The Solar Eclipse occurs on December 26th, 05.13am GMT, at 4 degrees 07′ Capricorn.
This Solar Eclipse is the start of a new eclipse season, and will be followed by a Lunar Eclipse on January 10th 2020 at 20 degrees Cancer – just before the exact Saturn Pluto conjunction on January 12th 2020.
The influence of this eclipse cycle will last around six months, until the commencement of the next eclipse season with a lunar eclipse on June 5th 2020 at 16 degrees Sagittarius.
The Solar Eclipse is conjunct Jupiter and trine Uranus in Taurus – and is seemingly unexpectedly congenial – apart from a separating square to Chiron, the solar eclipse is unaccompanied by any frictional aspects.
However, the Lunar Eclipse that follows will be opposite Saturn and Pluto, and looks to be potentially harsh and emotionally jarring. So perhaps it’s best to curb, rein in slightly, our expectations of exactly what fortune and favours Jupiter can bestow.
The Meaning of a Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs on what would already be a new Moon, the difference is the presence of the Moon’s nodes. The Moon’s nodes are the point where the motion of the Moon intersects the ecliptic – the apparent path of the Sun.
Once the Sun is within 18 degrees of the nodes, which happens every six months, an eclipse can occur. This is because the Sun and Moon are aligned not only by longitude, the east/west measurement along the ecliptic shown by the zodiac sign and degree, but also by declination, which measures the distance north/south from the celestial equator.
At a new Moon, the Moon is positioned on the same side of the Earth as the Sun, and astrologically conjunct. However it is only when they are also simultaneously at the same declination, the point up/down, known as a parallel, and the Earth, Sun and Moon are all level in the heavens that they line up and it is possible for the Moon to obscure part or all of the Sun – and an eclipse results.
A solar eclipse is an enhanced, souped up new Moon. A new Moon is the start of a new cycle, this means we could be initiating, starting something brand new or refreshing, spicing up a habitual routine. Its a time to sow seeds – new ideas, goals or approaches in life.
At a solar eclipse the Moon dims and blocks the Sun, the lunar interrupts and suspends the solar, our inner world, our unconscious – instincts and intuition – takes precedence over our external world, our conscious thoughts and actions.
A solar eclipse is the darkness within which something is brewing, concocting before emerging into the light. Whatever has been concealed, kept secret, will surface into conscious realisation. Be exposed and acknowledged.
Eclipses are catalysts, they shake things up, instigating unpredictable outcomes. Eclipses can reveal what is over, what we need to move on from to make room for new possibilities and choices to arise, that ultimately lead us to personally develop and evolve.
Saros Series
Eclipses all belong to specific groups that repeat every 18 years and 9-11 days. This was discovered thousands of years ago by the Babylonians and is known as the Saros Series or Cycle. Eclipse expert Bernadette Brady informs us that eclipses from the same Saros Series share similar themes and expression.
This eclipse is from Saros Series 3 South, in The Eagle and the lark she says its main themes are sudden endings of connections or relationships, there is a huge emotional element and a sense of traumatic transformation through news received or short journeys.
The last eclipse from this series was on December 14th 2001 at 23 degrees Sagittarius – which was the postnatal solar eclipse of the horrific events of 9/11. Eclipses also repeat on the same degree every 19 years due to the Metonic Cycle. The last eclipse at 4 degrees Capricorn was on December 25th 2000 (2 South).
Recalling what was going on in your life around either of these dates may help decipher your personal message from the eclipse, especially if 4 degrees Capricorn or 23 degrees Sagittarius are very close (2-3 degree orb) to a natal planet or point in your natal chart.
boris johnson ~ nodal return
Relating to this, here, it’s worth bringing attention to Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister who won an (unexpectedly large) clear majority in the recent General Election.
Boris Johnson has his north node at 2 degrees Cancer, and of course his south node directly opposite at 2 degrees Capricorn. So he is heading towards a nodal return (April 2020) – and this eclipse connects directly to his nodal axis.
A nodal return can bring a sense of a date with destiny or a turning point.
The Moon as ruler of Cancer, rules Boris’s north node (path forwards) and his 10th house (career/public life) and is trine Saturn, ruler of his south node (talents or skills already attained). Harmoniously linking past and future, Boris’s Moon and Saturn also form a grand trine with his north node and Sun/Venus conjunction at 28 degrees Gemini.
Strikingly, between the last eclipse of this Saros Series, December 25th 2000, and the last eclipse to occur on the same degree, the Metonic Cycle, December 14th 2001, is the time Boris Johnson was first elected a Member of Parliament at the General Election held on June 7th 2001.
