The Solar Eclipse of February 6-7, 2008 in Aquarius

by Robert Wilkinson

The coming Solar Eclipse will have a very significant impact on us all. All eclipses shut something down, taking away elements of our lives no longer "true" for us. Aquarius is the sign of collective expression, larger ideals, group efforts, and the exteriorization of Leo, the sign of personal love. Thus a form of impersonal love will be shut down, with the void sure to attract new forms of expressing this energy. This eclipse is conjunct Neptune, thus will both trigger and shut down some Neptunian elements of the Grand Irrationality.

This Annular Solar Eclipse occurs at 7:44 pm PST, 10:44 pm EST on February 6, 2008, and 3:44 am February 7, GMT/UT. It puts mid-Virgo rising in California, mid-Libra rising in EST, 13 Sag rising in London, 16 Sag rising in Amsterdam, and 22 Sag rising in Estonia. Istanbul has 20 Capricorn rising, Bagdad has 14 Aquarius rising, Johannesburg has 17 Aquarius rising, N. Delhi and Trivandrum both have 30 Pisces rising, while Bangkok has 28 Aries rising and Tokyo has 22 Gemini on the Ascendant. W. Australia has early Taurus rising, Melbourne has 25 Taurus rising, while Brisbane has 6 Gemini on the Ascendant.

In eclipse lore, where the Eclipse is visible will be where the greatest effects can be expected, lasting the number of years that the eclipse is long in hours. This one is 1 hour 11 minutes. Partial phases of this eclipse are visible primarily from eastern Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and most of Antarctica. This would seem not to bode well for our Southernmost continent, and therefore will probably impact the rising ocean levels over the next 14 months due to the eclipse duration.

Though triggering the Grand Irrationality, the New Moon is semisquare Pluto, showing an emergent "crisis of development" and a turning point in power structures affected everywhere. The lunation is part of a grand lineup of points in Aquarius, including Moon, Sun, Mercury RX, Chiron, Neptune, and North Node all in that sign, and so it will profoundly affect the Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo planets and houses in our charts through lessons learned in mid-to-late Aquarius, calling us all to a higher self-expression. I outlined some general influences for this Eclipse stellium in Spiritual Astrology in January-February 2008 Pt. 2.

A brief look at what was said there:

Saturn is important since it's the worldly ruler of the Eclipse, with Uranus the Spiritual ruler of the Eclipse. These two are in wide opposition, showing a polarization between the two energies that will yield realizations as well as polarizations. Saturn is retrograde, thus still receding from its coming opposition with Uranus in Pisces beginning in August 2008. This is giving us all a reprieve for a few months from this polarizing energy between the forces of service and deception on a global level, and between the progressive dreamers and those who would enslave the future in an avalanche of details, worries, and criticisms.

We can use Saturn to express the Uranus in Pisces energies of rebirth within a collective setup, but will have to find a practical use for the times where we must wait wisely. Overall, it seems that we can make tremendous material progress as a result of this eclipse coming. A final note is that the Eclipse Venus is the degree of January's New Moon, so we should be capturing pleasing forms of protection and power over the next few weeks, as well as in years to come.

The Eclipse is favorable to Mars, quickening productive activity. Through pruning back whatever we need to we can show our world what we care about while being led to new rhythms of life, new perspectives, and adjustments in how and when we apply our energies to do needed "repair work."

The lunation is also flanked in semisextiles to Venus in Capricorn sextile Uranus in Pisces, the Spiritual ruler of the Eclipse. This should provide favorable momentum to finish up our "rebirth" work to show a better side to our society while opening new forms of power, protection, and "belonging" to some larger system of order.

Most of the stellium is decile (semi-quintile) Jupiter, with a very powerful novile from Jupiter to Neptune. This shows a specializing effect of the eclipse effect within a larger atmosphere of revelations coming that have been cooking for the long period since the last Jupiter-Neptune conjunction at 28 Capricorn in January 1997. We shall all begin to explore in methodical ways opportunities to empower future ideals while ending old ones.

