What's Up?
The Solar Eclipse on November 24/25, 2011


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.

The solar eclipse on November 24/25 is a partial eclipse, visible from Antarctica, New Zealand, Tasmania and southern South Africa.


For more information, visit the NASA Eclipse Home Page.

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.

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.

In astrology, we also note at which of the Moon's nodes the eclipse occurs. 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 north nodal eclipse, suggesting that we are being called to develop new skills and talents through independent effort.

As noted in the Astronomy section above, this is partial eclipse; the Moon does not obscure the light of the Sun. One way of interpreting the symbolism of this fact is that neither the masculine/active/yang energy of the Sun nor the feminine/receptive/yin energy of the Moon dominates. Rather, the joining of the two forces could be described as integrative and unifying, a process of becoming whole. Indicating perhaps that with this eclipse there is an opportunity to experience that sense of integration firsthand, in our personal lives and on a global level.

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.

image of Tarot Key  15 The Devil  This solar eclipse takes place with the Sun and Moon at 02 degrees and 37 minutes of Sagittarius. The tarot card associated with the sign of Sagittarius is Tarot Key #14 - Temperance. This card teaches us flexibility and adaptability as aids to finding our direction.

Sabian Symbol: 03 Sagitttarius
"
Two Men Playing Chess"

The symbolic degree interpretation of this eclipse suggests a competetive environment, along with the need to be conscious and cautious about taking risks.

Degree Affirmation: Wth objectivity, I think ahead and move forward with purposeful intent.

The Chart

chart of solar eclipse

This chart tells us there is a need to slown down and concentrate our efforts on making a better future for ourselves and others. The challenge is to reign in wasteful appetites. The energy exists to use a combination of logic and intuition to make reforms and repurpose desires, which will ultimately bring long lasting benefits.

If your birthday falls around Jan 8 or 22, Feb 21, Mar 22, Apr 6 or 21, May 22, Jun 23, Jul 9 or 24, Aug 25, Sep 24, Oct 10 or 25, Nov 24, Dec 23, your experiences now will have impact lasting three years. Expect to see current themes begin to develop ambitiously on their own in late September, 2012. A full understanding of the impact of this period will take until Spring of 2013 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.


Taurus Lunation
Balsamic Phase
Taurus Sun
Aries Moon


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