by Robert Wilkinson
As I've told you before, it's always good to remember that no eclipse of itself is "bad," nor do we have anything to fear. There is a lot of superstition about Eclipses, mostly focusing on "dreadful" or difficult elements that often seem to accompany them. However, while all eclipses take something away and/or shut something down, an Eclipse can have beneficial effects if we juast know "when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to walk away, and when to run."
What’s included in this post will also be relevant in the coming Solar Eclipse at 12 Scorpio on November 3 that will impact the world for over 3 years. Of course I’ll be writing more as this important Solar Eclipse draws near.
Eclipses are both dreaded and misunderstood recurring phenomena. Solar Eclipse effects last for several years, while Lunar Eclipse effects last for a few months.
This Penumbral Lunar Eclipse happens on October 18, 4:38 pm PDT, 7:38 pm EDT, and 0:38 am Greenwich October 19. It will last almost exactly 4 hours, showing an influence lasting about 4 months.
Today we'll discuss a lot about eclipses in general and a little about this one. In following articles I'll elaborate on the astrophysics of the phenomenon, who is most affected by this Eclipse, symbols, aspects, patterns, and what we can expect from this Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 26 Aries-Libra.
I've composed quite a few articles on past eclipses in the archives that bear re-visiting, since the Solar Eclipses of 2010, 2011, and 2012 are still manifesting results, if traditional Eclipse lore is to be believed.
Core material about the timeline of Eclipse effects can be found in the article, The Solar Eclipse - What It Means and Its Effect On Our Life, as well as many other elements of what we can expect from these recurring celestial events. Links to recent eclipses are at the bottom of this article.
Also, here's another important article explaining even more about what effects we can expect to result from Lunar and Solar Eclipses. For your reconsideration, The Solar and Lunar Eclipse - Is Any Eclipse Destined to Have Bad Effects?
To whet your appetites, here is a bit from the article:
There is a lot of fear and trepidation connected to Eclipses, an unfortunate leftover from previous centuries when Eclipses were believed to augur the fall of empires, dynasties, and powerful people anywhere the Eclipse shadow fell. While Eclipses do tend to shut down some elements in the area of life (house) in which they fall, this is not necessarily a bad thing, since we must bring some things to an end if we are to embrace newer, better ways of doing our Being. While the future effects of an Eclipse may be powerful, in that they last over a long period, they are not necessarily bad.No Astrological event need be "bad," or have "evil" effects, regardless of whether we're using Vedic, Chinese, Western, or any other approach to defining "All-That-Is" within a precise system of space-time factors. Though a circumstance may seem to have "bad" omens for the future, we can always transcend any negativity and turn the future to beneficent possibilities. No matter where an Eclipse falls, we can turn it to good.
Here it is important to remember Astrology is NOT a "predictive" art, in the usual way this is understood. The craft is less deterministic than most believe, including we professional Astrologers who seem to be able to "hit the mark" regarding future manifestations.
Pattern is everything, and time is a continuity. By knowing the past and present, we can often extrapolate the future. But we can never know how a being will respond to any given life challenge, whether pleasant or painful. Each has their ability to respond as they choose in the moment.
This directly related to the concept that each planet has a duality of function. It is up to us to determine whether the Moon, Sun, Mercury or any other planet involved in eclipses, "bad" aspects, configurations and other phenomena manifests productively or non-productively.
To remind you, a square can be more productive than a trine, and an opposition can produce awareness. Polarization is only a problem on the ego level. Seen from a higher angle, oppositions are necessary for us to acquire objectivity and the ability to encompass duality within a higher view.
By all means, check out the entire article, since I explained how past eclipses affected my chart, and gave examples of the good that can come after an eclipse removes old patterns. This Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Libra-Aries over time will show us how to deal with learning when to show Higher Love and when to show Spiritual Will, when to go to the heart and when to go to the mind.
This will help us all develop our spiritual individuality, while showing us “invisible help when human efforts fail (or seem to!)” We will all get to develop spiritual powers through practice, and this should overall make life more enjoyable through what we hear from “the inner voice.” This one will illuminate lessons Saturn taught us in 2011-2012.
Due to the continued influence of planets in Scorpio, this will bring a greater awareness around recent and current losses, and show us the power of holding the void. Whatever is shut down by this Lunar Eclipse creates a space for a new power, a new magnetism, a new sense of purpose, a new way of substantiating and confirming a greater duty or set of responsibilities that will be clearly recognizable this Winter and next Spring. So whatever Lunar/Saturn functions are shut down will bring a newer, steady, long range pulse of Saturn activity as it moves across Mercury’s stationary retrograde degree that is prominent in this Eclipse chart.
