We are currently moving through a potent astrological period marked by eclipse season and several disruptive transits. Although eclipse seasons occur twice a year, 2020 stands out because this cycle includes three eclipses instead of the usual two.
We recently experienced a Lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 5, are moving into Cancer season with a Solar eclipse in Cancer on June 20, and will complete the sequence with a Lunar eclipse in Capricorn on July 5. Each eclipse brings its own astrological emphasis, but eclipses in general tend to trigger sudden, often lasting shifts.
During eclipse season a lot is revealed: problems, obstacles, long-held dreams, ambitions, and hopes for the future. Eclipses disrupt the status quo, prompting authenticity, clearing distractions, and forcing us to face truths we may have been avoiding. In a year already defined by collective transformation—pandemics, protests, and calls for change—this eclipse season can feel especially intense.
Rather than retreating from that intensity, working with eclipse energy through Tarot offers a practical way to explore meaning and find opportunity within upheaval. Tarot can help you investigate what’s being shown, identify the potential in shifts, and transform difficult endings into empowered new beginnings.
Eclipse Season & Tarot
Eclipses occur at New and Full Moons, amplifying the energy of the moon phase and the sign involved.
The recent Lunar eclipse magnified the Full Moon in adventurous Sagittarius, encouraging truth-seeking, exploration, and shedding what holds you back. The Solar eclipse in sensitive Cancer will intensify the New Moon’s themes of intuition, connection, and nurturing visions for the future that protect and inspire. The final Lunar eclipse in disciplined Capricorn will strengthen Full Moon energy toward boundaries, responsibility, and practical focus—reminding you of your capabilities and urging attention to what truly matters.
Below is a simple Tarot spread you can use to work with these eclipses.
A Spread For Working Through the 2020 Summer Eclipses
These three eclipses emphasize illumination, transformation, and evolution. What truths are surfacing for you? What insights are available? How can you harness this energy to its fullest?
- Card 1: A revelation that is coming forward
- Card 2: An evolution to embrace
- Card 3: A new perspective on this shift
- Card 4: A way to make the most of what is changing
Decoding Eclipse Season Further Using the Tarot
Eclipse Season & The Tower
In Tarot, eclipses often reflect the Tower archetype in the Major Arcana: sudden upheaval and permanent transformation that dismantles what is unsalvageable and clears the way for a fresh start. This energy can be frightening and disorienting, but like the Tower, it ultimately exposes what must remain and removes what must fall away.
Eclipses push boundaries and expose limitations, yet these shifts are necessary for growth. Over the coming weeks you may encounter multiple Tower-like moments, each breaking down entrenched patterns and creating space for new development. Like a controlled burn that clears dense undergrowth, the Tower energy removes blockages and opens new pathways.
We are not losing everything; we are removing obstructions so new structures can be built. Once the immediate intensity passes, what remains in the wake of these transformations is opportunity: room to practice new lessons and to lay stronger foundations.
Eclipse Season & The Fool
While the Tower represents dramatic disruption, other Tarot archetypes illuminate different phases of the lunar cycle. New Moons connect to the Fool—the Major Arcana’s protagonist—symbolizing new beginnings, curiosity, and limitless potential. When the Fool’s energy pairs with Tower energy during Solar eclipses, we see a leap of faith into change: intuition guiding us through upheaval toward unexpected possibilities.
This combination can feel chaotic, but it also offers liberation. Trusting the Fool’s optimism allows you to embrace uncertainty and discover fresh pathways. There is real joy in stepping into the unknown and trusting that your instincts will lead you where you need to go.
Eclipse Season & The Sun
For Full Moon energy, consider the Sun archetype—joy, celebration, and a sense of accomplishment. Paired with the Tower during Lunar eclipses, the Sun brings clarity, recognition, and empowerment after effort and transformation. Success and fulfillment don’t arrive without intention; we must name our goals, clear obstacles, and commit to the work required.
Sometimes that means leaving behind people, projects, or habits that no longer align with our aims and moving toward ambitions that better reflect who we are becoming.
How to Move Forward
It’s natural to focus on loss when facing Tower-like change, but these moments can also reveal unexpected gifts—new opportunities that render old plans obsolete and invite you to pursue fresh visions. If you spend eclipse season frozen by fear and indecision, you may miss powerful openings that could reshape your future.
Instead, embrace the Fool’s daring optimism and the Sun’s celebratory confidence. Let eclipse season free you from limiting patterns and allow new structures to form. Ask yourself: what are you clinging to that weighs you down? What dreams have you been too afraid to chase?
As you move through the remaining eclipses and reflect on shifts already set in motion, be gentle with yourself. Listen, stay open to new perspectives, and use Tarot as a tool to translate intense experiences into personal growth. These transformations contain deep wisdom; with attention and intention, they can mark the start of a powerful cycle of renewal, strength, and possibility.
Lean into growth—and remember that in this moment, many paths are open.
Related article: Which Minor Arcana Card Are You, Based on Your Zodiac Sign?