What the Lunar and Solar Eclipses in October 2023 Mean for You, Astrologically

As the leaves start to brown, and the nights get colder, there is another change in the air. It is the (always surprising, often exciting) part of the zodiac: eclipses. As Anne Ortelee, one of my astrological mentors, says, “The eclipses are coming! The eclipses are coming!”

Here’s the deal, star gazers: As your cosy sweaters come out — along with the Chelsea boots and autumn nail colours — the celestial bodies are making major moves. On October 14, we will see an annular solar eclipse in Libra on, while the partial lunar eclipse will follow just two weeks later, on October 28, in Taurus. Neither of these eclipses will be visible in the UK but we will feel their energy nonetheless. But what does all of this mean for you and your sign’s horoscope this month?

When are the lunar and solar eclipses in October 2023?

First, the logistics: The solar eclipse is Saturday, October 14, 2023, at precisely 5:00 p.m. (BST) — so punctual! The lunar eclipse is Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 9:15 p.m. (BST). Our solar eclipse is in peacemaking air sign Libra and the lunar eclipse is in steadfast earth sign Taurus.

It is important to note that, depending on your location, you may not actually be able to see the eclipses this month; even if you can observe it from where you are, it might not be all that…exciting. Unfortunately, annular solar eclipses do not have quite the same zing as the types of eclipses many of us are accustomed to seeing in depictions throughout pop culture and historical documentation.

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

In astrology, a solar eclipse is like a supercharged new moon, while a lunar eclipse is akin to an especially powerful full moon. Eclipses occur four to seven times per year, often showing up in pairs or triplets. Now, here’s a very abbreviated rundown on how each type works.

During a solar eclipse, the Earth, the sun, and a new moon line up in such a way that, from the perspective of certain parts of the world, the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking its light from view and creating a strange sort of twilight effect for those of us here on Earth.

A word to the wise: You cannot safely look at a solar eclipse without taking special precautions. These conditions notably do not include regular sunglasses, so please don’t pop your Ray Bans on to stare up at the sky during a solar eclipse. In fact, safe solar viewing glasses and handhold solar eclipse viewers — the gear for eclipse gazers — is thousands of times darker than a normal pair of sunglasses, according to a NASA safety guide, and even then, NASA notes that it does not stamp its approval onto any specific solar-viewing product.

A lunar eclipse, meanwhile, looks and feels very different. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth’s shadow falls on a full moon, creating the appearance of a red tinge. You can’t look at a solar eclipse without special precautions but you can gaze all you want at a lunar eclipse. (For those interested, this video by MooMooMath and Science explains the actual astronomical science involved far better than I can.)

What is the astrological meaning of a lunar or solar eclipse?

To put it simply, lunar eclipses are almost always about endings and solar eclipses are about beginnings. During eclipses (both solar and lunar), the eclipse lines up with the Nodes of Fate. These are two astrological points in the sky that you can’t see because they appear where the path that is ecliptic of the sun intersects with the path of the moon.

The North Node happens when the moon is on its way upwards in its elliptical orbit, while we observe the South Node when the moon is on its way down. (To clarify, these are all astrological points and observations, not literal points in the sky!) Astrologically, the North Node is what we are moving towards — our highest purpose in this lifetime. The South Node, on the other hand, is what we are moving away from, sometimes including the gifts and vices we were born with.

Both solar and lunar eclipses activate these points in the sky, though not necessarily your personal North and South Nodes. Eclipses can be times of great change and forward movement, including births and deaths. Not every eclipse will be significant to you specifically, but most eclipses offer a sort of heightened energy — one that can be pretty palpable and active for approximately one week. Plus, the eclipse point is active until the next eclipse arrives, usually within six months. That area can become very charged whenever a planet crosses it.

Libra: relationships and boundaries. Taurus: security and safety.

For the solar and lunar eclipses of October 2023, looking to each of the signs they appear in can help us through these times. Libra: relationships and boundaries. Be kind to people, have compassion for them but stand your ground. Say “no” to people’s B.S. Hang up the phone, delete the group text, leave the room if you have to. Taurus: security and safety. Don’t spend money you don’t want to spend. Take care of your body. Listen to your gut.

What does the October 2023 solar eclipse in Libra mean, astrologically?

As mentioned earlier, the solar eclipse will come to us on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the pleasant early evening hour of 5:00 p.m. (BST), arriving at 21 degrees and 10 seconds of Libra. Solar eclipses can be pretty exciting, sometimes heralding a birth, a marriage, or the start of a new job.

In astrology, we connect Libra with our relationships, including how we connect and relate to one another. It is the diplomat and mediator of the zodiac. Libras are sometimes labeled as indecisive; this is not wholly accurate, but it’s necessarily inaccurate, either. Libras are one of the people-pleasers of the zodiac, pushing to keep everyone happy and often hesitating to ask for what they really want.

Now, there is no way to predict what will happen in our lives around the time of a solar eclipse. They are, by nature, unpredictable and will resonate differently for everyone, making it all the more important to take astrological insights with a grain of salt and a healthy dose of personal perspective. An eclipse in Libra could very well lead us to question our relationships — the give and take they require of all parties involved. It may bring us to ask questions about justice and fairness. Libra is also one of the two signs ruled by Venus, so the eclipse could bubble up questions regarding what (and who) we find beautiful or worthwhile.

What does the October 2023 lunar eclipse in Taurus mean, astrologically?

The lunar eclipse is happening two weeks later on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 9:15 p.m. (BST) at 5 degrees and 3 seconds of Taurus. Lunar eclipses are very powerful full moons and are times when we see endings and even death. While full moons invite us to be more yin and let go and be one with the universe and all that, lunar eclipses don’t invite us. They tell us.

Don’t spend money you don’t want to spend. Take care of your body. Listen to your gut.

Lunar eclipses force us to let go, to say goodbye, to face something. The eclipse is in Taurus, the practical, grounded-in-reality sign that embodies the fine arts of building resources and creating security. A lunar eclipse in early Taurus could prompt questions about our resources or money and, perhaps, our fears of not having enough of either.

As cosmic occurrences create a sense of quickness and urgency, it is important to take things slowly; as you stare up at the stars, you can always look to the signs involved for guidance.

This article was originally published in Allure.

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