On June 5, we have our first introduction to the Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipse cycle with an awareness-infused Lunar Eclipse @ 15° Sagittarius, sparking our imaginations & inspiring us to action. In fact, our vivid dreams of a greener future may be so powerful of late that we do that very Sagittarius thing and “forget to “look before we leap,” so to speak.  

Like Sisyphus pushing the boulder continuously up the hill or the two guys who waited for Godot for all that time not knowing what (if anything) would happen, a Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius calls for cultivating the requisite optimism and faith that our souls won’t sink like ships in the vast abyss of unrequited circumstances. All of which is much easier said than done, of course. 

This June 5th Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius is rife with contradictions and misinformation. With both Venus mid-Retrograde in Gemini and with Mercury about to turn Retrograde in Cancer on June 18, there are sure to be plenty of “foot-in-mouth” moments and other such regrettable commentary.

While Romance, Communication and the Binding Ties of Family are all implicated in this June 5th Eclipse in Sagittarius, it could feel like all of these aspects of our lives are falling on our shoulders. It’s as if conflict or some realization or truth is brought to light, but try as we might to prepare, our plans are foiled by circumstances or events that are confusing & beyond our control.

It’s not as much about Action as it has been with the last two years of Cancer/Capricorn Eclipses, which had us myopically focused on career development and self-betterment. Ironically, this Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius is the wildest of wild cards.

Why? Because We’re entering a new phase, where the prize will go to those who can put their “Action/Doer” impulses on autopilot and learn to use the cruise control. In other words, it’s not so much about taking concrete action now, as it has been for the past couple years. Rather, it’s about recognizing our own (and others’) sensitivities, proclivities and finding new ways to engage. Communication, realizations about what we say (or don’t say) and to whom—and about sitting with what’s uncomfortable for you in that realm.

Though there will be significant realizations and necessary endings to old ways of life, the positive spin is that with this comes the push to look at what’s missing in our lives, to stop constantly looking at (or rather, imagining) “what everyone else is doing” and focus on “what’s best for our future and the future of those around us.” Ultimately, it’s a moment of processing, not manifesting.

Because whatever begins in peaceful protest—whether from a personal or collective vantage point—may end up as passive-aggression that quickly escalates to what feels like full-out war in the blink of an eye. This is the essence of any chart with an overwhelming number of planets in Mutable/Air signs, emphasizing themes of Communication, Connection and (Verbal) Self-Expression. 

Mutable vs. Cardinal Eclipses: The Art of (Mis)Communication

Sagittarius is notoriously forgetful, so before I forget, there’s a very specific conversation that I’ve had with multiple, very different clients of mine of late, all struggling with variations on the same topic—how to ENGAGE OTHERS IN CONVERSATION.

In a couple of these sessions, conversations that occurred weeks apart somehow led to one fascinating insight: both clients professed both a series of complex emotions and situations, all of which carried with it the same subtext or underlying question. On a very literal level, what was underneath their statements was the same conundrum—that is, a professed desire to CONNECT and COMMUNICATE with others with a concurrent unwillingness to actually do so.

At one point, I found myself stating: “If you want friends, you have to listen to them and at least PRETEND to care about what they have to say…Yes, even if it involves listening to people complain…Why? What do you mean “why?” Because hunny, half of life is listening to other people complain! Just put the phone on Mute and let ‘em go for it!” Of course there was laughter in the mix; but the truth of what I was saying remained resonant—why is it so challenging to take in feedback, listen & communicate with those we supposedly love?

Are we avoiding a re-evaluation of whatever we’ve noticed is missing in our lives out of a fear of jeopardizing our Productivity? If so, it’s time for you to consider a gear shift, as the painstakingly-fragile Work/Life Balances we’ve managed to strike in 2019 (unfortunately) don’t mean much anymore.

