15th February 2018: Solar eclipse in 28th degree of Aquarius
at 8:52 p.m. UT
by Sarah Varcus
A solar eclipse occurs at a new moon and sees the light of the sun
obscured by the moon. Astrologically, the sun reflects our core will and
essence. It reveals the qualities that we manifest as we mature (giving
it a future-oriented quality) and the path we must walk to step into an
independent, unique expression of our being. As such it is the
organising force of the psyche through which is filtered all experience,
both internal and external. The sun relates to consciousness and in
growing increasingly conscious of ourselves and our motivation we step
more deeply into its life-giving energy.
The moon, on the other
hand, is our instinctive and feeling self. A part of us so deep within
and close to our very core that we barely know it consciously, instead
expressing it as readily but unconsciously as we draw breath. Reflecting
both subconscious and unconscious forces in the psyche, the moon
reveals our emotional habits and our default orientation towards life.
Where the sun is conscious and radiant, the moon is unconscious and
deceptively influential. Born of our innate subjectivity and yet all
encompassing, it both constrains us within our individual world view and
connects us with the collective consciousness from which we all draw
breath.
Because the light of the Sun (the life-force expressed as
will) is blocked by the physicality of the Moon (the life force
expressed as instinct) the shape of our life at a solar eclipse often
reveals the consequences of past actions and reactions. How we manage
our emotions and feelings, how we respond to those of others, the
stories we tell ourselves about the ‘who, what, where and how’ of our
existence, all have consequences which a solar eclipse can bring into
sharp relief. If we find ourselves challenged by unexpected disruption
now, honest and open reflection may reveal our part in current events no
matter how randomly beyond our control they at first appear.
Identifying the present consequences of past actions and omissions,
denials and assertions, will assist us greatly in moving forward with
deeper wisdom that supports a more awakened responsiveness in future.
Such a process allows for humility, not despair, to arise in the face of
challenge. It asserts authority over victimhood and reminds us that
everything we do has consequences, many of which are out of our grasp as
soon as we’ve acted. Whilst life does indeed deal unexpected cards and
everyone is blindsided sometimes, being able to trace our own footsteps
and fingerprints among what may at first look like a pile of rubble
enables us to take stock, ‘cowboy up’ and get back in the saddle!
Nonetheless, we may be tempted into victim mentality at this time,
convinced we are being punished or scapegoated, unfairly treated or
powerless to effect change in our lives. But we are only victims if we
allow something or someone to dictate our state of mind and heart,
instead of rising up, sovereign even in the face of our greatest
challenge. To do the latter we must understand how our mind and heart
work: what triggers our own personal spiral into despair or
hopelessness, anger or confusion.
There’s simply no time to wait for
feelings to change of their own accord now. We must be masters of our
destiny and agents of necessary change. Within the darkness of a solar
eclipse we need to hold our centre and stand firm, allowing whatever
occurs to penetrate us to our deepest core and speak its wisdom. We may
not want to hear this particular piece of wisdom right away, of course,
but the least we can do is write it down and return to it later, because
we can rest assured it will be central to our lives and how we live
them before too long.
Like the obscured light of the sun, our
capacity to take effective action may seem blocked at a solar eclipse,
but not for want of trying! These eclipses tend to have a mind of their
own, shaping events and emotions according to their own often difficult
to comprehend priorities. They disrupt our malaise and act to insert new
experience into our personal timeline. Events associated with solar
eclipses can be shocking by nature and wholly unexpected. Just when we
thought life was taking us in one direction we are turned to face a
different one and must forge a new path ahead. Aspects of our life which
we assumed were unassailable can be thrown into disarray and we must
pick up the pieces, like it or not. Alternatively, a solar eclipse may
bring an unexpected and often inexplicable stroke of good luck which
changes our life for the better in ways we couldn’t possibly have
imagined. But adjustment will still be necessary and we may at first
discover we’re a lot more scared of positive change and progress than we
previously anticipated!
