An Aries Solar Eclipse - 19 Years Ago to the Day

by Robert Wilkinson

I remembered there was an Aries eclipse about 19 years ago, since that's how long it takes for the Nodes to make a complete cycle around the zodiac. I revisited that eclipse, since it ushered in events that changed my life forever. I can't say the changes that followed were pleasant, and in fact it began a series of events in my life that are tragic by any yardstick, despite the good I chose to bring out of the wreckage. Imagine my surprise to find that the 1987 eclipse happened on March 29, just like the Eclipse last week, also at exactly 9 degrees of Aries! This is a "coincidence" of phenomenal proportions, given these two eclipses fell on the same day and same degree. So today's article will re-explore that eclipse, and if you're old enough to remember March of 1987, think back on how your lives changed after then.

The 1987 Aries Solar Eclipse had Jupiter in Aries, Saturn and Uranus in Sagittarius, Mercury and Venus in Pisces, and Mars in Taurus. You would think a New Moon conjunct Jupiter would be favorable, but in that eclipse I believe the joker in the deck was the New Moon biseptile Uranus, always an unpredictable irrational factor that marks changes in "destiny." Interestingly enough Mercury was in Pisces then just as it was in the recent eclipse, with (surprise!) a Jupiter square Neptune, just like now. That struck me as very strange. Of course, that one was a lower, or "waxing" square, while this one is an upper, or "waning" square, but the effects of both are very similar.

A Jupiter square Neptune, as I wrote in this article is a challenge not to get disconnected from others or even yourself, see the bigger picture clearly, and not yield to vague or weird feelings all around in the collective atmosphere. There is a need to understand the priority of responsibilities that accompany this aspect, and learn how to give things a momentum so they prove to be in your continued interest. It indicates a time when the vision and the ideal are somewhat at odds, and it is a challenge to correct the trajectory of events and understanding so the expansion energies of Jupiter actually will bring you your ideal rather than skewing off on impractical or unrealistic tangents.

In 1987 the friction was thrown from Aries and Capricorn into Libra and Cancer. The present one is throwing friction from Scorpio and Aquarius into Taurus and Leo. So in 1987 it was Fire and Earth needing Air and Water, and now it is Water and Air needing Earth and Fire, an interesting mirroring effect. The 1987 eclipse fell in square to Neptune, accenting the Jupiter square. This exaggerated its disillusioning effects, while the accompanying semisquare to Mars and quincunx to Pluto threw some major hard adjustments into the mix.

The biggest difference is that the recent eclipse did not square Neptune. In fact, it didn't square anything at all. All the aspects except the mild semisquare with Venus were extraordinarily favorable, and it fell within the remarkable period I wrote about in this article where the rulers of signs that oppose each other were all in very harmonious trine to each other. We're still basking in the afterglow of the Venus trine Mars, the Sun is still favorable to Saturn (moving into a tredecile, or 108 degree aspect), and will still have Mercury trine Jupiter for a few days to come.

As far as I'm concerned, we can only hope that the coming period will be as favorable as the last eclipse period was unfavorable, if my own experience was any indicator of what many went through. And yes, I know it ushered in the "Harmonic Convergence," the Grand Fire Trine of that Summer. Still, it may be useful to see what was ended, or taken away from your life, to understand what that eclipse was about, and maybe, just maybe, this one will redeem much of the promise of that one, in a different way, since we've all moved on since then. Again, we can only hope.

Comments

[Diane Scholten]

Well, I got sober that fall (10/24/87). I remember the hoopla about the Harmonic Convergence, and here in the Midwest we had rainstorms that closed O'Hare, shuttered up downtown Chicago, called out the National Guard in Chicago. My then partner & I were camping in Michigan and had to drive for hours to find an available hotel room (this was all in August) - and when we did it rained so hard the rain literally came through the glass windows - not the edges - the windows themselves. It was wild. So was getting sober. But if the end results from this eclipse are as auspicious as the end results of that one, I'm in.

[yohes]

Boy this explains a lot. I distinctly remember Mar 87-April 87. And yes it set in motion things that affect me to this day and they were pretty painful things. I've spent nineteen years sorting and straightening them out! I hadn't realized that till I read your post. I sure hope things will be redeemed this time around.

[Robert]

Hi Diane and yohes - I certainly got real as a result of that eclipse. It was as painful an experience as anyone could have, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone for any reason. That said, I am a better human being and father for what ensued. And Diane, I will certainly echo that "if the end results from this eclipse are as auspicious as the end results of that one, I'm in." You bet. To which I'll only add the famous quote from Lincoln, "I suspect a man's just about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." yohes - may it ALL be redeemed. We who have put in the time deserve to see the positive results of our diligence. Aum Namah Shivaya!

