This post answers the following questions:
In astrology, what is an eclipse?
What is the difference between a lunar and solar eclipse?
What is an eclipse tunnel or eclipse portal?
What can you expect from an eclipse in Aquarius?
What influence does Uranus have in this eclipse?
How can we understand this eclipse through the Tarot: The Tower, Nine of Swords, High Priestess, and Queen of Pentacles?
The Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius arrives on Tuesday, February 17.
In astrology, eclipses mark moments of intensified energy and accelerated change. They tend to arrive in pairs about two weeks apart and approximately six months later, another pair will occur in complementary signs.
Tracking eclipse cycles can offer powerful insight. The energy and events unfolding now are not isolated. They continue to evolve over the coming months and often ripple forward into subsequent years.
A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon, when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon and temporarily shadows the Moon.
A solar eclipse occurs during a new moon, when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun.
The time between the two eclipses is often called the eclipse tunnel or eclipse portal. It is a liminal space marked by rapid shifts, unexpected developments, and turning points.
The Nature of Eclipse Energy
Eclipse energy can bring sudden opportunity such as a job offer, a move, or a new relationship. It can also bring something you have been postponing into sharp focus.
You might hear yourself thinking, “I will deal with that later.”
But later has arrived.
Eclipses push what has been neglected to the surface. Health, finances, career, relationships. Whatever has quietly needed attention may now demand it. There is a sense of inevitability. You cannot avoid it. You can only face it.
With this lunar eclipse in Aquarius, we enter the eclipse tunnel leading to the Solar Eclipse in Virgo on March 3, 2026. Six months later, another pair follows. A Solar Eclipse in Leo on August 12 and a Lunar Eclipse in Pisces on August 28.
The changes may not occur exactly on the eclipse date. Often, you begin sensing the shift months beforehand with recurring thoughts about what needs to change. The eclipse marks the energetic turning point. The full realization may unfold over six months to a year.
These are not minor adjustments. They are foundational.
Uranus, The Awakener
Uranus plays a central role in this story.
As the modern ruler of Aquarius, Uranus is known as The Awakener. It governs sudden shifts, disruption, breakthroughs, and liberation from outdated structures. Its energy is electric and catalytic.
In Tarot, Uranian energy is beautifully captured in The Tower.
Lightning strikes the tower, setting it ablaze and breaking apart what once felt secure. The Tower represents a realization so powerful that once you see it, you cannot unsee it. Uranus pulls the carpet out from beneath you. Aquarius asks you to release nostalgia, abandon outdated traditions, and think differently about your future.
Navigating Uncertainty
How do you respond when everything feels uncertain?
Do you lose sleep, waking in the middle of the night with racing thoughts?
The Nine of Swords illustrates this experience. It represents worry, rumination, and nervous anticipation. In the Rider Waite deck, and even more clearly in the Robin Wood deck, the blanket is adorned with zodiac symbols. This detail offers comfort.
You have lived through many eclipses.
Many cycles.
Many endings and beginnings.
You have gathered skills and resilience along the way.
The High Priestess, Inner Wisdom
To help us navigate this eclipse, I invite in The High Priestess.
She represents your inner wisdom, which is always accessible when you make space to listen. She reminds you to seek quiet moments through meditation, journaling, walking in nature, or creative practice.
When you breathe into stillness, fear softens.
Grounding returns.
Intuition speaks.
This eclipse calls for inner listening as much as outer action.
The Uranus Square, Taurus Resistance
Adding another layer, the Moon in Aquarius forms a square to Uranus in Taurus.
A square indicates tension or conflict. Here, sudden change challenges Taurus’s desire for stability and predictability. You may feel resistance, stubbornness, or fear that things are unfolding faster than you would like.
That is the Taurus response.
Growth often requires discomfort.
The Queen of Pentacles, Rebuilding Foundations
Enter the Queen of Pentacles.
She reassures us that this change is necessary. Something in your life is shifting, expanding, and evolving. When something becomes unsettled, it is because it no longer belongs in the next chapter.
She invites you to rebuild consciously and compassionately on stronger ground.
