Astrology Hot Zones for October 2004 - The Coming Solar Eclipse and what it means for all signs

by Robert Wilkinson

Hopefully, by now you've read the article on Solar Eclipses - the Myth and the Reality, to get a sense of what these peculiar things we call eclipses are all about.

The coming Solar Eclipse is part of an unusual Saros series group, and falls at 22 Libra. It is certain to affect our ways of relating to others, our ideals, our ways of responding to opportunity, as well as conflicts in general. Many ideals and relationships will have a shadow cast upon them, and as I explained in the article linked above, any planets this eclipse touches will be subject to having some part of its influence shut down. A little later in this article I'll explain what it means for each sign individually. But first a little science.

From the NASA site, we find that this is the second solar eclipse of 2004, and is visible from the northern hemisphere. Northeastern Asia, the Pacific Ocean, and parts of Alaska will fall within the Moon's shadow. The greatest eclipse is at 3 am (UT) with magnitude .927. The partial eclipse begins 0:54 UT, and ends 5:04 UT. It's at it's maximum in Alaska at 2:47 UT, Hawaii at 4:06, thus these states will witness this eclipse at sunset. This is the 54th eclipse of Saros series 124, another old series which produced its last central eclipse on 3 Oct 1986. The last event was an unusual beaded annular eclipse with a very short path just off the west coast of Iceland. Saros 124 will continue to produce partial eclipses of decreasing magnitude until 11 May 2347. It is of note that the shadow falls on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," which could portend more seismic activity in this region.

The coming Solar Eclipse degree is one of "solicitude" in the emotional-social-cultural level of Reconstruction, in the span of Revelation. According to Marc Edmund Jones, the co-creator of the Sabian Symbols, the formula is "manipulating-critical-ingenious-generalizing-social-sensitive. This a symbol of faith in friendly relationships, optimism to help one take advantage of opportunities, and self-fulfillment in discovering responsibilities that can assist in the consummation of one's inner ideals. It is a degree of creative concern, a "fresh grasp of the Soul's needs, youthful life enjoyment, and intuitive understanding" of spiritual things.

The big config of this eclipse is the Moon conjunct Mercury square Saturn. I touched on some of the possible influences in this article of a few days ago.

We'll all have chances to stop being so pessimistic or rigid in our thinking, or feeling like somehow life or others are against us. We can break free of some old chains, useless limits and counterproductive rules of thinking and interpreting things. It is the time when old theoretical frames of reference and superficialities will give way to new necessities, responsibilities, or duties. For some, a stripping away of veneers revealing fear or the way of liberation. The challenge is to make clear basic personal decisions to integrate your expanded interests with your particular sensitivies. Under no circumstances surrender to defeatism or discouragement, even though it might seem the obvious and easy thing to do.

The positives include the ability to win the support and understanding you need from others, finding ways to put your sensitivity to practical use, and get more in touch, rather than stay alienated from who or whatever. Cultivate your spiritual connectedness with others, and stimulate your own and others' hearts by revealing something through satire, humor, or art. The separating sextile to Pluto and trine to Neptune shows that the way has already been understood, a new perspective reached, and a recent purification or transformation completely natural for what has ended.

This will affect all of us for many years to come, so read on for a little glimpse at what's coming for each birthday. The house it falls in will be affected in BIG long-term ways, this being determined by the Rising Sign, or Ascendant. Please consult your chart or an astrologer for an in-depth interpretation. The following table is approximate, and some of you with birthdays on the edge of two birth groups could fall in the adjacent paragraph. This is why a specific professional reading is always the best for dealing with important configurations.

For those born:
September 13-October 13 A big part of your old self image is ending forever. Preserve your vitality as you say goodbye to something with which you've identified yourself. You definitely have new work or health issues to deal with. Search for your new metabolism changes, and shift accordingly.

October 13-November 13 An old motive or ideal is disappearing, and must be seen in the broader context of your life. Examine past relationship changes and shifts, and avoid imbalances that could cause you sorrow. Get a different point of view regarding karma.

November 13-December 13 An old friendship or group affiliation is ending, or a shadow will be cast on some ideal connected to these things. Get a new goal, or new view of a larger picture of worldly activity. Go for something more pleasant than you've done up to now.

December 13-January 13 You will experience the ending of some old part of your public self, or some old ideal of how you look to others. You'll get new perspectives on power, authority, and influence. It may involve a change of jobs, or profession, but you've already glimpsed that.

January 13-February 13 An old superficial philosophy, morality, or form of spirituality is going to be balanced out by a new ideal, a new perspective, a new sense of what's fair and what is not. Some of you will lose a relationship far away from your residence.

February 13-March 13 You will lose an old ideal about another's values or wealth, or your society's values or its credit system. An old imbalance will leave. Show concern for giving rather than receiving, letting go to get a new point of view about something you desire, or even the nature of desire itself.

March 13-April 13 An old associate, acquaintance, or openly hostile (but perhaps superficial) person is leaving your life. Get a new perspective on the beauty of your partnerships, or a new ideal about how you want to relate to others, or even the types of people you want to relate to in the future.

April 13-May 13 You have a new metabolism, a new physical rhythm to deal with. Adjust to the changes in your health or your work. Get a new ideal of service that is pleasing to you and brings to others what they need. See the beauty, grace, or elegance in a pet.

May 13-June 13 Changes in your ideals concerning children, creativity, and spontaneity. An old form of self-expression is passing, as is an old form of recreation or pleasure. If a parent, expect changes in your child's relationships or ways of viewing you. It's payback time.

June 13-July 13 Changes in the home are coming! Also changes in your family of origin. Expect new ways of relating to your family, or the earth, or your home. A new ideal is replacing an old image of beauty. Find new perspectives on your roots, early home life, or your cultural heritage.

July 13-August 13 You're about to get new neighbors, some of whom will have excellent taste or being really pleasant or beautiful people. A new environmental harmony is about to replace an old one that was out of synch. Find a more balanced, harmonious point of view or way of thinking or speaking.

August 13-September 13 You're going to have a new financial ideal, or a new rhythm to what comes and goes in your life. Learn to value your associates, your ideals, your way of oscillating between different income streams or value structures. An old associate you've valued is about to leave.

Again consulting a professional astrologer should clarify any perceived confusion about the possible meaning of this Solar Eclipse to you.

© Copyright 2006 Robert Wilkinson. Last update: 8/27/2006; 10:51:13 AM.