This Eclipse is balancing, activating, and yet also stabilizing and purifying. This is part of our long term lessons around what we can hold on to and why, as well as what we cannot hold on to, and whether through loss or regeneration, we’ll get unique circumstances that are perfect for our gifts and unique qualities, as well as unique gifts that are perfect for our circumstances. This will be an extraordinarily specializing and gifted/gifting Eclipse where old ideals and actions are shut down, and whatever we lose will open to deeper connectedness with life.
All Eclipses radically transform areas affected by the planetary positions, so look to where you have 26 Aries and 26 Libra to see what will be shut down. Those life areas will yield a new way of looking at relationships, and how spontaneous we can be or not. This will help us all to eliminate what we need to while opening to new ideals in interacting with others. Given the nodes, we “gain through loss,” and merely need to follow through on our line of least resistance.
If we still the mind and allow a higher Light to be reflected on it, we can know what’s coming and prepare for it using skill plus our knowledge of “natural conditions.” The good thing in this chart is that while Mars is opposed Neptune, it is also trine Pluto, giving us the ability to cut through obstacles and gather what we need as we move into unknown zones of perfecting ourselves. This help us move through opposing trends while learning a “productive flow.” The opposition between Virgo and Pisces is resolved through Pluto in Capricorn, which will help us all to find “containers” from which we can move safely into new areas of concern.
In this Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 26 Aries, we see the most important factors are Moon tredecile Pluto with Sun quintile Pluto, the opposition-sextile-trine I just mentioned, the Grand Irrationality set into motion by Mercury, and numerous quintiles, biquintiles, and tredeciles promising unique and specialized conditions and gifts. There are almost no frictional aspects, showing this will be a very productive, unique, and overall harmonious Eclipse period.
Because the Grand Irrationality is active, we will all have major critical decisions in house areas involving Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces. Expect important decisions and changes in life areas where you have these signs on the cusp or planets in these signs.
More on the Solar Eclipses of 2011 and 2012
Though 2012 was no slouch in terms of Eclipse effects, 2011 was a rare year that offered us 6 Eclipses in one year, 4 Solar and 2 Lunar. We had the first Partial Solar Eclipse in January, we had the second one June 1-2, the third one on July 1, and a final one November 24-25! The 2 Lunar Eclipses were also Total Eclipses, following what we saw in December 2010.
While the Lunar Eclipses are no longer in force, the 4 Solar Eclipses of 2011 will affect us for a long time to come, so take a look at the numerous January, June, July, and November 2011 Eclipse articles in the archives. While you’re at it, you may also want to review the articles on the 2012 Solar Eclipses, since they’re also still in major play at the present time and into the future. Some links are at the bottom of this page.
The Solar Eclipses of January and June 2011 brought blessings upon us since they happened. We've simply been challenged to let go of old life patterns that no longer serve the emergent Archetypes we've been living the past two years. Due to such things as the Grand Irrationality and the various Cardinal T-squares and Crosses set up by Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn, we're all going through major changes that will affect our lives for many years. It may have been a wild ride, but power and new potentials have resulted from our choices.
Since the past is prologue to the future, those who prepared, learned, and allowed themselves to be moved into new ways of relating to others in 2011 have found in 2012 an activation of a concrete higher power or value they can trust. Those who have not shown kindness and understanding at critical junctures in the past three years have reaped consequences. Our ability to become an elegant and balanced Spiritual Warrior has been put to the test in diverse ways, and 2011 made clear the consequences for seeking what we have sought.
In 2012 we had two Solar Eclipses. The first one in May was Annular, whereas the one on November 13-14 was a Total Solar Eclipse at 22 Scorpio. We also had two Lunar Eclipses. The one on June 4 was a Partial Lunar Eclipse at 15 Sagittarius/Gemini, and marked the "Christ Fest," the third of the 3 "High Moons" of Spring. The Lunar Eclipse on November 28 was a Penumbral Eclipse that fell at 7 Gemini/Sagittarius. That Eclipse showed effects through mid-March 2013. Please check the archives to find out more if you’re so inclined.
Though there are always endings associated with any Eclipse, these open the space we need to align with Spirit in natural and productive ways. Take a new look to see what really matters and what you do and do not want to bring with you into the new world you're already living.
