Long Term February 2009 Leo-Aquarius Lunar Eclipse Effects Pt. 3 - Challenges and Lessons

by Robert Wilkinson

Today I offer the last part of what the recent February 2009 Aquarius-Leo Lunar Eclipse holds for our world. Overall the effect would seem to show many disillusionments from the inability to prop up what ego is trying to force but cannot sustain over the next few months.

As this article builds on themes introduced in the first two parts of this series, you may want to re-read them before reading this one, since I discuss various critical elements of the Eclipse chart. Please consult the February archives to find more.

We pick up the narrative by examining key elements of the eclipse. Of crucial importance is to remember this is all coming down in the next 4 months, which obviously affects all that follows.

With the stellium of Mars, Jupiter, Sun, Chiron, and Neptune conjuncting the North Node, we will be pulled into forms of Aquarian idealism calling us to our Higher Self. It will affect Aries, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces sectors and planets, so we can expect a very wide influence bringing us larger vision, greater effectiveness, and ways to manage our feelings helping us develop strength and resilience.

This is the next step in developing skills, strengths, and disciplines set into motion by other eclipses past. These began September 2006 and crystalized between March and May 2007, leading us to freedom from old social rigidities and forms of fellowship making life freer and happier.

Look for forms of new emotional strengths preparing us for a greater dispassion and compassion we can teach to others, even as we launch visions and projects that will entail our ability to "pick up and deliver spiritual power" in the near future. In Aquarius new visions of a greater good come forth, along with development of group purpose and higher ideals and aspirations. Here the Light of the Sun illuminates the energies of Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune showing the way to development.

The Line of Greatest Evolutionary Development is in the Span of Defensiveness, the Scene of Contribution, on a degree of fulfilling a greater vision entailing the need to withdraw from projections, both those others put on us as well as those we've put on others. We can plan anew after a period of being involved with that which is no longer "popular." This is helping us rise above "the vicissitudes of life."

Dr. Jones comments that this degree is one of "the eternal challenge which comes to an individual at every point of climax in his experience" arising from the swing of one's social group between endorsing and repudiating one's efforts. We are encouraged to accept whatever encourages our self-strengthening, but also for "continued sustainment" from our own inner stability. We are told that "a courageous self-confidence and an unflagging faith are worthy or recognition, but only in their moment of significance."

The keyword is APPROBATION. The positive expression of this degree is "a gift for bringing the issues of life to a dramatic consummation at a time of crisis." The "formula" is Manipulating, Ideal, Ingenious, Specializing, Social, and Inspired.

Eclipses in late 2006 through all of 2007 featured a distinct Uranian-North Node influence, showing we were pulled to find a Higher Law and Will through embracing forms of compassion, forgiveness, and vast understanding of what is common to us all within a Solar systemic or even Galactic perspective. The past two years we had opportunities to see and feel the ocean of space, time, and Consciousness.

In 2008 and 2009 we are experiencing more of a Neptune-North Node influence, coupled with other planetary influences such as Chiron. This has been manifesting as a pull to find a vaster sense of ourselves within the Collective field. We are learning to manage our energies in training to manifest a Higher Ideal, as well as see a larger way to contribute to our world.

2008 began an unveiling of what has been cloaked so we can heal into a better way of doing our Being. This will deliver many blessings later this year when Jupiter goes stationary direct on a degree highly significant in other eclipses. Many have found themselves doing more than they ever previously imagined, while finding a new balance or perspective.

The Sun is the Light, while the Moon gives form to that Light. With the eclipse Sun in Aquarius, we're offered ways to focus on the more perfect ideals of friendship and group interaction, while the Moon in Leo is helping us understand the strength and power of our creativity, or our unconditionally loving heart.

The Sun is conjunct the North Node. The North Node develops that which expresses through the South Node. In Aquarius we are shown a greater, vaster view of collective work, ideals, and world service. The Moon in Leo indicates the need to "show what we know" while following the line of least resistance. This aspect helps us fall back on familiar ways of showing heart, light, strength, and love.

Look for forms of illumination and integration that shine a light on ways to heal through appreciation and gratitude releasing and demonstrating natural forms of love and self expression that help us and others know in some way we have "made it through the night."

The light is in the sign of natural angelic altruism that shows us how to manage ourselves and our feelings so we can heal into the ideals of our Higher Self within a larger picture.

