by Robert Wilkinson
A Solar Eclipse is a New Moon. It shows the seed of what is to follow, not just for weeks, but for many months or even years.
Over the next 4 weeks, the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius will help us get a larger view and learn to see whole situations and be less distracted by secondary things. This begins to fill recent Scorpio voids, giving us a new perspective on recent developments so our understanding is more well-rounded.
This Eclipse is in a very wide conjunction with the North Node at 15 Sagittarius, showing the line of greatest development is focused on our getting signals from Nature regarding the future, ours or others' life purposes, and seeing a broader "universal patterning in life relationships." Here we grow through anticipating future events and new potentials.
Since Eclipses are known for shutting things down over a long period of time, with the NN in Sag we begin to grow through old Sag things being eliminated, opening broader, wider vistas of abstract and/or philosophical understanding. By being sensitive to larger rhythms and cycles, we can see what's coming and plan ahead.
The South Node shows how we demonstrate what we already know, or find a "line of least resistance" where we "let go, let G-d." The Summer Solar Eclipses in Gemini and Cancer both conjuncted the South Node in Gemini, setting a SN effect into long term play. This Eclipse conjunct the NN also sets a long term effect into play, but it's more growth oriented to see a greater truth and vision in things rather than the demonstration of the knowledge or feelings of the Summer Eclipses.
The SN in this Eclipse shows we'll demonstrate the anticipation of new events and our ability to plan with an eye to the future through sharing information with others, and allowing them to give us feedback to confirm elements of our greater understanding. By being consciously open minded to truths and meanings we can get clear about things that have been, are, and will be (thanks to Mercury retrograde!)
So the Light of the New Moon is shining on our life purpose through signs and signals that show us larger life patterns. Grow through sharpening up your interpretive skills, and then through the SN share your discoveries with others to see what's more or less valid.
This is the fifteenth in a sequence of New Moons that fall in the same sign as the following Full Moon. It is the next in the 12 phases of how things come to be each year. The cycle could be described as follows: Life energy is initiated in Aries, substantiated in Taurus, explored in Gemini, grounded in Cancer, renewed and creatively expressed in Leo, refined and ordered in Virgo, balanced in Libra, purified in Scorpio, expanded in Sagittarius, organized in Capricorn, solidified into a vision in Aquarius, and ended/perpetuated in Pisces.
This New Moon Solar Eclipse at 3 Sagittarius puts the focus on receptivity to abstract ideas and truths connected to the initiatives and new beginnings opened by the transiting conjunctions of the inner planets with Jupiter in Aries last Spring. These began to be substantiated and solidified during the time Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars transited Taurus in May, now being patiently grounded as part of our future by Jupiter in Taurus.
This Lunation jumpstarts Sagittarius energy wherever it falls in our chart. This period involves becoming a good "chess player," finding self-confidence in our judgments through seeing all the factors involved in situations. We can learn to concentrate on plans and how to outwit whatever would block our play.
Jupiter entered Aries in January, ending an old vision and quest forever while setting the tone for the new initiatives since then. In May we mobilized and acquired some of what we need to further those initiatives over the next year, and in June sorted out what we need to leave behind while asserting our rights in order to grow through new experiences, new situations, and new understanding. These different perspectives have assisted the past to give way to the present which is rapidly blossoming into radical new futures.
This New Moon has an actional, material plane focus. As it falls in Sagittarius, Jupiter and Neptune are the worldly and spiritual ruler of this New Moon. That makes the Venus trine Jupiter the Final Dispositor for all the other planetary energies, since they are in Mutual Reception. Though out of sign, this is a very favorable trine, and will help us all get in shape to respond more effectively to whatever "cosmic visitation" we're going to get.
This is the fourth of 6 New Moons with Neptune back at the end of Aquarius for the last time in the next 150 years. We had Neptune in Pisces for the 3 New Moons for May, June, and July 2011 which gave us a front end look at how Neptune will function through 2025, so take a look back at the intuitions and sense of belonging to a vaster interrelated whole you were shown in those months. It may help to give a sense of our collective lessons dissolving our separateness as we finish this transition through "the Winter of the 21st Century" on our way to Spring, beginning in 2025!
During those months, Neptune and Chiron both in early Pisces offered us chances to learn about bargaining and trade-offs, with the ultimate payoff a deeper and larger feeling of being connected to others. Now Chiron has returned to 1 Pisces, approaching its station at "The Cusp of the Age," (the span where the Age of Pisces and the Age of Aquarius meet), and Neptune is at 29 Aquarius, its stationary degree where humanity is emerging from its "chrysalis" as a new world is being born.