We've all blasted off into new realms in the past couple of years, and now are moving into a time of stabilizing our long term plans. This Eclipse continues to help us get clear about what we no longer need or want, and we can now let go of many things that have pushed and pulled us in the past. It’s time to “let go, let G_d!”
See you soon with more on this 2013 Libra-Aries Penumbral Lunar Eclipse!
To check out the June 2011 Solar and Lunar Eclipses and their influences, here's Important Cosmic Influences Happening in late June and July 2011. The January eclipses can be found in the corresponding archives.
For more about the November 2011 Solar Eclipse with links to the 2011 Gemini Solar Eclipse, please check out The Solar Eclipse at 3 Sagittarius November 24-25, 2011 Pt. 3 - Signs, Sabian Symbols, and What It All Means. (You can follow the internal links in this article to the previous articles about this specific Eclipse.)
For more about the May 2012 Annular Solar Eclipse, here’s The Solar Eclipse at 1 Gemini May 20-21 2012 Pt. 3 (You can follow the internal links in this article to the previous articles about this specific Eclipse.)
For more about the 2012 Scorpio Total Solar Eclipse, here’s The Total Solar Eclipse at 22 Scorpio Nov 13-14, 2012 Pt. 3 - Signs, Sabian Symbols, and What It All Means. (You can follow the internal links in this article to the previous articles about this specific Eclipse.)
For more about the 2013 Taurus Solar Eclipse, here’s The May 2013 Solar Eclipse in Taurus Pt. 3 – How Will This Lunation Affect Us? (As with the previous link, follow the internal links in this one to the previous articles about this Eclipse)
© Copyright 2013 Robert Wilkinson
Although an astrology novice, I have been reading your writings for about six years I guess. Although you state that no eclipse is bad in itself, and there is nothing to fear, and although I believe what you write, I have to disagree. I barely made it through the 2001 eclipse trifecta! By the middle of July, I lost my job, my wife, my cat, all my belongings, been blamed by my children for the divorce and they don't speak with me anymore, and became homeless, of which I still am. I haven't had a shower or slept in a bed for two years. Don't fear an eclipse? I'm petrified! Just the name gives me the heebie jeebies, lol.
Believe me, I'm grateful though, as one thing I learned in life many years ago, things can always get worse. Finding work at 58 in this economy that pays the money I used to make is next to impossible. In the grand scheme of things, I have got it pretty easy, as there are always others with issues that would make my problems look like a walk in the park. But then you say that we will feel the effects of the 2011 eclipse extravaganza for a few more years to come! Really?!?!
I trust in your expertise, but for the love of God, some good news would be nice once in a while. It seems as though that astrology is a lot like the nightly news. All bad! I rarely read any positive effects of all that is going in this world called atrology.
But, as not a quitter, I'm holding on to hear something good. Funny, I always said that the human being could withstand a great deal, it's amazing, but only if they are thrown a bone once in a while. A little good goes a long way. Here's hoping!!
Posted by: Norm | October 14, 2013 at 05:56 PM
Hi Norm - Even though some Eclipses in the past symbolized events that took away everything I ever held dear or real, I got to fill the void with new life material. Endings are tough, but life is about endings. Nothing ends that continues to be real for us. Eclipses only remove what we can no longer hang on to. And the Summer 2011 Eclipse has already run its race. More recent ones are now in play.
To note, this one will be excellent due to a plethora of great aspects. You should have more than one bone thrown your way over the next few months that should prove satisfying. And if the old skills don't land you a job, then I suppose it's time to cultivate some new ones that will take care of your wallet and heart as they develop. This is a time to let go of some old ideas so we can regenerate appropriately.
Posted by: Robert | October 14, 2013 at 06:05 PM
Hey Norm,
I've been to the place where you are. I'm still here, but not there. :)
This solar eclipse is happening within 3 degrees of both my Sun and Ascendant, but I welcome it. I dreamed last night that I died, and felt my soul flee away...then I awoke.
This dream could be a fore runner for this eclipse - and I still don't fear it.
From where you are now, you can transform your very soul, please believe me.
Love,
Terri in Joburg
Posted by: Aquila Ka Hecate | October 14, 2013 at 08:19 PM
I am really looking forward to the beauty that will be revealed by change. I am a little scared, however I am grateful for everything. I trust in the heavens and I feel at peace with the dualities that often grate us. I am practicing humility, love, and holding true to sovereign truth. I know it won't be easy, I know I can be fooled, but I will do my best. I feel I am practicing putting one foot in front of the other and it will go off without a hitch.