This eclipse combines elements of SeeSaw and Bucket Jones Patterns. Depending on various factors, this Eclipse has either Mars or Saturn as the "nozzle" for the release of all the other planetary energies. Mars is quintile Saturn, showing that regardless of which one is the nozzle there will be high specialization in the areas in our charts involving late Gemini and early Virgo. We just need to find the right balance in circumstances that are out of balance.

This is good, since Mars is very favorably aspected by the Aquarius planets, whereas Saturn is favorably aspected by the Capricorn planets. Thus the forming oppositional tension between Saturn and Uranus can be focused in harmonized understandings helping us target new needs and new lifestyles. Regardless of where the nozzle focuses the energies, we'll find gifts, unique qualities, and publicly demonstrable talents.

We just need to learn how best to use the times when we're not active in one area to polish our skills in the other. This will demonstrate our level of "Soul development" within forms of binding protection. This will free many from old responsibilities or fussy restraints as a natural effect of the pruning energies of Mars demonstrating what we care about.

Saturn is on the Ascendant, Mars on the MC and the stellium in the 6th in PST. Saturn's in the 11th, Mars in the 9th and the stellium in the 4th in EST. In London, Amsterdam, and Estonia, Saturn's on the 9th cusp, Mars in the 7th, with the stellium in the 2nd house. Istanbul and Bagdad show the Aquarius stellium rising, with Mars in the 5th and Saturn in the 8th. In India, Mars is in the 3rd, Saturn in the 6th, and the stellium in the 11th house.

In East Asia, Bangkok shows the stellium in the 10th with Mars in the 3rd and Saturn in the 5th, while Tokyo and Melbourne have the stellium in the 9th house, Mars rising, and Saturn in the 4th. West Australia shows the stellium in the 10th, Mars in the 2nd, and Saturn in the 4th, while Brisbane has Mars rising, Saturn in the 3rd, and the stellium spanning the cusp of where the 8th house meets the 9th.

From the NASA Eclipse site:

An annular eclipse will be visible from a wide track, that traverses Antarctica and southern regions of the Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse will be seen within the much larger path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes the southeastern third of Australia, all of New Zealand and most of Antarctica.

The annular path begins in Antarctica at 03:20 UT when the Moon's antumbral shadow meets Earth and forms a 581 kilometre wide corridor near the base of the continent's peninsula region. Traveling westward, the shadow quickly crosses Antarctica and turns north as it heads into the Pacific. Greatest eclipse takes place at 03:55:05 UT when the eclipse magnitude will reach 0.9650. At this instant, the annular duration is 2 minutes 12 seconds, the path width is 444 kilometres and the Sun is 16° above the featureless horizon of the open ocean. The central track continues north before gradually curving to the east where it ends at local sunset at 04:31 UT...

The most unusual characteristic of this eclipse is that it begins and ends along Earth's sunset terminator. Most eclipse paths that travel from west to east. However, the 2008 annular eclipse path begins by running east to west and slowly turns north before curving west to east near its terminus.

I'll be writing more articles in the near future about this important Solar Eclipse and its effect on each individual sign, as well as the coming Lunar Eclipse occurring 7:30 pm PST February 20 at 2 degrees Virgo-Pisces, important since 2 Virgo is the Saturn stationary direct point of May 2, 8:07 pm PDT.

For now, you may want to go back and re-read The Solar and Lunar Eclipses of August and September 2007 since they are still in full effect in all our lives in a big way. It may explain why some areas of our lives have been shut down the past few months and will continue to be over the next few years. In the article you'll also find links to other articles about past Eclipses that still impact us.

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[S]

I'm fairly lost in these articles, but slowly assimilating the lessons. I know this is a significant turning point in my life and I'm thrilled I don't have to navigate it blindly. Really looking forward to the consult tomorrow, Robert! Thanks!

[Melika]

Hi Robert,

If the eclipse is conjunct Neptune, and Neptune just happens to be conjunct my natal Saturn in the 1st house at that time (and all those other planets in Aquarius are in my 1st house), what kind of impact do you think it will have on me? Plus Neptune conjuncting Saturn is square my Mercury in Taurus, my progressed Venus in Taurus, and my natal Neptune in Scorpio. So, do you think the eclipse is likely to have a fortunate impact on me, a tough impact on me, or both?