Over the past year both of these planets have shown us our unique part to play within a larger light/life field. These planets, being on "the cusp of the Age," have shown us global lessons we all must embrace, and help us to graduate into a new view of how we are an essential part of a greater whole. I'll give you links to articles explaining more about "the cusp of the Age" at the end of this article.
Though not as prominent as when it was the nozzle for all the other planetary energies, we'll continue to put a spotlight on Saturn in Libra, the cosmic timekeeper. Saturn shows us the ongoing lessons and limitations within the larger field of existence. Saturn will continue to be in Libra through late 2012.
Saturn, though no longer the nozzle of prior Lunation Bucket Jones patterns, continues to be a very powerful influence since it is in its sign of "exaltation." That means Saturn's discipline and personal power focus is able to become very effective as it shows balance, rhythm, moderation, and reasonableness in how we demonstrate it.
What we learned from Saturn in Virgo in 2007-2009 got refined by Saturn in Libra between November 2009 and April 2010, which was a front end look at what we've been dealing with since August 2010 when our Libra archetypes got into gear at the Mars conjunct Saturn at 1 Libra. These early Libra lessons have continued to be prominent through Summer 2011.
It got to 18 Libra in January before it went retrograde. It retraced its path between 18 and 11 Libra from January through June, when it went direct, preparing to re-trace its path between 11 and 18 Libra for the third time. It is now at 26 Libra, and therefore we continue this new phase of Saturn in Libra lessons we'll be dealing with for the next year.
Saturn in this Lunation chart indicates we need to pay attention to lessons involving the alternating use of will and love, mind and heart, to demonstrate a form of mastery. Here we see the Tao of existence as it continually emphasizes first yang, then yin, then yang, then yin, a wheel turning energies forever.
Here "the Eagle and the White Dove" change into each other, helping us mature into a more cooperative mode of using contrasting energies, and through the unifying effect we can find the balance of what we need, and compensate for what is lacking. We can find an ability to meet situations creatively and with purpose by adopting a fluid self-discipline.
Saturn has now finished the lessons based in the duties, responsibilities, and sense of limits set into motion in January. These are related to understanding consequences from past actions and inactions, as well as the need to be aware of future consequences for our actions or the actions of another. Links to this at the bottom of this article.
Saturn, leading the Sun, shows us that when we are confronted with the need to deal with something or someone in a firm but fair manner, reference Saturn in Libra and the lessons of balance, justice, proportion, and moderation in judgment you've been learning. Naturally, the usual Saturn keywords will be crucial to effective behavior - patience, discipline, organization, patience, maturity, wisdom, patience, authority, responsibility, and of course, patience.
The Gemini Solar Eclipse in June triggered the Grand Irrationality, which is why there have been hectic intense bursts that often made no sense during the past 25 weeks. Since the effects of that Eclipse last for many months, keep finding ways to liberate yourself from unhelpful views and attitudes while staying on track with the new elements that have presented themselves over the past 6 months.
We've had to understand karmic consequences from a wider angle of view, while learning the rules of whatever system we've been dealing with, or acting within, showing as much balance, grace, and equipoise as you can, given Saturn's penchant for heaviness. We are all learning a lot about Dharma during Saturn's stay in Libra, as well as what we should not be trying to prop up through a misplaced sense of responsibility or obligation. If we run into roadblocks or delays, it should tell us a lot about patience, as well as what limitations and burdens we can live with and what we cannot.
As noted in previous articles, Saturn continues to usher in allies, friends, fellow truth-seekers, more balanced views, and corrective actions as techniques for community building or group awareness. Since January 2010, "greatness calling itself to itself" has been in the air, and we completed major lessons around that theme between January and September 2010.
All the transfigurations in our actions and relationships we've done since January 2011 have led us to do some "repair work," where we confronted the consequences of past actions, whether our own or another's. The repair work could as easily be in the realm of our inner self as in outer affairs.
We've had opportunities to retire from old dramas to free energy to reconstruct elements of our life that bring us joy. Summer 2011 set the foundations of how to express ourselves with understanding, patience, and kindness, and now is the time to show our adeptness effectively through learning to master the alternating energies I spoke of a few paragraphs back."
Though not specifically related to this New Moon, as with recent New Moon articles, here's some backstory to what we've all been learning via Saturn these past 24 months.
Starting October 2009 Saturn began to show us new archetypes, perspectives, or roles, as well as larger cycles, larger possibilities, and the dawning of a new day in our lives. Between January and early April 2010, due to Saturn retrograde, we re-traced the ground of the "first run" of manifesting a new ideal, a new archetype, and a new sense of self within interpersonal and collective circumstances.
