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Eclipses in Astrology

Monday, July 06, 2009 Jan

In light of the new series of Cancer-Capricorn eclipses starting off this month, I thought I'd post a brief background information on eclipses and their significance in astrology.

Eclipses often fall prey to the misconception that they are harbingers of terrible things, disappointments, destruction, ruin, and the like. It's all about perception, though. Eclipses, in astrology, are accelerators. They speed up events, issues, situations in our personal lives and demand for them to be dealt with. The degree of difficulty, then, becomes dependent on:

  • the readiness of the individual to tackle these challenges
  • his/her willingness to do the work required
  • his/her commitment to the cause/s which is really the self and its growth. The level of influence an eclipse or set of eclipses have also depends on individual birth charts.

I think astrologer, Eric Francis, summed it best in "Understanding Eclipses," where he wrote:
Eclipses work on three levels, broadly speaking. The first is personal. The second is collective. The third is where the personal and the collective intersect.

In personal terms, modern astrologers have begun to see the light on eclipses, if you ask me. In newspaper horoscope columns, they are generally described as moments of opportunity, times of peak intensity and critical juncture points. All this is true, though one could argue it's a matter of perception. Do you congratulate someone when they lose their job, because they get to discover who they are, collecting unemployment for a year? What do you say when a horrid relationship 'suddenly' falls apart? What do you say to a tidal wave?

The perception of an astrologer can be a significant influence on the lives of people who encounter their interpretations. Even if it goes no further than self-fulfilling prophesy, astrologers owe it to the world to rise above fears and superstitions and allow faith and reason to carry their work.

And I see it happening. The more consciously eclipses are handled, the less they are inclined to do damage and the more they are inclined to give us a push in the right direction. Eclipses visiting one's own sign would certainly have been regarded as a curse, and still is in some astrological systems.

Eclipses trigger necessary changes to one's journey in life. Because these changes are triggered outside of one's own volition, they are often harsh, sudden, and undeniable. The initial shock evoke sadness, confusion, frustration, anger, worry, and possibly depression. However, it is our reaction past the initial shock that defines how we will allow these eclipses to influence us.


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Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn ~ July 7, 2009

Sunday, July 05, 2009 Jan

This month's full moon in Capricorn on July 7 at 5:21 a.m. (Eastern time) is immediately followed by a Lunar Eclipse at 5:38 a.m. Eclipses are super powerful and extra energized full and new moons. Eclipses extend the usual 2-week influence of a full/new moon to an average of six months.

This month's eclipses (Lunar on July 7 and Solar Eclipse in Cancer on July 21) begins a new series of Cancer-Capricorn Eclipses lasting through July 2011. Eclipses have a reputation of being bad omens, but they should not be seen as such. They are not bearer of terrible things to come. However, eclipses tend to stimulate and accelerate events which forces us, earthlings, to deal with situations and issues sooner. This makes things especially challenging if issues brought up are ones that we did not foresee happening or are not ready to face just yet. Whatever the case may be, eclipses, like full moons, bring culmination, endings, resolutions, and closure. Be open to accept what must be done and aware to recognize signs that indicate a direction to take or solution to apply. What lies ahead will be difficult and seem insurmountable at times, but ultimate success is achievable.

The Moon represents our heart, emotions, private life, inner drives, and is natively ruled by sensitive and nurturing Cancer. In Capricorn, the zodiac sign opposite Cancer, the Moon feels emotionally restricted but focused on the tasks at hand. This Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn encourages us to acknowledge our realities, face our fears, and rise above them without losing our openness to love and compassion along the way. Let's not become jaded or calloused because of the hardships we've lived through and continue to face.

Reinforcing this eclipse are the Cancer-Sun & Capricorn-Moon's favorable link to Saturn (structure) in Virgo (analytical), allowing us to see our realities as they truly are so that we can assess our situations with certainty. Saturn's influence also gives us the grounding we need for the long haul and hard work ahead.

Elsewhere in the sky, Mars (energy) spends his last days in Taurus (determined). He aligns himself with Uranus (the awakener) in Pisces (the seeker) and the triple conjunction in Aquarius (unconventionality) that involves Jupiter (expansiveness), Chiron (wounded healer), and Neptune (transcendence). We are offered the chance to focus (Taurus) our energy (Mars) on our own awakening (Aquarius), as we seek healing (Chiron), personal growth (Jupiter), and enlightenment (Neptune).

Additionally, with five planets retrograde in the sky above, it's easier to focus our attention inward. This should be a help as we look for the balance between our external and internal drives; our public and private lives; our past and future.

This eclipse occurs at 15 degrees of Capricorn. Those born within 3 days of July 7 or December 8 or those with natal planets/house angles at 15 degrees of cardinal signs may feel this lunar eclipse's influence stronger than most.

For me, this lunar eclipse puts a strain on both my natal Moon (heart) and Mars (drive), but extends a lending hand to my Saturn (reality). As a Cancer-Sun, I will feel this tension and eclipse in my solar 7th house of partnerships; and in my birth chart, it will fall in my natal 4th house of family, home, roots, and the past. Perhaps I am urged to face truths/realities of the painful past and finally, give them closure -- deeply-rooted hurts, disappointments, loss of loved ones, failed relationships. Despite the unpleasant nature of this task, transiting Jupiter (benevolence) gives me hope as he forms a supportive link to my Midheaven (future), exact (perfect) on this same lunar eclipse day.