Be loyal to your enduring higher interests, get clear about what role or roles appeal to you and which are boring, unclear, or make you feel timid. Don't yield your will to others while getting clear about the vaster or subtle things of importance that illuminate you. Go for deeper or higher values while seeing what does or does not fit within a larger picture.

This will demonstrate through the eclipse Moon in Leo. This can show us which compartments of our lives cannot be sustained, and enable us to separate our wants from our needs in ways that we can get a measure of both, rather than denying one to favor the other. Just realize that if you're getting stimulation from something alien to your nature, you will encounter limitations you must work with rather than use to justify a sense of inadequacy.

We can creatively self-mobilize to "rise to the needs of every possible situation," but must also repudiate any "unnecessary bondage to externals." The trick will be to stay grounded and engaged with everyday reality rather than seek escapes that only leave us flapping our wings unable to fly.

As a result of the Venus square Pluto we're dealing with eliminating bizarre, extreme, or corrosive individuals from our lives so we can get the results we want and not get lost in loose ends. These coming months are a turning point in many relationships, and require us to be balanced in following through in what we care about. Energies can get out of hand fairly quickly with this aspect, though it can also provide dramatic turns in the road that help us get behind rationalizatons and win powerful allies.

Another thing to be aware of includes the need to find the tasks that can challenge and bring forth any gifts we may have for recognizing new opportunities and potentials. We will have to learn to disregard older or unimportant interferences, and work with an eye to what is truly important and necessary in any given situation. Though at times the power may seem ruthless, it's important to learn how to be clear and specific about what is more or less important in what confronts us.

With the emphasis on the stellium in Aquarius, we can continue to find friends and a group work in an appropriate alignment with our better nature. Keep putting yourself and your skills out there on behalf of a greater altruism and you'll continue to find friends and allies within a larger ideal.

Of major significance is the Moon opposed Neptune, giving us a picture of how a greater collective awareness can surface and take form. This can help us grow out of separateness, and see how we are connected to others within a larger feeling-field and ideal. Neptune and Chiron are both direct, leading us outward on a journey to healing through experiencing the commonality of what we share with others within the collective human experience across space and time.

Remember that the Eclipse chart is substantially non-afflicted, with Mercury sextile Uranus and trine Saturn, and Venus sextile Mars and Jupiter. These sextiles are productive, harmonizing influences that are very stabilizing. The Earth trine will be very practical and useful in getting and staying grounded in basic forms of self-sustainment.

The most difficult fly in the ointment is that Venus square Pluto form sesquisquares to the Moon and semisquares to the Sun. This throws tremendous friction on anything we have around 18-21 of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, as well as 3-6 Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. No doubt we will have to say goodbye to old people and old ways so that new doors can open.

Then there's the quincunx from Sun to Saturn. This marks several months of hard adjustments to find what we venerate and are willing to uphold in the future. Many will reach a climax in selfhood, as well as the culmination of some life work. Others will feel a sense of emptiness at the end of some quest. There will be significant opportunities to learn how to generate power in social situations, so embrace new skills to become a more effective force in your larger cultural milieu. We'll see results connected to this quincunx in early March, April 4-5, April 8-11, May 17-20, and May 25-28.

Since the Aquarian North Node of these eclipses assist us in growing into our greater possibilities of a larger service to others, be flexible as you find your fellowship, your group, your friends. Say goodbye to whatever and whoever, see how these changes fit into a larger picture, and open to newer, more effective ways of living already on the way.

With Mars now in mid-Aquarius, the 2008-2009 eclipse effects are in full expression. We'll see dramatic endings and beginnings over the next few months, and so learn how to let go with grace, optimism, and strength, as newer unknown things are coming for us all. And please keep in mind that as always at this time in history, the Grand Irrationality continues!

The Saturn opposition Uranus will dominate the next few years, and as both move out of Virgo and Pisces into Libra and Aries, even more dynamic aspects will impact our world. For multiple links to articles on the coming squares and oppositions that will blow things wide open on a global level, please go to The Coming Cardinal Squares and Crosses of Saturn in Libra, Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries 2009-2010-2011-2012-2013. These energies are what we're training to deal with and turn to a higher good.

© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Christine E]

Thanks for the update Robert. Seems like this one is hitting my Saturn (19 Taurus), Venus (21 Aquarius) and Mars (6 Cap). Bleh. No wonder this month has been so stressful!

[WarriorLady]

I don't know about stressful. But I do know that a good portion of this month has been quite an annoyance!

