Solar Eclipse, July 1, 2011
“News You Can Use”
Can we handle one more eclipse? This is the third eclipse since June 1st, and it is certainly going to be the one with the most impact since the Cardinal Grand Cross motif of our Summer Solstice chart (please see my last article) is now repeated with this eclipse involving the Sun/Moon at 9+ degrees of Cancer.
The Sabian Symbol for this degree is ‘A large diamond in the first stages of the cutting process’. How graphic can we get? Solar Eclipses always involve unfinished business because it is the Sun which is being blotted out by the Moon. The Moon represents, in this case, the past which must be attended to before we can move forward with the New Moon’s agenda based on the Sun’s sign and degree and where it falls in any given birth map.
What are you in the process of refining? What rough edges are left to be cut away? How can you facet your potential so that it may shine more brilliantly out into the world? What beauty now needs to come forth out of the hard work you are involved in? What are you nurturing and tending that you want to become strong and of lasting value?
Look to where 9-11 degrees of Cancer falls in your own birth map, or your progressed map. Here is the new focus coupled with unfinished work for the next 6 months to a year. Yes, that’s right. This is not a short-term issue. Solar Eclipses imply an emphasis in a certain area for a long time.
Looking at this Cancer theme, we need to ask ourselves whether or not we’re being too childish and expecting others to do the hard work for us, or whether we are willing to be good parents to what it is that we wish to support, tend, and nurture along in the coming months.
The challenging aspects to this vulnerable point are many. The opposition from Pluto in Capricorn implies issues of power with likely struggles ahead. Will we capitulate to manipulative powers or will we face our ‘Goliaths’ and be fearless in our own truth? The square from Saturn demands that we take responsibility for ourselves and our relationships with others and get serious about working towards harmony and balance rather than more strife and conflict. The square from Uranus opens us to many unknowns and demands that we be willing to change as our consciousness is awakened. Uranus certainly represents the compelling cry for freedom and the potential quantum leaps into new territory yet to be explored.
The easy trines to Chiron and Neptune in early Pisces will either smooth the way towards greater spiritual consciousness as we face all the turning points ahead, or enable further back-sliding into unconsciousness and/or fantasy-escapism through all the means available now to distract us via recreational drugs, addictive game-playing and media-entertainment.
Finally, the sextile to Jupiter in Taurus may bring opportunities that are tangible and solid in our work of ‘good gardening’ ahead. Cancer and Taurus simply love each other energetically because one supports the other so easily in producing growth and abundance.
I’m intrigued by what’s taking place in the United States, since this is a Cancer (July 4, 1776) country. It’s quite amazing the line-up of similarities in this Eclipse chart with the USA’s birth map. Sun’s nearly conjunct, Mercury’s nearly conjunct, Venus, S. Node conjunct the USA’s Mars in Gemini, Mars in Gemini now conjunct US Uranus. The US is also going through a Saturn Return and eventually a Pluto Return.
This Eclipse chart will certainly trigger further upheaval and change for this country. If the true destiny of this ‘New World’ has been to create a place of refuge and safety where immigrants from all over the world could come and have the freedoms to pursue their own life, liberty, and happiness, this Eclipse implies much unfinished work to attend to in this nation’s true purpose (Sun in Cancer). Much is challenging all aspects of this nation’s destiny with Pluto probably representing the greatest force opposed to it.
With Pluto in Capricorn conjoining the S. Node at the inception of this country, the shadow of a powerful elite was there from the get-go. This shadow-government has now gained major control as we have seen more fully since 2007 and on when Pluto was first opposing Venus/Jupiter in Cancer. The great American dream of home ownership was undermined by this gangster-like cartel through their game of predatory lending practices, and now the long plunge continues as Pluto moves into orb of opposing the nation’s Sun and finally Mercury. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this as Pluto hammers away over the next 5+ years.
With any Saturn return there is a sobering of tone. This nation has Sun in Cancer squaring Saturn in Libra natally, and now this Eclipse re-emphasizes that theme as the Saturn Return approaches. The politics and justice system of this nation tend always towards conservatism in spite of the collective desire for equal freedoms (Moon in Aquarius). This conservatism is showing up more strongly than ever right now and it can be highly ethno-centric in its self-righteousness.
What will happen as Uranus, the joker in the deck, begins to rise from the depths (Uranus transiting the nation’s 4th house) and challenges the status quo and the Cancerian desire for security at all costs? The zone of comfort is going to have to ride the waves of unpredictability on all levels. Obviously there is an awakening going on at the grass roots level in this country and it is seen in ways that are more up close and personal than governmental. I know in my community there is much positive action that involves help for the homeless, senior citizens, and the dying, educational support for all, and local economies, especially in organic farming, keeping good food close to home.
