Solar Eclipse – Relationships, Like It or Not, You’re Going to Have to Deal With It.

The New Moon of May 20, 2012, as always, marks the beginning of the monthly cycle.  This cycle is a bit different because it begins with a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse that occurs just minutes into the tropical sign of Gemini. Eclipses in Gemini often bring windy days but the gusty winds often spring from mouths that are all talk and no action. 

There are a couple of real interesting configurations going on at this eclipse.

Venus in chatty Gemini is in an aspect of ease to Saturn in Libra. The eclipse chart set for Washington, DC puts Saturn, already strong in Libra, in the 11^th house which he naturally rules.  Saturn is the big dog here and he usually does not bring tidings of great joy. Saturn in Libra connected to Venus in Gemini speaks relationships, partnerships and negotiations. Saturn in Libra often tests relationships or brings them to a more serious level.  Venus in Gemini wants to flirt, is changeable and above all wants to talk about it.

Another powerful pattern has Pluto in Capricorn, Mars in Virgo and the asteroid Vesta in Taurus creating a Grand Trine.  Vesta rules the hearth and home; Mars makes war and Pluto, into power and control, plumbs the depths in order to bring about transformation.

The asteroid Juno in Scorpio opposing her lover, consort and cheating husband, Jupiter in Taurus further emphasizing relationship issues.  

The final little tidbit has Neptune in Pisces, mystical, magical and illusionary, in aspect to the eclipse and the moon’s nodes. This is like a blanket of fog spreading over all activities obscuring the truth while offering tantalizing glimpses of prophetic clarity.

We can expect legal issues involving money, marriage and partnerships.   Ongoing discussion and activism involving marriage equality and the so called war on women bring out the powerhouses on both sides of the issues. Powerful women step up and take part.  Mars in Virgo at the top of the Washington, DC chart digs into details. Involved with Pluto and Vesta those details expose financial, agricultural, military and labor issues.

Relationships on a grand scale, those that catch the public eye containing issues that trigger the collective psyche, stand out. Curiously the John Edwards trial goes to jury deliberation at this eclipse that has Juno, the long suffering wife opposing Jupiter, the philandering husband.  Perhaps not so curious, perhaps more in the nature of cycles, what goes around, comes around.

Mars in Sagittarius, Venus Retrograde Conjunct the Sun, Last Quarter Moon

In the lead up to the Last Quarter Moon on Saturday, October 30^th two significant events occurred on Thursday the 28^th. First, Mars left his home base of Scorpio and moved into Sagittarius. Mars is the planet of action.  Mars in a horoscope points how we do and what we do. Entering Sagittarius Mars signals the return of enthusiasm and optimism. Mars in Sagittarius sees the glass as half full. There can be a certain amount of impulsiveness when Mars and the Archer join forces. Mars is the warrior and in Sagittarius battles can assume the aura of a holy crusade. At the extreme, Mars in Sagittarius can bring the foaming at the mouth religious fanatic to your doorstep.  But most of the time the anger of Mars in Sagittarius is anger at an injustice.  This energy is good for the sportsman and athlete. Sports and athletics provide a positive outlet for this energy.  Thursday also saw the conjunction of retrograde Venus with the Sun.  This is called the inferior conjunction. Inferior conjunction occurs when Venus is retrograde and is closest to the Earth. Venus lies directly between the Earth and the Sun. It is a New Moon type of occurrence.  It is a special moment, a time to plant Venusian seeds. Venus is concerned with love, art, money and relatedness. Venus attracts but she is more than just a pretty face. Venus in a horoscope signifies what you want, your value system and what matters to you.   At the conjunction, Venus is not visible in the night sky. After the inferior conjunction Venus will appear well before dawn in the morning sky beginning November 4^th. It has been said that when Venus rises in the morning she calls the men to war. Let’s hope that she doesn’t intend to rouse them now.   If you want to figure out how this will affect you think back to eight years ago. Every eight years Venus will retrograde and conjoin the Sun in approximately the same area of the Zodiac.  The cycle begun at that time is ending and a new one is beginning. This is the time to plant those seeds you wish to grow and flourish during the upcoming eight years.   On Friday evening, October 29, 2010 at 8:38 PM EDT Moon enters the sign of Leo heading towards a square to Scorpio Sun.  This is the closing square; the Moon grows smaller in the night sky winding down bringing the darkness of the New Moon on November 5th.  The waning square between the Sun and Moon is a time to wrap things up and assimilate all that was taken in and learned since the previous New Moon and to clear the decks to make way for the new.  Meditation and inner reflection do well during these periods.  This is the weekend for quiet, romantic evenings.  Leo Moon brings out kindness and generosity in people.  There’s warmth and affection in the air. Enjoy!