1956 has 4 eclipses — 2 solar and 2 lunar: May 24 (partial lunar, Sagittarius); Jun 8 (total solar, Gemini); Nov 18 (total lunar, Taurus); Dec 2 (partial solar, Sagittarius).
May 24 – Jun 8: partial lunar in Sagittarius and total solar in Gemini
Nov 18 – Dec 2: total lunar in Taurus and partial solar in Sagittarius
The 1956 eclipses fall on the Gemini–Sagittarius and Taurus–Scorpio axises. Eclipses stay on one pair of opposite signs for about a year and a half before moving back one sign.
Partial lunar eclipse in ♐︎ Sagittarius — May 24, 1956
3°27′ Sagittarius · North Node ☊︎ · 99% of the Moon in Earth’s shadow
Greatest eclipse: May 24, 1956, 11:31 AM ET (1956-05-24 15:31 UTC). The umbral (visibly dark) phase lasts 205 minutes.
In the US: Honolulu. Elsewhere: Dubai, Mumbai, Beijing, Tokyo and Sydney. (Moon above the horizon at mid-eclipse, May 24, 1956, 11:31 AM ET.)
A lunar eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon. Astrologers read it as a culmination or release around travel, education and beliefs (Sagittarius), with the Sun opposite in Gemini. It falls near the North Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to growth and new direction. The Sagittarius–Gemini axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 3°27′ Sagittarius or Gemini.
Total solar eclipse in ♊︎ Gemini — June 8, 1956
18°01′ Gemini · South Node ☋︎ · Moon covers the whole Sun along a narrow path
Greatest eclipse: Jun 8, 1956, 5:20 PM ET (1956-06-08 21:20 UTC), at 40.7°S, 140.7°W.
Not visible from any of the major cities we check; mostly over ocean or polar regions.
A solar eclipse is a supercharged New Moon. Astrologers read it as a sudden opening or fresh start around everyday communication, siblings and short trips (Gemini). It falls near the South Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to letting go and endings. The Gemini–Sagittarius axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 18°01′ Gemini or Sagittarius.
Total lunar eclipse in ♉︎ Taurus — November 18, 1956
25°57′ Taurus · South Node ☋︎ · 79 min of totality
Greatest eclipse: Nov 18, 1956, 1:47 AM ET (1956-11-18 06:47 UTC). The umbral (visibly dark) phase lasts 210 minutes, including 79 minutes of totality.
In the US: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Elsewhere: Mexico City, São Paulo, London and Madrid. (Moon above the horizon at mid-eclipse, Nov 18, 1956, 1:47 AM ET.)
A lunar eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon. Astrologers read it as a culmination or release around money, possessions and comfort (Taurus), with the Sun opposite in Scorpio. It falls near the South Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to letting go and endings. The Taurus–Scorpio axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 25°57′ Taurus or Scorpio.
Partial solar eclipse in ♐︎ Sagittarius — December 2, 1956
10°08′ Sagittarius · North Node ☊︎ · Moon covers part of the Sun
Greatest eclipse: Dec 2, 1956, 3:00 AM ET (1956-12-02 08:00 UTC).
Seen from major cities
City
Sun covered
Maximum (local time)
Cairo
14%
Dec 2, 8:59 AM
Dubai
22%
Dec 2, 11:50 AM
Mumbai
9%
Dec 2, 2:07 PM
Cities not listed see no eclipse, or the Sun is below the horizon. Never look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses, except during the brief total phase.
A solar eclipse is a supercharged New Moon. Astrologers read it as a sudden opening or fresh start around travel, education and beliefs (Sagittarius). It falls near the North Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to growth and new direction. The Sagittarius–Gemini axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 10°08′ Sagittarius or Gemini.
Peak times are greatest eclipse, computed with Astronomy Engine and rounded to the minute. Local times are for each city’s own time zone. All eclipses 1950–2050 (CSV) · Methodology
Frequently asked questions
When are the eclipses in 1956?
1956 has 4 eclipses — 2 solar and 2 lunar: May 24 (partial lunar, Sagittarius); Jun 8 (total solar, Gemini); Nov 18 (total lunar, Taurus); Dec 2 (partial solar, Sagittarius).
Is there a total solar eclipse in 1956?
Yes: June 8, 1956, greatest at 40.7°S, 140.7°W.
Can you see the 1956 eclipses from the United States?
2 of them: the partial lunar eclipse on May 24 (Honolulu); the total lunar eclipse on Nov 18 (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu).
What zodiac signs are the 1956 eclipses in?
Sagittarius (May 24), Gemini (Jun 8), Taurus (Nov 18) and Sagittarius (Dec 2). They fall on the Gemini–Sagittarius and Taurus–Scorpio axises.
Astrology is a symbolic and cultural tradition. The planetary positions on this site are calculated with astronomical accuracy; the interpretations describe what astrologers associate with them and are not scientifically validated predictions about personality, relationships or the future.