We are well into 2023, and with a new year comes new astrological events, including New Moons, Full Moons, and eclipses.
New Moons occur when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon conjunct (align), and Solar eclipses occur with New Moons. New Moons and Solar eclipses are times of new beginnings, but much bigger with Solar eclipses.
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, but much bigger with Lunar eclipses.
Eclipses occur when a New or Full Moon is within 18 1/2 degrees of the Lunar Nodes (the points in the Moon’s orbit where the Moon crosses the ecliptic). Now you know some fancy technical astrology!
We have roughly one New Moon and one Full Moon each month, alternating about every two weeks. We have eclipses approximately every six months. They usually occur in pairs, with one Solar and one Lunar eclipse occurring about two weeks apart, and then six months later, another Solar and Lunar eclipse.
We have 12-13 New Moons and 12-13 Full Moons each year, while we have 4-6 eclipses total each year. 2023 will have four eclipses.
Now let’s dive into the 2023 eclipses!
Make sure to use the free astrology calendar to keep track of 2023 easily!
Why the 2023 Eclipses Are Unusual
There are four eclipses in 2023, two Solar eclipses, and two Lunar eclipses, which is usually the standard yearly. What’s unusual is that all four eclipses occur in a different zodiac sign!
Eclipses occur in sets of opposing zodiac signs. In 2022, all four eclipses occurred in either Taurus or Scorpio, who oppose one another.
In 2023, the Lunar eclipses occur in Taurus and Scorpio, and there will be one Lunar eclipse in Scorpio and one Lunar eclipse in Taurus. The Solar eclipses will be in Aries and Libra, and there will be one Solar eclipse in Aries and one Solar eclipse in Libra.
Aries and Libra oppose one another, and the eclipses are moving into this set of signs. And we’ll have eclipses in these signs until 2025.
The last time we had all eclipses occur in different zodiac signs was 2015, with four eclipses in Pisces, Aries, Virgo, and Libra. Interestingly, the Aries and Libra eclipses of that year were the Lunar eclipses, while they’ll be the Solar eclipses in 2023.
Solar eclipses are times of new beginnings, which fits well with new signs coming into the mix. We can focus more on our connections with ourselves and others with Aries and Libra.
Meanwhile, Lunar eclipses are times of endings and culminations, so we’re tying things up with Taurus and Scorpio as we move away from these signs. We can see situations come to an end, reach a result, or lead to conclusions.
Solar Eclipse in Aries: April 20, 2023
The most important eclipse in 2023 will be the first one that occurred on April 20th, 2023, in Aries. I believe this because this eclipse will occur at the anaretic degree.
There are 30 degrees in every zodiac sign, and the last degree is the anaretic degree, positioned at 29 degrees of any sign. This stirs up big energy in transit.
Solar eclipses are times of new beginnings anyway, and Aries is the first sign and corresponds to new beginnings as well. Add in the anaretic degree, and we’re looking at massive energy for starting anew.
This is the time of the year to focus on starting a big new job or business, making a big move, taking a big trip, or starting a big course – something big! And with Aries, you can be willing to take the initiative to make it happen.
There is some luck on our side with Jupiter and also in Aries with this eclipse, and Jupiter wants us to expand and explore. Be open to new experiences, and see where this leads you.
On the downside, this eclipse does come with Mercury retrograde, which started the next day on April 21, 2023.
A planet is retrograde when it appears to move backward through the zodiac, which can throw energy off. This retrograde is in Taurus, so we may be extra impatient, impulsive, and don’t look before jumping, but this can lead to quick problems.
Create documents on what you want to do and what big thing you want to start, gather information, get advice, and make plans well in advance so you don’t put yourself in a bad position.
This energy is so big, and with this being the first eclipse in Aries, whatever you embark on now can last for the next couple of years.
Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio: May 5, 2023
This is the final eclipse in Scorpio for some time, and Scorpio Lunar eclipses can bring up a lot of emotion. Lunar eclipses are emotional, while Scorpio is an intense Water sign, so combined, this can be an emotional period.
Emotions may be focused on areas where a light has been shined, and what was hidden has become exposed. This may have been difficult to deal with, but transforming as a result of what you now know has hopefully led to being more empowered.
One final piece of the puzzle may come out, which can help to be fully informed. But, Scorpio Lunar eclipses can also bring out a lot of frustrations, fights, and violence (the Aries Solar Eclipse may as well), so we do need to be careful and have healthy outlets for anger and frustration.
