The eclipse pair occurring in September 2007 will be the mirror opposites of those that happened in March 2007, with a lunar eclipse in Pisces, and a solar eclipse in Virgo.
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in PISCES
On the 28th of August, the full Moon total eclipse will take place between 07h52 and 13h22 GMT and will be visible to those living in the US, South America on the evening of the 27th of August; and in Japan, Australia, New Zealand on the night of the 28th of August.
VENUS-NEPTUNE OPPOSITION
During this event, two planetary oppositions will take place between Venus and Neptune in Leo and Aquarius; and, between Mercury and Uranus in Virgo and Pisces respectively. The first aspect could add a slightly self-indulgent, confusing or deceptive element to the mix; whilst the second might lead to unexpected or erratic speech, thoughts or learning behaviour.
KEY THEMES
Key overall themes could well focus on the areas of career, children, sport or hobbies, friendships and group memberships. Issues and affairs concerning women will be emphasised, including preconceptions around gender roles within relationships, especially around money and sex. Gender identity, sexual fluidity and notions of ‘queerness’ may also factor into whatever erupts onto the public stage or creates controversy, especially via Neptune-ruled media like film and photography. Seduction, escapism, glamour and the politics of desire could be another way this plays out, given the link between Aquarius, non-conformity and social cohesion and group identity.
Lunar eclipses always occur during a Full Moon, and so there is likely to be an air of completeness or wholeness around events at this time, not to mention an added dollop of emotion or drama – this is the end of a cycle so it great for wrapping up projects or closing deals. Lunar eclipses can also highlight female-related issues – somethign that could carry over into the solar eclipse, given the link to Virgo and mother goddesses (see below).
SOLAR ECLIPSE in VIRGO
11 Sep 2007
Later, on the 11th of September, a partial solar eclipse in Virgo will take place at 12h44 GMT. In astrological terms, this eclipse stands in opposition to Uranus, which gives the eclipse an even more unpredictable nature than usual.
The eclipses Sun will be in Virgo, a sign long associated with the Madonna and other archetypal ’emanations’ of the sacred feminine, including Isis as well as other fertility goddesses from ancient Mesopotamia such as the goddess Šala, who, according to Gavin White, ‘holds the familiar ear of barley in her hands’ – an image echoed in the rituals that became associated with the Eleusinian mysteries. Associated with the precursor to the constellation of Virgo, Šala is ‘a seasonal symbol’ representing ‘the autumn seeding season when farmers use the seed plough to plant seed in the newly prepared fields’. In this sense, she has links to the Empress in the tarot, who as a mother goddess, embodies the fecundity of the earth.
Given this link to the mother goddess, it is interesting that this eclipse takes place not long after the Venus-Neptune opposition, which can be about the tension between being a ‘flesh and blood’ female and the ideals of womanhood and pressures to be perfect that women often find themselves facing from society. Whether or not to have children is one dilemma many modern working women are having to grapple with, along with the preconceptions around motherhood and feminity – does choosing not to fulfil this so-called ‘biological’ imperative of one’s hormones/body make someone less of a woman?
This is where Uranus, active at this eclipse, may come into play – forcing us as a society to reconsider what being ‘female’ in contemporary society means and examining whether it is time to update notions around gender roles in the face of changing times. Uranus rules Aquarius – the sign in which Neptune happened to be at the time of its opposition to Venus during the lunar eclipse (see above).
SAROS SERIES
Bernadette Brady calls this the 9 New South Series and claims it is associated with themes centering around health and loved ones, as well as paperwork and communication. She also asserts that these eclipses carry a certain air of fatedness about them.
PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
This eclipse Saros series began on the 19th of July 1917 and will end in August of 3161. Prior to 2007, eclipses in this cycle have occurred in 1935, 1953, 1971 and 1989.
Interestingly, 1917 was the year that the freezing of food was introduced – a revolution in itself as far as food storage and preparation was concerned, freeing many from the limitations of seasonal availability, as well as enabling people to waste less food. It was also the year that some very famous politicians were born, including John F. Kennedy and formerly Indian president, Indira Ghandi.
