MARCH 2006 ECLIPSES

The first set of eclipses in 2006 were in Aries and Virgo. Here's a breakdown of the possible effects they may have had on your life...

The March Eclipses

On the 14^th and 29^th of March 2006, we experienced a lunar eclipse in Virgo, followed by a total solar eclipse in Aries.

Eclipses happen in pairs (lunar followed by solar) in half-yearly clusters. Often in polar signs, they will usually work in tandem to encourage growth and balance between two opposing but related areas of your life. However, this eclipse pair weren’t in opposite signs but in the signs of Virgo and Aries…Looking solely at the solar eclipse, though, we can see a link to a set the eclipses that occurred in October 2005. Back then, we had a New Moon solar eclipse in Libra, and a full-moon lunar eclipse in Aries.

As Aries was the ruler of the lunar eclipse then, and the solar eclipse now, you might find that the areas of life which were highlighted six months ago will now resurface, but from a reversed perspective. With the Aries/Libra axis activated from October 2005 – October 2006, you will be learning important lessons on how to strike a balance between identity, assertiveness & independence on one hand, and the art of diplomacy, compromise and one-on-one relationships, on the other.

Just a reminder that eclipses don’t always make themselves felt straight away – occasionally they have a delayed effect. It may therefore be worth your while to note what happens a month to the day later for the solar eclipse and what happens at the next Full Moon with a lunar eclipse. For this eclipse, that means watch the 13^th of April (Full Moon) and the 29^th of April…

General Theme

According to Australian astrologer, Bernadette Brady, this eclipse series is associated with Uranian flashes of insight & genius, inventiveness and sudden urges for independence which may cause temporary problems in relationships. See my Eclipses column for more information…

A Closer Look at the Two Eclipses....

Here is a brief outline of the effect of each eclipse and the area of life it most likely affected….

Lunar eclipse in Virgo

Lunar eclipses highlight the feminine aspect and are therefore likely to involve women, mothers and revolve around lunar issues, such as birth, family, the home, diet & nourishment, instincts, knee-jerk responses and daily routine. The emphasis in energy is generally inwardly-focused.

Date: 14 March 2006

Sign: Virgo

Virgo is associated with qualities like details & precision, service & reliability, modesty and practicality. It is also connected to herbalism, healing and a life of purity, as aspired to by monks, nuns and ascetics. Negatively, it can indicate fussiness, a critical nature, frigidity, conservativism and anal-retentiveness.

Mercury, ruler of Virgo, was retrograde in Pisces at the time, causing mix-ups and misunderstandings. Virgo and Pisces are polar opposite energies, causing tension. Thus, there is a likelihood of people working at cross-purposes during this time.

Moon phase: Full Moon

The moon was full, signalling endings, culmination points, fulfilment and crisis points. Full moons are often associated with a time of increased emotion too.

Total eclipse in Aries

Solar eclipses emphasise the masculine or yang aspect and is therefore associated with males, father-figures, authority, self-awareness and self-expression, the ego. The focus in energy is generally outward and therefore more likely to manifest in the form of external events.

Date: 29 March 2006

Sign: Aries

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and therefore associated with beginnings, identity, self-interest & self-preservation, assertiveness, straight-forwardness, drive, energy and vitality. Negative Aries characteristics include: selfishness, aggression, lack of subtlety, impulsiveness, pushiness, loudness and impatience.

Pluto, planet of transformation and regeneration, went retrograde on the same day as the eclipse, which might have hindered or slowed down the changes initiated by the eclipse or hidden their effects from view. Thus, the initial impact of the eclipse may take a while to manifest or be noticed. Pluto returns to direct motion in September, two days before the next set of eclipses. Could this indicate a delayed and therefore double whammy?

Alternatively, someone with a very domineering or intolerant attitude may attempt to exert control over you, impose their views on you or make life difficult.

Moon phase: New Moon

Because an eclipse happens between the sun and the moon, there will always be a moon phase involved! Solar eclipses always occur at New Moon because this is when both luminaries are on the same side of the earth. New Moon are linked to new beginnings or a change in direction.

Areas of life affected

Below is a list of the likely areas of life highlighted or influenced at this time by the solar eclipse, classified according to sign. You can also cross-reference this by looking at the entry for your rising sign or Ascendant.

Aries

First house of self-esteem, self-expression, personal decisions or actions, physical appearance, physical vitality, new areas of personal experience

Taurus

Twelfth house of the unconscious, hidden activities or things done in seclusion, confinement (and therefore also hospitals, prisons and mental institutions), secrets or private matters, spiritual activities (including meditation, mystical experiences), intuition & dreams, empathy towards others and therefore the caring professions, the creative imagination & escapist tendencies, drugs, self-delusion, neurotic tendencies, the cinema and the acting profession

Gemini

Eleventh house of friendships, groups, clubs, personal objectives & aspirations, invention & unique insights, detached observation, scientific study, the need for independence or to belong, humanitarian endeavours, taking a stand against misuse of power, the study of alternative or esoteric systems such as astrology, mass communication including the media

Cancer

Tenth house of ambition, fame, honours and public life, career or profession, reputation, obligations & responsibilities, desire for power or status, gaining or falling from positions of power, relationships with authority, bosses or government, parents, especially father, political life

Leo

Ninth house of expansion, long-distance travel & adventure, higher learning, lecturing, personal, philosophical or religious beliefs, contact with foreign cultures, people or organisations, publishing, the search for meaning, cultural values and trends, the law

Virgo

Eight house of sex, power, death, inheritance, taxes, shared resources (including taxes, insurance, alimony), large financial institutions e.g. banks & big business, dramatic personal transformations, antiques, reincarnation, regeneration, psychic abilities, the occult, parapsychology, extremes

Libra

Seventh house of personal relationships, marriage, enemies, business partnerships, diplomacy and compromise, justice, fairness, balance, desire for social interaction and cooperation, need for peace, harmony and moderation, the reactions of others to personal action

Scorpio

Sixth house of health, personal habits & hygiene, job, work environment, colleagues, employees, trouble-shooting, dealings with the medical profession, occupational health & safety, detailed work or responsibilities

Sagittarius

Fifth house of creativity, natural talents, pursuit of pleasure, hobbies, sports, romance, new relationships & sexual involvements, children, pregnancy & childbirth, gambling, the entertainment industry, social popularity (or lack of it)

Capricorn

Fourth house of home and domestic life, family members, activities and influences, motherhood and relationships to mothers or primary care-givers, food & nourishment, conditioned responses and ingrained emotional attitudes

Aquarius

Third house of communication, speech, thinking, ideas, study (especially early education or school), teaching, siblings and relationships with brothers & sisters, neighbours and the immediate environment, logic, day-to-day decisions, the intellect and thought processes

Pisces

Second house of money & finances, personal wealth, personal resources (including skills) real estate, values, desire for material status or security

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