We revisited and finished up our Saturn in Virgo lessons between April and July 2010, at which time Saturn re-entered Libra and began to firm up our new archetypal expressions. This was activated in a powerful way in late July when Mars entered Libra and conjuncted Saturn at the critical first degree. Since then we've experienced a new set of life expressions. Once Mars conjuncted Uranus at 1 Aries in early April, those energies began to surface in new and individualized ways.
Taken together, we're all living a new archetype, and at the same time have been letting go of parts of our past that have no more place in our lives, freeing ourselves from old pressures and burdens we no longer need to bear, and slowly but surely stabilizing our understanding of our inner balance, or balanced perspectives.
Overall, due to the mix of Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Aries, and Taurus energies, this will be a very naturally grounded, practical, and inventive New Moon period. As the energies are almost completely in the signs representing the "not-self," we will open to other possibilities and views rather than merely reference our own.
Most of the significant aspects are separating, which I'll speak about in the next part of this series. However, there is a major square from the Eclipse to Mars which will create friction for those with planets in the first 10 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Thus it affects all born in the last 8 days of February, May, August, and November. Be open to discovering new closure rituals, new ways of understanding motives, and have faith that what you're building will take shape if you do what's needed, with patience and practicality.
Due to Mercury retrograde, this time is one of looking back even as we move forward in the now toward the future we've already glimpsed via the Eclipse trine to Uranus. This time will give us a different take or new perspectives on skills we have or need to refine to get more self confidence and authorship in our lives.
This Autumn has been a time to cultivate the "plants in our garden of personality and life" that will be what we draw on in 2012. At this point in the process many will experience a "cosmic visitation" that will change their lives in big ways. This is a major transformation time that will have major ripples throughout the first half of 2012!
August put us all through "a liberating ordeal," leading us to be freed from old social rigidities and finding joy in fellowship with new associates with whom we can work and play. We now know the skills we learned in August that we'll have to use efficiently between mid-November and mid-April 2012.
Over the past 4 months Jupiter showed us how to find hope and/or happiness in the face of coldness or barrenness, cultivate purity of heart, and faith in a transformed future. We were shown through Jupiterian themes the way to "immortality through giving of self to the race." These were further developed in late September and early October, with a final practice to be demonstrated in March 2012.
In this chart Jupiter is at 2 Taurus, back from its late August stationary retrograde degree of 11 Taurus. That marked a threshold point, showing us the Jupiterian lessons we'll be dealing with through the coming Vernal Equinox on March 19, 2012. Those involved seeing how we can enter into a creative partnership with Nature Herself, and figure out where we can naturally "pour ourselves out" into some way to manifest our Soul.
So contemplate the wreckage of the past months as necessary to make space for the future growth of the new initiatives and expansions originally set into motion between March and May 2011. At the current time get your feelings under leash by acknowledging they are there as you move through the actions promised by this Eclipse.
Try not to cop a bad attitude when things seem overwhelming, since with Mercury retrograde, much will not turn out as it seems. This is a time to break loose into a broader perspective as you review recent important decisions and turning points.
As I've mentioned over the past several weeks, we're all in a very weird dreamscape and will be for years to come due to Neptune occupying "the Cusp of the Age." Now we can apply our new strengths and understanding freed from the ghosts of the past, and by riding the waves of intense (but curiously steady) pulses of spiritual energies shaping our minds, we can find techniques where our efforts will lead us to forms of good fortune.
In the next part of the series we'll discuss the various aspects at play in the chart, as well as some important degree symbols and other interesting elements affecting all of us for 46 months to come.
Here are two current articles about this Eclipse and others. To find out about Solar Eclipses in general, and whether they are destined to show bad effects, here's
Astrology in November 2011 - On The Threshold of A Partial Solar Eclipse at 3 Sagittarius
The Solar Eclipse at 3 Sagittarius November 24-25, 2011 Pt. 1 - Who Does It Affect and for How Long?
Also, please check out the on-going series of articles on Mercury Retrograde, since this Eclipse has that going on as well!
Here are two articles related to "the cusp of the Age."
Neptune Then, Neptune Now - The Cusp of the Age of Aquarius
Neptune Retrograde Into Aquarius - A New Look At the New Age This one has links to articles related to this theme, so enjoy following the breadcrumbs through the woods of time!
Here are the Saturn articles I promised you earlier:
Saturn Stationary Retrograde at 18 Libra Affecting All Through September 2011 Pt. 1
© Copyright 2011 Robert Wilkinson
Amazing; this is for once an astrology site that puts things into a larger perspective. When I come across people who thing astrology is non-sense--this is where I send them. Not to convert them (I couldn't care less) but to show them what is possible in astrology. Thanks, Mr. Wilkinson, your knowledge is appreciated.
