Annular Solar Eclipse - The Next Big Step

A significant  Annular Solar Eclipse occurs over Africa and Asia on January 15th. At greatest eclipse, annularity totals 11 minutes and 8 seconds. This is the longest solar eclipse until December 23, 3043.

This particular event is quite complex. Hence, I have provided additional background content for anyone wanting more information. For those wanting to "cut to the chase", I've provided a synopsis a few sections down titled The 411 - Reader's Digest Version

Eclipse dynamics:

As with every total or annular solar eclipse, and total lunar eclipse, the Sun, Moon and Earth are in direct alignment at the maximum eclipse moment. This is called "syzygy" (pronounced sizz-a-gee) - a gravitational alignment of 3 or more celestial bodies. Incidentally, this was my oldest daughter's favorite word when she was in grade school, due to its lack of a vowel and spelling difficulty.

Adding to this alignment, the Earth reached recently its closest orbital point to the Sun (perigee was Jan 5), while the Moon at the eclipse will be close to its farthest point from Earth (apogee). Combined, these dynamics produce a Moon only 92% of the Sun's disk. This means the Moon takes longer to travel across the face of the Sun resulting in a very long annular eclipse.

Long duration eclipses symbolically represent a deepening of vibration and intent. Occurring in late degree Capricorn, this eclipse points its laser-like intensity toward Capricorn themes of finance, industry, rules, authority, politics and self-sufficiency.

Mercury Retrograde Revisited - the intensity builds

Mercury retrograde continues its Capricorn journey, arriving at its direct motion point on January 15th, the same day as the New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse. Our next blog covers this event.

Mercury is now moving towards Pluto, the archetype of transformation and melt-down. It is closest to the 3 degree Pluto point between January 11 and 18th. This time frame signals the most intense phase of this retrograde transit. Because Saturn in the sign of Libra resides at a similar degree, expect strong, unexpected shifts in the realm of how we relate to each other on a societal and personal level. Harmony, willingness to move with the flow, and taking quiet time for self are powerful tools for surfing this vibration.

This current intensity has been building recently in the realms of Security (e.g more restrictive security measures in light of the  Dec 25 failed airline bomb attempt), Weather (record snowfalls/freezing conditions in many places of the Northern hemisphere) and Geophysical (strong earthquakes and tsunamis yesterday in Samoa). These are 3 areas which have a tremendous impact upon the efficiency and flow of society's Capricorn structure. For example, nothing like a hefty snowstorm to disrupt plans and shift the focus inward.

In the aviation realm, one very recent example of how Mercury (communication) works in reversal in the Capricorn realm of rules, regulations and authority: Slovakian aviation security  planted bomb parts in the luggage of an unsuspecting passenger to test airport screening devices (the test failed, as the bomb parts were not detected). Not only did the passenger not know of the "test", but Security officials at the aircraft's destination (Ireland) were not informed until after the fact. According to aviation experts, planting bomb parts outside of a controlled test is borderline insanity. In Mercury Retrograde lingo - expect the unexpected.

As I previously posted, the intent of Mercury Retrograde is to shift our logical ways into higher degrees of spontaneity and serendipity. This allows the brain's creative side to take the lead. The downside of this cycle occurs when "logic" is forced into the lead. Usually, this quickly demonstrates the flawed aspects of that "logic". Just ask the Slovakian Government.

Next Blog - New Moon Annular Eclipse of the Sun over India and China

Starman, Joseph Mina

Cancer Full Moon lights up New Year's Eve

As the final astrological chapter for 2009 is written, a partially eclipsed Full Moon graces the sky on December 31. Quite a year it's been, yet we're just getting warmed up for 2010.

This is the first Full Moon of the Winter Season. By a quirk of the calendar, it's the second Full Moon in December, which the press heralds as a "Blue Moon".

Blue Moon origin - back in 1948, the Farmer's Almanac definition of a Blue Moon was misinterpreted to be the 2nd Full Moon of the month. Unfortunate or otherwise, this mischaracterization of a Blue Moon has stuck. The correct interpretation: a season with 4 Full Moons (usually there are 3). The second one in the same astrological sign is the "blue one" - something that next occurs in Autumn 2010 with 2 Aries Full Moons. If you're looking for more details, look no further than here.

Blue or otherwise, this eclipsed Full Moon in the sign of Cancer is one of those "unseen" eclipses. Any shadow effect from the Moon's passage through the Earth's outer shadow (penumbra) will be barely noticeable, if at all.  A very good visual of the eclipse passage over Europe, Africa and Asia may be found here, courtesy of Shadow and Substance.

A partial eclipse effect usually diminishes the event's intensity. However, what the eclipse may lack in visual stimulation, is more than made up by its potent and challenging associations with planetary energies in Capricorn and Libra.