Posted by: Sarah | October 14, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Ur Highness,
If a Taurus sun has Aries as house 5 with the natal Aries moon at 26 degrees plus an eclipse that day...what can one expect? They have no planets in house 11 other than the transiting sun of course
Posted by: Chickie Farella | October 14, 2013 at 11:09 PM
Hi Robert,
Could you please give me some much needed guidance? I've been following you for years & I've always wanted to talk with you. I've never felt so broken in my adult years, as on this weekend, so I reach out to you now.
My spouse of 11 years, has left me this weekend. It was Thanksgiving, here in Canada. My family lives too far away, I'm all alone, & I don't know how to start picking up the pieces. I know time has a way of healing, & I'm still very raw, I just don't know where to focus at this time. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Angela
Posted by: Angela | October 15, 2013 at 01:49 AM
This eclipse falls right on my south node venus conjunction on the cusp of 8th house, don't know what direction to follow or what to expect. Although i try to "reverse magnetism" and focus on what my heart truly wants, nowadays it seems i'm constantly getting across people, in the most variable scenarios, who are constantly dishonest and overbearing, spiritually unaware and with total lack of kindness or compassion. But in the present, more than ever these are actually are the ones who get way in all situations, in the face of everybody. Fear seems to dominate the other people and situations and i feel i'm the only person seeing it and speaking out, for no results of course. On a macro scale, here in Europe mostly, we have the same with bad politicians, an enormous crisis that rewards only the corrupt behind big companies and its interests. Don't know what scorpio in saturn will be all about in the end, but when will this stop? Right now what i get is that power (or what in the end prevails) is incompetence and abuse... When will it be time for the good?
Posted by: Maria | October 15, 2013 at 06:05 AM
hmmm so this is conjunct my asc/dec axis, asc 26Libra/26Aries,so it may shut down...the mind boggles actually ???
Posted by: debbie | October 15, 2013 at 07:15 AM
homeless and jobless 2 years here too Norm after a diabolical time since the eclipse of Aug 99, there's a lot of good folk out on the societal rubbish dump, dont give up you are in good company, we all deserve a break so lets all do it alone, together. I know I deserve better and the whole damn structure I had built my life on before had to go first, time to build a new, I am 52 and its daunting, there is always hope and a few miracles would be very welcome. Hope this sees a good turn around for you!
Posted by: debbie | October 15, 2013 at 07:25 AM
This eclipse is in my twelfth house... Any advice?
Posted by: Sofia | October 15, 2013 at 10:22 AM
As the Dead line goes...what a long strange trip its been! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd go thru and survive the things I have in the last 8 or so years. Gain thru loss is tremendous Soul growth. And it surely does pave the way for newer, better ways of doing our Being! Hang in there everyone, we CAN do this! We signed up to be here at this particular time on our dear planet Earth.
Posted by: Diane S | October 15, 2013 at 07:08 PM
your Eloquence brings Grace through your updates! love and blessings dear Friend :)
Posted by: Rebecca | October 15, 2013 at 08:20 PM
Thank you Robert.
The focus was always, the self.
Your few posts since, were enlightening as usual. You speak to me every time you write.
I look forward to the adventure in front of me now. Change is always so much easier, when one embraces it.
I do hope to get a chance to speak to you soon.
Posted by: Angela | October 17, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Reading these posts have made my heart hurt. I hear the dates and the story's, remember them well. I understand what it is like to spend your life working for those you love and to loose it all by those very same people. It is easy to say to people who have lost the jobs/home/friends pull it together and get new skills-dumb-up. There are some brilliant people that are homeless with hearts of gold but they lost their value and self-worth. That is very hard to get back while you are among the homeless. Will pray for you Norm, you might want to give the 35th Psalm a shot (read 3x;s daily back to back), very empowering. Sorry Robert, don't mean to preach on one of the greatest Astrology sites on the net. You are the greatest, love your work..
Posted by: somechic | October 17, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Robert, thank you and I want to say thank you also to all that have responded to my post. It was not my intention to look for sympathy but the responses have been heart warming and emotional to say the least. You look for answers sometimes to make some sense of things, anywhere, and have always enjoyed your writing. So I look to your articles and others to see something that I haven't seen or considered before to try and understand, and comprehend.
The word "eclipse" just doesn't sit well with me. And I read so many of your articles with a reference to the 2011 eclipse's still. I know you said an eclipse is not really a bad thing, and maybe not and just life correcting something things out of balance, and hope you are right. Hopefully! Again, my sincerest thanks to you and all who have commented. God Bless You!
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