Posted by: Dana | November 24, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Thank you Robert!
Posted by: Ilse | November 25, 2011 at 02:06 AM
This is such a great article, and I totally agree with Dana above. Concetrating on the bigger picture rather than the day to day sometimes petty concerns we all face in everyday life. Little actions adding up to great things or disasters for the future Had a good look at my natal chart (Sun in Scorpio, Asc 22 Capricorn, Moon 17 Libra, and now know that I have Jupiter at 3 Sagitarius, Venus at 4 Sagitarius and both in 10th House). I suppose that means this partial solar Eclipse is very significant for me. In a previous article you say... Profession is ruled by the 10th house, whereas the jobs we do for others are ruled by the 6th house. The 10th also rules our flowering, our honor, and our sense of recognition in our world. The 6th also rules health on all levels, how we are toward those in our service, and our pets. These can give symbolic clues about the health or dysfunction of these sectors of our life. Planets in these houses show what parts of our personalities are most involved with those areas... and although that makes a lot of sense for me, still trying to apply it to my present situation, which is more complicated. Honour, values and self respect are terribly relevant at the moment, as are actions of important people in my life. Hmm, I feel a reading might be in order. In the mean time, a big thank you Robert for steering us in the right direction. You are indeed a great master of your craft.
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 25, 2011 at 04:18 AM
Just a little wisdom from the Master if I might ask: My Jupiter is at 28 Scorpio in the 10th and Moon at 18 Sag in the 11th...........?
Posted by: sue moon | November 25, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Hi Dana - Well, I originally created this site to offer things that apply to everyone, since I cannot possibly include all this in my individual counseling sessions. By knowing what's generic to all of us, we can sort out what's ours and what's general. Often this provides just enough perspective that we don't have to take some things personally. Thanks for the referrals. The more all of us know and share the more aware we all are. And of course you're welcome.
Hi Ilse - You're also most welcome. Aum and blessings.
Hi Elizabeth - Yes, but I am trying to trip the length each month to make it more manageable. As per what I wrote Dana, I do believe that knowing the big picture helps us know what we need to work on vs what is generic and we cannot take personally, even if we do need to develop coping skills since we are part of the larger web of life around us. That this Eclipse conjuncts your Venus/Jupiter shows that you will end manifestations of these over the next 4 years, and open to newer expressions of these. Looks like "the freedom train" for Ms. Scorpio/Cap/Libra! Look to the houses ruled by Venus and Jupiter to see where effects will work out. Not sure how you can have Sag in 10th with Cap rising unless you were born at very far north or south latitudes. In any case, when there's such a wide skew I usually also factor in equal house positions since they are also valid. Cap rising = Venus rules 5th and 10th houses, Jupiter rules 12th and 3rd.
Hi sue moon - You'll get a new look at how your Moon functions and eliminate imaginings unrelated to the future "growth through imitation" getting you in shape to do another Lunar manifestation. This will help you see more long range and anticipate something related to your Moon.
The Jupiter function will also have parts shut down over the next 4 years, but of some importance is that at this time you're finishing long term Neptune square your Jupiter forcing you to get a larger sense of things and keep thing moving in your continued interest. Also of major significance is that Jupiter is triseptile your Jupiter, putting it at a critical fork in the road relative to whatever began November 2006 when the Sun and Venus conjuncted transiting Jupiter on your Jupiter coupled with Mercury going SRX on your Jupiter.
Mid-December should be significant, since Mars will quintile your Jupiter around the time Venus makes a septile and then sextile. Then Mars RX will re-quintile your Jupiter when Mercury tredeciles and then trines it in February. This process will be done by late May and early June, when Mars again quintiles your Jupiter when transiting Jupiter opposes it.
Posted by: Robert | November 25, 2011 at 08:50 AM
Dear Robert, thank you! I will email you within the next day or so for a reading. Trying hard to keep my balance at the moment. Born in Greece by the way, would that explain the House position?
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 25, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Aum, I graciously thank you for your wisdom, much more information than I had anticipated. I will digest this for a while. Thank you and may the heavens grant you even more of your hearts desires.
Jai Bhagwan guruji!
Posted by: Sue Moon | November 26, 2011 at 07:11 AM
Hi Elizabeth - Well, usually Greece isn't far enough north for such a wide skew in the houses, but it's possible.
Hi Sue - Aum and blessings. May your next year bring you freedom, safety, love, peace, abundance, health, and community!
Posted by: Robert | November 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM
This site just drips with love and I come here to fill up daily.
Posted by: Sue Moon | November 29, 2011 at 07:07 AM