How will this full moon/lunar eclipse influence your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Capricorn. Match the sign with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the sign Capricorn on your birth chart and click here for an explanation of the Capricorn-Full Moon in your chart.


Click image to see larger

If you don't have your birth chart, you may use your Sun sign and/or your Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising Sign below then click here for an explanation of the Capricorn-Full Moon in your chart.
  • Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 10th House
  • Taurus-Sun or Taurus-Rising ~ 9th House
  • Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 8th House
  • Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 7th House
  • Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 6th House
  • Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 5th House
  • Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 4th House
  • Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 3rd House
  • Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
  • Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 1st House
  • Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 12th House
  • Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 11th House

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart by clicking here (opens a new window) for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Or if you'd like a full reading on how the Cancer-Capricorn series of eclipses will influence your chart through to 2010, order a personalized reading ($40 USD) -- birth date, birth time, and birth place required. Invoice is emailed for payment via Google Checkout.

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Lunar eclipse photo by Andrew Hutchinson, courtesy of BBC News.


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Venus in Gemini ~ July 5 to 31, 2009

Saturday, July 04, 2009 Jan

Venus leaves the comfort and stability of Taurus for the lighter fancies of Gemini starting on July 5 at 4:22 a.m. (Eastern) through July 31. Venus represents our relationships (all types -- intimate, platonic, familial, and with the self), our material wealth, our value system, our self-worth, our capacity to see beauty in the world, and our desires.


In Gemini, Venus is friendly, popular, easy going, uncomplicated, and requires mental stimulation in our social interactions. Love may blossom through hours of conversations, jumping from one topic to the next and back again. Friendships created through laughter. Existing relationships grow stronger through communication. Our social calendars may be busier than usual. Enjoyment in the present is encouraged during this transit.

In money matters, two or multiple sources of income may be possible during this transit. So, if you have been planning on creating supplemental income to pad the wallet a bit more than what's earned from an existing employment, this is an ideal month for such an endeavor. Gemini may lack the determination and staying power that Taurus embody, but Gemini's enthusiasm and fast-acting responses make it beneficial for getting things done quickly, if not efficiently. For the uber-shoppers in us all, be weary of impulse buying. You may regret the expense next month when the credit card bills come in.

While Venus is in Gemini, she will connect with the following celestial bodies on (all dates reflect Eastern time zone; give +/-2 days for life span of influence):
  • July 6 ~ Venus quincunx Pluto. Just a day after entering Gemini and while still getting acclimated to Gemini's airy personality, Venus forms an irritating but unavoidable link to Pluto. Our relationships get a dose of Pluto's intensity; our financial status gets a deeper look. In Gemini, Venus is casual, carefree, and adaptable. This poses a problem for Pluto (compulsion) in Capricorn (guarded). Venus' connection to Pluto raises issues and questions regarding love and money that we might not necessarily want to broach, let alone acknowledge knowing the answers to. At best, Pluto is powerful enough to transform. Instead of resisting the probing energy of this Venus-Pluto alignment, allow it to empower you to transform matters involving love and money. Early born Taureans (April 25-27), Geminis (May 27-29), Librans (September 28-30), Scorpios (October 29-31), Capricorns (December 27-29) and those with natal planets/house angles at 2 degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) may be influenced stronger than others.

  • July 19 ~ Moon and Venus unite. An easy, carefree, cheery day where our heart and loving feelings are well supported.

  • July 21 ~ Venus square Saturn and as the Moon wanes for a Solar Eclipse in Cancer. Tension in the air. Demands required of us or by us of others may create conflicts in our relationships. Restrictions, limitations in love and finances. Ouch. Those with natal planets in or around 18 degrees of mutable signs (including those born January 6-9, March 6-9, May 7-10, October 10-13, June 8-11, September 7-10, December 7-10) may feel this energy stronger than others.
    Blog post on the upcoming July eclipses forthcoming...

  • July 25 ~ Virgo-Moon square Venus. Our hearts conflicted. The Moon is analytical and critical in Virgo, giving reason and logic to our emotions. In Gemini, Venus is less concerned with details. However this Moon-Venus alignment plays out in your life, both Gemini and Virgo are Mercury-ruled. Communication is key during this difficult link between the Moon and Venus.

  • July 27 & 28 ~ Venus trine the Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune triple conjunction. Promising two days offering awareness, recognition, healing, and moving forward within issues relating to our relationships, finances, value system, and self-worth. Those with natal planets or house angles between 24 & 25 degrees of air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) and those late-born Taureans, Sagittarians, and Pisceans may recognize the influence of this alignment more distinctly.

How will Venus' transit in Gemini manifest in your life? Look to the Gemini-ruled house/s in your birth chart. Match the signs with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Gemini zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for an explanation of Venus transiting those solar and/or natal houses.


Click image to see larger

For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and/or Rising Sign below then click here for an explanation of Venus transiting those solar and/or natal houses.
  • Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 3rd House
  • Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 2nd House
  • Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 1st House
  • Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 12th House
  • Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 11th House
  • Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 10th House
  • Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 9th House
  • Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 8th House
  • Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 7th House
  • Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 6th House
  • Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 5th House
  • Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 4th House
Unsure of what house/s Venus in Gemini is visiting? Cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. Or request a quote for a paid personalized reading. (both links open a new window)

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

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Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time by Agnolo Bronzino, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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