This year's eclipses are here to level up your relationships

This week’s fiery new moon in Aries was an especially powerful one, as it doubled as a total solar eclipse. Eclipses are powerful cosmic moments that occur only a few times a year, and in astrology, they’re believed to hold the power of multiple new or full moons all rolled into one—meaning big changes can happen super quickly during these periods. The energy of this week’s turbo-charged lunation will continue to resonate throughout the remainder of Aries season, bringing about some shifts in our love lives and relationships. In the words of ‘80s queen Bonnie Tyler, we think it’s fair to say that we’re having a total eclipse of the heart.

Eclipses always come in pairs, and this spring’s series took place in the sister signs of Libra and Aries. Libra is the sign that rules partnerships, so the lunar eclipse on March 25 was a major moment for letting go of people-pleasing behaviors and making more space to honor our own needs.

Conversely, this week’s solar eclipse in headstrong Aries on April 8 helped us push past some deep fears in order to get in touch with our true desires. We’re collectively learning to better prioritize our independence and trust our instincts right now. And that, in turn, will either help us attract partners that are more aligned with our higher selves or help us level up our existing relationships to ensure they’re supportive of our growth. All zodiac signs will experience this energy in a unique way, but people born under the signs of Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Libra, Sagittarius, and Capricorn may feel the shifts most intensely in their love, sex, and dating life.

That said, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, restless, or like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, you’re not alone! The total solar eclipse was an intense one, as it activated some major sensitive spots and brought up all sorts of past heartaches and hang-ups that were lingering beneath the surface. But with the bravery and zeal of Aries season on our side, we have the confidence to face these head-on.

What to expect post-eclipse

While the total solar eclipse is behind us, its effects are still lingering and will be influencing our lives throughout the next couple weeks. So pay attention to whatever themes are coming up for you in the realms of love, relationships, and personal growth.

We’ll be able to give these themes a solid second look around April 15th and 16th, when Mercury retrograde passes over the exact degrees of the eclipse, prompting us to examine our current situations in a new way. Keep an open mind, as things are in flux! On April 20th, love planet Venus will pass over the very same degree, crystallizing these shifts into our relationship dynamics. Over the coming weeks, expect to have a chance to follow up on some conversations or ideas that came up between March 25th and April 8th, and be prepared for your heart to start integrating some of the lessons you’ve been learning.

Whether or not the eclipse shook up your situationships and rocked your relationships, know that this cosmic story isn’t done being written just yet—this evolution is a longer-term one. We’ve got one more solar eclipse in diplomatic Libra later this year on October 2nd, which will flush toxic patterns out of our love lives and encourage us to break free of romantic bonds that have hit their expiration date. Out with the old, in with the new and improved!

We’ll have one more corresponding eclipse in this cycle on March 29th of next year, which will be the final chapter in this current story. This eclipse will echo some of the themes of the one we just experienced, pushing us to fully embrace our truth, step into our independence, and charge passionately toward the things, people, and relationships that make us feel alive.

Let this eclipse inspire you to get out and embrace your truth, Aries-style, and to encourage your lovers to do the same. Enjoy the magic!