Enter: the Sagittarius Lunar Eclipse of 2020—the first of the next series of Eclipses taking place across the Gemini/Sagittarius axis of Mutable signs. And while the Cardinal (Cancer/Capricorn) Eclipses were all about “Doing”—a period focused almost exclusively on Productivity, Career-building & “Settling” (Down)—Mutable Eclipses push us to Connect and Communicate. To realize the role of what we previously considered “frivolous conversation,” “small talk,” or even “a waste of time” in building & strengthening our relationships.

So for those whose Communication Muscles seemed to have lapsed over the past couple years, this Eclipse is a potent reminder to figure out: 1) What we want to communicate; and, 2) To whom and to what end?

Asking yourself such questions might be the answer for the moment at least when it comes to deciding whether or not to “confront” another individual, situation or constricting circumstance or whether to “wait it out.”

For while Gemini has the basics on the brain, Sagittarius has bigger, bolder concerns in mind—especially when it comes to the question of how, where & when to spend our precious TIME.

Lunar Eclipse T-Square Mars in Pisces: Fight or Flight?

Once labeled one of the “malefic” planets in Ancient Astrology, the modern understanding of Mars is that it represents neither “good” nor “bad” but how we direct our energy, our courage and our instinctive emotional reactions (read: anger).

Mars rules the Fire sign Aries and will either complement or exaggerate the impulsive words and acts of the Zodiac’s “Gambler”—Sagittarius. But whereas Sagittarius is the Zodiac’s Gambler, Pisces is its Houdini.

So although the Mars in Pisces “disappearing act” will become more and more tempting to indulge in as next few months unfold, there’s a conflicting need to both fight and take flight when dramatic moments, interpersonal stalemates or personal epiphanies overwhelm us. Either way, there’s definitely no “quick fix” with this Eclipse.

Mars is the Warrior, the planet of Action, Energy, Intensity and (at times) impulsivity. Yet with Mars in Pisces and the 6th house, it can feel as if we’re drowning in our emotions—in our anger, in our prolonged state of restriction, panic and frustration.

In Pisces, the natural confidence and spiritedness of Mars is diluted. We’re fired up mentally, but it’s as if the physical energy just isn’t there to match it.

In addition, Mars in Virgo’s house—the 6th house—of this Eclipse chart (see right). The symbolism of this particular Mars placement indicates an extreme sensitivity not characteristic of Mars, highlighting not dominance and aggression (Mars/Aries/Scorpio) but acts of service and compassion (6th house/Virgo/Pisces). 

Mars in Pisces in focal aspect to this Eclipse emphasizes anger and instinctual emotional expression. Yet at the same time Mars’ placement by sign and house drains the energy we need not to argue (we’re tired of that) but to get in touch with our own feelings of anger and frustration—making it considerably less likely that we’ll end up projecting such feelings onto those in our inner circles. 

And though empathy and compassion can be more than a little difficult to muster now, the competing need to be both selfish and selfless with our time and energy poses yet another contradiction that pervades this complex “onion-like” Eclipse in fiery Sagittarius. 

Mars in Pisces Inconjunct Libra Ascendant: Avoidance vs. Confrontation

Though as tense and argumentative as this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is, there’s a profound awkwardness when it comes to our ability to express ourselves, stemming directly from the contradictory need to create space for ourselves while remaining sensitive and attuned to the needs of others.

With Mars in tense aspect to this Full Moon and at an exact inconjunct (150° angle) to the chart’s Ascendant @ 15° Libra, there’s an added level of discomfort when it comes to expressing our romantic feelings or anything that may need discussion but has the potential to “rock the boat” in some way. 

When the signs of Pisces and Libra are involved, when it comes to any conversation considered remotely confrontational, the keyword is: AVOIDANCE. Why? Because both Pisces and Libra are Venusian signs and possess natures that have an instinctual impulse to run from any expression or display of anger (or even a simple “I don’t agree,” in some cases). 

As a result, Mars in Pisces’ T-Square to the Moon in Sagittarius + the Sun-Venus in Gemini, Mars’ inconjunct the Libra Ascendant makes expression of anger or discontent feel like an exercise in futility, if not complete frustration.

