Eclipse, Schmeclipse...What's All This About, Anyway?

In a few days, we'll experience the first of this summer's eclipses. Astrologically, there's lots of hype and lots of befuddlement, often wrapped up in one package.

What's the deal? The effect of eclipses is hard to predict, so why do we even try? The answer seems to be that while eclipses may be slippery and unreliable characters in some ways, when they're on, they're on.

First, the facts: a total solar eclipse comes first, on August 1, and then a partial lunar eclipse follows on August 16. Unless you're reading this from the polar regions or Asia, you won't get to see much of either. It's too bad, because total solar eclipses are spectacular, and watching them via broadband just isn't the same thing at all.

Just because they'll be hard to view, though, doesn't mean they'll have no effect. Astrologically speaking, eclipses are notoriously tough to predict (here's my look at the last pair, in February of this year) but when they do have an effect, it's usually a big one. Both of these eclipses occur on the Leo/Aquarius axis; it's almost unthinkable for an event involving this pair to pass unnoticed.

Leos and Aquarians are first in line for eclipse-related happenings, along with Scorpio and Taurus. The first happens at 9 degrees Leo, and is basically a supercharged New Moon, albeit a slightly weirded-out one. Early-born Leos, Leo Ascendants, and late Cancer Ascendants: you can use whatever comes up as a chance for a new start. Everybody needs a new start in some part of their lives, don't they?

The second eclipse, the lunar, might be the real eye-opener. The Moon will also happen to be in conjunction with retrograde Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius (and the Leo Sun will oppose them.) Wherever you have late Aquarius in your chart, that's where this one will hit.

When Neptune, Chiron, and retrogradation is involved, it'll likely be more old business. I mean really old this time...repressed-memory old...buried-so-deep-it's-underneath-the-closet old...kindergarten-girlfriend old...you get the picture.

Clues are already filtering in. Beginning tomorrow, July 28, the fast-moving planets all begin making passes of the exact opposition point. Venus is first (in Leo, opposed Neptune, then Chiron, July 28-31) and then Mercury (in Leo, opposed Neptune, then Chiron, Aug. 4-7.) These fly-bys will trigger exactly the same core issues that the Sun will trigger on eclipse day.

Mars has already passed the point, back in June. If you keep a journal or calendar, check the dates near June 15-20. Anything interesting about that week? Any bells ringing? If so, that's the issue that'll pop up during eclipse time...

...in one way or another. Like I've said, eclipses are unpredictable. Sometimes there's not much action on the surface. Sometimes it's an internal thing, and difficult to pinpoint. But sometimes, eclipses bring earth-shaking adjustments, and the clear beginnings of some new way of being in the world.

Which will it be? Let me know, if you like...I'll be watching.

(pictured above: Eclipse by Angie Reed Garner, oil on canvas. View her work here.)

Overview February 2008

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february 2008 overview

February is shaping up to be an eventful month. A pair of eclipses are on the main features, along with the first tremors of Pluto’s move into Capricorn. There’s also a crowd gathered in the Aquarian part of the sky. It won’t be a frivolous month, that’s for sure, especially for Aquarians, Leos, and some Virgos and Pisceans.

Eclipses mark times of significant change. Some astrologers say “crisis.” Some say “awakenings” while others say “beginnings and endings.” Some astrologers refer to eclipses as the messengers that drop vital missing pieces of The Puzzle, whatever The Puzzle is at the moment.

I suspect they’re all correct, in their way. But sometimes eclipses bring…well, nada. We read the dramatic forecasts, sit around waiting, holding our breath and thinking “Oh good, crisis! At least it’s better than this goddamned stalemate I’ve been living in for months, years even!” and then….

Nothing.

Did we miss something?

Oh, I can point to significant events that took place on eclipse hotspots. I’ve been amazed with tales of offers that came out of the blue, sudden and totally unexpected job changes, and love life twists that would make daytime television writers blush.

But nothing ever seems to really get solved, does it? You find a few missing pieces, and then discover that The Puzzle is now twice as large and twice as complex as when you started. It’s horrifying, especially at first glance.

Is the (New and Improved! More Complicated for Your Solving Pleasure!) Puzzle more interesting? Or just more likely to trigger heavy drinking and binge consumption of anime porn?

You tell me.


There’s a pair of eclipses this month. The first, an annular solar eclipse on February 6, falls at 16 degrees of Aquarius; all mid-born Aquarians and Leos take note. The second, a total lunar eclipse, takes places February 20 at 1 degree of Pisces (Sun) and 1 degree of Virgo (Moon.)

The order will be solar eclipse first (at New Moon) and Lunar Eclipse second (at the culminating Full Moon ) This is a departure from the pattern of the previous two years; the pattern was Lunar Eclipse at Full Moon first, then Solar Eclipse at the next New Moon second.

There's been some weird energy—backwards, almost, and slightly unrelated.

Beginning with this cycle, we’ll have our beginnings (New Moon) linked in proper sequence with our culminations (Full Moon.) Events should naturally follow, and the cause/effect sequence should be a little less haywire.

At least that’s the theory. If it falls through, there’s always cognac and hentai.