurs near the lunar nodes. Every month we have a new and full moon. New moons represent fresh starts, while full moons represent culmination and achievement. But typically four times a year, the new or full moon will happen near the lunar nodes, resulting in eclipses.
Right now the true nodes are in the final degree of Aquarius and Leo respectively. So lunations in the last half of those signs, or the first half of Virgo or Pisces, are eclipses this year. Even though both the Sun and Moon are in Leo, because the nodes span both signs, we also consider Aquarius. You might say that in a Leo-Aquarius conflict, either the king seeks to control the people or the people want to overthrow the king.
How the Solar Eclipse in Leo Affects You
Eclipses are traditionally used in mundane astrology, to predict world events. Using natal astrology, eclipses indicate personal turning points for individuals. Let’s explore how to use the new moon solar eclipse in Leo on a personal level.
To understand how the eclipse affects you, consider what houses the nodes are in, as well as whether the lunation happens near any natal placement. The houses will tell you what area of your life will be affected by the eclipse–where in your life this turning point will take place. Any natal planets or points near to or aspecting the eclipse will also be affect or play a role in this life pivot.
The Head and Tail of the Dragon
One thing that makes the symbolism of this eclipse interesting is that the New Moon is near the south node, while the north node is in Aquarius. We consider the north node to be the head of the dragon, the part that moves forward, desires something and pursues it, or more simply, as the direction we’re headed at this time.
The south node on the other hand is the tail of the dragon and represents the things we’re moving away from. It also indicates the places we’ve already been and moved on from, as well as what we’re ready to get rid of.
So when you consider the fact that the lunation itself is near the tail of the dragon, it takes the fresh start symbolism of a new moon, plus the overthrow of the king metaphor of the solar eclipse, plus the sense based on the south node that something’s over and we’re ready to move on. It’s almost as if the essence of the eclipse both needs to be achieved and abandoned at the same time.
Individuality vs. Self-Expression
To return to the symbolism of the two signs we’re working with, we can explore Aquarius as related to community and Leo in terms of individuality and self-expression. So we’re faced with the contrast of the New Moon initiating individuality, the Solar Eclipse overcoming individuality, and the south node rejecting individuality in favor of the north node in the sign of community. All at the same time!
- We can ask ourselves, how do we fit in with the group support of the community versus when do we stand up and stand out from the crowd?
- Individuality is important. We need to understand who we are and why we are.
- This eclipse stresses that while at the same time pointing us toward the direction of community.
- Perhaps we find that the best way to stand out is through supporting the group, to support the community.
- But the New Moon won’t let us forget how important it is to be true to ourselves and reveal the fullest expression of our own individuality.
- So, how do I be most myself while also fitting into my community and supporting my community?
Adding in the Leo Stellium
Maybe the transit of not only the Sun and Moon but also of Jupiter and Mercury, point us in the right direction. Jupiter might say that the next step after individuality is leadership. And Mercury might point out that how to be part of the group and express your individuality is to stand up and speak to the group.
How to Use the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Leo
- Consult your natal chart. what house this eclipse is taking place in (what house does 20 degrees Leo land in?)
- Consider whether there are any planets between 17-23 degrees of the fixed signs. These planets will be activated by this eclipse
- Looking back, what was going on in your life during related eclipses?
- Most recently, what happened February 17, 2026 at the solar eclipse in Aquarius? This would have activated the opposite part of your chart.
- What was unfolding in your life the last time we had a solar eclipse in Leo, on August 11, 2018?
- Even more relevant, what was going on when we had the last solar eclipse in this particular cycle, which happened on August 1, 2008 (Saros Cycle 126)?
- What themes were brought up at those times, and how are those themes returning or evolving now?
- How are themes of individuality and community playing out for you now? What happens when you add Jupiter’s leadership and Mercury’s communication to these themes?
Want Help Understanding this Transit in Your Chart?
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