Staring at our fears – 2018 July and August Eclipses

M

IMG_6104

13th of July       2:47 UT Solar Eclipse at 20º Cancer

11th of August  9:57 UT Solar Eclipse at 18º Leo

27th of July     20:20 UT Lunar Eclipse at 4º Leo-Aquarius

This year we have three Solar Eclipses, in February, July and August; and two Lunar Eclipses in January and July. In this article I will focus on the influence of the July and August Eclipses. It is not strange that we have two solar eclipses one after another, This is because the eclipses have an 18 years cycle and every 54 years you can expect an eclipse to occur at a similar time in the same place, ancient astrologers called this Saros cycles. Every Saros cycle last nearly 1300 years, but when an old Saros comes to the end, another new cycle will start 28 days later.  This will cause two solar eclipses to happen within a month, like this year, and when this happens we usually can expect a Partial Solar eclipse to happen near the South Pole and another near the North Pole. If you are interested in Solar Eclipses and how to interpret different Eclipses according their Saros Cycle, I recommend Dr. Bernadette Brady’s “The eagle and the lark”, this book will give you a clear idea about Saros cycle and Eclipses.

When astrologers consider the influence of Eclipses (Solar and Lunar), we will look at the signs of the Sun and Moon, the element of signs of Sun and Moon, Sun and Moon aspects, we also consider Moon Nodes’ signs and aspect of Moon nodes, especially those planets conjunct Moon Nodes.  We also consider in which house the Sun, Moon and Node are located according the location.

Signs and Elements of 2018 summer eclipses

The Solar Eclipse on the 13th of July will occur at 20º Cancer, this suggests important events around Caring, Nurturing, Parenting, Family and Foods. Cancer is a water sign, it is about Ocean, Seafaring, Shipwreck, Drowning, Water pollution and natural disasters related to water, for example flooding and tsunami.     

julyse

The Solar Eclipse on the 11th of August is located at 18º Leo, and 27th of July Lunar Eclipse at 4º Leo-Aquarius, their themes are famous people, heads of countries, entreatment and creativity, as a fire sign we will expect to see Heatwave, Explosion, War, Massacre, Mass shooting. As the Moon is located at Aquarius for the Lunar Eclipse, the Aquarius themes are about Revolution, Rebelling, Technology and the air element indicates Storm, Typhoon, Social-Political movements and Political dispute. The influence of Solar Eclipses will have a one year effect and Lunar Eclipse will only last for 6 months. Also we can expect important events happening when planets trigger the eclipse point 20º Cardinal signs, 18º Fixed signs and 4º Fixed signs.  

augse18

Nodal Axis

Moon nodes play an important role in Eclipses, it is because of the New Moon occurring near where the Moon Node Solar Eclipse happens, and when a Full Moon happens near Nodal axis it will become a Lunar Eclipse. That is why we consider the influence of Nodal axis, at this time we have north node in Leo and South Node in Aquarius, as we already discussed the influence of these two signs, now we will focus on the Planets conjunct node in the Eclipse chart.

If we look all the three Eclipse charts we will notice they all have Mars conjunct south node and retrograde in Aquarius also it is out of bounds. This suggests active energy towards social and political movements, especially those things people think they are used to, like customs and tradition. People are angry about those malpractices that have been ignored for a long time. However a retrograde Mars holds this anger back and may delay the action it also easily causes frustration and increases anger inside, somehow out of control.  Even though Mars is retrograde we should still expect important violent events to happen under the influence of the Eclipses.      

We also have Uranus square Nodal axis during this time, the sudden change, rebelling, revolution, demonstration and political, social and economic reforms, electricity and technology problems will be important themes during this period. It looks like we may experience a very unpleasant time, full of upheaval.  Don’t expect the crisis and difficulties can be solved quickly and easily, as eclipses and those planets forming major aspect to Sun and Moon are all on fixed signs.  The battle will last longer then you think. In a positive way, we can also use this powerful energy brought by Uranus to change the things we want to change.      

Solar Eclipse in July

Pluto exact opposite Sun and Moon suggests a powerful impact, such as power struggles in politics, international conflicts, refugees, people struggling in life and death situations, hostage, mafia, financial market crashes are very likely to happen within a year. The difficult situation and crisis call us to focus on and reform those malpractices we ignored for a long time.  Fortunately Neptune and Jupiter also form a water grand trine, this suggests with kindness and empathy we can handle these crises together and take it as a chance to remove those things we no longer need. With Saturn, Uranus and Venus form an Earth grand trine we are able to make change slowly and carefully.

If you have any planet or Ascendent and MC on 20º Cardinal signs, you probably already notice those threats in your life, but Solar Eclipse in July will make you notice that you can no longer avoid this crisis, by understanding the reason why you are afraid and what causes your resentment, you can accept those things you call fate but still give hope about what you can do to make your life better.  Don’t forget there is the water grand trine to help us accept what happened around us and an Earth grand trine to help us to change a difficult situation slowly.

Solar Eclipse in August 

Neptune and Pluto form a Yod with Sun and Moon, the Pluto themes of crisis are repeated in the August Eclipses, with Neptune and quincunx aspect indicate we are trying to adapt to the situation, but feel confused and restless. Jupiter and Saturn also both aspect New Moon this suggests we are trying to balance between ideas and reality, freedom and security, adventure and stability. Eclipses in Leo suggest that leaders of countries and organisations are under pressure to handle urgent crisis and to balance between developing and protecting.

If you have any planet or Ascendent, M.C near 18º Fixed signs you are more likely to be trying to balance your life, in one way to make your dreams come true in another way try not to put your life in risk.  At same time you are more likely to be aware of your fear and try to deal with it restlessly, a professional consultation and therapy may be able to give you some support. 

Lunar Eclipse in July

lejuly2018

The total Lunar Eclipse in July brings an urge to change our way of living, as Sun and Moon form a T-square with Uranus,  we are more likely to see or experience some shocking events, sudden changes, relationships and alliances ending, big political U-turn, and Economic crisis, Mars conjunct the Moon, suggests people are angry with the current situation and willing to take action, as Mars, Sun and Moon, all in Fixed signs, suggest these conflicts are long lasting and deadlocked as no one want to give in.

If you have any planets or Ascendent, M.C on 4º fixed signs, you are more likely to experience this shocking and sudden change of situation, perhaps in relationships (personal, social or professional).  It is not very pleasant as fixed signs do not like to change.  My suggestion is to try to think about what you want to change or the new life you would like if you get the chance, then maybe when the old life pattern no longer works, it is the right time to go to fulfil your dreams.

Astro Map

Astromaps of Eclipse give us an idea about locations around the world that are more likely to be affected by these three Eclipses if there is a planet line passing the area.

13th of July       2:47 UT Solar Eclipse at 20º Cancer

SEJULYM

11th of August  9:57 UT Solar Eclipse at 18º Leo

AUGSEM

27th of July     20:20 UT Lunar Eclipse at 4º Leo-Aquarius

LEJULYM

Screen Shot 2018-06-29 at 23.09.51

Published by

rodmagic@gmail.com

Rod has studied astrology for over 20 years, both through self study and through LSA and Faculty of Astrology. His favourite aspects are mundane and a humanistic approach to astrology. He has written a number of books on astrology in Chinese and has taught it in Mandarin for around 10 years. He is co-founder of the Academy of Astrology with Jupiter Lai, which aims to promote Western Astrology to Chinese speakers.