July 16 5:38 PM EST
The 2nd and final eclipse this month falls at 24 degrees of Capricorn. The sun, opposite the moon as always during a full moon, is at 24 degrees of Cancer. The sun and the moon are conjunct the lunar nodes- the moon being conjunct the karmic south node which represents the past. And the sun is conjunct the north node, which represents our dharma, or current destiny and direction in the world.
All eclipses fall within 15 degrees of the lunar nodes, but this one is especially potent for four reasons.
- It is a south node eclipse (meaning the full moon is conjunct the south, rather than north node), pointing us towards the significance of the past, and circumstances coming to fruition based on actions from the past (perhaps even the very distant past)
- The moon is not only conjunct the lunar south node but also conjunct Saturn and Pluto AND the south nodes of both Saturn and Pluto. The nodal axis of both of these planets straddles the Cancer/Capricorn axis. So we are not only dealing with the effects of our own subjective emotional past (lunar nodes), but also the past as it relates to responsibility and self-discipline (Saturn nodes), and the past as it relates to psychological health and integrity (Pluto nodes)
- Saturn, which is the ruler of the eclipse (since it is the ruler of Capricorn the sign the eclipse falls in), is in exact opposition to love planet Venus at 16 degrees of Cancer. Venus is conjunct the sun and the north node, offering us a taste of the richness that awaits us if we can diligently navigate the situations that are arising now. Being exactly opposed by Saturn, shows us that Venus’ rewards will be valuable and durable, but hard won
- The degree of the eclipse, 24 Capricorn, is extremely sensitive. On January 12, 2020 there will be a much anticipated conjunction between Saturn and Pluto at 22 degrees of Capricorn (the last time these two planets united was in Libra in 1982). Then on April 5, transiting Jupiter will unite with Pluto at 24 degrees of Capricorn. Jupiter will retrograde later in the spring and then conjoin with Pluto AGAIN at 24 degrees of Capricorn on June 30th.
In short, the potency of these aspects is very rare, and what happens now during this eclipse, and the weeks and months that follow, will be a foreshadowing of the events and circumstances that will be reactivated, and highlighted, in 2020. Since Venus is strongly involved in this eclipse, as mentioned above, it indicates that our relationships and finances will be activated along with the other themes mentioned earlier. So in many ways this is a comprehensive eclipse whose influence runs to most every area of our lives. Even Mercury is conjunct the eclipse, though out-of-sign, still in Leo at 1 degree and retrograde.
Having Mercury in fiery Leo and retrograde adds a rather renegade energy to the eclipse, where the sense is that mistakes or hot headed miscommunications could happen on a dime. And perhaps cause painful consequences, with heavy and emotional energy in the air. It’s important not to turn inconveniences and petty disagreements into full blown conflicts, because people may be inclined to double down on their positions if they are feeling unstable. And many people are certainly feeling unstable with so much drama from the past coming up now.
Mars, at 9 degrees of Leo, is out of the range of influence of the eclipse. However, since Mars is conjunct Mercury, and Mercury is within range, it’s as though Mars is being pulled in too. Truly, there is no part of our lives that is not up for reappraisal, renegotiation, release and reinvention right now. And with Mars and Mercury in square to rule-breaker Uranus at 6 degree Taurus, we are rather being shoved in this direction, to rid ourselves of the outdated no matter the cost or consequence. Uranus in Taurus wants to disrupt the status quo.
The great ally of this eclipse is spiritual Neptune at 18 degrees of Pisces, making loving and harmonious aspects to ALL of the planets (and nodes) in Cancer and Capricorn. It has never been more important to quiet our minds and listen to our inner guidance and wisdom. The ongoing square between Neptune and boisterous Jupiter is serving us well now as it greatly amplifies Neptune’s whispers so we can hear them through the drama. Focusing on journaling, dreamwork, creativity, meditation, and spiritual practice in general will greatly assist all in coming to clarity about what shifts are actually proactive and purposeful, and which may be unnecessary or even damaging.
Our inner guidance has significant messages for us now, messages that can shift the course of our whole lives, and pave a smoother road for us ahead in 2020 and beyond, so it’s wise to remain open and curious. While confusion, and even grief, often accompany significant changes, the planets are coming together now for the purposes of helping us catalyze these shifts so we can ultimately come to peaceful resolution with the past and step into more empowered, and authentic, dynamics moving forward.
*image by Marcus R Donner
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