Eclipse Season: To Cast Or Not To Cast

Performing magic during an eclipse is one of my favorite hot topics.

Let me preface this with the fact that I have “to each their own” approach to life in general—and eclipses are no exception.

In this article, I will be going over this eclipse season. I’ll cover what it is, the upcoming solar eclipse in Aries, as well as provide perspective on whether or not magic can be performed during an eclipse.

As always, there is room for varying opinions and approaches to life, spirituality, and—in this instance—eclipse magic.

Solar Eclipse in Aries

I briefly mentioned in the “Aries Season: A Modern Witch’s Guide to the Stars” article that this Aries Season concludes in a Solar Eclipse in Aries. As mentioned, Aries is a sign of initiative and new beginnings.

In March 2023, we had a new moon in 0° Aries; in April 2023, we will have a solar eclipse in 29° Aries. If you’re familiar with astrology, you may recognize these degrees as “critical degrees.”

Critical degrees hold more significance both in transits as well as the natal chart. In this instance, 0° is the ingress. This is the beginning of a journey. On the other hand, 29° is an anaretic degree, which is the last degree before the change of signs and a marker of transition.

This sequence of events, coupled with being in the sign of Aries, has the capacity to propel us forward into new ventures. As such, paying attention to the themes that came up for us during the previous new moon is crucial as it is likely to be circled back to during the eclipse. Making note of and understanding these themes will allow us to explore them more thoroughly and make sense of what’s happening.

Additionally, to determine how this period might affect us personally, we can also look to our natal chart to see which houses “Aries” is in to get an overall feel on what this eclipse may be encouraging us to focus on individually. Likewise, it’s advisable to check out which house “Scorpio” fall in for the upcoming lunar eclipse this eclipse season.

What is Eclipse Season?

Eclipses always occur in pairs: the Solar Eclipse and the Lunar Eclipse. The period between these two is referred to as “Eclipse Season,” and there are typically two of these per year. This year, the first Eclipse Season starts off with a Solar Eclipse in Aries on April 20th. After the solar eclipse, we have a Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio occurring around the 5th of May.

Eclipse seasons themselves are often intense periods of change. During this time, the energy is potent and this creates a period of spiritual and personal growth, transformation, and change. Due to this, many practitioners use this time to set intentions and release what is holding them back.

Since this particular solar eclipse occurs in Aries, a fiery, impulsivity is added into the mix. Aries is a sign that governs passions and drive and it is also the first sign of the zodiac. With this in mind, there’s an even greater focus on new beginnings. Furthermore, Aries are also Cardinal signs, which are known as the initiators of the zodiac. So, new beginnings and drastic changes are likely to occur during this time.

On another side of this transition, this can be a period of time where we’re being asked to let go. We may need to release patterns, thought processes, and even people we’ve outgrown. While this can be a trying time while we’re in the midst of it, it’s ultimately for our greater good. This process, however challenging, is to ensure we create the space for what is to come.

Can Magic be Performed During an Eclipse?

Whether or not magic can be performed during an eclipse is a matter of opinion as well as tradition. In ancient times eclipses were once seen as a sign of impending doom. Many ancient cultures viewed eclipses as ominous foretelling, with many cultures believing they were a sign of an angered god. At its core, this perspective was due, in part, to a lack of understanding of the astronomical event itself.

However, in modern-day, some traditions still maintain that eclipses are a time of chaos. As such, the perspective of this not being an ideal time to perform magic is still alive and well. Eclipses are a disruption of the ordinary. While I wouldn’t consider these events to be rare outright, they are certainly not a daily occurrence. They are major astrological events. With this understanding in mind, it’s easy to see why a person might advise another to avoid practicing during this time.

That said, many modern practitioners consider themselves agents of chaos. They thrive in uncertainty and mayhem. After all, what is life but a series of uncertainties? There is even a brand of magic labeled “Chaos Magic” but that’s a topic for another time.

Aside from the element of chaos, what eclipses represent at their core are periods of growth and transformation that are greatly assisted by reflection. In this vein, you could also very well bypass proactive magic during this period in favor of quiet reflection. However, equally, a practitioner may decide to perform magic involving transformation or growth.

I’m no stranger to transformation; while it can be awkward and even painful while you’re in the throes, the person you become on the other side of it is worth it. Growth is critical. So, while I practice during eclipses, others may disagree and their reasons are equally as valid.

Key Dates:

Working with magick during an eclipse remains a divisive issue, so remember to stay true to your own inner voice about whether or not you would like to work with this energy. Nobody can answer this for you but you.