Eclipse Season is Upon Us, Ushering in Major Astrological Shifts for 2024
We've got good news for you—the upcoming total solar eclipse signals a year full of new beginnings and personal growth.
Whether your social media feed has been flooded with news of the upcoming total solar eclipse or this is the first you're hearing of it, L'OFFICIEL has you covered with everything you need to know about the historical event.
The total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, and for just a few moments in broad daylight, the sky will go dark, creating a stunning spectacle overhead.
Although the United States saw a total solar eclipse just a few years ago in 2017, this upcoming event is a must-see, as the country won't experience another one for over 20 years. The 2024 eclipse is also expected to be significantly more dramatic, with a 60% increase in totality as well as duration, according to figures by NASA.
"[The sky] becomes dark enough to pick out bright stars and planets, so it's very dramatic, very startling," said Fred Espenak, a former astrophysicist from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, to ABC. "Most people get a very visceral reaction to seeing a total eclipse."
Looking for a one-stop rundown on everything you need to know about the solar eclipse? Join L'OFFICIEL in exploring all the details surrounding the buzzy cosmological phenomenon, including all the prime viewing spots across the country, whether you're on the hunt for the perfect Instagram shot or a cozy venue to watch the solar eclipse with your loved ones.
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse—like the one set to take place on April 8—occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth cross paths, lining up at exactly the same time. The Moon blocks the direct line of light that emanates from the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth. "People in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, which is otherwise usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun," said NASA.
Although partial and annular solar eclipses happen several times a year due to the natural orbit path of the moon, they often go unnoticed due to the minimal effect visible on Earth. Total solar eclipses are much rarer in comparison, meaning that the April 8 event is one you'll want to tune into, especially given that another one won't be visible for another 20 years.
How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse
While a momentary solar eclipse may not seem like a safety hazard at first glance, experts at NASA have stated that viewers should absolutely wear protective eye gear while looking up at the sky during the event. If you're interested in watching the total solar eclipse, be sure to invest in a pair of special eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers to avoid sustaining severe ocular damage, which occurs as a result of concentrated solar rays. NASA states that regular sunglasses are not adequate viewing gear, no matter how dark the lenses are, so planning ahead and grabbing a pair of eclipse glasses is optimal for those who plan to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse. Additionally, viewers should exercise extreme caution when handling camera lenses or telescopes during the solar eclipse.
"Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury," warns NASA.
If you're feeling particularly crafty ahead of the total solar eclipse, it is possible to DIY an indirect solar viewing device at home. One of the most popular methods, pinhole projection, can be done with everyday objects, making it an easy, accessible option.
"With the Sun behind you, pass sunlight through a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and project a solar image onto a nearby surface (for example, another card, a wall, or the ground)," advises the American Astronomical Society, "With the Sun at your back, you project sunlight through the hole(s) onto a surface and look at the solar image(s) on the surface." The AAS also notes that during totality, when the sky is completely dark, viewers can safely look at the sky, but during partial eclipse phases, it is important to utilize an alternative viewing method in the interest of ocular safety.
Solar rays are especially strong during eclipse events, so wearing proper protection, like SPF, is also extremely important in staying healthy while outside.
Where is the Best Place to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse?
The path of totality—the geographical track that the moon's shadow will fall across on Earth—for April 8's eclipse will encompass a majority of North America. While the path of totality is much larger than past solar events have been at nearly 115 miles wide, the total solar eclipse is only visible within the path of totality, meaning North American regions outside the path will only be able to see a partial solar eclipse.
The path of totality will begin in Texas, before moving up across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The total solar eclipse will only be visible for just over 4 minutes, so if you're traveling to a region within the path like many Americans, make sure to plan accordingly using predicted viewing times from NASA.
The solar event is expected to be the largest mass travel event of 2024, eclipsing even major domestic holiday travel. "When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine," Michael Zeiler, an expert solar eclipse cartographer, told ABC.
If you're interested in catching a rare opportunity to see a shocking cosmological phenomenon, grab a few friends for a road trip or take a well-timed visit to see family located within the path of totality and spend some quality time outdoors for the special occasion.
What is Eclipse Season in Astrology?
Annual astrology is deeply impacted by the onset of eclipse season. According to astrology experts at Teen Vogue, "Eclipses hold a special place in astrology, as they are believed to be moments when we step into our fate and destiny."
While an eclipse may appear as simple as an aligning of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, in the astrological realm, they signal a shift in the North and South Lunar Nodes of Destiny, which act as astrological indicators of significant future change. The Northern Node marks an emphasis on the inner journey, the self, and the future, while the Southern Node represents past lives, core memories, and learned habits. With each eclipse, we move further towards one node, and the April 8 total solar eclipse is no different.
What Does the Eclipse Mean for the Year?
The upcoming total solar eclipse marks another step on the path towards the Northern Node of Destiny, meaning you can expect an influx of major life changes this year, especially as they relate to your inner self and trajectory towards the future.
This upcoming eclipse season is especially unique, particularly because it falls during Aries season, while the North Node of Destiny is also in Aries at the moment—a sign of an intense, but auspicious year to come.
Another factor to consider soon is that the shift will begin while Mercury is in retrograde, which will usher in plenty of past memories and bad habits that can impede communication—in terms of both your inner life and your interactions with the world around you.
Luckily, the solar eclipse signals new beginnings and is often said to illuminate untapped inner secrets and magnify areas in your life that can be improved. "It's essential to surrender to the universe during this time and let things unfold," Teen Vogue advises.
