The Astrology of the Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023

Why you should prepare for major changes during this "Ring of Fire" eclipse

A rare "Ring of Fire" solar eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023. A partial lunar eclipse will follow on October 28-29, 2023. In this post, I'm providing an in-depth analysis of the astrology of the October 14, 2023 solar eclipse. I will write about the lunar eclipse in a future article. 

Timing and Location of the October 2023 Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse will occur on October 14. This eclipse will begin at 4:12 PM UTC (12:12 PM EDT) and end at 7:46 PM UTC (3:46 PM EDT). The greatest time of eclipse will occur at 5:59 PM UTC (1:59 PM EDT). Use the World Time Buddy to convert to your time zone if it is different.

The Astronomy of Solar Eclipses

Two types of eclipses can be observed from Earth: solar and lunar. A solar eclipse occurs on a New Moon when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the light of the Sun. 

A solar eclipse can happen only at a New Moon when the Sun and the Moon are aligned longitudinally as seen from Earth, which is called syzygy. In a total eclipse, the disk of the Sun is fully obscured by the Moon. In a partial or annular eclipse, only part of the Sun is covered.

The crossing points where eclipses occur are known as the lunar nodes. The apparent path of the Sun, i.e., the Sun’s path as it is seen from the Earth, is called the “ecliptic." This word is derived from the Latin ecliptica linea meaning “line of eclipses.” 

The intersection point on the ascending path of the ecliptic is called the North Node, Rahu, the Dragon’s Head, or Caput Draconis. The intersection point on the descending path is known as the South Node, Ketu, the Dragon’s Tail, or Caudus Draconis.

Understanding Annular Solar Eclipses

There are four different types of solar eclipses: total, annular, hybrid, and partial. The October 14 eclipse will be an annular type. This kind of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth while the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth. During this type of eclipse, the outer corona of the Sun is visible, producing a beautiful “Ring of Fire.”

Photo of annular solar eclipse taken by the solar optical telescope Hinode. Credit: JAXA/NASA.

An annulus of bright sunlight is seen around the dark Moon in an annular solar eclipse This effect is why this type of cosmic event is called a “Ring of Fire” eclipse. In the October 14 eclipse, about 90 percent of the Sun will be covered.

Understanding the Astrology of Eclipses

Solar and lunar eclipses occur roughly every six months. At least two (one lunar and one solar, in any order), and at most three eclipses (lunar, solar, and then lunar again, or vice versa), will occur during every eclipse season. If an eclipse closely aspects planets or sensitive points in the astrological chart of an individual, country, or other entity, the matters relating to that planet may be brought into focus for many months before or after the eclipse. Eclipses can trigger events in our lives, and this can be favorable or challenging depending on the aspects they make and what else is going on in the astrological chart.

The Eclipse, by Alma Thomas (Acrylic on Canvas, 1970)

Eclipses can impact all areas of life according to where the eclipse falls in a natal or mundane horoscope. When transiting planets come to the critical degree of the eclipse either in advance of the eclipse or afterward, important events may be triggered. In the October 14 eclipse, the triggers will happen before the eclipse, as I discussed in a previous article: https://astralharmony.substack.com/p/vedic-astrology-forecast-october

An eclipse may impact the health and/or life of those born with their natal Sun in the same nakshatra as the nakshatra of the Sun and Moon in the solar eclipse chart (in this case, it is Chitra nakshatra). This is a complex topic beyond the scope of an article, but one that I consider to be very important to assess in my professional astrological consultations with clients.

Understanding the Astrology of Solar Eclipses

A solar eclipse carries more weight than a lunar eclipse. This type of eclipse is like a supercharged New Moon. In some cases, a solar eclipse will indicate a turning point, new insights, and the beginning of a new cycle. Some may experience a drop in energy levels in the days around the eclipse, especially for three or four days beforehand, so be aware.

All of this will be particularly true if the eclipse closely aspects important planets or chart points in a natal chart. In this case, the solar eclipse may illuminate debilitating personal issues that need to be brought to light and transformed.

In the Vedic tradition as well as some indigenous spiritual traditions, we are advised not to view an eclipse, as this can create mental disturbance and magnify negative energy. Instead, we should turn within and make sure to meditate, pray, or chant during the time of maximum eclipse, when the positive results of our spiritual efforts and intentions will be amplified immensely.

It is recommended that we avoid making important decisions or significant life changes in the days around an eclipse. This is because the eclipse energy can have a destabilizing impact. In the case of a solar eclipse, one should avoid initiating or deciding anything of material consequence for three days before, the day of, and three days after the eclipse.

