eclipse of the millennium
by Jill Kirby | 22 may, 1999

On August 11th of this year there will be a Solar Eclipse at 18 degrees of the sign Leo. Each year there are at least two Solar and two Lunar eclipses, the Lunar eclipse occurring two weeks before or after the Solar. As with so many things in the universe, these eclipses are cyclical in nature, following a predictable order, known as Saros Cycles. In fact, as early as 747 B.C., the Babylonians were able to accurately predict the timing of an eclipse.

A Solar Eclipse is a New Moon, but a New Moon isn't always an eclipse. The New Moon becomes an eclipse when the paths of the Sun and Moon are aligned, causing the body of the Moon to totally or partially block the light of the Sun. The points where the Solar and Lunar paths intersect are known as the North and South Nodes of the Moon. Although the Sun and Moon are of vastly different sizes, their relative distances from our Earth results in them appearing to be the same size from our viewpoint. Thus, when they are near the Nodes at the new Moon, we get an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon, the degree of totality depending on how close they are to the Nodes. In the case of a Lunar Eclipse, which occurs at the Full Moon preceding or following the Solar Eclipse, the same phenomenon accounts for the Earth's shadow blotting out the Moon's light as it comes between the Sun and Moon.

Eclipses have always been considered to be very powerful, often thought to be portents of disaster by those who like to predict such things. Eclipses are generally significant. However, the significance of each eclipse is dependent upon its position in the zodiac, and its relationship to the other planets at the time of the eclipse, as well as the Saros Series to which it belongs. Also relevant is the eclipse path, the places on Earth from which the eclipse is visible. An eclipse will also affect each individual person or nation differently, depending on which house and planets in the birth chart the eclipse is activating.

Astrologically, the Sun represents the light of consciousness and rationality, while the Moon symbolizes the unconscious and the emotions. Therefore, in simple terms, the eclipse of the Sun by the Moon represents the unconscious, emotional overtaking and blotting out the conscious, rational. A fairly recent example of this was the intense emotional reaction which erupted in response to the death of Princess Diana. Her death occurred within hours of a partial Solar Eclipse. The Saros Series to which that eclipse belongs tends to manifest a high stress level, possible illness or accidents, great physical concern, as well as worry or obsessive thinking. That eclipse happened to be activating the Princess' natal Pluto in her Eighth House, the Planet and House of the chart associated with death (among other things). Of course, there could be many potential events in the life with such an eclipse activating the chart and one would certainly not assume that the Princess would die. I'm sure there have been many people who have survived such an eclipse. However, it would have been safe to predict major changes, transformative and intense experiences for her on the basis of the eclipse's location in relation to her natal chart. The eclipse, on a collective level, indicated the cathartic release of emotion which was seen worldwide.

The eclipse this August is part of a Saros series which tends to unexpected events which place a great deal of pressure on relationships. With this Saros series, relationship issues loom large, and it is not wise to make hasty decisions because information is distorted and possibly false. These eclipses also have an essence of tiredness or health problems attached to them.

As with any celestial phenomenon, the eclipse must somehow be 'brought down to earth'. The way to do that is to relate it to the natal chart of an individual or nation, as well as observing its physical contact, in the sense that it is visible in certain parts of the globe and not others. People are fascinated by Solar eclipses, and many will travel around the world just to be able to witness the event. Those who do so often report an intensely emotional response to it.

Astrologically speaking, not all eclipses are created equal. The relationship of the Sun-Moon to the other planets at the exact time of the eclipse gives some indication as to the nature of the eclipse and the reaction we may experience. The timing of events related to an eclipse will not necessarily coincide with the time of the eclipse itself, often triggered later by a Planet going over the eclipse degree. In other words, we might see world events days, weeks, or even months, after (and sometimes before) the eclipse takes place, which will be related to the symbolism of that eclipse.

In the case of the upcoming eclipse of August '99, we are looking at a particularly spectacular and unusual alignment of planets coinciding with the eclipse. The Sun-Moon in Leo will be opposing Uranus in Aquarius, and at right angles to that will be Saturn in Taurus opposing Mars in Scorpio. This creates a pattern that is known in Astrology as a Grand Cross, a very dynamic, tension-filled, challenging aspect pattern. These are the four 'Fixed' Signs of the Zodiac, each of which exhibits tenacity, stubbornness and determination. In the most simple terms, the Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with issues of the freedom of creative expression of the individual versus the best interests of the collective, while the concerns of the Taurus-Scorpio polarity focus around personal versus shared resources (mine, yours, ours).

