Solar Eclipse 10 May 2013

On 10 May 2013 there will be an annular solar eclipse. The Sun and the Moon will be in 19° 31’ Taurus. Astronomical information about this eclipse can be found here:*

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The astrological chart below, cast for New Delhi, shows the event.

In his Annus Tenebrosus, or the Dark Year, the famous 17th century astrologer William Lilly presents a method of eclipse delineation, including an interpretation of the effects of solar and lunar eclipses, occurring in each decanate of the Zodiac. As this solar eclipse takes place in the second decanate of Taurus, Lilly’s aphorism is as follows:

“it shows innumerable difficulties and many discommodities to Travellers, and to such as bear children many abortions …”

The  Lady of the eclipse is Venus and the ruler of the second decanate of Taurus is the Moon. Venus is peregrine and under the sunbeams, indicating that she is not in particularly great shape at the moment. Nevertheless, Lilly describes Venus being the ruler of an eclipse to be

“the fore-runner of a quiet peacable time upon earth”

I would propose that the general theme of this solar eclipse is the renewed effort of women to make their voices heard, highlighting their struggle towards equality and independence.

Venus is conjunct the fixed star Alcyone, the brightest star of the Pleiades. Since time immemorial the Pleiades have been associated with occurrences or agendas which make people weep. Often a great struggle is connected with the conjunction of a planet to the Pleiades, and according to Diana Rosenberg’s Secrets of the Ancient Skies:

“there are usually many journeys, and there may be exile, banishment, alienation, evacuation or imprisonment … [but] Eridanus, the Great River, washes away the tears of the past, clearing the way for a bright new future.” (p 214f)

Having a closer look at the Moon, who, according to Lilly, signifies “all common people” but “especially all manner of women”, we notice that she is essentially dignified by exaltation, triplicity and face. Due to the nature of a solar eclipse, the Moon is cazimi (precisely conjunct the Sun, which is highly beneficial) and also eclipses the Sun. This can be interpreted as a highly symbolic gesture, indicating a push towards positive change to unfold.

If we have a look at the eclipse’s path of angularity, we can see the following:

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We can see from the map, that the line of angularity runs through Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. In all of these countries, women experience problems regarding freedom of speech, restriction of education, matters of equality, and so forth. It seems though that the upcoming solar eclipse could indicate a change for the better. As an example of  the possible events that may be occurring, this article and video clip about Afghans marching for women’s rights on Valentine’s day 2013, may suffice:

One Billion Rising

As for the USA, the map of angularity clearly shows that the line of conjunction between the eclipse point and the Descendant runs through parts of the United States. This suggests that the agenda of women’s rights in general and questions about  the relations between the USA and countries with issues concerning the discrimination of women will become of importance by the end of 2013.

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For readers, interested in the personal implications of this eclipse, it might be of interest what William Lilly has to say:

“… Eclipse is more dangerous or pernitious which shall be in the Horoscope or Ascendant of the birth; or which shall be in the degree Ascending in an Annuall Revolution: it portends unto the Native some ominous and mischievous action as unto his body and also in his vital substance.”

And further on:

“… who had in the Radix of his Nativity either the Sun or the Moon in that degree, or in the degree opposite … or in the like degrees … which signs are in Quadrate aspects to the former, or if the degree Culminating in any man’s Nativity was either [the degree of the eclipse or its opposite or square] or within one degree thereof, the native did suffer more or less by the influence of this Eclips; according to the signification of the House of Heaven, wherein the Sun or the Moon was in at the Birth, and was either well fortified or aspected of the benevolent Planets, or ill aspected, or afflicted of the Malevolents.”

For this particular Solar eclipse that means that people with Taurus or Scorpio rising, either in their birth chart or in their solar return chart for 2012/13, will feel the influence stronger than others. Furthermore it should be noted if Sun or Moon are closely conjunct the Ascendant, Descendant or Midheaven. Should it be the case that one or even more of these factors apply, an in-depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most.

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*Source: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2013May10A.GIF