Eclipses
 The Eclipse of the Sun
The eclipse of the Sun has traditionally been viewed with dread over the ages, as the great giver of life seems inexplicably to disappear from the sky. Birds prepare for bed; the sky darkens in the middle of the day. It seems as though something dreadful is about to happen. Over the years, experience has shown us that old things come to an end (or are overthrown!) under a solar eclipse and a new beginning can be made.
Astrologically, solar eclipses signify the fall of the mighty (or at least, they're in big trouble!). Depending where in the zodiac the eclipse occurs, stress is always placed on the matters governed by that sign, or sector of the zodiac. A powerful Solar Eclipse can create massive havoc, in accordance with other aspects in the heavens at the time, as can be clearly seen by the trail of earthquakes and other disasters associated with the Solar Eclipse and Grand Cross of August 1999.
Upcoming Solar Eclipse
The second solar eclipse of 2007 is a partial eclipse of the Sun, on September 11, accompanied by some unpleasant aspects (as you might expect on a date like that!). However, the eclipse is not likely to have a massive impact, as it will only be visible in Antarctica, the South Atlantic and parts of South America. The partial eclipse begins at 10:25:46 UT and ends at 14:36:33 UT. View the map here.
For more on the science of eclipses, see Fred Espenak's NASA Eclipse Home Page.
Eclipse in Virgo
This eclipse occurs at 18°25' of Virgo, the sign of the Virgin. The blessed constellation Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is rising over Buenos Aires, with the Fixed Star Alphecca blazing at Ariadne's forehead. Menken is also rising, so astrology, literature, science and love will flow, but there are definite signs of trouble and strife, due to the difficult aspects with Mars (passion; warfare), Uranus (unexpected disaster) and Pluto (obstruction; power struggles).
Solar eclipses don't often pass over populated areas, but when they do, they appear to have significant disruptive effects on the people and nations concerned (e.g., economic or political crises, civil unrest). This is not a particularly potent eclipse, but it does affect certain trigger spots, namely Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil, with Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay in South America all receiving their fair share of the action. Antarctica is also affected, but is so thinly populated that unless an earthquake is centred there, we cannot expect much.
My colleague, Ian Thurnwald, points out that Solar Eclipses also seem either to trigger or amplify natural events in the regions they affect (e.g., severe weather, earthquakes). Whether this effect is an astrological one or not, is a moot point, though recent scientific work on the effects of the Moon on earthquakes and other terrestrial phenomena is interesting. No doubt they would hasten to deny any astrological effect! The eclipse being in Virgo means that people with mutable signs (Virgo; Pisces; Gemini; Sagittarius) featured in their birthcharts are more likely to be affected. The following eclipse of the Sun next year will be on February 7, 2008.
 Lunar Eclipse by Mickie Mueller
The Eclipse of the Moon
The eclipse of the Moon has traditionally been viewed as a bad omen, for it can awaken irrational responses. Since the Moon governs domestic matters, the public and the emotional personality, rather than leadership, it tends to have a more personal effect than the solar eclipse, which plays a more outward, even political, role. As a rule, women and family are generally more affected by the lunar cycle, whereas men and politics are signified by the solar. This is not to say that women are not political animals, nor that men are distinct from the family, but that the private, nurturing side is more affected than the public, social and media driven arena, which even in the 21st Century is still primarily dominated by males, or at least by what might be described as masculine energies.
The second lunar eclipse of the year is another total eclipse. It is a deeper event, the first central total eclipse since the year 2000, for the Moon's trajectory takes it deep into the southern umbral (dark) shadow, producing a total eclipse that lasts 90 minutes. However, the Moon will not be totally blacked-out but is likely to be blood-red in colour, an unusual and beautiful cosmic phenomenon caused by the diffusion of light via the earth's atmosphere. The eclipse occurs at the ascending node at 4°46' Pisces, in conjunction with the Fixed Star Deneb Adige in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. Cygnus gives a contemplative, dreamy, cultured and adaptable nature, with some love of water and swimming (very apposite for some!) and the arts. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Resh and the 20th Tarot Trump, "Judgement". Thus a big change is indicated. Summon the past, forgive it, and let it go. There are wounds from the past that we never let heal, sins we've committed that we refuse to forgive, bad habits we haven't the courage to lose. This eclipse urges us to recognize that the past is past, and put them to rest at last. It is a time of healing, quiet and of great transformation, renewal, change.
Since different parts of the Moon will be covered by different portions of Earth's shadow, quite a variation in brightness and in colour can be expected. Consequently the southern half of the totally eclipsed Moon will appear considerably brighter than the northern half.
- All of North America will witness some portion of the eclipse, but the best views will be in the west.
- The early phases can be seen at moonset for Maritime Canada.
- From the eastern USA, the Great Lakes region and Ontario, the Moon sets in total eclipse.
- Observers to the west of the Rockies (including Alaska), however, will be treated to the entire event.
- All phases of the eclipse are visible from the islands of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand and eastern Australia.
- Various stages of the eclipse can be seen at moonrise for the rest of Australia and for eastern Asia.
- Sadly, no eclipse is visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia.
