This June and July, the world is due to experience not the usual two, but three eclipses – two in June and one in July. With two solar eclipses straddling either side of the summer solstice, it would seem as though feminine, lunar energy is set to predominate this summer (in the northern hemisphere).
In the eyes of the Mesopotamians, solar eclipses were times of intense darkness and therefore seen as generally bad omens, especially for the king. Not only do they occur at the time of the New Moon, when lunar light is at its weakest, but they block out the major light of the daytime sky, the Sun, which is seen as a source of life and vitality in many cultures.
However, in Ancient Greece and Egypt, cultures that influenced the development of modern western astrology, darkness also came to be seen as a point or place of transformation, especially in the many mystery cults so popular in Hellenistic Egypt, as well as Rome and Greece. Thus, we can reinterpret solar eclipses to mean a time of enormous energetic potential when new cycles, thoughts and intentions can be incubated and born.
SOLAR ECLIPSE IN GEMINI
The solar eclipse at the beginning of June (1 June 2011 at 21h03 GMT/Universal Time) takes place in Gemini. At the time of the eclipse, the Sun and Moon will be trine to Saturn, which although retrograde in Libra at the time, is due to station on June the 13th. Thus, we can expect themes relating to the law, relationships, politics, diplomacy and fairness to become inter-weaved in whatever events the eclipse brings us to deal with over the course of the next six months.
Given that Gemini is the sign presiding over the eclipse, these are likely to lead to new starts, projects or cycles in matters related to: communication; reading; writing; intellectual pursuits; teaching, especially at school level (primary and secondary education); commerce and business exchanges, including negotiations and trading; short journeys; siblings as well as anything that has a double or twin aspect to it. Gemini is a mutable air sign, so remaining flexible and adaptable, especially intellectually and in your communication style, are likely to be advantageous in dealing with eclipse-related issues or situations.
Combining Saturn’s influence with that of Gemini, we have matters such as business contracts, trade agreements and regulations, lesson plans, intellectual or educational discipline, mentorship of all kinds etc. Saturn will add structure and discipline to the matters ruled by Libra, so that we become more specific about his influence: conservative politics, diplomatic agreements and any laws or regulations arising out of these, legal judgements, relationship commitments, substantial artworks, balanced architecture and so on.
This solar eclipse forms part of what is shortly to be known as the 13 Old South Saros series which began in May 803 and will continue until 23 June 2047. Bernadette Brady claims that this eclipse family has particular significance for Australia, having a lot of resonances in terms of events and synastry with the Australia’s 1939 natal chart. She describes it as embodying ‘expansive energy under which lies a more sinister flavour. An urge to expand is experienced, but the expansion contains frustration, inhibitions, and loss or separation.’ So a bit of a two-edged sword…This may be because in the natal chart for this Saros series, Saturn is square to the Sun. Fortunately, this has now progressed to a more harmonious trine relationship, so hopefully things will go a lot smoother now than in the past.
One thing to be aware of is that Gemini’s ruling planet, Mercury, will be approaching a square with Neptune, which may indicate a certain level of confusion, a lack of clarity or not enough respect for boundaries when it comes to eclipse-related communications or ideas. It might therefore be a good idea to check and re-check facts before publishing anything, as well as qualify any statements you make, leaving them open to correction or change, so as to avoid painting yourself into a corner or being accused or misleading anyone. This square may also suggest that intellectual or promotional efforts directed towards art forms such as film, music or photography may be a tad more challenging than other PR projects. The same goes for communications or ideas of a spiritual nature.
Previous eclipses in this series during the 20th and 21st centuries occurred in: 1903, 1921, 1939, 1957, 1975, and 1993.
SOLAR ECLIPSE IN CANCER
Exactly a month later, we have a SECOND solar eclipse, this time in Cancer (1 July 2011 08h38 GMT/UT) which adds another dimension to the six-month cycle that follows. Given that this eclipse takes in a CARDINAL sign, we can expect what occurs now to have thematic connections to important matters that arose during June and July 2010 – the period associated with the start of the so-called ‘Cardinal Event,’ which has had such a profound impact on the world stage, as well as the lives of high profile people with strong cardinal planets in their natal charts, such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – William and Kate.
What’s more, this particular eclipse will begin a NEW Saros Series, known as 13 New South, according to Paul Wade, which is quite exciting – one that will continue until 3237. Perhaps we will get a hint of a new world era to come through our experiences with this eclipse, so it will be interesting to see what it brings over the coming months and years.
It is probably therefore worth going back to check what happened at around about this time. My mundane synopsis of the June-July 2010 CARDINAL EVENT may help to jog your memory.
In essence, though, this second solar eclipse carries with it some much more tense aspects, including a Sun-Moon square with Saturn, and Uranus, as well as an opposition to Pluto, which does suggest an element of frustration, restlessness, inhibition, disruption and obstruction which could get in the way of any potential changes catalysed by the New Moon energy. There may also be an element of unfairness, perverseness or even unlawfulness about why your efforts are blocked now, possibly from those in high places not keen to see themselves swept from positions of authority or benefit, or simply because of inherent conservativeness.
However, a drive to root out corruption, nepotism and push for structural or institutional reform will be strong now, thanks to a square between Pluto and Uranus, both in cardinal signs. However, with Pluto opposing the Sun at the time of the eclipse, this change may require a root and branch re-ordering or rebuilding in order to rid organisations and governments of unscrupulous practices and negative influences. One wonders what such astrological aspects will mean for FIFA, as well as certain governments and organisations, such as Libya and the World Bank, where corruption and improper behaviour has plagued officials at the highest levels. Thanks to a minor grand trine involving statesman-like Jupiter, Pluto and Chiron, it is possible that justice and democracy will, prevail in the end.
LUNAR ECLIPSE IN SAGITTARIUS
At the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius (15th of June 2011 at 20h14 GMT/UT) we can look forward to the culmination or conclusion of events or situations begun around the Eclipse of Christmas 2010. These are likely to be related to travel, both international and local; education and studies, both at school and tertiary levels; and intellectual positions and beliefs. The marriage of faith and intellect may be emphasised now, as well as the need to integrate local ideas and plans into a larger cultural milieu or social framework – the Bigger Picture.
At the time of the Lunar Eclipse, the Sun in Gemini will conjunct Mercury, ruler of Gemini, and located in its own sign, making it a time when logic and intellect are likely to predominate, temporarily freed from the compulsions of emotional impulses or bodily constraints. Over the next six-months, ruminations, visualisations, discussions and/or negotiations have the potential to culminate in important decisions, announcements or realisations.
Mercury will also be forming an unusual out-of-sign trine with planet of dreams and imagination, Neptune, also in its own sign, indicating that any efforts to combine philosophical reasoning abilities with visualisation skills and meditation techniques could bring about some extremely powerful epiphanies and energetic shifts. Thoughts truly can become things under this influence!
This particular lunar eclipse will be a Full or Total Eclipse will begin around 17h23 GMT/UT and end around 23h04GMT/UT. The best places to view this particular occultation will be Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
