Some years ago, motivational teacher Debra Poneman was preparing a big speech for Jack Canfield’s Transformational Leadership Council. But fate had a twist up its sleeve. As Poneman recalls, “I had my presentation all planned, replete with my flip chart and white board and power point, and I was ready to romp around the stage and give the presentation of a lifetime. And then, two nights before the big day, I tripped over a curb in the dark and broke my right foot.”
In so much pain she could barely think, Poneman cancelled her presentation and attended the rest of the retreat in a wheelchair. But when the morning came that she’d been scheduled to speak and no replacement had been found, this brave warrior got up on the stage anyway – and gave one of the best talks of her life. “I was forced to be raw and real and talk heart to heart,” she confessed. “With no dog and pony show to depend on, I had to be the person Debra and not the personality Debra.” And in the process, she discovered one of the greatest gifts of pain and seeming misfortune: “When you’re really suffering, it allows your true self to emerge, the one with no defenses.”
When I read this story on Debra’s blog, I was sure that Chiron had to be active in her chart at the time this happened. (Alas, I was unable to find her birth data to confirm.) Either way, though, this story personifies the mythical centaur, who became a great healer-shaman despite suffering his own wounds. And with planetoid Chiron traveling through feisty Aries since 2019, we’ve all been challenged to heal our own wounds around self-assertion and deal with insecurities that block our true selves.
Chiron in impulsive Aries is the superstar of the upcoming total solar eclipse. Chiron will exactly conjunct the Moon as it eclipses the Sun at this New Moon eclipse (April 8, 11:20 a.m. PDT), bringing themes of wounding and healing to the forefront. To behold this eclipse, many folks are running off to Texas and other points on the path of totality, which cuts a narrow swath through the U.S. I, for one, will not be among them. When you witness an eclipse, you become complicit with it – for better or for worse. At the very least, retrograde Mercury (April 1 – 25) is apt to bring traffic snarls. Mercury in Aries gets frustrated if it can’t go FAST, and this retrograde Trickster will need to exercise a lot of patience.
The eclipse ruler, Mars, is conjunct Saturn in Pisces, last sign of the zodiac. One door is closing so another can open. You may have to do what’s required, no matter how tough, to get the job done. Luckily, courage is heightened with four planets plus Chiron and the North Node in Aries – calling forth your authentic self. Just be sure to rest enough to keep your strength up. Still, since it’s a North Node eclipse, we’re urged to take a step toward something new. Even with Mercury backward, we can plant a seed – bearing in mind that it’s unlikely to sprout right away.
Look to where 19 degrees of Aries falls in your chart to see what’s being activated:
1st house: Personal identity, body, new territory
2nd house: What you value, financial status, how you spend money
3rd house: State of mind, brainstorms, immediate environment
4th house: Family, home, roots, ancestral patterns
5th house: Creative self, ability to play, romantic pursuits
6th house: Habit patterns, health or workplace issues
7th house: Primary relationships and style of relating
8th house: What must be sacrificed or transformed, shared finances
9th house: Spiritual path, higher purpose and teaching style
10th house: Where you open out to the world, career, authority
11th house: Friends, community, goals and wishes, social impact
12th house: Dream life, hidden obstacles, feeling imprisoned
On top of everything else, the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction peaks on April 20, sparking revelations. This alignment occurs every 14 years. It’s happening in earthy Taurus for the first time since May 1941, revealing the future in concrete, even if shocking, ways. Jupiter magnifies things; Uranus shakes things up. Their union can bring a radical new way of seeing life or a startling new sense of direction. Look to where 21 degrees of Taurus falls in your chart for clues. As astrologer Steven Forrest puts it, “There’s a treasure within reach, but you have to look in the right place – somewhere you’ve never been before.”
April should be a turning point month – especially for those in power, who are ruled by the Sun (which is getting eclipsed). We’re all likely to be confronting limitations that have obscured our true selves. If a twist of fate should occur for you, realize that it’s happening for a reason. You may be stripped down to basics, as Debra Poneman was, prompting you to take a risk you might not otherwise have taken. If that occurs, just trust your instincts – and let synchronicity do the rest.