Solar Eclipse in Libra: October 14, 2023
This is the first eclipse in Libra, and Libra is the sign of relationships, partnerships, and alliances. This eclipse may be a time when many are entering into new relationships and partnerships, working with or for new people, and forging new alliances.
Libra is the sign of mediation, negotiation, and compromise, which can be important with the eclipse. We’re’ more likely to compromise, to meet in the middle, and work on coming together instead of fighting each other (perhaps tired of the fighting from the previous eclipses!).
Libra also rules peace, harmony, and balance, which may be objectives with this eclipse. We can set goals to bring more peace and harmony into the world and into our lives and achieve better balance.
Lunar Eclipse in Taurus: October 28, 2023
The Taurus and Scorpio eclipse set featured 3 Lunar eclipses in Taurus, and this is the final one. 2021, 2022, and 2023 all came/come with a Lunar eclipse in Taurus.
The Taurus Lunar eclipse can prompt us to look at stability and security in our lives and whether or not we’re doing well. We can work on removing blocks that have hindered our stability and security and do more to maintain it so it lasts.
Taurus Lunar eclipses can also bring out insecurity, lack of confidence, and self-doubt, and we can put too much emphasis on what others think of us. It’s important to have a solid sense of self, independent from others.
Some Important New & Full Moons in 2023
New and Full Moons don’t pack quite the same punch as eclipses do, but they can still have a big impact depending on other factors. These are the New and Full Moons in 2023 that can be important.
Read these next: The Ultimate Guide to New Moons & The Ultimate Guide to Full Moons
New Moon in Gemini: June 18, 2023
The Gemini New Moon in square, which is a challenging aspect, Neptune in Pisces, and this can be difficult energy as Neptune likes to bring the fog. We may struggle with focus and managing our energy, and we can be taken advantage of easily.
This New Moon also occurs with Pluto anaretic at 29 degrees Capricorn, coming back to this sign after being in Aquarius for a few months. This can stimulate major developments with countries, governments, corporations, and politicians. This New Moon might make it difficult to see these developments clearly and know precisely what to do about them.
This New Moon is also opposite the Galactic Center, which is a black hole that our little Milky Way orbits. Positioned currently at 27 degrees Sagittarius, the Galactic Center is associated with being ahead of the curve in astrology and is very focused on the future.
The Gemini New Moon may bring us information that impacts the future, but we’re not too certain about this thanks to Neptune, yet ready for destruction thanks to Pluto. There may be a leap of faith, though it may be more like a giant rush forward with anaretic Pluto!
New Moon in Scorpio: November 13, 2023
The Scorpio New Moon is conjunct Mars, the planet of energy and the traditional (old-time) ruling planet of Scorpio. This gives this New Moon lots of extra energy and drive, and how we use this energy can be natural.
Scorpio wants us to embark on new transformations, take more control, and have more power. Mars helps us to navigate more easily and feel more comfortable taking the initiative to make these things happen.
But, this New Moon is also opposite Uranus in Taurus, which might bring out impulsive, impatient energy thanks to changemaker Uranus. If things aren’t going exactly as we want them to, we may lash out and force things instead of waiting them out.
Impatience will likely not be our strong suit with this New Moon, yet it’s more important that we have it. If we do, we can maximize this energy to blow through a big obstacle and become empowered.
Full Moon in Cancer: December 26, 2023
This is the final lunation for 2023, and the Cancer Full Moon comes with both beneficial and challenging energy.
The Cancer Full Moon is sextile Jupiter in Taurus and trine Saturn in Pisces, both of which are beneficial aspects. This can show getting helpful opportunities with Jupiter and being disciplined and focused with Saturn.
Pluto is anaretic again, though, and Mercury just retrograded back to Sagittarius for this New Moon. Mercury can show that we likely need to take a different approach and keep an open mind in anything we do.
Pluto can show we may continue to transform and tear down what is no longer positive or necessary. Cancer helps us start over from the bottom and secure a new foundation.
Good luck With 2023!
That’s it for the 2023 eclipses and important Moons. It’s a bit top-heavy with the Aries New Moon and Aries Solar eclipse, so get ready early!
Always make sure to tend to your emotions and take care of yourself with eclipses and New and Full Moons. Often, so much is going on that we may forget to take care of our emotional needs and maintain stability.
Ground yourself as these lunar events come along since they’re going to be strong!
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Lunar & Solar Eclipses
