Solar Eclipses mark endings, and beginnings. Even more so when the Feb. 26/27 New Moon/Solar eclipse falls in the final sign of the Zodiac, Pisces.

Toria, of Mothersky Astrology, sums up her own experience of eclipse season:

“Is it just me or have things become a smidge more intense?… If you’re experiencing:

• Out-of-left-field events
• Sudden happenings that force you to go over old emotional ground (that you likely thought had been dealt with and left in the past)
• The feeling of being pushed to the limit with all that’s being asked of you
• A sense of anxiety and/or emotional anguish

… then I’m here to tell you that it’s okay. You’re not going crazy. … Something is being pushed to grow. Emotionally this can indeed be a stressful time.”

Astrologers around the web concur. Let’s explore what they have to share:

Pisces New Moon/Solar Eclipse

As a mutable water sign, Pisces has always represented changeability. In cultures that used the first day of spring as the start of the new year, Pisces represented the dissolution of the old, in preparation for what’s to come. A Solar eclipse here amplifies the effect.

“This New Moon has deep roots and a long reach — it’s also a solar eclipse. This “ring of fire” eclipse will only be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, but that does nothing to reduce its astrological impact. Eclipses extend the reach of any Moon they accompany for about six months.”

Mary Pat Lynch, Rising Moon Astrology

“The eclipse finishes a cycle that’s been with us for two years on the Virgo/Pisces axis. This cycle has had us revisiting, reevaluating and rebooting issues of boundaries vs. interconnectedness, logic vs. faith, rationalization vs. compassion, and service vs. martyrdom.” 

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

Astrologer Mary Pat Lynch explains how eclipses are connected in even longer cycles in time:

“Eclipses also belong to a Saros cycle in which that eclipse, whether solar or lunar, returns to roughly the same part of the sky [every 19 years, called the metonic cycle].

“This solar eclipse is part of Saros 140. Previous eclipses occurred Feb. 16, 1999, Feb. 4, 1981, Jan. 5, 1963 (and so on). If any of those dates are significant in your history, this eclipse could offer some kind of echo of whatever happened back then.”

(Saros series eclipses start at either the north or south pole, and evolve over thousands of years. You can watch Saros 14o unfold in this animation.)

Astrologer Bernadette Brady goes even further and groups each of the Saros cycles into eclipse families.

The Pisces New Moon/Solar eclipse falls in Saros Series 19 South. The first eclipse of this series occurred on Apr. 16, 1512, at 6 degrees of Taurus. During that eclipse, Venus and Jupiter were conjunct, with Uranus straddling the midpoint between the New Moon and Jupiter.

In her work Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark Brady says this “family of eclipses brings the element of pleasant surprise. Sudden happiness, a joyful event, the lucky break, the lucky win. The events which will be occurring can be believed and can positively change the personal life.”

One Door Slams, Another Opens

For thousands of years, astrologers have looked to the condition of the ruling planet of the sign in which the eclipse occurs to illuminate the energy of the eclipse. And Jupiter, the traditional ruler of this Pisces eclipse, is caught in the thick of things – in the middle of a potent T-square with Pluto, Uranus and Mars.

“This eclipse is powered by an intense and dynamic evolutionary surge (that word again!): a loose cardinal T-square linking the god of war and the cosmic rebel (Mars and Uranus), the lord of death and the underworld (Pluto) and the most expansive influence in the sky (Jupiter). This configuration plays out from Feb. 22-27, as Mars squares Pluto, teams with Uranus, and then opposes Jupiter.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited 

First, on Feb. 22:

“Mars squares Pluto in Capricorn, triggering an ominous rumble as buried motivations come to the surface and are acted out. The past arrives on your doorstep. Keep your eyes on these dates, because they are precursors to the eclipse.”

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology

Then, says astrology Kathy Biehl:

 “The intensity peaks on the day of the New Moon, when Mars and Uranus meet. They’re unleashing the energetic equivalent of dynamite detonating or a geyser erupting — sudden, explosive, violent and propulsive; shattering and destroying as they shoot events forward and shape the next six months as the eclipse plays out. 

“Resistance is futile. Situations will be changing in an instant, and time may feel like it’s speeding up like crazy. There’s no point in hanging on to any person or situation that slips away. Clutching may lead to something blowing up in your hand.” 

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

And finally:

“An opposition between Mars and Jupiter Rx in Libra is building, exact on Feb. 27. Jupiter will inflame whatever Mars/Uranus has going on. Events can range from an explosion (literal or metaphorical) to an outburst of temper, or a break for freedom. This can be your lucky break, or painful break. Whatever happens, the push to start fresh and start NOW will be enhanced by the eclipse. Don’t look back…

“This will be about one door swinging shut, and another one opening immediately, with a bang.” 

Nadia Gilchrest, Ruby Slipper Astrology

Lord of the Waters

Sea god Neptune, which modern astrologers associate with the sign Pisces, is also caught in the eclipse net. An ineffable spirit that drives poets and lunatics alike, Neptune stirs currents of soul with his trident.