For NASA's graphic illustration of the Moon's path through Earth's shadows, as well as Fred Espenak's map illustrating worldwide visibility, click here.
There is too much Confusion...
The Moon is eclipsed in Pisces, so imaginary bogies are likely to emerge. Many of us will be disposed to indolence and self-pity, so avoid vacillation and faintheartedness, and do not allow yourself to fall into sorrow and self-undoing. It will be easy to become irresolute, downhearted and discouraged. Love-affairs at this time can create all manner of trouble. Adopt a philosophical approach to life, and be aware of a widespread tendency to dull the pain through overindulgence, especially in alcohol and drugs. Peculiar and mysterious conditions are apt to arise.
The Sun of course is in Virgo, adding a critical tone, but one which may be roused to anger through mistrust, thanks to the influence of neighbouring stars in the Great Bear. Let us tame the beast and lay aside our fierceness. Mercury too is in Virgo, opposing Uranus, creating much disagreement, conflict and turmoil, little of which may appear to have any connection with your personal life. However, organizing your own opinions and ideas may not be an easy task. Everyone is so confused or at odds about other matters that they pay little heed or give no credence to what you are trying to get across. It is not a suitable time for involvement with the newsletters or finances of an organization, or the coordination of group activities. Avoid travel by air. Issues will come to a head at the Solar Eclipse on the September 11th.
People with mutable signs prominent in their charts will have a hard time separating their egos from their emotions, failing to recognise that something (or someone) they want may simply represent ego involvement, instead of emotional commitment. The mutable signs are Virgo; Pisces; Gemini; and Sagittarius. What we are called upon (or driven) to do may often interfere with what gives us emotional satisfaction, or we chase after our desires, while we waste or fail to develop our talents and skills. A tug-of-war exists between desires and emotional needs and practical ambitions. Appreciate whatever positive circumstances you encounter, and don’t be misguided enough to believe you can easily overcome any negative ones.
How do Eclipses Happen?
In ancient times, priests and astrologers discovered how to predict eclipses, having realised their significance. Using observation and mathematics, they prepared reliable tables utilising their knowledge of the movement of the Moon's Nodes that have hardly been surpassed for accuracy until the recent advent of the computer. The Moon's Nodes mark the points where the path of the Moon's orbit around the Earth crosses the path of the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun and planets around the Earth) as viewed from the surface of the Earth. An eclipse takes place when either a New Moon (producing a Solar Eclipse) or a Full Moon (producing a Lunar Eclipse) occurs close to the either of the Nodes.
The Moon's light is reflected from the Sun, as the Moon does not shine of her own accord. Each month the Moon in her orbit travels completely around the Earth and the New and Full Moons happen as the Sun aligns with the Moon, either in conjunction or opposition. These powerful periods are called lunations. Among other effects on the world, they generate the tides. When lunations are also eclipses, their effect is even more powerful — although solar eclipses are generally more strongly felt than lunar eclipses. Eclipses usually occur in pairs, with either a lunar eclipse (Full Moon) heralding a solar eclipse (New Moon) about two weeks later, or vice versa. The energy of any lunation is always most strongly felt a day or so before the Moon (emotions; habit patterns; the public) reaches the exact alignment with the Sun (character; rationality; rulers).
At a Full Moon, when the Earth, Sun and Moon are so closely aligned that the Earth is located precisely between the Sun and the Moon, the shadow of the Earth covers the face of the Moon generating a Lunar Eclipse. The light of the Moon is darkened temporarily. It is safe to observe the Lunar Eclipse, or to take photographs, as there is no likelihood of eye damage, unlike the dangers during a Solar Eclipse.
When similarly aligned at a New Moon, the body of the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, producing a Solar Eclipse by hiding the face of the Sun. Remember, you should never view eclipses of the Sun directly with the naked eye, because the potential for eye damage is high.
For more on the science of eclipses, click here. Remember when looking at this astronomical material that they are using the sidereal zodiac, whilst we are using the tropical zodiac, so sign placements may seem out of whack with those mentioned here. This is due to the cosmic phenomenon known as the precession of the equinoxes, which makes the tropical zodiac of the seasons, as used on this site, seem out of sync with the constellations. This factor however has no effect on the predictive power of astrology.
Cosmic Coincidence?
Although the actual size of the Moon is much smaller than the size of the Sun, one of the most remarkable facts about our universe is that, when viewed from the Earth during a total eclipse, the Moon's disc exactly covers the disc of the Sun. The odds against such a striking coincidence happening in the one known area of the Universe where intelligent beings can experience it are, in a word, astronomical! This is one more in a long list of phenomena that inclines this writer to believe that our world is much more like a mind than a thing. See Is Astrology Scientific, for more on this approach.
Astrology shows that the stars and planets are a map to our personalities and a guide to our place in the world. It also explains how the world is regular and predictable (up to a point!). An astrological forecast will place these trends into a context, with regard to our own personal destinies.
Enlightened Astrology does not teach a fatalistic view of the world. Within the environment indicated by the stars, we have considerable freedom to move and make decisions, according to our character and circumstances. See Nexus of Probability.
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