Eclipses, like all lunations, come in pairs. There is a New Moon and a Full Moon; when it is eclipse season, New Moons are Solar Eclipses and Full Moons are Lunar Eclipses. They are powerful lunations with influence that extends until the next set of eclipses. Eclipses are reset points in time, bringing opportunities for big changes. 

The general flow is that New Moons start off the lunar cycle. They are a gestational time, a time to plant seeds for new expressions of the self. Things start off in the darkness, which is filled with all potentials. When the Full Moon happens, about two weeks later, there are signs of life. Things start to bloom; turning points are often noticed. Full Moons bring things into conscious awareness.

Last Spring,  we had two New Moons in Aries. The first on March 21, and the second on April 20. The latter was a Solar Eclipse at the very last degree of Aries, and since then, among the changes it brought, the lunation cycle shifted to starting with the Full Moon, followed by the New Moon two weeks later. This means things are first coming into awareness (Full Moon) and we are given an opportunity to integrate the understandings. Two weeks later at the New Moon, we have the chance to act on these awarenesses,  make changes, and find a new way of expressing the energy of the signs involved.  

On March 25, we had a Lunar Eclipse along the Aries-Libra axis. This axis is about self and other. The way we engage in relationships was highlighted. What has been revealed to you? Now, we have the corresponding Solar Eclipse in Aries. It's time to deal with your stuff. This Solar Eclipse will bring the potential to transform old stories and wounds. 

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Its mantra is "I am."  This Solar Eclipse has Sun and Moon  at  19 degrees of Aries. Chiron is also at 19 degrees of Aries, forming a conjunction. Conjunctions blend the energies of their components.  Chiron is not a planet. It belongs to a class of celestial bodies called Centaurs which move between Saturn (reality, authority, traditions) and Uranus (freedom, innovation, group consciousness). Chiron's placement in the birth chart shows the "wound" you came in with. For many it is the wound of not belonging or not being accepted. Chiron wounds are paths to wisdom. The wound resulted in patterns of behavior through the lifetime. Usually we react to it in some way. Under the Aries Solar Eclipse, Chiron is calling us to address the old storyline we have allegiance to.  

Chiron wounds are deep and internal. They require some work to resolve, and the resolution isn't what you think. In Greek mythology, Chiron was a powerful healer and teacher who was mortally wounded by one of his students. As he was immortal, he could not die.  All his healing practices could not heal his wound. His wound caused severe suffering through which he learned compassion for himself and others. Your Chiron wound holds wisdom for you. We grow beyond our Chiron wound. This eclipse is an opportunity to recognize your wound's pattern. This would be the story you tell about yourself; the deep fear you hold regarding your worth. Things have been showing up for all of us, especially since the Lunar Eclipse on March 25, to challenge this. What have you been shown about your story? 

Now is the time to transcend this wound, this story, and find the wisdom it holds about your true self. What strengths and talents were brought out in response to this wound? Perhaps you haven't fully acknowledged  them yet. This eclipse allows you to establish your "I am" without regard for anyone else. Who is the you being birthed by you? All the things you have gone through, every event, every relationship, every experience, has shaped you in some way and led to this point in time. Where will it lead? Only you can decide what's next. Only you can plant the seeds for the next version of your best self.   

Mercury retrograde in Aries is supporting introspection and reevaluation of your "I am." There is no need to rush this process. It is time to commit to showing up as your best self and exploring what that means for you. 

 Aries' ruler, Mars (yang energy/how we get what we want) is in Pisces conjuncting Saturn (reality check). Their blended energies are adding a dose of self-compassion to the self-assessment. It's a good combination to begin to craft creative, realistic plans for yourself. 

April is a very active month astrologically. Around the 15th, look for an increased desire to move forward towards creating something new for yourself.  Watch any tendency to be impulsive. Using this time to evaluate and investigate your desires and define what you truly want will be helpful. Still, a little caution until Mercury goes direct the following week is called for. The week after we will have Jupiter conjuncting Uranus in Taurus. This is a big deal transit that will likely bring changes to how you define and create stability for yourself. Jupiter conjuncts Uranus every 13-14 years, but it has not done so in Taurus since 1941. When Mercury resumes direct motion on April 25 we will again have all planets in direct motion until May 2, when Pluto starts its retrograde cycle. The bottom line is there is a lot of forward momentum still happening, but you are not at the mercy of any of it. You are at cause in the process. This is the time to commit to investing in yourself, nurturing yourself, and creating sustainable ways to live your vision of your best life. 

"The wound is the place where the light enters you."  ~ Rumi