The Astrological Meaning of the October 14 Solar Eclipse

In the October 14 eclipse, the Sun and Moon will occupy 27 degrees of Virgo in conjunction with Ketu, the Moon’s South Node, which will occur at zero degrees and 49 minutes of Libra (according to the Mean Node calculation). The presence of Ketu in the eclipse suggests a time to face our shadows and make peace with the past in order to open the door to new awareness and new beginnings.

The solar eclipse will also occur in Chitra nakshatra, the Star of Opportunity. This part of the zodiac is connected to the bright star known as Spica. In its higher expression, Chitra brings an emphasis on inventiveness, self-improvement (especially in regard to health matters), and mystical experiences. In its less evolved manifestation, Chitra can reflect aggression and strife. This is because Chitra is ruled by Mars and is a tamasic and fiery asterism.

Solar Eclipses in Mundane Astrology

In addition to their impact on individuals, solar eclipses also affect the whole world. Important geopolitical events are often stirred up in the areas where the eclipse shadow actually falls. The shadow of the October 14 eclipse will be visible over much of the western United States as well as the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Brazil. Regions that will see a partial eclipse include North America, South America, West Africa, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic.

Eclipses also tend to have more of an impact in the areas of the world where they are angular, meaning Rising (conjunct Ascendant), Setting (conjunct Descendant), on the Upper Meridian (MC/Culminating), or on the Lower Meridian (IC/Anticulminating). The area where a malefic planet crosses one of these lines can be a hotspot, as in Central America where the Mars line will cross the eclipse on the MC. The astrolocality map above shows the areas where the eclipse is angular. This includes New Zealand, Alaska, parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Central America, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, and West Africa.

Another Important Technique for Predicting the Impact of an Eclipse

We can also gain important information by studying where an eclipse aligns with a natal or mundane horoscope. As an example, see below the tri-wheel chart for Israel (inner ring); the October 7 transits for the day of the Hamas attack against Israel; and the subsequent declaration of war by Israel against Hamas (middle ring); and the eclipse of October 14 (outer ring):

The October 14 solar eclipse conjoins the ascendant and first house of Israel’s birth chart. This most important area of a mundane chart represents the citizens, the general condition and state of affairs of the nation, and the public health and safety. This eclipse to the ascendant and first house indicates a crisis moment and turning point for the nation.

On October 7 at the start of the deadly surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, the violent malefics Mars and Ketu were transiting together within two degrees of Israel’s natal ascendant. Transiting Pluto (also malefic) was stationary in motion (preparing to station direct) and in square to Mars and Ketu and in conjunction with the IC (homeland point) of the Israel chart.

In my previous article posted September 29, I had mentioned the October 10 Pluto station and stated that “the period within five days on either side of Pluto’s retrograde or direct station (from October 5 to 15) can activate explosive inner and outer pressures coming to a head…[and can] signify heightened seismic activity, accidents, intense conflicts (war), power struggles, or violence.” In this article, I also mentioned multiple malefic Mars aspects reflecting some very dark events beginning in October.

These evil aspects triggered the eclipse energy and activated a cataclysm in advance of the eclipse. Rahu was also transiting in conjunction with the descendant of the Israel chart, indicating a surprise attack by a known enemy, and also suggesting multiple hidden forces at play behind this event.

The astrological birth chart for Israel is set for May 14, 1948 at 4 PM in Tel Aviv. The Rodden rating for this data listed by Astro-Databank is “A",” meaning “Accurate.” It coincides with what is given by astrologer Nick Campion in World Horoscopes. Details about the birth time and date are discussed in detail on the Astro.com page for Israel.

Ketu is transiting across the sandhi (one-degree edge) of the Israel ascendant throughout October and until November 19. This period is especially unstable and dangerous. Ketu and Rahu will transit through the first and seventh houses (Virgo and Pisces) of the Israel chart from October 30 until May 18, 2025 (using the Mean Node calculation). This means that the eclipses will be occurring every six months for the next year-and-a- half in this section of the Israel chart.

Ketu eclipses in the first house can indicate heightened military activity, and Rahu eclipses in the seventh house can be unfavorable for foreign affairs, and may signify grievous difficulties in relations with other countries. These kinds of challenges are further suggested by the fact that Israel recently entered the lengthy Rahu Mahadasha in February 2023 (and Rahu occupies Aries in the eighth house of the horoscope).

