The Total Solar Eclipse of 4 December 2021 takes place at 12 Sagittarius 22′. The website timeanddate.com says that “you’ll have to travel a long way to Antarctica to see the total phase of this total solar eclipse. Parts of southern Africa, including locations in South Africa and Namibia, will see a partial solar eclipse if the weather permits.”
All dates given are for United States Central Daylight Time (C.D.T.)
What is a Solar Eclipse?
Solar Eclipses occur at the time of a New Moon (when the Sun and Moon are conjunct, or at the same degree). When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are all aligned at the time of a New Moon, and the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs.
New Moons are traditionally a time for sowing new seeds and are a good time for breaking old habits and taking up new routines.
A solar eclipse amplifies the power of the New Moon and may bring sudden change or bring a situation to light. Solar eclipses tend to be associated with beginnings and with external events happening to you.
Unless you have natal or secondary progressed planets or angles at zodiac degrees in close aspect to the eclipse degree (12° Sagittarius 22′), you are unlikely to feel the impact of this eclipse too much, if at all.
Total Solar Eclipse
A Total Solar Eclipse happens when from our view on Earth, the Moon completely covers the Sun. To experience the full effects of a Total Solar Eclipse you need to be in an area where the umbra (darkest inner shadow) of the Moon is thrown upon the Earth. This is usually an area of about 100 miles (160 kilometres) by 10 000 miles (16 000 kilometres). The chances of this happening in any one place are about once every 360 years.
Those outside the area of the umbra but within the penumbra will be able to see a Partial Eclipse of the Sun.
When is the December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse happening?
- 11:43 pm Friday, 3 December 2021 in Los Angeles, California (PST)
- 12:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Denver, Colorado (MST)
- 1:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Chicago, Illinois (CST)
- 2:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in New York, New York (EST)
- 7:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in London, UK (UT)
- 8:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Berlin, Germany (CET)
- 9:43 am Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Athens, Greece (EET)
- 1:13 pm Saturday, 4 December 2021 in New Delhi, India (IST)
- 3:43 pm Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Singapore, Singapore (AWST)
- 5:43 pm Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Brisbane, Australia (AEST)
- 6:43 pm Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Sydney, Australia (AEDT)
- 8:43 pm Saturday, 4 December 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand (NZST)
Astrology chart for December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse
Astrological conditions of the December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse
This is the last eclipse in the current Sagittarius/Gemini series of eclipses. The first eclipse in this series of Sagittarius/Gemini eclipses was a Lunar Eclipse on 5 June 2020.
As this Solar Eclipse is in the sign of Sagittarius, it is ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter is currently in the sign of Aquarius but will soon be moving into its home sign of Pisces on the 28th of December 2021.
Mercury, the ruler of Gemini (the other sign in this series of eclipses) is close to the eclipse degree. However, in the sign of Sagittarius, Mercury is in detriment (meaning it has trouble doing what the planet usually signifies doing).
Mercury is also out of bounds, which can tend to make it a little maverick like. Mercury in Sagittarius likes to shoot from the hip and tell it like it is. With Solar Eclipses associated with matters coming to light, this could be quite an interesting time.
What the December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse means for you
When you know what zodiac sign and degree a Solar Eclipse occurs in (12 Sagittarius 22′ for this one), you can look at which house in your natal chart that zodiac degree falls. Reading the relevant information for that natal house below will give you some indication of where you might have new beginnings, sudden changes, or situations brought into the light.
Not all eclipses are likely to strongly affect you. It usually requires that the eclipse degree is making some sort of significant aspect to a natal or secondary progressed planet or angle of yours for you to feel the full impact of a Solar Eclipse. See the section below on sensitive degrees for the Solar Eclipse to see if you are likely to be strongly impacted.
Not sure what zodiac signs are in what houses in your natal chart? Generate your natal chart now. Or if you prefer a more beginner-friendly version, you can order your free natal chart instead (it may take a few weeks to receive).
Sensitive degrees for December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse
Zodiac degrees conjunct, opposite & square the Solar Eclipse
Those with natal or secondary progressed planets or angles at 10° to 14° of Sagittarius and Gemini are likely to feel the effects of this eclipse more than others as these degrees are conjunct (or conjoin) and oppose the eclipse degree.
Those with natal or secondary progressed planets or angles at 10° to 14° of Virgo and Pisces may feel the impact quite significantly too. These positions will be squaring the eclipse degree.
Conjunctions, squares, and oppositions are often thought to be difficult aspects. As Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces, and Virgo are mutable signs, making the initial changes may not as difficult as it would be for those with fixed signs.
If the natal or secondary progressed planets being squared are Venus or Jupiter, the changes or what comes to light may be more positive. However, they may not have a long life span. Challenging aspects to Mars and Saturn may tend more towards disgrace, scandal, infamy, or ruin.
Zodiac degrees sextile and trine the Solar Eclipse
Those with natal or secondary progressed planets and angles at 10° to 14 of Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius may feel some impact of the eclipse, as these positions are sextile and trine the eclipse degree. Sextiles and trines are helpful and easy aspects, so potentially any changes will be easier to cope with.
Zodiac degrees inconjunct the Solar Eclipse
Those with natal or secondary progressed planets or angles at 10° to 14° of Taurus and Cancer may also find that they feel some impact of the eclipse. These positions are inconjunct the eclipse degree and inconjuncts often ask us to make adjustments of some kind.