[KH]

I just looked at my chart transits for March 29, 1987--Of course at that time, I was oblivious to astrology. Interstingly, my chart for that date shows transiting Chiron conjunct natal Juno, and transiting Juno conjunct natal Chiron, and transiting Pluto almost exactly conjunct my north node. This was in fact a time of terrible loss for me.
I have many Chiron aspects in my natal chart; in fact, Chiron is conjunct my Part of Fortune, in 5th (solar 4th) house Aquarius.
This time around (2006) I have transiting Jupiter on my sun, and I have transiting Chiron conjunct my natal Chiron--I suppose we are as wounded as we make up our minds to be-- I am hoping that this will bring some healing too.

[Robert]

Hi KH - Pluto on your North Node would certainly have purified your line of greatest evolutionary development, and set some things into motion way beyond anything you could have imagined. I don't use the asteroids much, though I have seen them to have some effects of significance.

I also have Chiron in the 5th in Capricorn, and my "wounded healer" was directly impacted by that eclipse, given that it coincided with Neptune conjunct my Chiron. Neptune is the "spiritual ruler" of my 8th, it was in my 5th conjunct Chiron, and this was the effect. Not sure that "we are as wounded as we make up our minds to be," as much as we are all wounded beyond description, and through examining and healing that wound to whatever degree we are able we can be of service to our world.

As I've mentioned from time to time, I believe there are 7 Sacred Wounds, and we all have at least one. These give us our authenticity of direct experience, link us with all humanity through all time, and lift our lives out of the theoretical into the eternal. In healing these we heal into our humanity. From there, truly, to quote the Aquarian Master of Compassion, "we are about as happy as we make up our minds to be."

[Kate McCarthy]

FASCINATING SITE! I am really excited to find it and read up - especially these days with such interesting times. I want to participate in the conversation - though I am not an astrologer (always a student though). So pleas forgive me if I seem ignorant at moments. As for the eclipse and the times ahead - it seems to me that financial times are changing and that this is perhaps the "spotlight" that gets us to pay attention. I hvae been studying the economy for the last year and learning about what is to come - also about precious metals. Do any of you follow any of that?

thanks,
Kate

[Robert]

Hi Kate - I did some work with metals years ago, and am certainly of the opinion that the global economy will shift dramatically in the coming years. Yes, the financial times are changing, but given the entire world economy is built on a house of sand (oil, armaments) there is no way to avoid a major correction in the years to come. I've never thought gold or silver were as desirable as other people thought, since when things go to pieces, who would want to have a bunch of stuff coveted by others who may not have many scruples?

I believe we need to invest in renewable energy sources, rainwater collection systems, seed banks, non-oil based transportation, and our community. I believe we need to invest in our spiritual life and consciousness raising activities, and learn to recognize those who believe in cooperation to yield the greatest good for the whole.

Most of what we think will be rendered obsolete in just a few years. Yes, trade will go on, life will go on, just radically changed due to the environmental and economic trainwrecks on the way. This year and next are the years to prepare, to learn, to connect, and find your allies, as I see 2008 and beyond to usher in major changes. This post offers a glimpse at a timeline.

[KH]

Thanks Robert, for the great post. Sometimes (often) email is an imperfect conveyor of our intentions. I was suggesting that perhaps we do make up our minds before we enter here, regarding what wounds we will suffer.
I hope that helps, if only in a small way.
KH

[Robert]

Sure, KH - You're spot on. I believe we "choose our medicine" by our vintage, and we're all measures of harmonic and disharmonic vibratory energies, all to be transmuted in the Light, Wisdom, and Power of Unconditional Love. We're all carrying exactly the wound our Soul group "chooses," in a different sense than we think of that word. I think it's more like volunteering to learn certain Principles through certain circumstances, some more painful than others. This is a very impermanent world, and we really can't take it personally.

The intensity and periodicity of the waves of suffering show the Higher Way. Either it swamps us in endless waves of pain and sorrow, large and small, usually leading to unfortunate consequences, or we choose to use the experience to transmute our actions, feelings, and thoughts in ways that lessen suffering. That way we can offer compassion to those who also suffer the same wound.

It is said that God values connectedness. It all helps, KH - anything that serves the Wisdom, the Way, and the Community makes us all feel good. Thanks for the thoughtful comments on "the wound." Gives a chance to talk about our commonality.

[Kate McCarthy]

Hi Robert and thanks,

Are you an Aquarian? Thanks for the info about the economy. Yes, it seems it will get rather interesting. I am a bit nervous but Gold/Silver seem to be the place to be. We need a system of measurement and they have been currency for over 5000 years. This site is pretty good for stock market astrology www.afund.com Henry was just on Fox News (they have him on once per quarter).

