The Great American Solar Eclipse

The Great American Total Solar Eclipse taking place on Monday 21 August 2017 will be seen across the USA, but this eclipse hits a degree of the zodiac - 28° Leo - which will make it a global event as he late degrees of Leo are present in the charts of many countries and leaders. Eclipses occur regularly around three or four times a year, but they appear in cycles and this particular one happens approximately every 18.5 years. It was last seen on 11th August 1999.

This Solar Eclipse pattern also occurred in 1945 when America was attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbour; in 1963 when President John F Kennedy was assassinated; and in 1981 - the year of an attempted assassination on President Ronald Reagan. This Solar Eclipse will be in a conjunction to President Trump’s natal Mars and Ascendant. This could bring anger, arguments, and aggression - at the very least he'll probably be accident-prone and very stressed. This Solar Eclipse could also be in opposition to the USA Moon (depending upon the actual start time of the USA). If that's the case, there will be a huge amount of social unrest during the months after the eclipse.

Do eclipses influence the birth chart of individuals? Yes, they do. Any planet or point in your natal chart which is being aspected - especially a conjunction or opposition - by the eclipse will be influenced for the next 12 months. You should expect major changes depending upon which planet or point is triggered. For example, if the eclipse connects to the Sun in your natal chart, your physical vitality, creativity, or anything to do with children could become an important issue. This year's Solar Eclipse will be in opposition to my natal Moon. That means I can expect some dramatic situations concerning my family, home, and emotional life. An eclipse brings a turning point usually involving some sort of cover-up or exposure.

Eclipses often coincide with happy events or experiences, but because the energy of an eclipse symbolises a sense of drama, or being at a crossroads in our lives, it tends to have a shadow side, so there is always a hidden element or some unexpected consequence. In ancient times, and throughout history, eclipses were symbols of fear and dread. They were thought to be portents of doom, in much the same way as comets were. A Solar Eclipse actually looks like a giant eye glaring down on everyone, so it's understandable that ancient civilisations believed it to be the 'Evil Eye' - particularly as many people became blind after seeing an eclipse of the Sun. Of course we now understand that the Sun's radiation can destroy the retina, causing a loss of sight, and that's why, in modern times, we are warned to use protection when looking at a Solar Eclipse. As for Lunar Eclipses, they take on a red hue which can look like a face covered in blood - hence the nickname 'Blood Moon'. 

People also believed that certain misfortunes would occur in the months after an eclipse: war, drought, famine, etc. Interestingly, it has been discovered that eclipses do make earthquakes more likely in the geographical locations within the eclipse shadow. There is actually a scientific reason for this. The Earth's crust is actually not as solid as it's name suggests. Relatively speaking, it is quite thin and 'floats' on the surface of a layer called the Mantle which is mainly composed of magma - molten rock. When the combined gravitational force of the Sun and Moon takes place during an eclipse, it actually pulls the crust upwards and makes it bulge by more than 50 cm (20 inches). It doesn't sound much but this pulling and stretching can weaken the structure of the crust allowing molten magma to seep through at certain points making those areas more susceptible to seismic eruptions.

In the 'old days' eclipses were believed to have a detrimental effect upon people of high status and in positions of power and authority - especially kings and queens. In modern times, this came to include not just royalty, but prime ministers, presidents and religious leaders too - anyone at the top of the social pyramid. Particularly in the case of members of the British Royal Family, many important events happen on, or around, an eclipse. For example, The Prince Of Wales was born two days before a Lunar Eclipse. He married Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981 - two days before a Solar Eclipse. His elder son, Prince William was born on a Solar Eclipse. On 31st August 1997, Diana, Princess Of Wales died two days before a Solar Eclipse and this year's eclipse is about to make some powerful connections to her chart, so prepare for a revelation. 

Remember that you don't have to see an eclipse for it to have an effect on your life, but if you can see it, take precautions and wear protective eclipse goggles. In 2015, there was a Solar Eclipse visible across the UK. I saw it and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. Happy Eclipse Gazing! 🌕🌑