As well as this major configuration, the time of the eclipse will also see Mercury in Leo opposing Neptune in Aquarius with Jupiter in Taurus at right angles to both - again all in Fixed Signs, this time forming what Astrologers call a T-Square, another very dynamic, tense, challenging pattern. This combination of Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune suggests distorted or deceptive communication - potentially a major propaganda campaign - it will be difficult to get any solid, reliable information, to sort out the truth amid all the lies.

So what does all this mean? Each of the Planets represents a certain principle or type of energy. As mentioned, the Sun symbolizes the light of consciousness, while the Moon signifies the unconscious. Both of these in Leo (sign of the King/Queen), a sign that likes drama and personal aggrandizement, suggests that whatever happens it is likely to be a really big show, involving issues of leadership. Uranus represents the principle of revolution, upheaval, chaos - in short, volatile change. It is placed in Aquarius which is associated with detachment and ideals of the betterment of humanity in general. Here we see the needs/ desires of the individual pitted against the needs/desires of the group. Squaring off against this pair we find Mars (as in "the God of War") a very aggressive energy, in opposition to Saturn, which represents limits, boundaries and the principle of authority. The Mars energy in Scorpio likes intense and extreme action. Saturn in Taurus is concerned with preserving the status quo, particularly as it relates to issues of material security - the bottom line is about money. A Mars-Saturn opposition can be likened to driving with the brakes on. The warrior planet is none too happy facing off against Saturn, the authority figure. The inherent tension of the Grand Cross is intensified by the nature of the Planets involved here and with all of this taking place in the Fixed Signs, there is great resistance to the changes that must inevitably take place. It all adds up to the cosmic equivalent of a pressure cooker - the pressure is on and something will have to give. Such a picture indicates that something major is coming to a head - big time!

Knowing that this eclipse was on its way, I was particularly concerned when the NATO forces began their bombing campaign against the Serbs. The potential for a disastrous outcome was all too apparent. The August eclipse, happens to be directly overhead in Belgrade, with Mars on the eastern horizon (the Planets' energies are particularly noticeable when rising,setting, directly overhead or at the bottom of the chart). The eclipse will be visible from Washington, across the Atlantic Ocean, continuing through the south of England, across central Europe, down through Turkey, Iran/Iraq, Pakistan and India. I don't think it actually misses any of the political 'hotspots'. Though it will not be seen in Beijing, the eclipse will have just set in the west, with volatile Uranus on the Eastern horizon there. In Washington, the eclipse will have just risen and Saturn (the authority figure) will be overhead, with heels firmly dug in in Taurus (protecting U.S. interests and investments), trying to exercise control over everything. It is interesting to note that the initial air strike by NATO against the Serbs was launched when Saturn was directly overhead at Washington (who's in charge?).

In looking at the natal charts for the U.S., Serbia, Russia, China, Iraq, Israel, even Japan, the eclipse is activating all of them powerfully.

So what is going to happen? There are so many possibilities. Will the Y2K computer bug be a bigger disaster than some are predicting? Will the 'Crisis in Kosovo' escalate into a third World War? - it wouldn't be the first time that a World War began in that part of the world. There is also the small matter of the plutonium-laden spacecraft, Cassini, (launched in October, 1997) scheduled to do a fast and low flyby of Earth on August 16th. Isn't it comforting to know that the mission's scientists think that the probability of Cassini hitting the Earth during its flyby is "less than one in a million"? - sort of like the chances of winning the lottery. We humans have collectively created the potential for all of the above, not to mention the possibility of environmental disasters such as drought, flooding and new strains of bacteria and viruses that our tampering with the earth's fragile ecosystem may cause. Did you know that Monsanto and other huge pharmaceutical companies are on the way to controlling the seed supply for all the U.S.farmers (and the rest of the world's, if they get their way)?

I don't pretend to know what events will accompany (or follow) the August eclipse. I do think it is safe to say that it signifies some very major changes are imminent. It all seems somehow fitting since we are about to enter a brand new millennium, don't you think?