Listen: Emotionally, we’re constipated right now. There’s been so much action taken, decisions made, that there hasn’t been much time for careful thought, planning and reflection.

But with Mercury in its pre-Retrograde shadow period and Venus still smack in the middle of its Retrograde through Gemini, careful, thoughtful conversations are exactly what’s called for. 

And while the immediate reaction might feel like running from whatever thoughts come up now, it’s better to just follow the yellow brick road. The trick is to stay in your head without trying to get ahead.  

Mercury Sextile Uranus in Taurus: Need for Speed vs. Patient Sensitivity

Just keep in mind (please) that with Mercury in Cancer sextile Uranus in Taurus in the 7th house, or “Partnership” sector of this Eclipse chart, we’re both highly sensitive and intuitive yet cagey when it comes to talking about emotions. In a similar but different vein, there’s a competing need to air our grievances—to learn how to communicate again—and to keep silent, convince ourselves we are (or already have) “moved on,” and at worst, to play the Martyr role to the point of no return.

For instance, we might plan what we want to say to a Significant Other, for instance, only to “accidentally” have our wounds take the wheel (Mercury is exactly square Wounded Healer Chiron in this Eclipse chart). But no matter if we end up lashing out or if we’re on the receiving end, choosing passive-aggressive behaviors as if they represent some sort of (temporary) “middle ground” is a surefire way to run yourself into it. 

This to some extent exemplifies the Communication Spiderweb we find ourselves in: we might spend hours, days, weeks or even months planning just what to say and how to deliver the message, yet our emotions are so close to the surface that somehow we end up embroiled in disputes much larger (and out of our control) than we’re willing or able to admit at the moment. 

Jupiter-Pluto in Capricorn: Lingering Restrictions

With such a high level of misinformation and lingering panic in the air, the tension is palpable, as getting through the uncertainty of our “day-to-day” (Gemini) has drained us of all patience in the past several months. So really, it’s no wonder we’re overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of envisioning our “future” now that this Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius has crept up on us somewhat. 

Adding fuel to the Eclipse Season fire is the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, in effect in the late degrees of Capricorn for nearly all of 2020. With this alignment comes the very real restrictions as the old paradigms of “Life as We Knew It” continue to have a stronghold on us.

But are our fears keeping us truly safe, or (overly) scared & secluded? There’s no clear answer now (thus my “no manifestation” declaration). Because when nervous tension abounds, it’s all too easy to get swept away by fantasies light and dark alike—or to simply hide yourself from the world, absconding into some isolated state it might be quite a challenge to get out of if we let it go too far.

Which is why it’s best to wait. Manifest the inconsequentials of life if you must: re-up with an ex-lover for a spell, take a brief sojourn upstate, learn a new language or enroll in an online class or “webinar.” Manifest the small stuff, if you must manifest at all.  

Because all in all? The constriction indicated by Jupiter’s year-long conjunction to Pluto in Capricorn—exact for the second time on June 30, 2020 until its final exact alignment on November 12—constitutes the “backdrop,” or predominant theme, of this season’s Eclipses: RESTRICTION. 

What has this year of Restriction resulted in already? For one, working remotely (for those Americans who remain employed and able to stay safe during what’s already been quite a dramatic year has become a morass of confusion and tomfoolery; remaining sequestered either alone, in a partnership or marriage, or even with a close Loved One or “Special Quarantine Friend,” we’ve discovered, is equally challenging in different ways.

Saros Series 4 North: Sitting with Discomfort

To take the theme of Restriction even further, the current Saros Series known as “4 North'' is the “mise-en-scene”—the contexts we find ourselves in—as we dig into 2020’s June-July Eclipse Season (the first in Sagittarius followed by the final two of the Cancer/Capricorn set on June 21st and July 5th, respectively). 

Not only is this the first of the Gemini/Sagittarius Eclipses rolling in—a cycle which completes in December 2021—it’s also the first in a new Saros Series and with it new themes to engage with in the months ahead. In this respect, this June 5th Eclipse in Sagittarius really is a Sea Change, as it simultaneously marks the beginning of a new Saros Series—4 North—which infuses all three Eclipses this Summer with new themes to work through. 

