Imagine standing in the shadow of an ancient temple or on a remote island as the sky darkens and day turns briefly to night. Some say that when the Sun and Moon unite during an eclipse, it symbolizes the sacred union of the masculine and feminine—an opening for transformation and insight.

Over the next five years, several powerful spiritual destinations will fall under the path of totality: Luxor’s Temple of Karnak, Mecca, Ibiza, Sydney, and even Bilbao in the heart of Basque country.

But not so fast—our ancestors had a different view.

In Babylon, eclipses were feared as omens. To protect their ruler, they would appoint a substitute king during an eclipse, just in case the celestial event brought misfortune. While modern science has taken much of the fear away, eclipses still carry potent astrological meaning—and there’s more to consider than just eclipse glasses.

Before you pack your bags, here are five essential eclipse travel tips to keep in mind:

1. What kind of eclipse is it?
   Is it total, annular (ring of fire), or partial? Only a total eclipse brings complete darkness, but annular eclipses offer the stunning “ring of fire” effect—just remember to keep your eclipse glasses on the whole time.
2. North Node or South Node?
   North Node eclipses are often linked to new beginnings and destiny, while South Node eclipses can stir up karmic release and endings.
3. Are the aspects supportive or challenging?
   The planets surrounding the eclipse can enhance or complicate its effects—check for harmonious or tense alignments.
4. Is the eclipse touching your natal chart?
   An eclipse that aspects your Sun, Moon, or other key placements could mean major personal shifts.
5. What astrocartography lines cross the eclipse location?
   Where you watch the eclipse matters. Lines like your Sun, Moon, or Pluto line can intensify your experience.