Although Mercury retrograde tends to get a ton of buzz for wreaking havoc on your day-to-day life, the astrological event you can count on for bringing the most drama is, undeniably, a full moon — and perhaps, even more specifically, a lunar eclipse.
Regular full moons, which happen once or, at most, twice a month, offer opportunities to do ritual work related to releasing whatever is no longer serving you, whether that’s crossing the finish line on a big project or taking a relationship to the next level. But because lunar eclipses are so intense and supercharged, your only job is to roll with the growth-spurring shifts and course changes they present.
The second lunar eclipse of 2023 occurs on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 4:24 p.m. EST in Taurus, and you can prep yourself now for gasp-worthy changes. Be on the lookout for how this one specifically affects your relationships, as lunar eclipses tend to highlight cataclysmic shake-ups within our one-on-one bonds. This major astrological and astronomical event may also fuel pivots related to how you bring in money, interpret beauty, and think of your values.
Read on for the meaning of lunar eclipses, as well as intel on which signs will be most affected by this upcoming lunar eclipse.
What Do Lunar Eclipses Mean in Astrology?
Full moons offer the perfect opportunity for tuning in to a meditation, putting your crystals out to charge, or making moon water. If you’re not at this level, maybe you’ve found that visualization techniques, deep breathing, or yoga classes help you manage the energy of the moment. But unlike regular full moons, lunar eclipses only happen approximately twice a year, and they stir up vibes that are far more intense than the average full moon’s energy.
Eclipse energy is so heightened, in fact, that you’d do best to steer clear of involved rituals. You don’t want to work with it so actively because it’s simply too tough to harness. (Think of it as a bolt of lightning or a powerful windstorm.) The best way to handle it is to simply step out of its way and let it do its thing, even if it plows down your perfectly laid plans and leaves you with a chaotic mess. Eclipses teach us that there’s actually a lesson to be learned — and possibly even a new path forward — once the dust settles.
Lunar eclipses, in particular, can feel full of upheaval, especially when it comes to your closest relationships. In astrology, the moon represents emotions, while the sun represents our core identity and self-image. When the shimmering moon is at its most full and luminous, and is also simultaneously battling it out with an ominous shadow (aka an eclipse), we may be nudged to more clearly see our own shadows, patterns, behaviors, or issues that play out in our bonds with others.
That said, not every lunar eclipse will heighten your emotions and leave your life altered. It really depends on how the astrological event is interacting with your birth chart. You generally feel the eclipse most if it’s “hitting,” or matching up, with a part of your chart at a particular angle. To get a sense of how it might affect you, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your sun, moon, and rising signs, as well as other planetary placements and angles in your chart, such as your Mercury, Venus, and Mars signs.
When Are the Lunar Eclipses in 2023?
Lunar eclipses happen twice each calendar year. In 2023, here’s when you can expect a lunar eclipse:
Falling in the fixed water sign Scorpio, the first lunar eclipse of 2023 spotlit our most intimate bonds, shared resources and possessions, and deep, emotional transformation within relationships. You might have felt required to have heavy conversations with loved ones, be more vulnerable, and embrace seismic shifts related to how you and a partner plan to move the ball forward on a shared goal, perhaps tied to finances. But because eclipses will do what they will and aren’t necessarily meant to be harnessed in the same way as a regular full moon — and Mercury was retrograde in Taurus — the moment was frustrating and anything but low-key for most people. Still, its challenges were meant to push you in an entirely new direction that would ultimately align even better with your purpose and path.
The second lunar eclipse of 2023, which also happens to be the final eclipse of the Taurus-Scorpio series that began in 2021, falls in Scorpio’s opposite sign, the fixed earth sign, Taurus. After working on Scorpionic themes of intimacy, hidden truths, and transformation, this lunar eclipse nudges you to contend with Taurean topics: your values, how material possessions factor into your priorities, self-care, and the practical details of reciprocity in relationships. (For example, are you and your partner both contributing enough to your household income, or is it time to ask for more from a business partnership?)
Depending on which sign it transits through, lunar eclipses affect each of the 12 zodiac signs in unique ways.
How the 2023 Lunar Eclipses Will Affect Your Zodiac Signs
When it comes to 2023’s lunar eclipses, people who have placements in any of the fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius — will feel it more than others. However, here’s how they are affecting all 12 signs. (Be sure to read your rising sign if you know it.)
Aries (March 21–April 19)
This year’s lunar eclipses activate your second house of income and eighth house of intimacy, Aries, making the themes that come up for you now all about your bottom line. In the spring, you were dealing with major changes and shake-ups tied to shared assets, perhaps negotiating a budget with your partner or trying to move a business proposal forward. In the fall, you’ll be encouraged to rethink what you value, how you care for yourself and cultivate self-worth, and how you’re bringing your skills to the table to boost your cash flow.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
At this point, you’re more than familiar with the way this eclipse series has completely transformed your relationship with yourself and with a significant other or business partner, given that it’s been activating your first house of self and seventh house of partnership since 2021. This year presents the final two chapters of this narrative, and it’s time to nurture and get more clear on your personal brand and identity, as well as how you’re relating to others. In the spring, your goal was to pursue more harmony within your one-on-one bonds. In the fall, you’ll be inspired to express yourself and pursue your goals in a truly confident, security-bolstering way.