Thanks, as always, Robert for your help.

[Micheline]

Hi Robert, aquarius rules my seventh house and co rules my 6th of course. I did not see it or I missed it but can not seem to find what degrees the solar eclipse will be at in aquarius. I thought i read somewhere at the early degrees which means that since my dc is at 23 it may not affect relationships but affect 6th house matters....but i guess i should look at my secondary progressed chart as well. since most of aquarius is not in my fifth house and i am on the border of critical degrees in cap and moving into a progressed aquarius sun....fitting is not....oh and wow the tokyo ac at 22 is right on my north node...very interesting

[Micheline]

Hi, Robert, sorry I did find out what degrees this annual solar eclipse is at.
It is at 17 degrees in aquarius and I looked up my transits via astro.com and found that it is 4 degrees approaching my descendant(well four degrees appraoching my ac in leo and in opposition) in aquarius which is at 23 degrees. Oh. Boy. Well, whatever happens happens I guess and I will learn from it. I am bit blue today. I kind of know the reason why but I don't want to deal with the feelings. Or even look at them. I always get blue in the January. I also hibernate like a bloody bear. It's a good thing my metabolism is fairly fast. Or I would be bigger then a bear!!!!
So, the focus is on some relationship.
I wonder how I can find out when the last solar eclipse in aquarius which would have been close to my dc in a conjunction was. Of course it all depends on other factors in both secondary progressions and natal charts and whatever other planets are doing in other areas of the natal charts in transits. I am finally getting my head aroundn this idea. The hard thing is finding out what is morst important. Research research research learn and learn some more. oh ya and listen carefully (north node in gemini!!!)

[Elizabeth]

Robert,

Yeah! This sounds like what I need... I've read other places that sometimes we feel the affects of an eclipse up to one month prior. I feel like there has been a turning point this weekend, any chance I'm feeling the eclipse already?

Elizabeth

[Jan]

The more I learn the less I know… Robert, Feb. 6th shows my natal Uranus Gemini 27 and natal Saturn Virgo 5 in a situation? I'll still proceed with the planned “Earth Rat party” letting the lights & losses fall where they may. While in midst of Sat-Return maybe I am blessed with my 2 Mars and 2 Mercury in Aquarius. Last fall took Pavarotti and completely removed Steve Fossett. So, as I see bits of the larger picture I'm hoping that Pluto's arrival (crisis development) might also bring some good and needed changes. Optimist me.

[toni]

Hi Robert,
This solar eclipse is conjunct my natal moon in my second house. I've been trying to find information about what a solar eclipse conjunct the moon means, but I can't find anything. Are there any books or articles you could steer me toward so I could try to learn more? thanks once again for all the information you so generously share on this site. Toni

[Mary]

Every time I see the words higher self--expression, I think about ethical decisions, honesty about vague judgment calls and accepting the negative consequences for doing the right thing for the right reason. I can think of many things that are going to come to a natural end due to tradition and some things that are going to come to an end due to lack of air signals(analog electronics-Uranus influence)In the personal arena, this past year since Jan2007 I have seen two major life changes that have restructured my perception of forms of my self identity. I am working on these two very hard to gain a new normal it does not look like the eclipse of Feb 6 is going to give us a break for a while does it?

[Lisa]

Hello Robert,

As usual I love reading your articles and find tremendous use in them. Quick question - is there anything extra for those to look for who were born on this day? I was born Feb. 6, 1972 @11:26AM, EST.

[Henry]

Hi Robert.

Really it seems since Nodes changed positions that we feel a vague or still subconsciouss need for escaping that "infamous" Saturn/South Node opposition with NN Pisces that most of us experimented as being "overworked" or "overruled". (Well, there's still Saturn opp. Uranus awaiting).