Look. I know that we have rules to follow and so forth. But rules seem to be overriding common sense and logic, lately, preventing solutions to real complexities (that just don't need to be complexities). What is that about?

I guess I just have to be more patient about these things. But-- grr-- I'm really tired of having to live by the book, already. And I thought that we were a more evolved species than that-- more sensible and reasonable and compassionate.

[Megelis]

Hi Robert

Could you possibly help me and tell me how this Feb. Lunar eclipse is affecting me? My birth is 8/7/81 and my N. Node is in 01 degrees Leo and Mercury is 12 degrees Leo. You also mentioned to me once before that I'm starting to go through my saturn return (I'm 27) These past 2 or 3 weeks have felt like an emotional roller coaster ride for me! I met someone on this past August 08 eclipse and it abruptly ended at the beginning of December (it feels almost like I found my twin flame and we just shut down completely with no closure. The good thing is something in me woke up over this last month of January and I feel like I'm on the path of what I need to be doing with my life. However, this relationship is still very much on my mind... Can you give me any help or insight with whats going on? I know I have a bunch of planets all bunched up in half of my chart with nothing in the other half. I'm trying to learn astrology and how I can use it to enlighten myself but it's hard to figure out!

[DianneM]

It's been a long time since I have commented...maybe I have been waiting for something? - perhaps the new moon conjunct my Asc (Pisces 5)...or a comet?
The eclipse, was something an 'exact' conjunct my Moon (21 Leo) which is part of a Grand Cross involving Sun/Moon/Jupiter/Chiron and the houses 3/6/9/12. There were personal things to deal with, but also 'bigger picture' issues. I am in Melbourne, the fires continue to burn and are still a threat, but the community spirit has been inspiring, although healing will take a long time.
Can only concur with the Venus squ Pluto and the 3-6 cardinal affects "leaving behind, old people (the bizzare, corrosive,the extremme, and old ways". What is different this time, is, I did not go 'kicking and screaming'- and this from someone with all that fixity.
Perhaps it is because I am part of a 'new group', I am back at Uni studying Profession Writing - and am trying 'new ways with new people'.
Still feeling a bit odd, all that Aquarius and Neptune exact squ my Sun and the rest...
Things aren't perfect, perhaps I am learning to 'let happen' rather than 'make happen'- time will tell.

Best to all on the road!
Diann M

[Robert]

Hi Christine - Looks like your Venus will be illuminated and your Saturn change directions over the next few months. Eliminate whatever you need to, don't get distracted by passing noise, and fit things into a long range perspective. Newer, better things are on the way!

Hi WarriorLady - I suspect the stresses and annoyances are due mostly to the ongoing Saturn opposition Uranus combined with Venus and Saturn both joining Neptune, Chiron, and Pluto in the Grand Irrationality. That's why common sense and logic aren't working like they should. Everything and everyone is in a state of irrationality!! It's just some states are less harmful and annoying than others. And I hope for the day when we are "more sensible and reasonable and compassionate" than we are today!

Hi Megelis - Yes, you're beginning to deal with preliminary manifestations of your Saturn Return. You can find out more by going to that article in my archives and reading it. Right now it's mostly the influence of Saturn conjunct your Venus with Mercury and Jupiter quincunx your Mars that may be throwing you into circles of hard adjustment. A Twin Flame cannot do as you experienced, which is why it's always better not to assume they are such things. Cultivate friendships first, and eventually one will show as the Twin Flame. Yes, the recent Solar Eclipse of late January should help you awaken to new experiences and new people in your life. As for the prior relationship, it was meant to teach you maturity and critical thinking and perceiving. You attracted something in your hologram that was not true for you in the long run. He probably was something previously desired, and may even have been the temporary form of an unfulfilled desire that you need to examine. No immature relationship will be possible for you at this time. Hopefully you learned the Saturn in Virgo lessons of discernment, since they'll be the source of successes later this year.

Hi Dianne M. - Glad you're back. Something of the Grand Cross function in your life is now ending, and since the Cadent houses indicate closures and preparations for new quadrants of activity, you're no doubt in some kind of preparatory motion. And of course, since you have a New Moon on your Ascendant, you definitely have begun a new self image cycle. New group work is definitely a symptom of the recent Solar Eclipse. Neptune square the Sun forces a being to be clear about who they are, and what they're willing to demonstrate to the world to overcome any lurking hesitancy, timidity, or lack of clarity about the core integrity of one's light/life.