The last Saros Series (the Solar Eclipse in Capricorn on December 24, 2019 followed by the Lunar Eclipse in Cancer on January 10, 2020)—3 South—had to do with sudden, emotional endings in (romantic) relationships culminating in painful but healing crises.

But with the June 5th Eclipse in Sagittarius, we enter Saros Series 4 North, which has to do with the exact opposite—the “crisis” being the challenge not of healing or manifesting, but of learning the art of self-observation, awareness and paying attention. Listening and communicating are in focus; with this, naturally, comes the discomfort of acceptance—and of sitting with our own discomfort. 

The Saros Series of an Eclipse Duo (or in this case, Triplet) changes with each new Eclipse cycle. Since Eclipses generally have a 3-5 month effect period, they’re like “super-charged” New (Solar) and Full (Lunar) Moons. So the importance of the Saros Series is that it provides a kind of “backdrop” that underlies whatever emotional struggles or nervous tension crops up now and throughout the Summer/Fall of 2020. 

Astrologer Bernadette Brady describes Eclipses in 4 North as inherently reflective of themes that include “[r]estriction, inhibition, restraint, separation and illusions” as well as “events...which seem to block the individual,” going on to state that it’s through such blockages that “the individual is very prone to misjudge his or her strengths or the situation,” and rather matter-of-factly advises that it’s best to “wait until the eclipse passes before taking any real action” (Brady, Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark, pp. 312-313). Thus the theme of Restrictions, Inhibitions & Blockages continues. But how can we address (or at least try to) the prospect of “Living Our Truth” in authentic Sagittarian form given such a context? 

Well, one way to address our “illusions” and proneness to “misjudge” ourselves and/or situations? Have difficult conversations. Work on not being so afraid, if you are. Taking more vigilant care of yourself if you’ve devoted too much of yourself to helping others envision a “greener” future for themselves.

Or, if you’ve been the one in despair and find yourself in need of an ear to listen (I won’t even say “shoulder to cry on”), take a risk (not really a risk, all things considered) and phone a friend.

But with the back-to-back Retrogrades of Venus (May 13 - June 25), Mercury (June 18 - July 12) followed almost immediate by Mars (September 9 - November 13)? The truth (Sagittarius) is that our best bets are on healing, repairing and working through long-dysfunctional relationship dynamics and the ways we’ve been communicating (or not communicating) with others.

Summary

So when it comes to starting any new romance, job, financial investment, opportunity, I’m sticking to my Astrologer “guns” on this one and emphatically stating that “making moves” in any sense is, on the whole, ill-advised for the majority of 2020.

Though if like many you’ve been asking me lately, what you should or could do in lieu of our obsessive-compulsive need to “manifest” an idea into a concrete reality?! To which my thrilling and profound response is: Nothing, ideally.

Do your best to stave off impulsive action, take a break from our daily routines and responsibilities or feelings of guilt, embrace the fear and anxiety as signs you’re still human, and don’t be afraid to observe—even if what you acknowledge is a touch painful or hits your sore spots in the process.

If you do? It’s a glorious chance and make an effort to reconnect with neighbors and old friend—maybe even abscond into the wilderness somewhere with a long-lost lover?

ANYWAY. As we ponder the decision to “get out” of whatever situation we’re in, this time is for reconciling whatever the Dream is (or was) with the Reality of the current moment. The first step to doing this? Relinquishing the need for control (or the “illusion” of it) and embracing the challenge of the surprisingly tiring, rarely-prepared-for disaster known as: “SITTING WITH (Y)OUR DISCOMFORT.”  

But being the Martyr isn’t the way out. Community building, revisiting and revising outdated relationships and family dynamics that have come to a head and helping yourself (and others) conjure relatively rosy visions of days ahead. So be kind, rewind, go watch Gladiator (again) & find some way to summon the inner strength to connect.