Photo taken by Richard Murphy Anchorage Daily News.

The New Moon Solar Eclipse is always about beginnings. You get to choose if you want to embrace it or not but be aware that the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is likely to force an issue and will make the change for you. Eclipses come in pairs as a normal rule. For instance, Ist June 2011 eclipse will be in Gemini, followed two weeks later by an eclipse in the opposite sign of Sagittarius then surprisingly two weeks after that we have another New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer. This is an amazing time and one filled with changes so if you are one of those that dislikes change then brace yourself.

Very often eclipses make us realise we have to make changes. Those in tune with their emotions and their basic nature probably already know they should make a change but the eclipse helps them to move forward with that change. For those who either ignore or would rather not make changes - everything is fine as it is thank you - even though they know it isn't, will find it forced on them. This is what can make an eclipse or pair of eclipses difficult. Of course circumstances may be such that the solution for changes is not readily available but it will come. An eclipse can have a life span of 6 months - yes that long! Usually what happens is the start of the journey will happen when the first set of eclipses in a particular pair of signs first happens. They tend to repeat 6 months later and that is when the enforced change happens. So basically if you realise changes have to be made and begin the process by the end of the 6 months you should have completed the necessary changes. If you ignore the first "warning" then you will hit the ground with a bump 6 months later.

An example could be something like getting engaged. You realise you want to commit to your partner but are not sure. 6 months later you pop the question and all is fine. If you know your partner wants a commitment and you are reluctant then the relationship could just as easily end. Both are major changes in your life. The decision is always yours really which path you take. Often there is no going back so make sure you can live with whatever path you choose.

Lunar Eclipses are full of emotion as they heighten the already emotional full moon period. Whatever part of your chart it falls in will make itself felt strongly from an emotional point of view and you should be aware of that. If the full moon affects you any way then try and avoid emotional encounters if at all possible and be aware that you may say or do something from an emotional and not practical stand point. As the example above shows both scenarios would heighten the emotions but it is likely that the first happens at the Solar Eclipse and the latter at the Lunar Eclipse. The feelings may well stay another 6 months after too.

Once the pairs of eclipses have run their course they are not likely to return for another twelve years. Depending on how old you are, there are reference points in your life to look back on. What happened approximately 11 or 12 years previously? What changes did I make and how did I deal with it? For instance the current set of eclipses correspond to 1992 in almost the same mathematical degrees. If you can remember what happened around June and July 1992 then you will be able to get an insight into the new set of eclipses. However some of the other planetary configurations will not be the same so don't expect a complete repeat. The current group will end in May 2013 and it is a complete restructuring of life. People move on with their lives, marriages, divorces those kind of big events can occur during a set of eclipses. Every five months or so they appear but not necessarily in the same order. For instance this June will see a Solar in Gemini but the previous eclipse in this sign was a very emotional Lunar eclipse in December affecting the latter part of the sign the most.

Secrets also come to light around eclipses. If you are in a relationship for instance and you are unsure of your partner then an eclipse produces a reveal most often. It will make you decide whether to go forward or not. Usually the best way to describe this is if there is a sold foundation it moves positively and if not then it is decision time. Look to your own horoscope to find out where exactly all this refers to and what part of your life it will highlight.