A nation is only as great as its poorest, sickest, and weakest citizens. This nation now has a swelling population of people reduced to abject poverty. It also has a population riddled with health problems with no safety net for care because these millions can not afford insurance or the cost of medical care. How great can a nation be when it turns its back on those most in need? There is a deeper bankruptcy going on here that undermines the ‘Top Gun’ stance shown to the rest of the world through the military-industrial complex. Remember, the US has a Mars in Gemini squaring Neptune, which trnaslates into the hi-tech projection of macho-might but drivels into the endless fog of wars which eventually unravel without clear resolutions. Neptune/Chiron in Pisces will begin to further undermine and dissolve what Mars tries to do unless there is a different motivation. But I digress!
As Uranus challenges Pluto in the years to come much will be revealed that is just now coming to light. As Uranus challenges all those Cancer planets representing the heart, will, and mind of America, much will be awakened that perhaps brings the greater population out of its adolescent, ethno-centric phase into a new maturity of what Cancer should be.
The true purpose of Cancer is to nurture. Its purpose is not to meddle and manipulate. Its purpose is not to encourage co-dependency. It’s purpose is to give enough protection, guidance through fair rules and discipline, and loving care so that all under it’s auspices can grow strong, independent, and purposeful themselves in making healthy contributions to the whole. This requires giving good nourishment on all levels; physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Good parenting is one of the best goals any Cancer can have. Does a good parent beat their children, shame them, and boss them around? Does a good parent neglect their own family?
Is America, as a nation, living the life of a ‘good parent’? The potential Diamond with its brilliant light still needs work. Let’s hope that Uranus in Aries can work with this Eclipse to cut away the rough spots and encourage the maturity and growth that is yet needed for this collective to fulfill its higher destiny.
Wherever you are, dear reader, pay attention to yourself, your close relationshps, including family matters, and the land upon which you dwell. Cancer/Capricorn is the axis to watch with this elcipse over the next 6 months to a year.
June 27, 2011 15 Comments
Categories: Astrology, Eclipses |
Tags: Solar Eclipse July 11, United States Chart
15 comments
once again your eloquent writing about the esoteric visions of astrology are aptly said so as to understand better with heart and mind! Thank you Genevieve…
Interestingly with regard to your newsletter, Genevieve, last evening I agreed to go with my husband, who loves Science Fiction, to see the Green Lantern. Once again (Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Transformers, etc.) I watched how the plot parallels our situation here in the U.S. right now. It is shows a human, played by, easy to look at, Ryan Reynolds, who is selected by a dying “green lantern” star being’s ring to take his place. It then quickly becomes a third chakra conflict between evil and good played out with ‘power, fear, and will’. The characters then struggle with this enigma, and one of them becomes over taken with greed and grows astronomically huge with power by through engorging itself off the by creating fear and killing them thereby gaining power. Then it decides to destroy and conquer planet earth. The ‘only human’ green lantern, Hal played by Reynolds is left to the task of overcoming evil through facing the giant energetic monster of fear with courage. So, if you can get by the teenage antics of the third chakra genre, and the almost boring cliches of the fight between a super hero saving the day, it is worth watching. Only because it aptly shows how we here in the U.S. do need a super hero to save the day, or ~ we may have to find our own inner courage ( super hero)and face this time of great intensity, as you so well describe, Genevieve. Unlike the superhero movies out today in so many films, we need together to find ways to stay tuned but inspired by what is happening, and see it as a birth of something new and wonderful that we can imagine with the power of out thoughts ( as it shows the super hero being able to do in the movie)… Anyway, thanks again for a thoughtful overview for what we are all so feeling the heat from…
Also, I thought it was so fascinating that the light that Hal got his strenth from was a ‘green lantern”! The color of the heart chakra. The next one up on the evolution scale for us here on planet earth. The did show that the light of fear was yellow, the color of the third chakra and will centre. For me the message was finding the light through the heart, and finding our courage there to go through this Saturn/Pluto experience!
This is excellent in-put, Connie! I always value your ability to see the archetypal patterns as they unfold in daily life and mass consciousness. Movies really do mirror back to us many of these collective issues.
Hello there Genevieve! How are you out on the west coast. What a great article you have put together! Your writing flows so beautifully much like your Piscean spirit. Up here in Canada we are set to celebrate our nation’s birthday tomorrow – hello eclipse and new moon – and so much of what you say about the US applies to us here as well. The challenge to be true to the essential nurturing aspect of cancer, that lies at the heart and soul of these two awesome nations but which seem to have desperately lost their way of late. Their beacons of light are hard to see these days, no longer beaming forth a guiding light on the pathway to draw us out from under the shadowy darkness of our respective governments.
I sense that at the *grass*roots level each blade of grass being seeded, watered and established will start to weave itself into a great and lush green carpet upon which to hold a world wide picnic! One for all nations on this planet to come together and party in celebration of one another. Is my chart ruled by Jupiter or what?!!!