But well, the conditions are not yet set in the material world to "jump" to an UNKNOWN ZONE. That makes me really sick, I suppose it's the Grand Irrationality, it's just rational mind kicks against a wall in the meanwhile...That's how I feel.

But, talking on the matter, that is the Eclipse, it is at 17º Aquarius -if I am not wrong-, it falls between a Mercury/Chiron conjunction and the current placement of Neptune going direct, and the NN. It seems Mars will have started its direct motion again in Gemini, but Saturn retrogrades...a lot of stuff.

Turning inwards to my question, my IC is at 22º Aquarius and -though I know you hate to talk about transpersonal planets on a personal level- I'm feeling very tired, lost and therefore overchallenged in my public work since Neptune began opposing my MC from IC.

I know this is just a comment stream and perhaps it's complex but...is perhaps something breaking up in unexpected ways there in the IC/MC axis with the Eclipse?. It's just 5º from my longest "conflict point", I think, not to mention Saturn in X being really obscure and heavy these times cojoincting Mars/squaring Moon Gemini...

Thanks Robert, I need a little guidance these days...

Henry.

[Dianne m]

Hi Robert and everyone,
We have just started 2008 and can honestly say I have experienced some of the most wretched days ever, I cried, was alone, which made it worse, everything seemed to reminded me of death. So I just gave into it, I became misery, I stewed, then something happened, a shift, I crossed paths with a multi Arian (when they are good, they are very good) he spoke about bringing together groups to work on environmental projects, we talked about the skills and idiosyncrasies unique to each person and how they, with principled guidelines and respect can work towards common goals. He cheered me up; shifted the energy.
Why all this? I am thinking of eclipses now, a bit spooked because of tansiting Neputune (12hse) opps moon AND Luna 2 degrees Virgo /Picies, my Pluto again.
I also know the Victorian state government is getting ready to do something stupid in Port Phillip Bay( Melbourne 25 Taurus conj my sun), they are going to dredge it, starting early Feb, this will destroy beaches and environment, now that is Neptune eclipse stuff, but there is a group, (very Aquarian) working on putting a stop to it.
Fingers crossed everything is in the mix!
Dianne m

[Felita]

Hi Dianne m, hope its o.k to reply to you here,Sorry you where so upset, tears are healing, yet its not good to feel isolated , glad you were cheered up. About the bay, I have a positive feeling. They are using the damage this is doing to tourism and trade on the two peninsulars rather than take the environment stand, so it may work. I think our new Environment minister passed the dredging agreement quite sneakly before Christmas. A worry. My ascendant is 27 degrees Taurus conj your Sun and this eclipse in australia is 25 degrees on ascendent. Now we (both of us) may feel the overall energy here. Is that right Robert? I feel I have some link with you Dianne,maybe Robert could pass our email adresses across, Don.t know how that works.
I have yet to ask what will be happening to my chart at the eclipse, Think I can flow, Saturn I think is transiting retro still in my 4th, bit of past creeping in then and again, Hoping Pluto( I respest pluto)can burn out the remnants. Have Faith it is good Aum Shanti Felita p.s and you would understand how hard the doing is when its been 40 degrees celsius, yes.

[andy]

Robert -- you are spot on. I re-read your article for the Sept07 eclipses and now in Jan08 I can see things have unfolded the way you said -- 'no cross, no crown' and 'liberating ordeal'. I am here in Pakistan and support the pro-democracy people's resistance to militarism and militants. Its a struggle of secular folks for the rule of law, against very strong forces, but I am confident it will be a 'liberating ordeal' because we are cooperating as groups and have a higher vision to reach for.

any thoughts how the coming eclipses in Feb08 may bode for democracy in Pakistan?

Blessings to you, and all the community here. Pray for us and send us 'strong loving vibes' to sustain civil rights activists and peace groups here.

ndy

[Helen]

HI Robert,

Studying my chart, this eclipse is going to be opposed my Mercury and Pluto in the 10th. Sextiling my Nep and Asc in the 1st. Squaring my Jup in the 8th. Approaching my fifth house cusp.

Oh, Brother.