Hi Simone, I have heard the Debra Poneman story before. I like when you state that suffering allows your true self to emerge with no defenses. So true.
Interesting take on witnessing the ecilpse. I also don’t feel an urge to visually watch it either. The energy feels intense enough already. Probably better to meditate while the phenomenon is happening?
My birthday is today. Aries 13 degrees 10th house. When you say to look at where 19 degrees Aries is in your chart I assume you mean looking at your Natal chart? Yes, I guess as an elder I am stepping into my “authority,” which I feel like sharing more with public speaking and writing.
Thanks for all your wonderful blogs. I get so much out of all of them even if I don’t comment on everyone of them. Love, Lisa
Happy birthday, Lisa! No wonder this all feels so intense, falling the same month as your solar return. And yes, the eclipse in your tenth house is definitely activating your authority and role in the world, so best of luck getting your thoughts out to the public!
Okay, okay!! It’s time for my update. OMG. I will be presenting my work along with my computer app engineer on Saturday, April 20 for the California Association for the Education of Young Children. What are the heavens telling me?!!!
Thanks, Simone. Let me know your availability.
How exciting to be doing that right at the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, Judy! I will email you directly to set something up.
I’d love to hear more about- when you witness an eclipse you become complicit with it- what do you mean – I’m intrigued and btw I’m not going to witness it!! Thank you I love your writing and insights.
Hi Catherine,
Glad you enjoy my posts! Being complicit with an eclipse is an ancient notion from a time when people experienced the planets as sentient beings. Personally, I believe that the entire universe is sentient – so by witnessing an eclipse you are taking the energy inside yourself and asking, in essence, that your light also be eclipsed. Perhaps you could work great magic by doing so, but you’d really better know what you’re doing, i.e. be in a high state of consciousness and intentionality, or adverse things could occur. I just instinctively feel that I don’t want to be complicit with eclipses, and I’m glad to hear you feel the same.
Hi Simone,
Thank you for this, Wise One, all of it aiding in increasing awareness and presence.
Grandfather Navajo counsels to remain inside or in shadow, very quiet, “no joking around” during the eclipse, a most sacred time known to our first people as Death of the Sun. It erases what must be erased and gives birth to new Light, macro through micro.
Incredible transits!!
Take good care, everyone.
with love, Constance
That is so beautiful, Constance! The Death of the Sun, erasing what must be erased to birth new light. May this eclipse bring us all exactly what we need to do just that! Much love, S
Hello fellow Simone!
Aries is my rising sign and the Part of Fortune is at 12 degree Aries. What does that mean?
Thank you for the monthly updates, I appreciate that you take the time!
There is always a wonderful lesson from you.
Hi Simone,
Glad you’re enjoying the posts! I look at the rising sign as where you’re headed in this life, so the eclipse in Aries (especially if it’s quite near that point) could be momentous for you in terms of personal direction. And of course, the part of fortune is just what it sounds like – the potential for good fortune! Hope this energy brings nice things your way…
Cheers, Simone
Dear Simone,
I look forward to your articles every month! I am a professional astrologer but I continue to learn and grow from other gifted astrologers. It’s what I love most about astrology….there is no end to the learning and the insights! Thank you for being part of that process for me.
The eclipse falls just 2 degrees before my natal Sun at 21 degrees, Aries. What I have been noticing in the run-up to this eclipse is truly what came out in your article. The personality is disappearing. It’s a gentle, peaceful process. I don’t know exactly who I will be when it is over or if something new will emerge but I would be happy to stay in this place peace & nothingness. I should mention that natal Neptune opposes my Sun so there’s that as well….lol.
Hi Diana,
How interesting that you’re experiencing a peaceful sense of dissolving ego (and very Neptunian!). I’d be curious to hear what ends up replacing this experience, if anything. I too enjoy reading what other astrologers think about upcoming transits, etc. Astrology Hub has some great panel discussions.
Here’s to an enlightening month for us all!
Cheers, Simone