Pamela McDonough
- Apr 18
- 5 min read

April 19 -20 Solar Eclipse in Ashwini Nakshatra

Updated: Apr 20

Solar and Lunar eclipses are perfect for spiritual practice, but not much else!

If possible and practical, consider delaying important new beginnings until after April 22. Eclipse energies begin a few days before the first eclipse and end a few days after the second one. As a general guideline, it's best to wait a day or two after the eclipse before starting important new projects.

That said, sometimes it's impossible to delay significant events, such as necessary surgery or starting a new job.

You'll find all the information about the upcoming Solar eclipse that you need in this blog post.

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Total Solar Eclipse: Significance of Rising Signs and Affected Houses

Solar Eclipse April 19-20, 2023 - Eclipse Times

From Timeanddate.com for Seattle location

Eclipse begins Apr 19 at 6:34pm PT

Maximum Eclipse Apr 19 9:15pm PT

Eclipse ends Apr 19 11:49pm PT

The path of totality will cross the Pacific Ocean, passing through Western Australia, East Timor, and Indonesia. Check their site for your location to get accurate times.

This solar eclipse has the potential to impact all individuals that are Aries rising more strongly since the eclipse is in Aries.

However, no rising sign is immune to the powerful energies of eclipses. It is important to closely examine the house that the Solar eclipse occurs in, and the corresponding meanings associated with that house in your birth chart. I share the house meanings for each rising sign for the Solar eclipse in the final section of this newsletter.

First though, we need to understand the other planetary influences to the Solar eclipse so we can get the complete picture!

The Cosmic Clash: Solar Eclipse Intensifies Transformation and Change

Pluto's Transformative Influence on the Solar Eclipse in Ashwini Nakshatra

Pluto is not traditionally considered in Vedic astrology since it was only discovered in 1930 and Vedic astrology was in use literally thousands of years before Pluto was first observed. That said, the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto can be powerful players in the planetary scheme, especially when they are involved closely in a major event like the total solar eclipse on April 19-20.

Pluto is closely square the total Solar eclipse in Ashwini nakshatra. I love the way that Richard Tarnas (author of Cosmos and Psyche) interprets Pluto as having a dual nature; symbolizing both the destructive and the creative forces of divine Shakti found in nature. Like the great Goddess Kali, who is a great Goddess of both protection and destruction, she is a reminder that both life and death are part of the natural cycle.

Pluto signifies the transformative power that drives the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Pluto also represents the essence of nature, it is continuously evolving and transcending its limitations through an immense evolutionary process, just as Kali embodies both the destructive and regenerative forces that drive this transformation.

Pluto, combined with the Solar eclipse in Ashwini nakshatra has powerful indications for personal and collective change, especially in the realm of medicine. While it may not be a comfortable experience, this aspect can ultimately lead to profound changes and a better understanding of oneself and our place in society.

Lastly, the influence of Saturn on Aries is going to want to put the brakes and slow down any swift or dramatic change or transformation, This is where some frustration can come in!

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Eclipse Influence on Mercury and Mars: Navigating Communications

During the eclipse, Mercury is transiting through Aries and is set to go retrograde just hours after this event.

As a result, Mercury gets significantly influenced by the eclipse energies since it is set to retrograde back to the degree of the eclipse.

Furthermore, Mercury is transiting Aries, ruled by Mars, while Mars is in Gemini, ruled by Mercury. This creates a parivartana yoga, establishing a strong relationship between the two planets and the signs Aries and Gemini. This connection further intensifies the eclipse energies, particularly as Mars rules Aries, where the eclipse occurs.

Be especially careful with communications during the eclipse period!

This parivartana yoga actually continues all the way through May 10! So, even after the eclipse be extra mindful of your written and spoken words.

Mercury will also be closely conjunct unpredictable Uranus at the time of the eclipse. This eclipse has the potential to be a wild ride!

Impact of the Solar Eclipse on Your Rising Sign: Personalized Insights and Guidance

If you know your rising sign you can better understand which life experiences the new Moon energy is most supportive. See the details next for each rising sign.

If you do not know your rising sign you can get it for free on my site here.

Impact on Rising Signs and Houses

Aries Rising (1st House): Self, identity, and physical body. This is a time to focus on personal growth, health and self-awareness.

Taurus Rising (12th House): Subconscious mind, spirituality, and hidden matters. It's an opportunity to delve into the spiritual realm and release old patterns.

Gemini Rising (11th House): Friendships, networks, and gains. Strengthen connections, but also evaluate which relationships support your growth.

Cancer Rising (10th House): Career, authority, and public reputation. Reflect on your professional aspirations and consider potential changes in your career path.

Leo Rising (9th House): Higher education, spirituality, and long-distance travel. Explore new philosophies and perspectives to expand your worldview.

Virgo Rising (8th House): Transformation, joint resources, and hidden matters. Embrace change and focus on emotional and financial well-being.

Libra Rising (7th House): Relationships, partnerships, and marriage. Assess the health of your relationships and work towards harmony and balance.

Scorpio Rising (6th House): Health, daily routines, and conflicts. Prioritize self-care and address any issues or challenges in your life.

Sagittarius Rising (5th House): Creativity, fun, romance, and children. Nurture your creative expression and focus on matters of the heart.

Capricorn Rising (4th House): Home, mother, and emotional well-being. Strengthen your foundation and work on creating a nurturing environment.

Aquarius Rising (3rd House): Communication, younger siblings, and short journeys. Enhance your communication skills and strengthen your connections with siblings.

Pisces Rising (2nd House): Assets and savings, possessions, and self-worth. Focus on financial security and cultivate a sense of self-worth.

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Sidereal Forecasts!

This is just a reminder for those who are new to my new and full Moon forecasts and other articles -- my forecasts are created using the sidereal system calculations.

Your rising sign, and other planets in your birth chart will usually (but not 100% of the time) shift signs from your tropically calculated horoscope. Sidereal calculations are about 24 degrees different (less than) from tropical calculations.

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Before You Go!

Dive into the April monthly forecast and discover the powerful influences that are yet to unfold. Don't miss the in-depth analysis of Jupiter's impactful transit into Aries, covered in our two-part series:

Part One: Jupiter in Aries - Embracing Expansion and New Beginnings

Part Two: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities with Jupiter in Aries

Stay informed and prepared as Mercury retrograde and Jupiter's sign change occur shortly after the eclipse.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!

Pamela