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
2023’s lunar eclipses are bringing attention to your 12th house of spirituality and sixth house of wellness. You’re stirred to reflect on how you’re caring for yourself in a practical, day-to-day way (think: eating your veggies, getting enough sleep, checking that annual physical off the list), prioritizing your dream life and psychological well-being, and tending to self-care on a regular basis. Embracing changes around any of these themes could prove vitality-boosting.
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
The lunar eclipses of 2023 fall in your fifth house of romance and self-expression and 11th house of friendships and long-term aspirations. In the spring, you were itching to more fully own your voice and channel your most heartfelt emotions into a fulfilling creative outlet. It’s also possible you experienced wild shifts and shake-ups in your dating or love life. This fall, you’ll do well to reflect on the groups and teams you associate with — and it’s possible you’ll need to step away from a community you’ve felt deeply immersed in. In short, you’ll want to reassess the friends and colleagues you want to align yourself with — and how these platonic bonds could fuel your long-term wishes.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)
In May, the lunar eclipse fell in your fourth house of home life, Leo, bringing up any unresolved emotional challenges or stressors related to your inner world that might have been holding you back in some way. Resolving to heal was the key to blazing a whole new trail, perhaps related to your family, literal home, emotional well-being, or sense of security. Now, the fall lunar eclipse activates your 10th house of career, laying the groundwork for a whole new chapter of your professional life. It could be time to step into the spotlight (something you can’t help but welcome, of course), take on more responsibility, own a leadership role, or prove just how much you want that big-picture wish you’ve been manifesting.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
This year, the lunar eclipses are activating your ninth house of higher education and adventure and third house of communication. In the spring and fall, you’ll feel inspired to get out of your comfort zone, soak up knowledge, meet people outside of your usual social circle, and tune in to your gut in order to take a leap of faith. Your desire to connect with friends and learn something new soars, and you might find that honing a particular skill set drives your ability to get ahead.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
The solar eclipses of 2023 are hitting you head-on, Libra, falling in your seventh house of partnership and first house of self, but the lunar eclipses activate, initially, in the spring, your second house of income, and then, in the fall, your eighth house of emotional bonds and joint resources. In other words, you’re challenged now to reflect on and embrace changes related to moneymaking, investing, saving, and your relationship to your values and cash flow. In the spring, you might’ve found yourself considering whether or not you were earning in a way that aligned with your heart, and now, it could be time to step away from problematic bonds that aren’t sitting right with your emotional and financial goals. This can be a difficult but transformative moment.
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
This year’s solar eclipses are major for you, Scorpio, because they’re occurring on your axis — meaning in your sign and in your opposite sign. The spring lunar eclipse spurred personal and partnership-related growth by requiring you to dig deep and consider how you’re showing up in your bonds and how you’re accepting that others show up for you. This fall’s eclipse is in your seventh house of partnership, setting up a thrilling new chapter with a significant other, loved one, or business partner. Now’s your opportunity to balance your own personal goals and sense of self while nurturing a one-on-one connection.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)
The lunar eclipses are occurring in your 12th house of spirituality and sixth house of wellness, making your psychological and spiritual wellness a focus, as well as your day-to-day routine and health. The first lunar eclipse of the year invited you to be even more in tune with your intuition, your gut, your inner voice, dreams, and imagination. In turn, you noticed the connection between nurturing that side of you and caring for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In the fall, you’ll turn your attention to your health and well-being, perhaps considering how you might adjust your schedule to feel more vital.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
This year’s lunar eclipses highlight your self-expressive endeavors — and love life, Cap. In the spring, the lunar eclipse in Scorpio activated your 11th house of networking, shining light on issues with groups and teams you associate with. It could be that you felt the need to shake up platonic bonds and find a community that resonates even more with your heart. You found that feeling seen and accepted for who you are by people around you matters quite a bit to you. This fall, the lunar eclipse in Taurus occurs in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, emboldening you to share your voice with others, embrace playfulness and creativity, and step into your artistic power.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
The spring’s lunar eclipse activated your 10th house of career, requiring that you face changes related to power and authority — your own and others. Prioritizing your inner life and your emotional well-being in a proactive way may have allowed you to feel a surge of confidence. Now, the fall’s lunar eclipse will activate your fourth house of home life, Aquarius, bringing up even more around your emotional well-being, roots, and inner life. You’ll realize that it’s now time to dig your heels in on the healing self-work you may have previously felt you could put on hold.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)
Back in the spring, the lunar eclipse lit up your ninth house of higher learning and adventure, inspiring you to make new connections, pick up new skills, and push beyond your mundane routine. Now, this fall, the lunar eclipse in your third house of communication stimulates your mental energy and curiosity in a major way. You’ll want to learn and connect, perhaps even take a short-distance trip or spend more time with neighbors or siblings. Broadening your horizons and caring for your social side isn’t just something you’re itching to do now — it’s actually integral to your evolution.
Image Source: Getty / Anadolu Agency / Contributor