Eclipses: Repeating
Cycles in the Heavens
At approximately 6 month intervals, there is an eclipse somewhere in the world. Due to a spectacular eclipse over the Far East, I was recently asked the significance of such events. The recent eclipse took place July 23, 2009, and was of an impressive duration of 6 minutes and 38.8 seconds. It began over Taiwan at approximately 9:30 am (local time), and was of the longest solar eclipses of the century. The next eclipse that will be this impressive will not occur until 2132! Since many eclipses appear over water (as the Earth is about 65% water), they remain unobserved. Several do not have the shadow, or umbra, meet the surface of the earth due to the moon's parabolic orbit, and a few take place above or below the poles. Also, there are several types of eclipses, the most spectacular being the total solar eclipse. This occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are lined up on the ecliptic and the Moon is at the correct distance from the Earth to create the illusion as being of the same size as the Sun. When the eclipse is exact, the Sun's corona becomes visible, and is the source of the impressive pictures we sometimes see. There is also the annular eclipse, where the shadow is not complete due to the Moon's relative distance from earth, the partial, where the shadow does not cover the entire disc of the sun, and the annular, during which the umbra does not cover the entire disc of the Sun and the corona is not observed. These cycles have been observed by humans for thousands of years, and have inspired everything from religious festivals to mass hysteria. There is even a tradition that a total solar eclipse took place over Jerusalem during the crucifixion, though there is no astronomical evidence that this is so, particularly since the duration of said eclipse indicates that it is a made-up event. Solar eclipses can only take place at a new moon, since this is the time the sun and moon conjoin in the sky. Likewise, lunar eclipses can only take place on a full moon cycle, since this is when the two bodies are in opposition. By their very natures, then, eclipses generally are felt only by conjunction or opposition in an individual's nativity, or birth chart. This is also the case in mundane, or political charts. House position is the primary indicator of where the influence of the eclipse is felt. Astrologers first took an interest in eclipses as they seemed to affect political, or mundane, astrology. Many of the first surviving astrological texts are the effects of eclipses on the fates of nations or kings. For instance, some of the astrological texts discovered in Ancient Sumeria speak of crop failure, disasters, plagues and injuries to the king according to the cycle of eclipses. Small wonder, then, that many in the modern world still believe that eclipses portend some sort of disaster! However, it is more helpful (at least psychologically) to think in terms of doors opening and closing; the beginning and ending of a cycle, if you will. The effect of the eclipses will be felt by the house position it occupies and any conjunctions or oppositions it makes to planets in the nativity (remember the nature of an eclipse). Falling in the first, it takes on a very personal tone; one might consider starting a new project of some sort, particularly something that pertains to physical appearance and the expending of energy. This would also be true if Mars was aspected. In the second house, money matters would be aspected. Also, personal relationships tend to come under fire, though this is more usual if Venus is affected. In the third, communications could be disrupted, or ruptures with siblings or neighbors could occur. In the fourth, or aspecting the Moon, issues that revolve around the family take the front seat. Fifth house aspects usually indicate having young people involved, though if the Sun is aspected, it usually portends something of a very personal nature taking place.You get the general idea. The next total Solar eclipse will take place July 11, 2012, and will be observable in South America. Those fortunate enough to either live or visit the area are in for a real treat, should they be positioned in the path of the umbra, which will start in the Pacific Ocean and cross over Easter Island and parts of Chile and Argentina. Enjoy!
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