The
Astronomy
A
Solar Eclipse is a special type of New Moon when the Moon is directly
between the Sun and Earth. That is, they are aligned near the ecliptic
(the plane of the earth's orbit around the sun and the apparent annual
path of the sun).
The
moon's orbit is inclined by 5 degrees to the ecliptic; the two points
where they intersect are called the Moon's Nodes, identified as the ascending
node (North) and the descending node (South). Eclipses occur during two
periods each year when the apparent motion of the Sun meets up with the
nodes. The closer the Moon is to the center of the line between the Sun
and Earth, the more total the eclipse.
During
a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely obscures the Sun over a relatively
narrow band across the Earth's surface, its shadow racing generally eastward.
Non-total
eclipses include the annular, when the Moon is farther from the Earth
and appears smaller, so the Moon does not completely block the Sun but
leaves a ring around the rim; and the partial, when the Moon is slightly
off center, blocking only a portion of the Sun.
The fourth
type of solar eclipse is the hybrid, also known as an annular/total. Just
over 5% of solar eclipses fall in this category, making the hybrid eclipse
something of a rarity.
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The
solar eclipse on July
11 is a total eclipse, which crosses the South
Pacific Ocean where it makes no landfall except for Mangaia (Cook
Islands), Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and several isolated atolls.
The path of totality ends just after reaching southern Chile and
Argentina. The Moon's penumbral shadow produces a partial eclipse
visible from a much larger region covering the South Pacific and
southern South America.
For
more information, visit the
NASA Eclipse Home Page.
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The
Astrology
A
solar eclipse is a New Moon with tremendous impact. The Sun that gives
us life and lights our path is joined briefly with the dark and mysterious
qualities of the Moon. The Moon blocks the light of the Sun. In this moment
of perceived darkness, spirituality and the psyche combine anew, beginning
another cycle in the spiral of our personal development.
The
last time there was a solar eclipse at this same degree of Cancer was
in 1991; the next one will be in 2029. Think
back to the personal themes in your life during the summer of 1991 and
review the progress of your personal growth over the last 19 years.
All
eclipses indicate change; solar eclipses signify beginnings and usually
manifest as events in the outer world. At solar eclipses we: begin something
new, make promises to ourselves, commit, announce, present ourselves,
show up, make plans, select events, make decisions, rise to the challenge,
make an effort, change, mature, take on greater challenges, travel at
a faster pace, feel restless, feel pressured by deadlines and a buildup
of emotions, experience a crisis and feel excited.
There
are two kinds of solar eclipses. North nodal eclipses have a personal
orientation and symbolize personal identity, ego and the physical body.
South nodal eclipses are other-oriented and symbolize a spouse or significant
other, relationships and new perspectives based on interaction with others.
This
is a south nodal eclipse, suggesting that we are being called to use previously
learned skills and talents in new ways and that the opportunities to do
so will come through our relationships.
This solar eclipse takes place with the Sun and Moon in Cancer. The
tarot card associated with the sign of Cancer is Tarot
Key #7-The Chariot. The Chariot teaches us the defining quality
of speech; how self-talk creates our reality. Universal forces provide
protection while tenacity assures victory and triumph. Ruled by the
Moon, it represents the cyclic aspect of change and is associated
with psychic receptivity. Confer with The Chariot when you wish to
make a positive change in your life.
Here
is the chart of the July 11, 2010 Solar Eclipse:
The
Sun and the Moon have a sextile aspect from Mars suggesting that there
is an opportunity for beginning positive action in support of the principles
embodied by the symbolism of the New Moon. Mercury in a closing semi-square
configuration to Mars indicates that some aspect of thought or communication
must occur, and Jupiter square Pluto denotes the challenge involved in
transforming philosophies.
Sabian
Symbol: 20 Cancer
"Venetian
Gondoliers Giving a Serenade"
The
symbolic degree of this particular eclipse denotes happiness as an overtone
of social integration.
The
heightened impact of eclipse energy can be felt by everyone as much as
3 months in advance and has subtle reverberations for as long as 3 years
afterwards. Although the energies are most prominent for a week on either
side of the eclipse (many feel a heightened sense of anxiety during this
period), the influence on events continues. Eclipse periods are extremely
active, often associated with meaningful events and public exposure.
If
your birthday falls around Jan 9, Feb 8 or 22, Mar 9, Apr 9, May 9 or
25, Jun 10, Jul 11, Aug 12 or 27, Sep 12, Oct 12, Nov 11 or 26, or Dec
11, your experiences now will have impact lasting three years. Expect
to see current themes begin to develop ambitiously on their own at the
end of next April. A full understanding of the impact of this period will
take until the end of 2011 to unfold.
When
an eclipse falls on your birthday, you can definitely count on an eventful
year ahead. However, it does not have to be in your sun sign for you to
feel its effects. If it makes any contacts to a planet or personal point
in your chart, your experience of the eclipse will be intensified. A qualified
astrologer can determine the placement of an eclipse in your chart and
advise you about what to expect, along with how to make the most of the
potential offered.