Boris Johnson Birth Data ~ 19th June 1964, 2pm EDT, New York, USA ~ from Astro-Databank at www.astro.com
Eclipse Aspects
This is an annular Solar Eclipse, visible from Africa, Asia, and some parts of Australia – but not the UK. During eclipse season (December 26th 2019 – January 10th 2020, I would also allow a few days either side of these dates) it is perhaps sensible to approach life with a hint of caution, as eclipse’s unleash powerful energy that is characteristically unpredictable.
The Solar Eclipse is conjunct Jupiter and trine Uranus. Jupiter whilst in his fall in Capricorn is also in some systems considered ruler of the first decan, and his influence here can deliver fortunate material benefits.
So potentially sudden (Uranus) out of nowhere, lucky flukes or twists of fate (Jupiter) may arise that lead to enhanced (Jupiter) freedom (Uranus) or position (Jupiter). Along with flashes of insightful (Uranus) wisdom (Jupiter) that brings positivity or greater meaning (Jupiter) to life.
This eclipse highlights new beginnings and change – emphasised by Uranus’s participation in proceedings. As this is a South Node eclipse, and any change goes hand in hand with releasing something else, it is possible that endings occur, one chapter in the story of life ends and a new one starts – but overall this looks promising to be exciting and stimulating rather than dispiriting.
Nevertheless, Jupiter is a guest in Saturn’s realm, and Saturn is also currently residing in the domain he rules. They are joined by the Sun, Moon, Pluto and Ceres – combining to emphasise a heavy Capricorn influence. The necessity that rules or laws are followed, order and structure is prioritised, with Pluto’s plans for transforming and reshaping certain components of life in place.
It is plausible that any luck heading our way, will have to be approved by Saturn, be rewards for hard work, discipline or even passing tests of character.
In the world at large, Jupiter could help bring to fruition certain laws or political policies that Saturn and Pluto have united to form. At the same time, Jupiter trine Uranus also supports human or civil rights so anything that undermines them is likely to be challenged.
Fixed Star ~ POLIS, The Foal
Polis is in the Constellation Sagittarius, located on the upper part of the bow of the Archer. The name Polis comes from the Coptic word for a foal or young horse.
“Of the nature of Jupiter and Mars. It gives success, high ambition, martial desires, horsemanship, keen perception and domination” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson, page 185
“Polis is a fortunate star portending success, ambition and truthfulness” ~ Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, page 36
TAROT ~ 2 of Pentacles
The Solar Eclipse takes place in the 1st decan of Capricorn ruled by Jupiter (Saturn by triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 2 of Pentacles.
Jupiter is The Wheel of Fortune in the tarot, and whilst Jupiter is considered to be in his fall in Capricorn he can still bring luck and good fortune. Jupiter may just have to apply more effort to overcome the Capricorn tendency to be careful and cautious, to encourage Capricorn to take a chance, seek to expand resources – ideas, projects, money – and that it’s possible to handle multiple demands at once.
Book T calls this card “Harmonious Change.”
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts a man juggling two pentacles while two ships, one small and one big, sail the waves out to sea behind him. A green lemniscate, the symbol of infinity, surrounds the two pentacles connecting them.
In a tarot reading the 2 of Pentacles symbolises the ability to juggle multiple business or creative endeavours alongside other personal responsibilities. An inclination to try and harmonise opposing or conflicting demands. Ambition is present to pursue enticing possibilities, that have the potential to be materially rewarding. Someone who can potentially multitask very successfully, able to balance financial ups and downs, and find time for all their other obligations alongside work.
The lemniscate shows the eternal connection between the spiritual and the material. That change is constant and continually occurring. Indicating that being flexible and allowing life to flow, even if a situation seems precarious can lead to enhanced material stability.
“The Two of Pentacles is sometimes referred to as the juggler because he represents keeping two or more projects going, or working toward two goals, at the same time. He also embodies cleverness and the ability to keep a careful eye on more than one situation.
The rolling sea suggests emotional ups and downs as wait for more input (ships). This makes it difficult to keep ourselves grounded, as the one foot in the Rider-Waite card implies. Well progress is made step by step, this card reminds us. If we are patient, our ships will arrive in due time.” ~ Spiritual Tarot by Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 11
All in all
The Solar Eclipse conjunct optimistic Jupiter and fortunate fixed star Polis suggests this eclipse has the potential to bring luck and beneficial outcomes. But, looking at the overall landscape, and the upcoming Lunar Eclipse and Saturn Pluto conjunction there are no assurances.
With the eclipse occurring alongside Jupiter in Capricorn, and trine Uranus in Taurus – both earth signs, the influence is likely to be felt mostly in the material realms – work/job, place of residence, finances and legal matters.
Also of note is that Mercury is out of bounds from December 22nd until January 12th 2020 – meaning that Mercurial realms of influence could be experienced as exaggerated or unusual, out of step, perhaps in some ways slightly similar to when Mercury is retrograde.
Top Image by Pietro Mattia on Unsplash
2 of Pentacles from the Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter