Timing and cycles

Solar Eclipse

Direct answer

Solar Eclipse occurs at New Moon when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun near a lunar node, blocking some or all of the Sun from view.

Solar Eclipse is a New Moon near the nodes that interrupts solar light.

Transits & CyclesThe Great Almanac DictionaryUpdated 2026-09-26

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At a glance

In astrology: A solar eclipse only happens when New Moon occurs close enough to the lunar nodes for alignment with the Sun and Earth.
Found in: Transits & Cycles
Related: Birth Chart, Zodiac, Transit

The planets on their engraved orbits before a brass armillary sphere — Celestial motion · visual guide **Solar Eclipse**
Solar Eclipse is a New Moon near the nodes that interrupts solar light.
The orbit map distinguishes physical bodies, calculated points, and symbolic cycles where possible.

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The story behind Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses have been observed, feared, predicted, and mythologized across civilizations because they visibly interrupt daylight.

A one-minute story

The Wandering Stars

How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.

The spiritual meaning of Solar Eclipse

Spiritually, Solar Eclipse asks what new beginning requires humility before the larger order of time.

Why Solar Eclipse matters

Solar Eclipse matters because it intensifies New Moon symbolism and can mark powerful beginnings, endings, visibility shifts, and changes of direction.

How to read Solar Eclipse

Read Solar Eclipse timing by checking the eclipse sign, degree, house, nodal axis, and contacts to natal planets or angles.

Solar Eclipse in practice: an example

A Solar Eclipse in the Tenth House may open or disrupt public life, vocation, leadership, or reputation themes.

Where readings of Solar Eclipse go wrong

A common error is to stare at a solar eclipse without proper certified eye protection, and do not interpret eclipses through panic.

Sources and editorial method

This entry summarizes the tradition in the Almanac's own words; where no source is listed, it is an editorial summary rather than a primary text, and symbolic readings are named as the tradition's, not as fact.

Source: The Great Almanac Dictionary
Category: Transits & Cycles
Last updated: 2026-09-26

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Solar Eclipse in a book is one thing; Solar Eclipse in your own birth chart is your life. The Oracle casts your real chart and tells you what it means for your love, your work, and your year ahead, in conversation. It opens with the 7-day Seeker trial.

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The Cosmic Codex reads a whole year of transits against your own chart, Solar Eclipse included where it touches your love, your work, your timing. Open the Cosmic Codex

Birth ChartA Birth Chart is a personal astrology map built from birth date, time, and place. ZodiacThe Zodiac is the twelve-sign wheel used as astrology's core sign language. TransitTransit means current planetary movement activating a chart.

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