The Choice, Falling or Diving
In The Tower card, two figures fall.
One falls backward as if pushed.
The other falls forward as if choosing to leap.
Astrology and Tarot give us awareness of the energy at play. With awareness, we gain choice.
Without awareness, we may feel emotionally hijacked.
Why is this happening to me?
This is not fair.
With awareness, we can respond intentionally, like the figure diving headfirst into the unknown and releasing what no longer serves.
The High Priestess and Queen of Pentacles remind you to be the calm at the center of the storm. Trust your resilience. This catalyst is here to move you forward.
Aquarius Mandala Practice
When you begin creating art, a sacred space naturally opens. Within that space, a quiet conversation with your inner High Priestess becomes possible.
Savor this time. Reflect on the themes in this post and notice what is unfolding in your life right now. What is shifting? What is asking for your attention? What is ready to be released?
There is no right or wrong way to connect with your intuition, and there is no perfect way to create your art. The third-eye chakra mandala offered here is simply a suggestion, a point of inspiration.
Aquarius encourages curiosity. It invites you to experiment, to try something new, and to trust the unexpected. If something does not go as planned, allow it to become part of the design. Mistakes can transform into surprising blessings.
Let this be a practice of listening, exploring, and discovering what wants to emerge.
1. Create the Container
Trace the Four Gates Mandala stencil, following the middle path. There are three borders and the middle one leaves room for chakra stencils. Use black paper to represent the dark sky of the new moon solar eclipse.
2. Activate the Third Eye
On white paper, trace the third eye chakra using the stencil I designed for StencilGirl Products. Colored pencils appear more luminous on white than black. Use deep blues and silvers, blending into lighter blues to create a gradient.
The third eye chakra, located between the brows, governs intuition. As you work with this symbol, bring awareness to that center and imagine energy flowing there.
3. Assemble
Cut out the third-eye chakra mandala and glue it at the center of the Four Gates mandala.
4. Add the Glyphs
Draw the Aquarius glyph at each gate and the Uranus glyph in each corner or trace these symbols using the zodiac stencils.
Closing Reflection
We will check back in two weeks at the Solar Eclipse in Virgo.
Until then:
- Make sleep a priority.
- Limit caffeine and sugar.
- Meditate.
- Journal.
- Observe.
- Listen.
Be kind to yourself.
Trust that you are exactly where you need to be.
You have this.
(((soul hugs)))
Kathryn Costa
Instigator of Soulful and Creative Living
True North Arts
PS – Do you find yourself waking in the middle of the night? Check out this video, it may be just what you need.
Featured Tarot Decks
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The Light Seer’s Deck
Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot
Robin Wood Tarot Deck
When Women Had Wings Tarot
Coming Up Next…
Year of the Fire Horse
Today is also marks the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Later in the week look for a post where I show you inside the envelopes that went out to participants of the Leo Full Moon Retreat. Tucked inside is inspiration and wisdom for the Year of the Fire Horse. Subscribe to this blog or email newsletter to not miss it.
Spring Equinox Celebration
You are invited to join us for the Spring Equinox Celebration on March 22. I have a wonderful gift for our community and participants at this celebration will be the first to get it and start using it! We’ll also reveal the 2026 Community Mandala. All participants will get a vinyl sticker of the mandala mailed in a beautiful envelope. Learn more and sign up here.
Cacao & Chakra Journey
Due to Snowmageddon, we had to reschedule the Cacao & Chakra Journey to March 8th. This event is hosted by Hearth Magick in Peterborough NH. We have a couple of spots open. I’d love to share this nourishing Sunday afternoon with you! Get the deets.
Keep Exploring
Dive deep into the Journey of the Four Gates – Download your FREE copy and discover a soulful framework for creative self-reflection.
Love following lunar cycles? – Learn more about the Traveling by Moonlight series and how each moon phase inspires creative ritual and mandala art.
Mark your calendar – Find upcoming New and Full Moon dates here to stay aligned with the rhythm of the moon throughout the year.
Upcoming events – You are invited to come out and play. Check this page for upcoming events, not to miss.
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