On a personal note, taking your direction to check out planetary activity on one’s own natal chart for anything around the 9th degree of Cancer, I see I have Orcus at 8 cancer 24′ 59″ *and* that the sun just transited over it about an hour ago! What that said to me was to look out to the world and see where and what I can do to assist in the raising of consciousness and facilitate transformative healing on the group level. I also noticed that I have Nemesis 9 cancer 6′ 13″ and that just speaks for itself, doesn’t it?! Ready or not world, I’m going to speak up when I encounter hubris of any shape or colour! It is all tying in with the dharmic pull of my north node at 4 Libra 6′ 52″ conjunct Mars 3 Libra 1′ 44″ the positioning of which makes more sense to me with each passing day and both my north node and Mars are in my 9th house.
I am very much looking forward to this eclipse and new moon and the unfolding of the six month period leading up to the winter solstice – my favourite holiday of the year!
Thank you SO much Genevieve for the wonderful work you do. You have changed my life more than you will ever know. I am beyond happy that my dharma called me to check out this page some months back… it’s truly great to have you in my corner! Much love.
Another rich and insightful commentary. Thank you so much, Ursula. I didn’t realize how closely aligned the US and Canada are in their Sun signs. It’s all so intriguing what is now taking place. China is a Libran nation (Cardinal again). India, I believe, is a Capricorn nation (Cardinal again). England is, of course Aries.(the ultimate Cardinal sign) Wow! What a time that is unfolding. I certainly appreciate readers like you and Connie making your contributions, and I’ve learned from both of you.
Dear Genevieve,
You appropriately have a thoughtful and insightful readership that is entirely correct about your gift for writing, which amplifies your other gifts.
This eclipse, focused precisely at my IC and conjunct my sun at 12 degrees Cancer, has triggered a lot for me physically and emotionally and thrown me into grief and process work that could wait no longer—a challenging gift that feels almost alchemical, one I know will bring rewards commensurate with the work. I am struck in all of this that in the starkness of moonlight things can be seen and felt clearly that are lost in the glare and all the noise and color of sunlight.
Thank you for your meaningful and elegant work and for sharing it with us.
Your last sentence ‘I am struck……” says volumes about Solar Eclipses and Lunar Consciousness. Thanks for contributing Lesley.
Great Article Genevieve, although I disagree with you on some of the cultural particulars.
I was going to type a rather lengthy post about all the ways in which I think you may be missing the bigger picture (and I could easily be wrong), that said, most of my disagreement comes down to one fact. America was founded to be a place where “All men a created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” To me, the emphasis is on the first part of my quote from the declaration. America is about equality. America isn’t a place for immigrants to seek refuge and safety or to pursue their own dreams. It’s a place where EVERYONE can do those things. That wasn’t just a liberal idea at the time of our nation’s founding, it was purely radical. Many of the nation’s original laws and political systems were created in order to achieve and maintain that radical ideal of equality. In that sense, American conservatism is the defense of liberalism. Meanwhile, American liberals push for “social justice”, in which people’s social standing would purposefully be brought into play in legal matters, which is the much more traditional way in the world.
I also want to say that I think America is a great parent. Unlike most other nations, we haven’t given up. We are the only nation in the world with a navy that can do some good against pirates for example. (which is why American ships are rarely attacked) People can say what they want about the evils of American militarism, but when it comes down to it, we’re the only nation in the world with the ability to take care of threats to world security. I would also like to the raise the argument that we do more to learn about opponents and treat them with some compassion than almost any other country in the world. I’m not entirely sure that’s accurate, but I know I personally know much more about Iraq and Afghanistan now than I did 10 years ago and I learn more almost every day. I believe the reason the U.S. is doomed to keep fighting wars around the world is because, like a good parent, we won’t give up on our baby until we believe they’ve reached maturity. (which requires them embrace equality, life, liberty AND the pursuit of happiness.)
So basically, I wanted to challenge people to try to expand their minds and see things in a new way.
Curt, I appreciate your voice, and even disagreement because —-you’re right—-we still live in a land where we CAN have disagreements and the freedom to voice them. I’ve actually printed out your response to ponder it and want to continue the dialogue. I think you are also addressing, astrologically, the fact that our nation has Moon in Aquarius. To me, this would imply our deep need for equality and democracy as a people. That piece is truly our ‘Soul’ speaking. I’m happy to have a man jump in here and encourage you to keep contributing your point of view. That being said, I’m still concerned about the dark side of Cancer which can turn manipulative in its desire to only protect itself or its ‘allies’against all threats. We are now a nation that must live with the rest of the peoples of this world and honor their customs and beliefs as well. I think we still have a lot to learn, and that we assume that everyone wants to be like us. The fact is that we have never honored indigenous peoples starting with the first inhabitants of this great land. That is what continues to deeply trouble me. Why do we consider ourselves superior to poor, humble brown, black, yellow, or red people? I am continuously troubled by that whether I look to our policies with the Native American population to this day in our own land, the continuing plight of black people here and in Africa, the plight of indigenous peoples in South America, and now even those in far-off places like Afghanistan. How are these peoples in Iraq and Afghanistan going to deal with all the depleted uranium we have dumped on their soils to continue to poison their children for generations to come? Look at Cambodia, and Viet Nam. Is this the kind of legacy we really want to have as ‘good parents’? That is what troubles me. I, as a woman, still don’t understand how war ever creates peace. That idea continuously perplexes me.