Peace,

Helen

[Robert]

Hi S - Hang in there, and eventually you'll assimilate what's offered here on levels perfect to your understanding. It was a great session!

Hi Melika - It will have numerous impacts too great to list here. Could be the end of an illusion, or the showing up of a dream come true when blockages to that dream are shut down. Whether the impact is tough or great usually depends on our responses to what is taken away and what shows up. When Aquarius squares Taurus and Scorpio, be the best Leo energy you can demonstrate.

Hi Micheline - The Solar Eclipse will be at 18 Aquarius. Venus in Cap should bring benefits to your Cap sectors. And I trust the hibernation is helping you gather strength for the coming Spring!

Hi Elizabeth - Well, we don't usually feel the effects of a lunation until it happens, but we've had Mercury heralding the energies, so there may be some signals about things to come, plus Neptune has occupied the eclipse point off and on for many months, so I suppose it depends on our prior sensitivities.

Hi Jan - At least you get to let go of Pluto opposition your Uranus, as it's now semisextile your early Aquarius which should be fairly good over the long run, as long as you make the adjustments shown by Saturn biquintile and then quincunx those planets. Enjoy letting go of what's no longer relevant to your ultimate purpose on Earth this time around!

Hi Toni - The eclipse on your Moon (it's also on mine!) can manifest many ways, usually in terms of old habits, family issues, and ways of experiencing day to day life being shut down so new ones can show up. This will unveil some needs you may or may not know you had. It will bring some wider recognition, while others will find that what's ending is very personal. I know of no books which describe eclipses conjunct planets, since it would be a huge subject with almost infinite possible manifestations.

Hi Mary - Higher self expression can mean an infinite number of things depending on who thinks what is "higher." Old electronics will be ending since this one is in Aquarius. The eclipse should actually help us see what appreciation we've been showing made manifest in clear ways.

Hi Lisa - An old light will be dimmed so other, greater lights can be seen. It will affect the house your Sun is in, and the house ruled by Leo. Expect an unveiling of your light, which could be a very good thing!

Hi Henry - I experienced the change of Node signs very positively! Neptune shows us elements of our line of greatest development, furthering collective awareness, compassion, dispassion, and managing our emotions when we're feeling most vague or dissolved. The trines to Mars will prove productive, and with Chiron in the stellium, it should help us all to rise to some collective occasion within a larger field of aspiration. This should help you let go of vague notions around perception and communication, and could even shut down your sense of being tired and lost in the Neptunian fog.

Hi Diane - That Aries sounds like someone in line with my own heart and larger intention! We Aries can shift the energies fairly quickly, but then it's all in the follow-up, isn't it? The environment will be THE major focus for many years to come, so blessings on all your efforts and the efforts of all our allies in helping restore some degree of sanity in our collective approach to our blessed Mother Earth. May all your efforts succeed beyond what you presently imagine!

Hi Felita - The best way to come out of isolation is to participate with others in the community in some form of service larger than oneself. Interesting how two competing interests may serve to bring forth a greater good despite the greedheads driving things into the proverbial ditch! Your Taurus will be benefited by Jupiter this year, so do whatever you feel you must. If the two of you want to email each other, you can email me if you want and I'll pass them through.

Hi Andy - Thanks for verifying the accuracy of what I've written. Thanks for your efforts at maintaining sanity and democracy in a part of the world where there is such extremism! Eventually we'll all come to understand that "law" is a much better way to run things than the lowest instincts of desire-minds trying to enslave manifestations! Group cooperation will prove the tool to move the world into a much more "enlightened" state of consciousness. Blessings on your every effort! I believe the eclipse may shut down illusions of "democracy" while opening people to their highest intention to actually make democracy into a real form that helps the greatest good for the greatest number come forth. Even in our country, flawed republic that it is, we are seeing the stirrings of people everywhere who know that the status quo is not taking care of business. That is the hope for our world, that in every country people are awakening to the fact that we must hang together and work for the common good rather than separate, selfish interests. Again, blessings on your efforts!