As for this eclipse - may I aska question about it? the 80's and 90's were riddled with addiction for me too (bulimia/alcohol) I got sober in 90 but started right after high school (started to try to get sober) in 87. I am just now learning about the impact of eclipses and found your article most interesting. Especially as we head into the same real estate climate etc...
The eclipse took place on my Saturn at 10 deg. in the 8th on the 9th house cusp. Am not sure what that all means yet but it's been a growing year for sure. I got "food sober" this year. I was doing with food what I did with booze and the freedom on the other side is unreal. Anyway - this is all over the place -
Kate

[Robert]

Hi again, Kate - Actually, my Moon is in Aquarius. Thanks for the stock market astrology link. Will check it out. Eclipses have a long range effect, as I've discussed in other articles. As for falling on your Saturn, it will shut down one part of that function while ushering in long term growth in same. You'll probably find new older people of wisdom and power in your life, and be able to peel off many obsolete structures and fears.

[yohes]

Hello Robert. Can you tell me what the seven sacred wounds are? I know of the seven sacred wounds of Jesus, but I'm guessing you mean wounds that we incur? I'm betting you'll name the wound I experienced in 1987.

Thank you

[Don]

Ok,
Now I'm confused again. I recieved an Astrological Snippet via E-mail today telling me that Saturn is going out of retrograde. I thought that pluto was stationary and going out of retrograde? Jeesh, part of me wishes there was a site with a diagrahm showing the planets lined up- maybe a tertiary view of the solar system- with a mouseclick option enabling us to to graphically/digitally show the impending movements. I'm sure there is something out there similiar, or if not someone else somewhere is thinking the same thing, the 'collective unconsious' shares all. Anyway, can anyone enlighten me toward a site or an explanation for my ignorance on the topic? Sorry if I've thrown a wrench into the Aries link.
Sincerely,
Don.

[Felipe Gonzales]

Don:

Saturn went retrograde on at 4 Leo on April 5, 2006 at 7:33 AM EST. Pluto went retrograde at 26 Sagittarius on March 29, 2006 at 4:45 AM EST. Check this link http://www.astrologyclub.org/articles/retrogrades/retro.htm for a diagram that displays the retrograde motion.

[Robert]

yohes - Am working on a book about the 7 Sacred Wounds. They are archetypal, we all have one, and I have no idea what Jesus' 7 wounds were, other than the obvious physical ones. The ones I speak of are more the wounds of humanity through all time. And unfortunately, time and space prevent me from posting them here and now. But they are common to many, and in healing them we heal humanity. I definitely was dealt a "sacred wound" as a result of the 1987 eclipse, as I noted. I may try to post something in the future, but as I said, this is book material.

[Don]

Hey thanx Felipe! That diagram gave me a chuckle and an 'oh ok I see.' I couldn't help thinking that the diagram looks like a fishing pole reeling in a fighting fish or something.
I think that what is happening is that in my raw desire to learn Astrology so quickly I've been assigning inapropriate weight in some areas. It's probably a beginners mistake.
On a weird note; today was a truly bizarre day- or it was not the day I had hoped for with all of the talk about Saturn and Pluto's movements. What happened was I was reading my chart yesterday and jotting a few things down- mainly I'm trying to find some continuity of past experience and the planets, signs, and houses. Than I recieved an Astrological E-mail filled with exlaimation points and enthusiastic language- describing Saturns movement and the creative freedom that I'd be enjoying soon.
Today however I've been awake for probably 36 hours now. I persistantly pumped out a 20 page paper (due today) in 12 hours. 10:45am rolls around and I've got 15 minutes to go to class to hand in the paper, I click print and the printer ran out of ink on the first page. So I attached it to a file and sent it to my E-mail, went to the library and it wouldn't print. long story short I showed up 5 minutes before the class was ending with the paper in my hand (printed in bright blue Font since the color cartridge isn't out. On the way back from class a hottie locked eyes with me- to which she almost got hit buy a car! Than I went to my History class- where out of the blue I started having flashes of memory of me when I was 12 years old, daydreaming and drawing instead of transcribing the lecture notes. By the end of the class I realized I had drawn not only saturn with it's rings, but pluto plumbeting at high speed, like a meteor to the earth! Than as I walked back from class I was sharply aware of every car-horn, ambient noice, the color of the ground, the fact that this morning it windy, overcast and cold, and now it is sunny outside. However the moment I stepped into my apartment I began to relax. Now, I going to draw the blinds and catch a view zzz until I have to write the 25 page paper due tomorrow. Talk about a crazy bleeping day?
Hey,
Thanks again for the link,
Don.