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The December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse through the natal houses
Solar Eclipse in the 1st house or Sagittarius Ascendant
The 1st house is associated with you, your body, your appearance, and how you appear to others. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 2nd house or Scorpio Ascendant
The 2nd house is associated with your income, finances, and possessions. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 3rd house or Libra Ascendant
The 3rd house is associated with siblings, early education, short educational courses, general communications, your local neighborhood, and day-to-day travel. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 4th house or Virgo Ascendant
The 4th house is associated with your family, particularly your parents, your home, and real estate in general. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 5th house or Leo Ascendant
The 5th house is associated with your children, creativity, romance, and what you do for fun. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 6th house or Cancer Ascendant
The 6th house is associated with your health and fitness, daily routines, pets, and work, especially in connection to those that you work with or work for you. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 7th house or Gemini Ascendant
The 7th house is associated with close one-on-one relationships, such as romantic or business partners and close friends. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 8th house or Taurus Ascendant
The 8th house is associated with shared finances and possessions. This can include shared finances with a partner, inheritances, taxation, insurances, and loans from institutions. A solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 9th house or Aries Ascendant
The 9th house is associated with expanding your horizons through such matters as long-distance travel, foreigners, other cultures, higher education, religion, philosophy, publishing, esoteric subjects and the law. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 10th house or Pisces Ascendant
The 10th house is associated with your career and public reputation, honors and infamy. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 11th house or Aquarius Ascendant
The 11th house is associated with groups, friends, organizations, and your hopes and dreams. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Solar Eclipse in the 12th house or Capricorn Ascendant
The 12th house is associated with hidden and secret matters as well as places of confinement and seclusion. This can also relate to addictions, our undoing, or illnesses. A Solar Eclipse in this natal house may have new beginnings, sudden changes, or matters related to these topics suddenly coming to light.
Sabian Symbol for the December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse
Sometimes it can be interesting to look at the Sabian Symbols for the Solar Eclipse.
The Sabian Symbol for this Solar Eclipse degree is 13 Sagittarius – “A widow’s past brought to light.”
You can read more about Sabian Symbols and this particular Sabian Degree at the Sabian Mysteries website.
Links to past Solar Eclipses
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Babylonians discovered that solar eclipses all belonged to individual groups called Saros Cycles (also called Saros Series). There are between 71 to 73 eclipses in each Saros Series, and they run for approximately 1280 years.
This eclipse is part of Saros Cycle 5 South (Series 152). The dates shown in the section below may also factor into events happening at the time of this Solar Eclipse. The previous solar eclipse in Saros Cycle 5 South was a Total Solar Eclipse on 23 November 2003 at 1° Sagittarius 13′.
This eclipse at 12 Sagittarius 22′ is very close to the same zodiac degree and minute as the 4 December 2002 Total Solar Eclipse at 11° Sagittarius 58′. That solar eclipse was part of Saros Series 4 South (Series 142), as was the Total Solar Eclipse of 14 December 2020 at 23° Sagittarius 08′.
Therefore, there may be a linking of what is happening at the time of this Solar Eclipse to events in November 2003. There may also possibly be a link to events from December of 2002 and 2020
Saros Series for the December 2021 Solar Eclipse
This solar eclipse belongs to Saros Cycle 4 South and is also known as Saros Series 152. This Saros Series started in 1805 and will run until 3049. Below is the astrology chart for the original solar eclipse in the 5 South Saros Series.
Astrology chart for the original eclipse of Saros Series 152 / Saros Cycle 5 South
Some Eclipses in 5 South (with the Sabian Symbol) include:
1913, Sep 30 at 6° Libra 25′ – “A woman feeding chickens and protecting them from the hawks.”
1931, Oct 11 at 17° Libra 15′ – “Two men placed under arrest.”
1949, Oct 21 at 28° Libra 08′ – “Humanity seeking to bridge knowledge.“
1967, Nov 2 at 09° Scorpio 06′ – “A fellowship supper.”
1985, Nov 12 at 20° Scorpio 08′ – “A soldier derelict in his duty.”
2003, Nov 23 at 01° Sagittarius 13′ – “The ocean covered with whitecaps.”
2021, Dec 4 at 12° Sagittarius 22′ – “A widow’s past brought to light”
2039, Dec 15 at 23° Sagittarius 32′ – “A bluebird standing at the door of a house”
Possible trigger dates for the December 2021 Total Solar Eclipse
News or events related to the eclipse effect may reach you in the week leading up to or after the eclipse date (27 November to 11 December 2021). One month before or after the eclipse date may also give some indication of the eclipse’s intentions (4 November 2021 to 4 January 2022).
If you have a natal planet at 10° to 14° of any sign, the times that that planet crosses over your angles (Ascendant, Descendant, I.C., or Midheaven) may bring important news or events concerning this eclipse.
Transiting Mars dates
Mars conjoins the exact eclipse degree on 31 December 2021.
Mars squares the exact eclipse degree on 1 May 2022.
Mars opposes the exact eclipse degree on 12 September 2022. Mars will later retrograde back to oppose the eclipse degree on 18 December 2022. Mars will later change direction and oppose the eclipse degree again on 9 February 2023.
Mars squares the exact eclipse degree on 31 July 2023.
Transiting Saturn dates
Saturn squares the exact eclipse degree on 21 March 2024.
Saturn opposes the exact eclipse degree on 2 June 2031.