Hi Helen - Even an eclipse can bring a blessing if we don't resist its lessons. Aum Shanti!

[Henry]

Thanks for your answer!.
Well, I think we've all sensed the changing Nodes but there are still forces trying to resist that change and overreacting to that cosmic awakening in a "power-retaining" obsolete style.
Thanks a lot Robert!.

[Damien]

^Exactly, as novelty increases so does habit. People in the position of maintaining habit are attempting to tighten the grip ever moreso as change struggles to be birthed.

(Interesting sidenote, I find this conflict going on within myself. Supposed to start a new job (habit) tomorrow as I find that i'm in need of an ID that i've just lost (novelty))

[Melika]

HI Robert,

Thank you. That makes sense about being the best Leo energy you can be. However, if the eclipse is at 18 degrees Aquarius, that is 6 degrees from the degrees of my Mars in Leo in the 7th house. So, essentially, that eclipse is affecting all fixed planets in my chart except my Sun in early Taurus (which fortunately will be trine Pluto and Saturn). Since my Mars in Leo also will be impacted by the eclipse, does that change the advice to be the best Leo energy you can demonstrate?

[Robyn]

"Thus a form of impersonal love will be shut down"

this statement is intriguing to me. can you expand on that.. ?

[Robert]

Hi Henry - We're all learning to make our higher vision of group energy more clear, and learning to demonstrate it through our heart. Many Leo planets in our lives are learning to get over it, submit to the greater vision, and relax!

Hi Damien - Well, humans do tend to cling to the known and familiar, so change is usually regarded as something suspect.

Hi Melika - Just BE your best Mars along with other Leo virtues!

Hi Robyn - Leo is personal love, Aquarius is impersonal love. This eclipse shuts down a form of Aquarius wherever it falls, whether friends, group work, or obsolete visions of how we want to serve our world.

[bob]

Will you comment on the lunar eclipse soon? I'll be patient. (It will exactly oppose my pieces sun.)

[Robert]

Hi bob - I'll be composing something in the next two weeks. Right now, I have Mercury RX articles to do!

[leah]

hi robert,
I will have the eclipse in my 11th aqua, I have natal sun,moon venus at, 12 ,13, &15 degrees, it oppose my natal pluto at 11 degrees, how much affect will I have with these aspects,thanks leah

[Alix]

Hello Robert,
When an eclipse happens, how many degrees of orb should we consider for any aspect it is making to some planets or points on our chart? I've seen that this touches quite closely not only something on my chart but also the composite chart with another person I know.
Is there a special meaning to the fact that this will be a sunset eclipse, since most eclipses travel from west to east?
I've found this comment on a website: "According to Fred Espenak, the most unusual characteristic of this eclipse is that it begins and ends along Earth's sunset line. Most eclipse paths travel from west to east, but the 2008 annular eclipse path begins by running east to west and slowly turns north, before curving west to east near its terminus."

[Robert]

Hi leah - Like all eclipses, this one will unveil some things that are over, as well as some things to come. It will shut down your old Sun, Moon, and Venus functions, and help you get a better handle on the requirements of those oppositions, such as letting go of deflective or corrosive relationships that are preventing you from getting the results you want from life. Find a central ordering as you move through the changes, and use your self discipline and deep insights to find the great truths that can make you a pioneer in some future oriented vision.

Hi Alix - Well, since an eclipse involves the lights, I use the broadest possible orb for the aspects. I don't know that I'd use such a wide orb for a composite chart, since it's an amalgam of two beings who may or may not be on the same page, so to speak. But it does obviously affect composite charts as well as individual, national, and corporate charts. While I read on the NASA site about the "sunset line," this will only be a "sunset eclipse" on the west coast of the US; it will be a sunrise eclipse in the Middle East and parts of Africa. I don't know much about "the sunset line" other than what the NASA site says about it. I do know that the shadow is only visible from Australia, NZ, and Antarctica, which puts Taurus and Gemini on the Ascendant, with the eclipse near the MC in those places. Sorry I can't be of more astro-geophysical help, but it's not an area I'm much interested in.