Lunar Living Astrology

It is eclipse season. This new moon is a Solar Eclipse belonging to the Saros series 126. The first eclipse of this series was on 10 March 1179; the Gregorian calendar corrects to 17 March 1179 at 7:39:51 UTC, indicating that it was 26 degrees Pisces on that original event. Breaking this down a bit, the 26th degree of Pisces is in the third decan of Pisces is subruled by Mars (Scorpio), and the eleventh dwad of Pisces as subruled by Saturn (Capricorn). This natal chart of the 10th Nodal family of eclipses carries over into each subsequent eclipse, and the fact that this current eclipse is a total eclipse, we will feel the natal influence even stronger in conjunction with the current Leo energy. The trait of Pisces, while subruled by Mars and Saturn, is one of subliminal force. A power that is not obvious at the onset and often underestimated. Today's total solar eclipse in Leo carries its own intensity, but not because of the Sun and Moon's conjunction, but because of the strong layer of aspects occurring around the new moon. Take a quick peek at the chart below to observe the aspect patterns that we will need to navigate.

Eclipses carry their influence over a period of months. Typically, we can feel the building of the eclipse dynamics about a month prior, with the affect fading for about a month after. What we learn during this period stays with us for years.

According to Wikipedia, today's eclipse will be visible from northernmost Siberia, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, northern Spain and the extreme northeastern part of Portugal. The points of greatest duration and greatest eclipse will be just 45 km (28 mi) off the western coast of Iceland by 65°10.3' N and 25°12.3' W, where the totality will last 2m 18.21s. The first part of the total eclipse path will, unusually, pass from east to west from Russia to Greenland, just avoiding the North Pole. A partial eclipse will cover more than 90% of the Sun in Ireland, Great Britain, Portugal, France, Italy, the Balkans and North Africa and to a lesser extent in most of Europe, West Africa and northern North America. Cited from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_12,_2026] Solar eclipses should only be observed through devices that will carefully protect vision!

We are likely to feel frazzled during this eclipse due to the nature of the aspects. So let's take a quick peek at how those aspects are joining together to cause some serious vibrations. First off, the Sun and Moon are conjunct in Leo, representing a point in our lives when we feel rather lucky, or at some level, willing to take a risk. We are prone to feeling loyal to someone important in our life and feeling the need to have that loyalty reciprocated. We are tuned into the children around us and the childlike nature associated with being a child. We love exploring our unique talents that we have developed as we have grown. We need to be cautious not to act arrogant or self-centered. These are just a few of the many characteristics of Leo that carry over into all of us during a solar eclipse in the sign of Leo.

Mercury in Leo is conjunct with Jupiter, while opposing Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. Jupiter and Mercury are also sextile to Venus in Libra, sextile to Uranus in Gemini, and trine to Saturn retrograde and Neptune retrograde in Aries. Yes, a lot of blending of influences will be happening. So let's not stop with that. Venus, in Libra, is opposing Neptune retrograde in Aries while trine to Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. Mars in a critical degree of Cancer is in a T-square to Venus in Libra and Neptune retrograde in Aries. Uranus in Gemini is in a focal (apex) point of a Grand Trine between Venus and Pluto retrograde while also sextile to Mercury and Jupiter in Leo, and Neptune retrograde in Aries. Starting to get a sense of the fact that there is a whole lot going on today? Essentially, there are two intersecting cradle aspects, and the overlapping characteristics could be quite overwhelming if we don't have a clue how to sort it all out. In other words, expect that life is likely to change how we look at the world in ways we never expected.

In an attempt to make it a little easier, let's look at each planet's current placements. Mercury and Jupiter in Leo typically encourage us to enjoy life and think about living from the perspective of leading or guiding. Venus in Libra, which naturally rules Libra, encourages us to explore balance and a more neutral perspective. Not from a leadership role, but a peacekeeping role. Mars in Cancer pushes to activate our childhood memories by utilizing healthier outlets. Saturn and Neptune retrogrades in Aries are reworking our footprint and psychological perspective in life, with the focus being on rebuilding new hope, redeveloping our personal courage, and exploring new opportunities that we may have missed before. Uranus in Gemini is complicated, as it can indicate sudden changes relative to all things Gemini, from how we communicate to how we travel, how we learn, and how we interact with family members. Pluto retrograde in Aquarius is way more subtle. Pluto can be the purveyor of hidden meanings within the obscure messages. Pluto can also be associated with all things new and all things old; Pluto's influence can bring to light the truth about things we may wish not to learn about.

All of today's placements are blending/interacting with each other, causing us to realize that we are quickly overwhelmed with too much of too much. Try to postpone any long-term decisions for a month, if possible, to allow time to research and weigh these heavy choices when the planets are no longer fighting for our attention.

All in all, this chart is heavy with masculine sway, with six planets in Fire and three planets in Air Elements. There is one planet in Water and no planets in Earth. So we can feel gung ho about getting things done that ultimately take us away from other more important matters that also need our attention. There are four placements in Cardinal Modes, five placements in Fixed Modes, and one in Mutable. Once more, it pushes us to complete a task, almost obsessively, while neglecting to consider other important factors that we shouldn't overlook. This eclipse is one that will likely change us in ways we could never expect. If we can take the time to find some introspection within ourselves, without changing, merely for change's sake, we are more likely to feel a sense of pride with the overall results of this eclipse.