There are two eclipses this month, a lunar eclipse in Capricorn followed by a solar eclipse in Cancer. These eclipses are forerunners for a new eclipse season in the cardinal signs. The cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) are self-starters, initiators, motivated, ambitious, and determined signs. All of the cardinal signs will be affected by this series of eclipses because they will influence the sensitive angles of your solar chart. The Cancer/Capricorn eclipse season will continue through July 2011.
August will complete the eclipse season that began in Feb. 2008 in the fixed signs of Leo and Aquarius with a final eclipse in Aquarius on August 6, 2009.
Your birth chart defines how any eclipse will influence you; however, all signs will feel the eclipses in Cancer and Capricorn to some extent. If you have planets in your chart within 3 degrees conjunct or opposite of the eclipses, you can be assured you will be influenced. Those with planets within 5 degrees will also feel the eclipse in their lives, although the eclipse may not be as powerful. You may not have any planets in the Cancer and Capricorn sectors of your chart, but these empty houses and the issues they represent for you will be of greater significance over the next 18 months.
Eclipses influence our sense of timing. Sometimes we are not ready for what is taking shape or there isn’t enough time to assimilate all that is going on. Try not to make any hasty decisions during an eclipse because the atmosphere is too volatile. I am not suggesting you delay plans, only that you don’t initiate something or take action because of what you have read about an eclipse to your chart.
You may be affected by an eclipse within a month to the day on either side of the eclipse date. If you have planets in your chart directly impacted by one of the eclipses, it is unlikely that you will have to wait to hear something concerning the planet influenced and the house that it governs in your chart.
Eclipses are catalysts for transformation and can lead to a crisis in ones life. This is why they are referred to as the “wild cards” of the zodiac. Life may become full of drama as something unexpected unfolds. Look at any crisis as a crossroads, for you will be letting go of something so that a new chapter can unfold. An eclipse is a new or full moon, but they carry a triple power rating compared to our monthly lunar cycles.
July 7, 2009, the full moon lunar eclipse occurs at 15° Capricorn.
This is a minor eclipse almost invisible over most of Canada.
The rules for predicting the duration of lunar eclipse influences are that the life span is equal to one month for every hour of the eclipse, lasting up to 6 months. Six months takes us to the next lunar eclipse on Jan. 5, 2010.
This lunar eclipse in Capricorn will last 2 hours, 2 minutes which suggests that you will know how the eclipse message will unfold by September 7th. Another rule for timing is that the eclipse energy will last from one lunar eclipse to the next lunar eclipse – which brings us to August 6, 2009.
This eclipse belongs to Saros Series #110. Saros means “to repeat.”
Each saros cycle repeats itself approximately every 18 years, and 9 to 11 days of when it last occurred. All eclipses in this series have similar energy threads that weave them together and bring about similar themes in the lives they influence. The last eclipse in this saros series occurred June 27, 1991. Think back, if you’re old enough, to what occurred for you in the 6 months following that eclipse.
It is unlikely that identical issues will come back now because this eclipse in saros series #110 has moved 10 degrees further along the zodiacal longitude. If your natal planet was contacted by the eclipse in 1991, your natal planet is not within range of our current lunar eclipse. However, a theme that was a focal point in your life in 1991 may be relevant again due to this eclipse.
Natal planets or angles between 12° - 18° Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, and/or Aries will be sensitive to the lunar eclipse energy.
Let’s look at when we had our last eclipse at or near 15° Capricorn in order to help judge how your chart responds to Cancer/Capricorn eclipses.
There was a solar eclipse Jan. 5, 1992 at 14° Capricorn and a lunar eclipse in Capricorn July 5, 2001 within orb of our current eclipse.
The last Cancer/Capricorn eclipses were August 1990—Dec. 1992 and July 2000—Dec. 2002. Looking back at previous eclipses to your chart is merely a tool to help judge corresponding eclipse activity to your chart.
The energy that each individual saros series contains is present in past and future eclipses of the same series. The current saros series and the energy it carries bear more significance, such as the eclipse that occurred Jan. 5, 1992.
Just as our monthly full moon touches us inwardly and points to the culmination, resolution, or solution to a particular relationship or incident, a lunar eclipse does the same, although it is much more powerful. Emotions run deep as lunar eclipses influence our feelings. Lunar eclipses amplify matters that have past their usefulness. Sometimes we are asked to let go of something or someone for our greater good; however, this may be something we have grown attached to therefore letting go is difficult for us, but other times we are ready to put these issues behind us!