An interesting paradox exists within
every solar eclipse, for whilst they augur a time of high energy and
often radical experiences, they occur at a new moon which is a time of
retreat, low energy, introspection and inner illumination. So a solar
eclipse is akin to driving a car with one foot on the accelerator and
the other on the brake! We must decide which foot to move in response to
the road ahead. Do we release the break and progress at increasing
speed, or do we release the accelerator and rest for a while? Either
choice is fine, as long as it’s the right one! If we need to slow down
and rest we won’t miss the boat. It’ll wait because our resting is all
part of the process towards the next step. But if we need to keep going
on a wave of high energy, that’s all good too. We can rest another time.
So choose wisely when the sun is eclipsed. Don’t push yourself if you
know it’s time to step back, because stepping back at the right moment
is equally important as stepping forward, and both contribute to the
potential of an eclipse well-lived.
Despite the intense nature of
a solar eclipse its fruits may take the following six months to ripen,
fertilised by our energy during the two or three days either side of the
actual event. It is therefore especially important to attend to the
quality of our thoughts, emotions and behaviour at this time. A solar
eclipse reminds us we are both sovereign over our life and subject to
forces beyond our control. Playing our part as well as possible, with
integrity, awareness and grace, ensures our power is used to the fullest
and greatest effect. The rest we must leave to chance and embrace when
it arrives!
So we could say a solar eclipse is a brush with
destiny, but not in the ‘pre-ordained there’s no avoiding it’ kind of
way. We are our own destiny, a fact which may become startlingly
apparent at this time. The events of our lives, their twists and turns,
challenges and triumphs, reflect our deepest essence and unique presence
in this world. We are force-fields of energy and intent, interacting
with the unified field of being woven through all things. The causative
factors of events in our lives are many and varied, but we are the
common denominator and it is through self-knowledge and self-acceptance
that we can more fully live, whatever life (and a solar eclipse!) throws
our way.
If you want to understand how a particular solar
eclipse impacts you more personally, look to the house where it falls in
your birth chart. Here you will experience its direct impact as the
affairs and issues of that house are subject to disruptive or unexpected
forces which may feel beyond your control. Previous activity or
achievement in the eclipse house may be undermined and new plans or
efforts required. You may have to think on your feet for a while if you
want to make up lost ground. Alternatively, it may make more sense to
let go of previous goals and reconsider the shape of things to come in
this area of your life.
Any aspects the eclipse makes to natal
planets, or conjunctions to the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven or Imum
Coeli, will also influence how its energies are experienced. Look
especially to the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and
sometimes Jupiter) and to conjunctions, squares and oppositions, which
will be most acutely felt.
Look also to the position and
condition (aspects and strength etc.) of your natal sun, whose impact
upon your life will be emphasised during a solar eclipse. You may find
that the issues your natal sun reflects in your chart are particularly
brought to bear in the house where the eclipse occurs. For example, if
your natal sun is in your 10th house of career and public life and the
eclipse is in your 4th house of home and family, you may find that work
issues and demands from the outside world greatly impact your home life,
and your work/personal life balance requires some skillful attention.
It’s also worth considering the house ruled by the sun in your natal
chart: that is the house with Leo on its cusp. Here you will also feel
the impact from a solar eclipse, but often more in the long-term than at
the actual time of the eclipse. Once the eclipse season has passed and
things begin to settle you may see a gradual change in this area over
the following few months, as events and changes associated with the
eclipse ‘bed in’ to your life. Your decision-making abilities and sense
of sovereignty in this area of your life will mature as a result of the
eclipse and you will gain a broader and wiser perspective upon the
affairs of this house and how best to take them forward.
For info about the astrology of 2018 go here:
http://astro-awakenings.co.uk/2018astrology
To learn astrology go here:
http://tinyurl.com/j3l7oya
Sarah Varcas