I see and feel a light…and a place of peace amidst all that is…It is to be found.
Good! Let’s hold that image and thought.
Dear Genevieve,
As an Aquarian Moon, and having a Cancerian mother, I am compelled to respond to this article that you have written.
My Cancer mother, has indeed dispelled her ‘claws’ over the years when she felt challenged. And yet, we – the two of us have developed a ‘kindly’ workmanship of relating together over these past 30 plus years.
She, years ago would love to blame me as a child for situations that I would have needed her support on, prior to any ‘situations’ occuring. The Cancer ‘sting’ can very much be about blaming other’s, rather, than looking at oneself.
I have recently needed to ask my mother for something regarding a legal aspect. She complied and told me she would do whatever I wanted her to do. However, there is an instinct in me to prove to her that the papers I want her to sign are absolutely court substatiated.
What am I trying to say amongst all this is this: Cancer and Aquarius can join and become friends…
My Aquarian moon has enabled me to see the ‘reactionary and blaming qualities within the ‘dark side’ of Cancer of my mother, ‘ so that I no longer react to her ‘victimization’ and her darkness of ‘defense’ in turn. Instead, I use my tools as an Aquarian to be able to understand her, and no longer allow myself to get pulled into her old ideas of ‘self-pitty and darkness.’
Can the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Aquarius which rules the U.S.A. support each other in both understanding, foresight, and detachment and neutrality in order to sustain a more egalitarian world.
I for one have experienced the harmonics of this dynamic.
With love and peace,
Regina
P.S., Diamonds in the ‘rough’ are diamonds that are not yet ‘fathomed!’
What a great way to show how these two, seemingly disparate, signs can harmonize. I’m now curious if any readers out there with Cancer Sun and Aquarian Moon in there charts could share what it’s like to have those two energies in one body. Adjustments are needed for sure. It sounds like you’ve moved into consciousness, Regina. Was your mother able to see her ‘shadow’ side. In a great nation, there will always be the voices of support and the critics coming from the general population. We do need both. Most worldly powers, however, do not self-reflect in terms of public image. It takes a lot for a nation to ever apologize for errors made. Oh! And one last thing: I know a GREAT couple with a really good marriage, and she is a Cancer and he is an Aquarian. Lovely.
Perhaps the reason I tap into the Aquarian moon of the United States so easily is because, being born on Feb. 20th, I have a little bit of Aquarian influence on my own personality too.
It’s right, of course, to be concerned about our dark side. All good people should keep an eye on their dark side, as should all good nations. (Which is one reason I’ve never tried drugs, though unfortunately I found out other things can be addictive too.)
As a fellow pisces, I’m also sometimes overwhelmed by the emotions of war. War is tough to examine and understand from an emotional standpoint, because any war is going to be overflowing with emotion. I want to point out though, that the median age and average life expectancy in Afghanistan have both been steadily on the rise since the U.S. started fighting there. If we keep fighting, Afghanis may live long enough to worry about depleted uranium for themselves. What we need to do is to make sure we’re fighting for Afghanistan, not for ourselves or anyone else. (Which may be the needed change in our motivation?)
Also, I suspect tribalism goes beyond racism. There are many “tribes” of different sorts in this nation (and outside) and we need to be careful about each of them, not focusing on some tribes (such as various races) to the exclusion of others. In this sense, we need to be even more careful to judge ideas on their own merits, rather than on the faction (or tribe) that produces the idea. Our nation can’t survive unless we respect one another.
As for parenting, the U.S. gave up on Vietnam and Cambodia (Somalia too) and look what happened. They are not our only “children” however. There are also Germany, Japan, The Philippines, Puerto Rico and others. My assertion is that the U.S. is good. Not that we’re perfect.
Very well put, Curt! Good, but not perfect—I like that! I can tell you are both a thoughtful and deep thinker, but also ‘thoughtful’ in the human sense. I always appreciate your contribution to this blog and look forward to all of your insights in the future. It takes time for a blog to develop a group of participants. I, too, have quite a bit of Aquarian in me and that has always been my goal to elicit more responses from readers. I welcome more discussion. We are living through momentous times and we do have the luxury in this country of still being able to discourse with each other in an open way.
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