THE LUNAR ECLIPSE
The "Blood Red Moon" is a rare occurrence of a total lunar eclipse whereby the sunlight is 'bent' around the earth and the earth's atmosphere absorbs more of the other colours in sunlight - so if you were on the Moon at this time, it would be like looking at a thousand sunsets at once………….
The actual colour the moon appears to turn depends upon how much dust is in the earth's atmosphere at the time…….
Conditions signifying an Eclipse:
Both Sun and Moon must occupy either the same degree of longitude or opposite degrees of longitude.
The Sun and Moon must ALSO be in parallel aspect to one other, i.e., when they are within one degree of the same degree of declination (the position above or below the celestial equator described in degrees and minutes north or south of the equator).
The Sun and Moon must also be within orb of conjunction to one or both of the Moon’s Nodes for an eclipse to occur. One reason to note the importance of declinations is that Eclipses ONLY occur when the Sun and Moon are in the SAME degree of declination AND longitude. They may be in the same degree of longitude but no eclipse will occur unless they have the same declination. Actually, ANY two planets that fulfill this condition are in planetary eclipse, otherwise known as an occultation.
A Solar Eclipse, and any New Moon, has in it the sense of planting seeds, new beginnings, initiation, and a new frame of reference. Wiser minds than mine have advised against beginning any venture, however, the three days before or after a New Moon, eclipse or not. The Solar Eclipse is a conjunction and therefore indicates "emphasis".
The eclipse represents a synthesis of the solar and lunar factors in human consciousness - symbolising an obscuring of one of the factors. It may be seen as a symbolic war between the "Solar Angel" and the "Lunar Lord" governing the past of mankind. This is so because in man's awareness they appear to be of equal size in the sky and are hence evenly matched.
The Lunar Eclipse has in it the sense of culmination, reaping what was begun in the past, realizing the fruit of labors or thoughts. It is advised against beginning any project during the six day period surrounding the Full Moon.
A Lunar eclipse is an opposition, and may bring "relationships" into the interpretation.
Significance of the Lunar Eclipse in the personal chart:
During a Lunar Eclipse one may feel blocked from expressing one's intuitions and feelings because "Earth" tends to anchor to practical matters. This can be an excellent time to kick a habit, and is generally a good time to state intentions as the Sun holds sway, and past habits, and ingrained reactions, will not ordinarily well up to interfere.
Astrologers disagree about how long eclipse effects are viable, some saying as many months or years as hours the eclipse is visible, some saying three months before and after the Lunar, and 6 months before and after the Solar. Some tend to use longer periods of influence.
"The duration of the effects of an eclipse is said to be a year for every hour the Sun is eclipsed, and a month for every hour the Moon is eclipsed"Turnbull, 1918, editorial note in Anima Astrologia.
A study of transits of planets in aspect with the eclipse degrees for several months before and after the event can indicate the nature of the "turning point". These are known as eclipse triggers, and in some cases, can be very pronounced, because the eclipse "brings to light", but the planetary transit provides the significant energy. Many strong triggers mean more emphasis on the eclipse area. (Don't forget that aspects in declination may hasten or slow down the longitudinal aspect, and be just as valid)
Some degrees are "sensitized" as they are repeated over a span of years, through station points and major outer planet aspects, so it is possible that each eclipse may have varying lengths of influence dependent upon the degree and how much reinforcement it receives from other planetary aspects.
The current eclipse in personal charts needs to be related to the whole chart, taking into consideration the strength and aspects of the natal planet, then using the keywords of beginning (Solar) and culmination (Lunar) for the eclipses as relating to the attributes of that planet and the house it rules.
Count at least six months before the eclipse and look for transits to that point from Mars or any planet heavier (transits of Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus are usually too fleeting, unless there is a station) and watch what is brought to the attention with that transit. This will give you some good direction as to the import of the coming eclipse.
Relate activity to the houses that have Leo and Cancer on their cusps.
Another point to look at is to count back nineteen years when the last eclipse occurred at that degree and meditate upon what happened then, or what circumstances were brought to the attention at that time.
Some Rules of Eclipse Interpretation
The Lunar eclipse leaves in it's wake TWO sensitive points - the degree of the eclipse itself and it's opposite point. -i.e. The Moon and Sun degrees respectively.
The sensitive degree only becomes operative if that degree is occupied by a natal planet or a nodal point or one of the four angles. Transits to eclipse points may however act as a trigger.
The influence is determined by the intrinsic natures of the planet, angle or nodal point.
The extent of effects of an eclipse is in the ratio of 1 month for every hour of the duration of the Lunar eclipse. This duration is regarded as being extended over the centre of time of the eclipse - i.e. both forwards and backwards in time.
When a number of degrees are bound together in close conjunction in a chart (satellitium) the orb of influence of the eclipse tends to be greater.
The most powerful way in which an eclipse may work on a chart is when the degree in question is occupied by a planet, point and a fixed star.
Eclipses can be interpreted as having the same influence in charts for places and things as for personal charts.
A significant point is the Moon’s Nodes in their 18.6 year cycle are tied into declination. When the Moon’s Nodal orbit coincides with the 0 Point of Aries, the ascending Node will be crossing the ecliptic along this point of the celestial equator and the Moon then achieves it’s greatest declination in relation to its 19 year cycle, about 28'35". However, it continues for years afterwards to orbit at a high declination, to almost 29' at times, and then 9.5 years later, when the Node crosses the autumnal equinox point (0 Libra), the Moon will be at it’s minimum declination (approximately 18') and remain within the bounds of the ecliptic for a length of time.
As the nodal cycle is 18.6 years, there is a cycle of eclipses in an individual's life who has an eclipse contact to the natal chart about every 9-10 years from that first contact. Therefore, in interpretation, what should be stressed is not so much the nature of the singular eclipse contact to the natal planet or point, but the fact that there will be a recurring season of eclipses.
As has been stated, the nature of an eclipse to an individual is one of emphasis. The Moon represents the past, and the Sun representing the present. Therefore, the past tends to obscure the present in a Solar eclipse - hence the emphasis is on the past - while the present will tend to outweigh the past in a Lunar eclipse.
The nodal cycle by transit through the natal chart's houses tends to have more significance on an individual basis than the eclipse itself.
Ovason, David. The Book of The Eclipse - Arrow Books, London, 1999
Ruperti, Alexander. Cycles of Becoming - CRCS Publications, Nevada, 1978
Rudhyar, Dane. Person Centered Astrology - Aurora Publications , Santa Fe, NM, 1980
These books are available at
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