In November 2001, I attended an excellent lecture by Sylvia Jean Smith at the Toronto Astrological Conference in which she discussed her research on Pre-Birth and Post-Birth Eclipses. She stated that the Pre-Birth Eclipse (regardless of how many months before the birth that the eclipse occurred) always leaves an imprint on how we approach decisions and interact with others. It even shows how we approach our careers – will it be very public or very private.
The Post Birth Eclipse adds to the life experiences and it moves us toward our life purposes, producing dramatic changes in our life patterns. Sometimes, the transitions can be confusing, especially if it is different from the Pre-Birth Eclipse. The Pre-Birth Eclipse leaves a profound imprint – the Lunar Eclipse leaves a Lunar imprint and the Solar leaves a Solar imprint. The Post-Birth Eclipse can take on a new energy but it will NOT alter the Pre-Birth Imprint.
SOLAR PRE–BIRTH ECLIPSE: These people feel comfortable with a leadership role. They like Center Stage. They often know where they are going in life and how to get there. Extroverted energies are cultivated. It is very similar to a Diurnal chart pattern wherein most of the planets are above the horizon. For these people:
1) POST-Birth Solar Eclipse only supports their extroverted energies, further giving a sense of direction, accomplishment and purpose.
2) POST-Birth Lunar Eclipse can be very confusing for these people because it increases their sensitivities, they feel more vulnerable and they can become more domestic, more interested in the personal side of life. One woman started writing a book at home and, when the Solar Eclipse occurred 14 years later, she sold her first book.
LUNAR PRE–BIRTH ECLIPSE: These people are more introverted and introspective in their life expression. They are not comfortable in the limelight and they do not push to be out front. They can possess inner resolve and confidence but they are not disposed to being in the limelight. These people are not equipped to “steam roll.” This works for the PBSolar types but not these people. They are not self-promoting. They prefer to be in the background. They are quiet, more contemplative and, while fully capable, they allow others to take the lead. They are often good at promoting other people but not themselves. It is similar to a Nocturnal chart pattern with most of the planets below the horizon. One person described herself as a shy child, pouty and the influence of the mother was very strong. For these people:
1) Post-Birth Solar Eclipse thrusts these people into the limelight and this can be difficult. It is a confusing transition and they need and often seek out a strong role model, often male, to mentor them and teach them the “Solar ropes,” showing them how to be a leader. One woman experienced a Solar Eclipse at 7 years of age. She became a brat, a tomboy, rebellious and just knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. She found Solar types to mentor her.
2) Post-Birth Lunar supports the natural inclination of this type. They can marry, start a family and attend to the private side of their lives.
POST BIRTH ECLIPSE TO ECLIPSE of 14 years can represent a major cycle – a cycle that begins with the first eclipse and ends 14 years later with the second eclipse. If the first eclipse is a Solar Eclipse, it represents an ARC OF PROMINENCE, a time of recognition in our lives that lasts for 14 years. If the first eclipse is a Lunar Eclipse, it represents a 14-year Private Cyle, a time of working on personal issues or preparing for the Cycle of Prominence that occurs 14 years later.
NOTE: PB-Solar in the 12th often does not show the Solar qualities as they often are 12th House people, disliking Center Stage or, at least, they cannot be on Stage all the time. There was often no strong father figure to teach them. For example, in WWII with Saturn in Cancer, the fathers were off fighting the war and not there for the children.
In the United States, according to Sylvia, Americans like Pre-Birth Solars for president and Pre-Birth Lunars for Vice President. Bush is Solar; Cheney is Lunar. Clinton is Solar; Gore is Lunar.
10 Responses
I am reading this with Amy Coney Barrett in mind. I’m just beginning to learn Astrology, but I calculated some minor aspects and have become very interested in this case study. Then I noticed she was born between 2 lunar eclipses in Jan 1972. which led me here! Thanks for the read, I would be very interested in any possible future post about this!
Very good observation! The upcoming eclipse would have occurred at 9 Leo when she was about 2 years of age. The pre-natal eclipse would have occurred at 25 Capricorn. This is indeed a sensitive point that is now being crossed by Pluto. It marks a Plutoian cycle for good or ill. Since Sylvia is the author of this information, she is the person to consult.
Does it matter whether it is annualar, partial, or full? In other words, should you find the pr b
and post birth total lunar and solar or take whatever kind of eclipse it happens to be?
