Intuitive Astrology: Sun Conjunct Eris

On April 12/13, 2024, the Sun will align with the Goddess planet Eris.

Eris was only discovered back in 2005, so its energy in astrology is very new, but as she comes together with the Sun, I thought it was the perfect time to introduce her.

Eris lives beyond Pluto and is considered a dwarf planet. It is interesting to note that the discovery of Eris actually resulted in Pluto being demoted to a dwarf planet too, as both planets were found to be roughly the same size.

Pluto is the Lord of the Underworld, whereas Eris can almost be seen as the Goddess of the Underworld. Could her discovery be a sign that we are paving the way for more balance when it comes to feminine and masculine energies?

While I think the Goddess of the Underworld would be a good tile for Eris, she is actually known as the Goddess of Discord and Strife. Her energy is very similar to that of Pluto as they both carry deeper, darker themes. Both of their energies encourage us to embrace our shadow side in order to transform it into light.

Eris in Mythology

In Greek Mythology, Eris was the sister of Mars. As the God of War, Mars was known for bringing fear and destruction, but Eris was known to magnify this. She took pleasure in creating suffering and her actions led to the start of the Trojan War.

Eris definitely does not have the greatest reputation, but I am very aware that this is partly due to how women, even mythical ones, have been presented through the eyes of the patriarchy. Eris can bring discord and strife, but she doesn’t do it for no reason.

Just like Pluto, Eris challenges and pushes our buttons when transformation and change is needed. She brings discord only when she knows that it’s time for a greater harmony to be born.

Think of an orchestra. As they all play together as one, beautiful music can be created. But if one musician starts to play out of time, it creates discord. Now, that musician could be playing out of time because they haven’t practiced, but it could also be because they are bored and ready for a new challenge.

This can happen within us, too, when we move out of alignment with our mind, body, and soul. It could be because we need to spend time to reconnect and go within, but it could also be because we are ready to level up and reach a new state of alignment.

Discord enters our lives to guide us down this path. It enters our lives so we can find ways to readjust and reprioritize. It either forces us to level up or guides us to go within to find a greater sense of harmony and unity.

Eris, the Fearless Warrior

Eris is also a fearless warrior and a rebel. She has learned to overcome the judgments of others and doesn’t care what others think of her. She is going to do what she feels and what is right in her heart, regardless of how she may be perceived.

We can embrace Eris’ warrior-like energy by letting down our cloak of insecurities and finding ways to push past judgment or caring what other people think of us.

So many of us, myself included, have learned to censor ourselves and to hold back out of fear. But Eris teaches us that we don’t need to do that anymore.

Her discovery has come to remind all of us that our voices deserve to be heard, and we deserve to be seen.

Each and every one of us matters, and each and every one of us has a story to tell and an essence that is needed here on the planet.

The Goddess of Being

Along with being known as the Goddess of Discord and Strife, Eris is also known as the Goddess of Being.

This is where we can really start to understand the potentials and energy that this planet can bring.

Eris’ energy is highly erratic; it brings chaos and stirs things up. She likes to shake things and rattle our cages, but it is through this process that we are forced to see things differently. It is through this process that we are able to find a way to just be.

When life gets tough, when so many things are changing and ebbing and flowing around us, we very often have no other choice than to surrender.

While we are being swept out to sea, the more we fight the waves, the faster we will drown. Being swept out to sea is no fun, but in that moment we learn the truth of surrendering. We learn the art of just being.

It’s in moments of chaos that, the masks we have been wearing melt away, leaving who we really are.

That is what Eris tries to inspire. Its energy inspires us to release the judgments, embrace the chaos of life, and to find the strength to just be ourselves.

Eris and the Sun Journal Prompts

As Eris aligns with the Sun, see if you can tune into this energy.

See if you can find ways to surrender and just be. See if you can tune into any discord in your own life and find creative ways to transform it into greater harmony.

Eris offers a powerful energy that can bring radical change, and the need to make a dramatic transition in our lives. Eris is considered a planet of higher consciousness and awakening, so it can also instigate spiritual awakenings and dark night of the soul type energy.