“Neptune, ruler of illusion, escapism, and transcendence, [is] the first planet the Sun and the Moon will meet after they separate (the Moon six hours later, the Sun three days later, on Mar. 1). 

“His close involvement amplifies the otherworldly, unhinged-from-normal-reality character of a Pisces eclipse. Surface appearances may have nothing to do with what is really happening. …

“That means: Know where the borders are between you and others. Safeguard your boundaries. (No codependency! Got that?) Use a connection to a higher force — faith, divine guidance, love — as the navigational tool for the waters and for the likely fog (more likely, steam) that blankets them. 

“Trust is essential. There’s not much time to think. Likely you’re not going to see the biggest developments coming. Even if you do catch a glimpse, good luck doing anything about them.” 

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Astrology

“Moon conjunct Neptune takes one into another world, of eerie whale song and moaning sirens. It feels euphoric and merges with the landscape. There are problems with boundaries, so the more sensitive among us will feel like a psychic sponge. …

“Sun conjunct Neptune is prone to dissolving… There is great difficulty holding onto the ego. …We long to merge with the great spirit and feel that euphoria of oneness once again but there is so much division. There can be more health problems in the collective now due to a lack of armor from external penetration, psychically or physically. Immunity must be worked on.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

Poem Enigma by Pablo Neruda, recited by John Heard in a scene from Bernt Capra’s movie Mindwalk. Mindwalk is inspired by his brother Fritjof Capra’s book The Turning Point: Science, Society and the Rising Culture.

Other considerations

Astrology is the “investigation of the endless star.” There’s always more to consider, literally. The word “consider” derives from Latin ones that mean “with the stars.”

Fixed Stars

The Pisces New Moon/Solar eclipse aligns with the fixed star Skat.

“Fixed star Skat [gives] good fortune and lasting happiness. It is also provides safety in a deluge. This is a star for good leaders in any adventurous field of activity, physical, economic or social. The name Skat means “The Wish.” This is a solar eclipse for making wishes come true. However, the promised good fortune will only endure if you have earned it.”

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King

Asteroids

Major named asteroids with this eclipse include Pallas Athena and Chiron. Both are known for bringing healing through knowledge and understanding.

“Pallas Athena holds the cool intellectual stance of her namesake, ready to make a dispassionate assessment of any situation. With all these planets and points – Mercury, South Node, Neptune, and Pallas Athena – close enough to be considered conjunct this New Moon, this is a powerful cluster that sets the tone for a time of strong dreams that have the potential to create greater clarity.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

“Chiron the Wounded Healer in Pisces. Too far from the Sun and Moon to be conjunct, he still adds gravitas to the large group in Pisces. He lets us know that what we learn at this New Moon might feel painful, but has within it the seeds of healing. He also alerts us to the fact that what comes up for us now has links to our personal past as well as our collective past.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

Decan

The solar eclipse falls in the first 10 degrees of Pisces, or Pisces decan 1.

“The great imagination generated by the Moon is obvious when you find that both Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci had their Moon here. This decan explores fantasy, the dreamscape and the surreal. There is also a sense of prophecy too.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

Sabian Symbols

The most popular degree meaning system used in the 20^th Century were known as the Sabian Symbols. The symbol for this Pisces New Moon/Solar eclipse: “A jockey spurs his horse, intent on outdistancing his rivals.”

Dane Rudhyar called it a degree of “self-quickening.” He wrote: “Intense mobilization of energy and skill in the drive for success in any social performance affected by the competitive spirit.”

Lunar Mansion

The Lunar Zodiac is a concept older than our more familiar solar version. Each night the moon occupies one of 28 asterisms called “Mansions of the Moon” in Western Astrology.

This Pisces New Moon/Solar eclipse falls in lunar mansion 27 Al Fargh al Thani, which I called “The water wheel” for short. It’s a mansion that signifies the continual he ebb and flow of fortune, the need to allow life to come and go without clinging or clutching.

Summing it Up

If you’re struggling, feeling caught in nets of your own making, close your eyes, and let go. Once you relax, its easier to see your situation more clearly, so you may free yourself.

Lunaria Datebook

Last Moon Phase: Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Leo

Next Moon Phase: Full Moon in Virgo

New Moon Dates and Times

San Francisco: Sunday, Feb. 26, 6:58 a.m. PST

New York: Sunday, Feb. 26, 9:58 a.m EST

São Paulo: Sunday, Feb. 26, 11:58 a.m. BRDT

London: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2:58 p.m. GMT

Istanbul: Sunday, Feb. 26, 5:58 p.m.  EEST

Mumbai: Sunday, Feb. 26,  8:38 p.m. IST

Tokyo: Sunday, Feb. 26, 11:58 p.m. JST

Sydney: Sunday, Feb. 27, 1:58 a.m. AEDT