[yohes]

Robert, Thanks for the answer. I suddenly realized a few hours after I asked the question that it was probably going to be answered in book form. I will look forward to reading your book. I'm sorry about the loss of your dad at that time. I lost my dad too, at that time, but in a different way. I've spent all these years, because of that loss, ending multi-generational problems.

[daryl]

dear robert,

i've been tracking back on wesak articles tonight and stumbled in on this april 2006 post. it'd take too long to explain why i'm focussed in on april 2006, but there it is. anyway, this link to 1987 is fascinating and is the most interesting thing that's happened to me today. one of my first thoughts is how some of the comments focus on alcohol. as weknow 1987 was a barnstorm in all of our lives and mine was no different. took me a while to remember, but that april my partner and in a years time wife, started in on the subject of alcohol. i played rugby in those days, so putting back cases and kegs was routine. we stopped drinking. i stopped showing up at three a.m on my doorstep, blathered, as we english say. . . and then within a month we were making and selling tai dai shirts... and then a month later we were packing up and leaving home in boston to "travel".... remarkable really, that summer showing up in chaco canyon and by september we were three thousand miles into a drive round mexico and my first visit to palenque. anyway, come april 2006 i was on the verge of reading this post but i had a financial and internet meta reorganization taking place. that's by the by now. i am wondering how i would have reacted in april 06 had i been reading this post. anyway, i'm reading it now arn't i... and for some reason i can't quite put my finger on, it's relevant. i'll cogitate on it some more and let you know. meanwhile, just to let you know, i am working on trying to get some money sent over your way. stay tuned. and happy wesak (mach 2!)...

[daryl]

ok. first thing that i'm meditating on is the Lucis trust/Alice Bailey comment that in time the emphasis on the buddha at wesak will wane/shift. (i'm just cogitating on that out loud). As the thing promised in april '87 could have been said to be "super aquarian" energy... as i said, we began making tai dai "from a field in new hampshire" shortly after that april 87 eclipse... and as mentioned 'the alcohol subject' was a theme. i wasn't a buddhist then, as i recall, i was 20, and had in the previous six months been introduced to yoga, krisnas, the bhagavagita, palm reading, tarot... as well as all the sandnista/contra noise... april 2006 i see and find and realise that astrology must move center stage into my life in more serious way. By march 1988, married in zimbabwe, taking first meditation instruction from rob nairn/kagyu buddha beside a lake. by late 88, enrolled at samye ling and took refuge with Akong Rinpoche, after which life takes on a whole new perspective, living that out ever snce. so, i guess i'm pondering... "so what was ended, and taken away"?... i sppose i'm refracting this through the difficult lens of knowing that down the line in-came the divorce (around 1990) and so in some way "a tragedy" became the lens.And since then it has been a story of continuing to hold in light and hang onto the glimmers of miracles and aquarian beauty that began unfolding in 1987, against all the pressures and complexities that we all are familiar with since then. Hmmm, i still am no nearer to connecting the dots, so before i waste anymore of this precious comment space, i'll sign off again and again wish happy wesak energies to you and express quick thanks again for all done since 2004. cheers.

oh and while i'm at it, happy wesak energies to all your readers too; yr all really remarkable!

[daryl]

fascinating! "we're all carrying exactly the wound our soul group chooses"...(actually i typed, carrying exactly the would our soul group chooses...an interesting hyperlinguistic variant, but i digress...) can you point me in the direction for these seven sacred wounds? and, ps: did you ever write that book?

[daryl]

is it just me, or does yohes have the coolest name ever? i'm so jealous! james joyce would have been proud of you. yohes he would!

[Robert]

Hi daryl - Happy Wesak to you indeed! Glad you recognize the importance of Astrology in helping you order some things in your life. Perhaps ignorance, or disconnectedness, as well as an old life, was taken away. I haven't had time to write that book yet due to time constraints. Since 2006 Wesak I've had to move my base of operations out of LA to New Mexico, write and answer over two thousand articles and comments, keep my counseling practice as up to date as possible, and of course, pet the cat (the most important thing we can do!) There are two or three books that will precede the book on the Wounds that I believe are more important.

[daryl]

ah, new mexico. so that's where you are. one of these days you should email me; i'll be back out that way sometime. had me some good times in that state. meanwhile am digesting the site, looking at the chiron/north node "meeting" neptune next week. what do you think about that?

[Robert]

Hi daryl - Will do so. Right now, am pillar to post trying to do more than is possible getting ready to go to Los Angeles to do talks Sunday after next. I believe that Neptune conjunct NN is a good thing in many ways, too many to discuss here. As for Chiron, perhaps the collective consciousness needs to be called to its higher manifestation? Hopefully new healing modalities are being developed and will be offered to suffering humanity.