Here comes 2024! With a new year coming, we’re going to focus on the important New Moons, Full Moons, and eclipses to come.
New Moons occur when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are conjunct (align) in the zodiac, and Solar Eclipses occur with New Moons. New Moons and Solar Eclipses are times of new beginnings, enthusiasm, and excitement, but this is much bigger with Solar Eclipses than with New Moons.
Full Moons occur when the transit Sun and Moon oppose, and Lunar Eclipses occur with Full Moons. Full Moons and Lunar Eclipses are times of endings and culmination and have strong emotional energy, but this is much bigger with Lunar Eclipses than with Full Moons.
We experience an eclipse when a New or Full Moon is within 18 1/2 degrees of the Lunar Nodes (which are the points in the Moon’s orbit where the Moon crosses the ecliptic).
We alternate between New and Full Moons every two weeks or so, so we usually have one New Moon and one Full Moon each month. Eclipses usually occur in pairs every six months or so, with one Solar and one Lunar Eclipse occurring about two weeks apart and then six months later, another Solar and Lunar Eclipse.
There are 12-13 New Moons and 12-13 Full Moons each year, while we have 4-6 eclipses total each year. 2024 will have four eclipses.
Make sure to use the free astrology calendar to keep track of the astrology of 2024 easily!
This year, one Lunar Eclipse and one Solar Eclipse will occur in Libra, and one Solar Eclipse will occur in Aries. Libra and Aries oppose one another and rule our connections with others and ourselves. The Aries-Libra eclipse set began in 2023, so we can continue with this focus.
There will also be a Lunar Eclipse in Pisces, and this begins a new eclipse set that is fully in effect in 2025 and ushers in Virgo-Pisces. These are the signs that rule being of service in quiet, mundane ways and in personal emotional ways.
Others may use this eclipse to put distance between themselves and others where the connection isn’t healthy and doesn’t benefit you, and you may want to walk away from a partnership, commitment, or agreement.
It’s way more important with this eclipse that we keep the peace, compromise, and mediate because when Libra is upset, it becomes unsettled, indecisive, and unbalanced. Prioritize peace, not fighting.
This eclipse is trine, which is beneficial energy, Pluto in Aquarius, and that’s the only aspect it makes to the other planets. This is helpful, and we can improve intimacy, transform our connections for the better, and work on bringing peace to chaotic areas.
This eclipse does come with Mercury retrograde, and it’s also in Aries and widely conjunct Mercury retrograde. A planet is retrograde when it appears to move backward through the zodiac, which can throw energy off.
There can be impatient, impulsive energy with this eclipse, which can get us in trouble if we give into it. We can be quick to fight at times and need healthy outlets for frustrations.
Retrogrades are great times for do-overs, and the Solar Eclipse conjunct Mercury retrograde is one of the absolute best times for a second chance, so try to focus on that. Think about something you’d like another shot at, and make the most of this period to do just that.
This can be a major period for finishing something important, perhaps a karmic cycle or releasing some baggage. We can be more understanding emotionally and can be more compassionate and empathetic.
Intuition can be strong as well, and we can get in tune with our spiritual selves and in touch with our subconscious minds. We may become aware of something that has been hidden from us for some time.
This eclipse is conjunct, or aligned with, Neptune in Pisces, and Neptune is the natural ruling planet for Pisces, which greatly amplifies the impact. We need to make sure we’re being gentle and respecting boundaries.
This eclipse is conjunct Mercury in Libra, which can help increase ideas, communication, expression, and activity. There can be a lot of movement with this eclipse, and we can keep busy and be flexible.
This can be a good time for learning, teaching, writing, or traveling short distances, thanks to Mercury, and the Libra energy helps us get along and find a pleasant way of connecting.
The New Moon triggers that conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus, which is a stellar conjunction and might be the best aspect of the year. Jupiter and Uranus coming together prompt us to make changes for the better and pursue opportunities for our future. In Taurus, we can go about this practically and ensure we’re grounded and secure.
This New Moon pushes this energy even more, and we can focus on making the most of it. We can set ourselves up quickly, maximize the insights we get, and feel closer to our dreams.
Having the New Moon at this degree forces us to take action while we still have the chance. We can focus on our goals and ambitions, our direction, and where we’re going, and we want to be sure we’re on the right path in life.
This is also the second Full Moon in a row in Capricorn, with the previous Full Moon on June 21 also in Capricorn. Developments can begin with the June Full Moon, and results, culminations, and progress can be made with the July Full Moon.
Neptune in Pisces is also anaretic at the time of the July Full Moon and is anaretic in Pisces all of June, July, and August. This can make spiritual ventures and creative pursuits more important, and we can dive into our subconscious minds, strengthen intuition, and work on blocks to healthy boundaries.
There can be some karmic energy with this Full Moon, and we may need to release something that has been holding us back. We can also become aware of how we’ve been standing in our own way.
Anything begun with the May Taurus New Moon may see results, culminations, or come to an end with the November Taurus Full Moon. There can be important events, news, or ideas around this time.
Try to be quick on your feet and go with the flow. Make sure to ground yourself so you can handle this energy and not fight it.
We’re coming out of Mercury retrograde with this New Moon, so it helps us get refocused on what we want to achieve and how we can best get there. We’re still under Mars retrograde, so the New Moon tries to help us stay on track and not veer too far.
End the year with a better focus on what you want to accomplish in the new year, and drill down on your long-term plans. Take different approaches and find new perspectives.
These lunar events can be significant, so take care and power through!
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Lunar & Solar Eclipses