Impact of the Solar Eclipse on the United States Chart

It’s important to note how and where the eclipse falls in relation to the United States birth chart. In this case, the MC and Saturn in the tenth house will be closely activated by the eclipse. This suggests significant turmoil within the government (Congress as well as the executive branch — the President and his cabinet).

As Saturn is eclipsed in the tenth house, there may be an impending and radical change in the leadership of the nation in the coming six months or so. An eclipse to Saturn can also indicate issues with public health/chronic disease/elderly people; national calamities and emergencies; terrorism and wars (including cyber-warfare which is a strong possibility in the coming weeks and months); matters concerning the judicial system; downtrends in commerce and business affairs, the labor market, mining, real estate, and agriculture/food production.

The eclipse will also activate potential upheaval related to the second and third houses, which Saturn rules. These can include crises in economic affairs (second house); and travel; transportation; communications, media, and cybersecurity issues; neighbors and immigration issues on the borders (third house).

An astrological chart can also be drawn for the event of an eclipse itself. This chart will reveal a particular pattern showing the circumstances and conditions affecting a certain locale. This is the chart for the United States, set for the capital in Washington:

The rising sign of the Washington DC eclipse chart is Sagittarius. This is the same rising sign as in the United States birth chart. Having an eclipse with the same rising sign as an entity's chart represents some kind of intense karma or adversity. It will be especially so for the government, as the eclipse will occupy the tenth and eleventh houses representing the President and his cabinet (the executive branch — tenth house), and Congress (eleventh house).

Power struggles, control concerns, significant political conflicts and economic crises are indicated by Pluto’s position in the second house in a square to the midpoint of Mars and Ketu.

An Interesting Pattern of Two Solar Eclipses in October 2023 and April 2024

The October 14 solar eclipse is considered to be the first of a pair of eclipses over North America in 2023-2024. The second one is a total solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024. The two eclipse paths will intersect to form an “X” over the United States. Note that the center of the X lies in South Texas. This is currently an area of geopolitical instability which will likely continue at least through 2024.

Solar Eclipses NASA - Using observations from different NASA missions, this map shows where the Moon’s shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipse. The map was developed by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) in collaboration with the NASA Heliophysics Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASA’s Science Activation portfolio. Credits: NASA/Scientific Visualization Studio/Michala Garrison; eclipse calculations by Ernie Wright, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Saros Cycle of the October 14 Eclipse

Saros cycles are solar or lunar eclipse families designated by their Saros number. This idea came from the ancient Babylonian astrologers who observed that eclipses occur in groups or families that link together the eclipses that happen every 18 years. These families evolve over cycles that last many centuries. Tracking these cycles is a very specific area of astrological research.

The October 14 eclipse is part of Saros Cycle 134. This family of eclipses always involves Ketu, the Moon’s South Node. Eclipses in this group also occur nearly the same distance from Earth and the same time of year. Eclipses in each individual Saros series tend to share a particular theme, so we will watch and see if that might play out this time in relation to the previous eclipse of this series.

The last annular solar eclipse in this family of eclipses occurred in October 2005. Some of the significant events at that time included riots in Paris; the most intense tropical hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin (Hurricane Wilma); bombings in Bali and Delhi; and a devastating earthquake in Kashmir. In both eclipse charts, the Moon and Sun conjoined Ketu in Virgo are forming a stressful quincunx (6/8 aspect) with Uranus, the planet of chaos and disruption.

On October 14, 2004, a partial solar eclipse occurred with Ketu in the same section of the zodiac as the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse will occur. These two eclipses share the same Metonic cycle (which is slightly different from the Saros cycle). The Metonic cycle (or Enneadecaeteris) is a period of almost exactly 19 years after which the lunar phases recur at the same time of the year.

In the similar eclipse of 2004, Mars crossed the eclipse points after the eclipse later in October, around the time of a powerful earthquake in Japan which left many dead and injured, and 85,000 people homeless or evacuated. This was also during a very intense month of fighting in the Iraq War, and also during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At this time, Israel proposed to withdraw settlers from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, and there were massive protests over it in Israel.

Conclusion

As you can see, the upcoming October 14 solar eclipse suggests turmoil within the United States and other parts of the world. On a personal level, this eclipse could bring new beginnings and major changes for some.

In addition to the solar eclipse on October 14, a lunar eclipse will occur later in the month. Stay tuned for an article on this eclipse very soon.

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.