The Astronomy of Eclipses
Shadows, Light, and Alignments
When eclipse season arrives, we feel it in the air. The light shifts, the energy intensifies, and suddenly the skies remind us that we live in a dynamic, moving cosmos. But before we dive into the symbolic and astrological meaning of eclipses, it helps to understand what’s really happening in the sky.
What is an Eclipse?
Eclipses occur when the Earth, Sun, and Moon align in a straight line, creating dramatic shadows and light play. This alignment is known as syzygy. Depending on which body is temporarily darkened, we experience:
Solar Eclipse: The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight.
Lunar Eclipse: The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth’s shadow onto the Moon.
Types of Solar Eclipses
Total Solar Eclipse: The Moon completely covers the Sun’s disk.
Partial Solar Eclipse: Only part of the Sun is obscured.
Annular Eclipse: The Moon is too far away to fully cover the Sun, creating a glowing “ring of fire.”
Why Eclipses Happen in Seasons
Eclipses don’t occur every New or Full Moon because the Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5° compared to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Only when the Moon is near its nodes (the points where its orbit intersects the Earth’s orbital plane) do eclipses happen. These alignments create eclipse seasons about every 6 months.
Symbolic Language of Shadows and Light
Even at the astronomical level, eclipses are reminders of contrast: shadow and illumination, concealment and revelation. Across cultures, this interplay has always been experienced as significant — a disruption to normal patterns of light and dark.
Local Eclipse Viewing in Kansas City
While not every eclipse is visible from the Midwest, skywatchers in Kansas and Missouri often get to experience at least a partial view. For example, the October 2023 annular eclipse was partially visible in Kansas City, and the much-anticipated April 2024 total eclipse drew observers from across the region. Staying tuned to NASA’s Eclipse Page or local resources like Space.com can help you plan ahead for future events.
✦ Key Takeaway
Astronomically, eclipses are simply shadows — the natural geometry of Sun, Earth, and Moon lining up in extraordinary ways. But as we’ll explore in future eclipse posts, those shadows have always carried symbolic weight, inspiring myths, rituals, and profound astrological interpretation.
Book a reading to discover which areas of life the upcoming eclipse season will be highlighting for you!