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JULY 2009 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE |
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A closer look at the second solar eclipse for 2009... |
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Solar Eclipse predictions for the next six months... For those in the northern hemisphere, this second solar eclipse for 2009 comes a month after the summer solstice, on the 22nd of July, on the cusp of Cancer and Leo. This augurs in the start of a new zodiacal focus for the eclipses in the signs of Cancer and Capricorn. Below is an overview of the major astrological themes that relate to everyone on a mundane or world level, as well as some pointers on the way this eclipse may manifest for each sign of the zodiac … For more information on the Lunar Eclipse, follow the link to the relevant page or go to the July-Aug 2009 Eclipse overview page. A Destroyer of Fates? Unlike the understated affair we experienced at the beginning of the year, the solar eclipse on the 22nd of July looks set to be a fairly dramatic affair. The sun and the moon will form their fiery conjunction at 29 degrees of Cancer, on the cusp of the sign of Leo. In traditional astrology, this is known as the Anaretic degree and was considered to be a critical place in the sign, often associated with fate. Some more fatalistic astrologers considered a planet in this degree to be a “planet that destroys form.” Others suggest that: "any planets or celestial bodies placed within that range are likely to display the most extreme attributes of the sign or planet." A planet or planets in this position could therefore perhaps be seen as a catalyst, forcing completion - a quality shared by eclipse symbolism. Some astrologers associated the 29th degree with the qualities of the two-headed Roman God, Janus, who faced both the past and the future simultaneously. Once again, we find the theme of liminality and gates emerging within this set of eclipses. For more on this, see my Eclipse Chronology. The suggestion here is that, like the sign Libra, the querent is able to see the advantages of both sides of an issue, rending them paralysed to make a decision quickly, when perhaps this is exactly what is needed. Or they may feel compelled to make a decision for the sake of it and so act rashly. Being one of the last degrees of a sign, it is not surprising that the qualities of that sign are now weakening and declining before dissolving into the next sign. On this issue, you may find the article by Eric Uberseder enlightening. Hosting an eclipse here, which carries much of the same symbolism, offers a double whammy. Occurring, as always, at new moon, the emphasis is on what new qualities, events or circumstances want to be born. The sign of Cancer rules birth, children and motherhood, once again reinforcing this theme. Given the force of this placement, though, it seems that this birth may be a forced or traumatic one - there is a sense that circumstances may conspire to thrust a new project or way of life onto your hands, asking you to sink or swim as old structures fall away abruptly and you have little choice but to get on with things. Cancer is also concerned with travel, living by the water, roots, ancestry, the past, the home and family, a sense of belonging (including your sense of national identity) and an interest in diet, cooking and food. Think Martha Stewart - the ultimate American example of a Cancerian using her natural sun sign character traits to create a business empire. England as a nation very much embodies Cancerian values. As I have written elsewhere, the continued popularity of home improvement, decorating and property programmes, as well as the more recent surge in interest in home-made or locally-produced artisan food is very much in keeping with the Cancerian Moon within the UK's chart. Whilst we are discussing the Moon, it is worth noting that, during a solar eclipse, it is the Moon that eclipses or overcomes the sun. The Moon, as the ruler of Cancer is in its natural sign and as a result, is strengthened and empowered. Lunar, rather than solar energy, is therefore likely to predominant. The issues ruled by the sun are transformed or blacked out - light, and thus also power, is taken away from it and transferred to the Moon. This is an inversion of the natural order of things since the Moon generally reflect the sun's light - a notion that may have led to the idea amongst the ancients that eclipses were bad omens. It would seem, then that females and feminine decision-making tools, including intuition, and the ability to do nothing until a sign appears may serve you well at this time. The poet, John Keats, understood this quality well, calling it Negative Capability. In a letter to his brothers in the winter of 1817 he wrote: 'I mean Negative Capability, that is when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact & reason.' If the anaretic degree does suggest indecision or making a decision too late, then it would seem as though fate has already had a hand in the outcome of a situation and there isn't really much one can do to change the outcome. With solar eclipses, this is generally more true than with lunar ones because the catalyst that changes a situation often occurs from 'outside' in the form of an agent - another person or an event - over which one has little control. Not unlike the last eclipse in January, which was all about putting aside personal needs and kudos for the good of the society, this eclipse will be asking people to consider their families (a slightly smaller group - the microcosm of society!) and their homes before themselves. The Moon in Cancer suggests nurturing and feeding loved ones and being a homebody may be the way to go over the next six months. With the economy being what it is, many people are turning to home entertaining and staying in naturally so this may not be altogether headline news. However, those in 'the know' don't seem clear on when this recession will end, prompting uncertainty in the general population and in some quarters, ambivalence about whether they can return to their previous lifestyle and spending habits or not. My guess would be to err on the side of caution - save rather than spend and save your pennies for retirement or a rainy day. Some astrologers are suggesting that the economic downturn may be linked to Pluto's ingress into Capricorn, and if that is the case, this current trend may be around for many more years to come. See, for example, this podcast hosted by astrologer, Dena de Castro. Both the Sun and the Moon will be making positive, flowing trine aspects to Uranus, planet of change and innovation, both in the days leading up to and including the day of the eclipse. This suggests pleasant, rather than nasty surprises or changes may be in store. Uranus can also bring about flashes of intuition or inspiration so be on the look out for Aha! moments - these could be signs you have been waiting for showing you which new direction to go in if you have been uncertain. Uranus also has natural affinities with technology and science, so these may end up being part of the solution to a problem that crops up now. Uranus will be in a challenging aspect to Pluto right through this period, so expect elements of the larger economic picture to possibly crop up during this period, though possibly in an indirect way. Given the social background to all of our circumstances, it would be wise to take on board the lessons being learnt by bankers and politicians right now - being honest, ethical and playing by the rules from the start of a new project or path is by far preferable to being caught out later on. Don't let the over-idealistic and somewhat unrealistic energy of the current Jupiter-Neptune conjunction to cloud your vision and make you think that 'pie in the sky' schemes are really going to fly at this time. They will only lead to disappointment ultimately. To drive this home, the sun will be making two 150 degree (quincunx) aspects to both Pluto and Jupiter immediately before (Jupiter) and at the time of the eclipse (Pluto) suggesting adjustment is required to any plans that aren't realistic or ethical at this time. You would be wise to heed the cosmic warnings. July 2009 Total 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: 22 July 2009 Sign: 29 degrees Cancer - cusp of Leo The emphasis now is on events that are dramatic, larger-than-life, fun, male-oriented, spiritual, indulgent, playful or concerned with leadership and individual praise. Cancer is a cardinal water sign and is associated with motherhood, children, care of the family, feeding and nurturing (and therefore food), the home and domestic environment, emotions, gut feelings and knee jerk responses, the sea, travel, photography, history and the past, roots and ancestry (including genealogy.) Negative Cancer characteristics include: clannishness and fear of outsiders, moodiness, being manipulative, fear of the unknown and of the new, secretiveness, defensiveness and the inability to let go. Leo is a fixed fire sign and is associated with leadership, standing up for the weak, personal warmth and charisma, loyalty, self-expression, self-confidence, creativity, performance and the arts, wealth, self-confidence and bravery. Negative Leo characteristics include: vanity, arrogance, self-aggrandisement, a taste for the melodramatic, childishness, selfishness, pride, bossiness, dogmatism and excess. 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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