While lunar eclipses influence us internally and influence relationship matters, when they impact an important planet or angle in your chart, a lunar eclipse may change your circumstances which would be obvious for everyone to see. Your relationship with something or someone could change or end, and the result will be to your benefit—although you may not realize this at the eclipse time.
Lunar eclipses have been viewed as bad omens since ancient times. Do not lead yourself to believe that something terrible will happen.
Our first eclipse this month is ruled by Saturn. Saturn represents Father Time, the planet that governs old age. Saturn restricts, obstructs, delays, and brings obstacles as tests that need to be overcome before progress can be made. Saturn rules separations, blockages, limitations, control, hard work and effort, responsibility, patience, perseverance, structure, and maturity. Saturn also governs significant authority figures, such as bosses, elders, law enforcement, politicians, and father figures. Capricorn governs the knees, joints, hair, teeth, and bones in medical astrology.
July 22, 2009, Total Solar Eclipse at 29° Cancer.
The eclipse will be most visible over China, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the South Pacific. This solar eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse that will occur in the twenty-first century. The total duration is 6 minutes, 39 seconds. (Source: NASA eclipse page)
This solar eclipse belongs to Saros Series #136. This saros series is a repeat of the last eclipse which occurred July 11, 1991.
The eclipse falls at the Anaretic degree of Cancer which is the last degree of the sign, or the degree of completion. The anaretic degree is considered a critical degree by many astrologers. Critical degrees are sensitive points in the horoscope. This degree is sometimes associated with a crisis point; likewise, it’s associated with indecision or difficulty making decisions. I have noted that the degree does impact decision making. When a planet is at the last degree, the energy is about to enter the next sign; therefore, what you may find is the matters concerning the next sign (Leo) will become sensitive to the eclipse energy. This solar eclipse in Cancer will prompt you to take action, although decisions may not come easily and something about it could be emotionally charged.
If the 1991 eclipse in this series changed your life, it is not likely that the same events will occur during this eclipse. There could be a similar theme that arises due to the saros series having a similar nature. An example: You landed your first job in 1991; this eclipse could find you changing directions in your career. Maybe you had your first child; this eclipse could find your child starting college or getting married. The theme of career or children will stand out among other things. Some of the same issues may color your present circumstances which will have a lasting effect on your direction.
Additionally, we want to look at when the last eclipse occurred at 29° Cancer for other clues as to how you could respond to this eclipse if you have a planet near this degree. Even if you do not have your birth time, you can still find clues in the nature of the planet being influenced. The last solar eclipse at 29° Cancer took place July 22, 1990.
The general rules for predicting the duration of a solar eclipse is that the energy effects your circumstances one year for ever hour of the eclipses duration, which could last up to 3 ½ years. Astrological research has shown that any eclipse can change a life permanently. This eclipse lasting more than 6 minutes suggests that what develops will be with you well into the future.
Another rule is that eclipses last from one solar eclipse to the next solar eclipse. For forecasting purposes, the life span of this solar eclipse in Cancer will last until the next solar eclipse Jan. 15, 2010, although it may be activated by future transits for several more years.
While eclipse energy is often felt within a month on either side of the eclipse, there are hot spots that may trigger events related to the eclipse. This may occur when the sun squares the eclipse degree Oct. 23, 2009, although you may hear something within a few days on either side of this date. Mars is used as a timer for activating eclipse messages. Mars crosses this eclipse point Oct. 15, 2009. When the sun opposes the eclipse Jan. 19, 2010 (just 4 days after our next solar eclipse), this could be another time of heightened activity due to the eclipse. You may want to circle these dates on your calendar and judge how closely they fit you.
This is a powerful new moon which points to fresh starts, new opportunities, and exciting new possibilities. However, if this new moon conjuncts or opposes a planet or angle in your birth chart, you may find yourself in the midst of a crisis. This eclipse is ruled by the moon which may cause you to become more sensitive, intuitive, changeable, cautious, reactive, or nurturing. Whatever develops could affect your home or family situation. Solar eclipses illuminate matters that call for your attention. The Universe has a way of moving us forward in our lives to a point where we become a better version of ourselves. The process can be easy or difficult; it really depends on how you manage what develops. Trust that whatever is exposed is important for you as you are evolving into the person you were destined to become.