First, this information was obtained from another astrologer but you have asked a good question. It does not matter the type of eclipse — just look for the first eclipse — lunar or solar — before birth and then the one AFTER birth. Before Birth degree I find to be a sensitive degrees, like having a planet at that spot or only strong for a conjunction, not all aspects to the degree. My Pre-Natal eclipse was a Solar at 16 degrees and it is sensitive to conjunctions. Actually, to be honest, I never looked at the other aspects but you can do this with your Pre-Natal Eclipse.
Hi Lynn
I just realised that the coming solar eclipse at 20 Gemini will both conjunct my natal venus at 21 Gemini and my prenatal new moon at 19 Gemini. I also note that my coming solar return chart has SR Mercury 20 Gemini and my SR Ascendant at 22 Gemini. What’s your take on this? Feels really significant and would really be grateful for some idea of what I’m looking at. Thanks a lot. Regards
Yes, the solar eclipse will highlight your Venus in terms of its House position but it is never as strong as the outer planet transits occurring in your chart.
In 2019, I had a lunar eclipse 1 degree from my Venus. It triggered the transits occurring at the time which affected my dad’s health.
I rarely look at my Solar Return because it just does not work for me. A colleague, Priscilla Costello, seems to do a good job with them. Because they do not really work for me, I have not studied SRs in depth so I am not an expert like Priscilla.
I prefer to use the transits and progressions. I do like Lunar returns and Mars returns. I just look at the House position for the energy in the given period. You can find the House meanings in the article on Mars Cycles.
I have never looked at a New Moon before birth, only the eclipses and eclipses are sensitive points that highlight the outer planet transits…L
Thanks Lynn
In terms of outer planet transits to my venus, both tr Neptune and Pluto are squaring it . Also, it is being brought to the forefront of my SR chart 1 deg from Ascendant. Natally It sits in 10th house 1 degree from 11th. But for some reason I always view it as an 11th house planet. Not sure why I do that. I’ll check out that lady on Google.
Best
J
Tr Pluto cannot be squaring your Gemini Venus. The possible reason that you feel that Venus is in the 11th may be that the time is slightly off. When I started learning astrology in the late 1960s (in college), I would rectify every chart back then. I noticed that people were almost always born a couple of minutes earlier — mine was 7 minutes earlier. So, when calculating charts using a Table of Houses (no computers), I would use the earlier ASC/House degree. Usually, the doctor smacks you on the butt and THEN looks at the clock.
I have an article on Neptune transits on my website. Under Neptune, you must be careful with relationships that are not as they seem. Often we are looking for something that is missing in our lives. If Venus is truly in the 11th, there can be someone around you who is ill with a wasting type illness. But it is not you. Yet, there are simple health rules for T Neptune that everyone should follow.
Excellent write-up Lynn. I find that those of us called to the craft are guided to different aspects (no pun intended) of it depending on significant life events that we correlate with whatever we take note of in the chart to look for explanations. Your descriptions are spot on. I was born during a waning moon in an eclipse season. Prenatal syzygy was a total lunar eclipse, postnatal was a total solar eclipse, and boy am I an introvert being dragged kicking and screaming to a more self-directed role (also confirmed by the bowl pattern of planets, all of which are above the horizon).
I have Rose Lineman’s book “Your Prenatal Eclipse” coming in a few days and from what I understand, the prenatal solar eclipse is significant whether it’s your most recent eclipse or not (everything is significant ultimately). I actually have mine conjunct to about a degree orb with someone whom I feel a powerful soul connection with. What is more impactful in your experience when casting the charts for these lunations: the actual chart of the event, set for the same birth location (this gives you the actual house placements of the planets at the time which can be, and likely are, different from your natal), or the overlay to your natal chart, taking particular note of which house the eclipse falls in?
I forgot about Rose’s book and I know that I gave it away, unfortunately, many years ago. I will see if I can find it again.
I have not read the article in years but I do remember that my pre-natal Solar Eclipse (18 Cancer) is truly a sensitive point in my chart. I only use the conjunction though.
I have been in a 30 year relationship (my strong Uranus is not the marrying kind but I am loyal) and 1) his 1st House Mercury is conjunct this eclipse point and 2) an important relating factor in synastry is having one of the partner’s Nodes on the ASC/DESC axis of the other’s chart.
The last Pat Geisler did a lot of synastry work and she told me about this. Bill’s Nodes are on my ASC/DESC
Anyway, I have not looked that the House position of the PNE specifically. I know that it is in my 11th House near my natal Saturn. Groups are very important in my life but this shows in my natal chart as well.