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JANUARY 2009 SOLAR ECLIPSE |
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A closer look at the first solar eclipse for 2009... |
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Solar Eclipse the first of five eclipses in 2009... This year we are set to encounter not four, but FIVE eclipses - an unusually high number - so expect to be kept on your toes for most of 2009! Kicking off proceedings is an annular solar eclipse in Aquarius... Below is an overview of the major mundane astrological themes of January's eclipse event, as well as an outline of the possible areas of life these are likely to affect for each sign of the zodiac … For more information on the Lunar Eclipse, follow the link to the relevant page or go to the January-February 2009 overview page. Not a Bang but a Whimper The solar eclipse this month is likely to be quite an understated affair and not as shocking or jarring as previous eclipse events. Instead, expect a small dawning of realisation about a relationship or personal desire that you hadn't realised before, an aha moment in terms of understanding a piece of information or study project, sudden break-through with regards to a technical hitch or IT design fault. Whilst the solar eclipse of August 2008, which occurred in Leo, was all about individual life plans and goals, your sense of identity and your need for growth and self-actualisation, the emphasis now will be on your role within the group. This is because the eclipse takes place in Leo's opposite sign - Aquarius. This group could represent the family unit, a posse of friends; membership of a society, club or virtual network; as well as society. The solar eclipse at this time is asking you to consider what personal contribution you could make within this context - to paraphrase the inaugural speech of John F Kennedy: "Ask not what the group can do for you, but rather what you can do for your group." I think this speech is a rather apt sentiment right now considering the recent inauguration speech of Barak Obama, who has Aquarius rising and who many feel epitomises the Uranian qualities of youth, change, glamour and dynamism which JFK, as the youngest president ever, did in the 1960's. Incidentally, it is worth noting in relation to the current Saturn-Uranus opposition that is occurring right now (and which was also in exact alignment on the day of the US Elections in November 2008) that the last time we encountered this configuration globally was in the 1960's. Even though JFK was assassinated before the exact perfection of the aspect (the opposition first made contact in 1964 and was active until 1967) many feel that his ascension to power provided the first inkling of the spirit of the decade to come - one which was marked by a revolutionary desire for equality and change within American society and a need to break away from the oppressive and stuffy Saturnine establishment and conventions that Nixon had come to represent. Those who wish to understand the spirit of January's eclipse would therefore do well to revisit both JFK and Obama's inauguration speeches and what they ask of the American people. Incidentally, the mood of the people in mundane astrology is considered to be ruled by the Moon, and male authority figures, by the Sun, making the symbolism of the eclipse very apt at this time. Of course, whether Obama manages to pull it off or not (and whether the eclipse turns out to be a good or bad omen) remains to be seen. Once again, the haunting words of TS Eliot's poem spring to mind:
Between the idea Getting back to the present moment, the solar eclipse on the 26th is preceded by a Sun-Jupiter conjunction which adds an air of exaggeration, optimism and expansion to the atmosphere. Expect to feel confident, outgoing, proud, and happy at this time. Of course, both the Sun and Jupiter can also be prone to ego trips, over-confidence, and dogmatism so this might well turn into a case of 'pride comes before a fall.' In traditional astrology, the Sun, as the natural ruler of Leo, is in it's detriment in the opposite zodiac sign which is Aquarius - the constellation in which the solar eclipse is taking place. At the time of the eclipse, the dark new Moon will also be blocking out its light, so metaphorically-speaking the eclipse may represent an inflated ego being brought back to earth through a well-intentioned lightning bolt of reality. With a stellium of planets flanking the eclipse in Capricorn and Aquarius, Saturn energy will be strong (Saturn rules both Capricorn and Aquarius in ancient astrology) right now, emphasising cool restraint and objectivity over passionate enthusiasm and child-like exhuberance. Saturn rules duty and personal honour, two qualities that are now being emphasised by the stellium and the eclipse. Personal ambitions therefore need to put aside in favour of altruistic efforts. You'd do better to mingle amongst a group of friends than try and grandstand at a social event - the eclipse is here to gently remind you that the world does not revolve around you, so take heed and make a resolution to do what you can do to help others at this time. Friends may be in need of your help right now, so give them a buzz if you haven't been in touch lately. Given that eclipses occur during new moons, you may find yourself making new friends or joining the ranks of a new group, club or society. This may be especially true if you are travelling or studying at the moment - expect to meet some interesting and exciting new people within the next month or so. Breakaways from old allegiances or affiliations is also likely right now - eclipse expert, Bernadette Brady suggests that any separations that you decide to make at this time are for the better and will ultimately have a positive outcome. If you've been putting off making a commitment of any kind, this is an excellent time to do so. Bernadette Brady says that this eclipse family is historically associated with sudden commitments - snap engagements, shotgun weddings, elopements. Whilst these do not always work out under normal circumstances, the unusually gentle energy of this eclipse may mean that you can trust events to play out well in the long term. However, a word of warning - the Moon will be void at the time of the eclipse - meaning that it will not be making aspects to any other planets at the time. In horary astrology, this can sometimes indicate that nothing will come of a situation or that it is not a good time to start something new. The likelihood of this occurring seems to be confirmed by a slightly irritating aspect which occurs between the eclipse and Venus and Uranus, who are currently conjunct in Pisces. This rather weak semi-sextile is the first aspect that either the sun or moon make to another planet after the void period and is likely to bring about mild feelings of confusion and restlessness or slightly erratic behaviour, surprises and reversals in creative pursuits or in relation to money or love. Mercury will also be retrograde, causing delays, misunderstandings and further adding to the confusion, making the 27th potentially a bit of a comedy of errors. So, if you do decide to suddenly propose or ask someone to move in with you, and don't want the ring or house key flung back in your face, perhaps it is worth waiting until the Venus-Mars sextile on February the 18th, just after Valentine's Day, before doing so. Bernadette Brady says that this eclipse series is considered gentle overall and suggests that, as a result, individuals can have faith that whatever circumstances arise at this time will work out to be in their best interests, so a "go with the flow" attitude is advised. Annular Solar eclipse Solar eclipses emphasise the masculine or yang aspect and are therefore associated with males, father-figures, authority, self-awareness and self-expression, the ego. The focus in energy is generally extraverted and outward and therefore more likely to manifest in the form of external events. Date: 26 January 2009 Sign: Aquarius The emphasis now is on events that are social and altruistic in nature and concerns how we may wish to be of service to humanity, stand up and be counted for a cause, choose to be a member of a specific group, conduct friendships, liberate ourselves from the expectations of society, or take a step back from a fraught situation. Aquarius is a fixed air sign and is associated with friendships, androgyny, humanitarianism, honesty, loyalty, originality and inventiveness, independence and intellectual genius. Negative Aquarius characteristics include: rebelliousness and perverseness - being different or controversial just for the sake of it, stubbornness and intractability, unpredictability and being too unemotional and detached. 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 Moons are linked to that start of a new cycle or a change in direction. And now for a more breakdown of what the eclipse might mean for you sign by sign...
Areas of life affected
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Graphic Design by Vicky Jacob-Ebbinghaus Articles & horoscopes by Phoebe Forsythe To contact us: vicky@astro-sphere.co.uk phoebe@astro-sphere.co.uk |
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