The Lunar Eclipse takes place on July 5th, 05.44 BST at 13 degrees Capricorn 37′.
Saturn – ruler of the eclipse – returned to Capricorn on July 2nd. Saturn is retrograde, going back over old ground, leaving no stone unturned. This is a South Node Lunar Eclipse and the last Capricorn eclipse in this current cycle – the next eclipse in Capricorn is in 2027. It is also the last of the trio of eclipses in the current eclipse season.
Whilst it may take time to fully unfold, it reveals Saturn’s guidance for us personally and collectively around taking responsibility, being mature and conscientious towards others, illuminates wisdom from the past, as well as the necessity to face the consequences of past actions, so that ultimately the way forward becomes clearer.
Saturn is Mr Serious, exceedingly meticulous about his duties and responsibilities, and expects the same from us. Perhaps helping us to recognise any structures in our lives that have crumbled and deteriorated, that no longer provide the support and strength we require to grow and evolve. Where to focus to unearth stability and success, what we can or need to adjust. Who or what is worth our time, effort and commitment.
Along the Cancer-Capricorn axis this may bring up themes around home and family life, where we call home, any issues with family members as well as career and professional matters, our status in the world.
Although some may be confronted with the harsh reality of prior actions (depicted by the recent arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell – the Solar Eclipse on June was opposite her natal Sun/Mars and she is also going through a Saturn return), others may be rewarded for passing Saturn’s challenges to his satisfaction.
Mars moved into Aries – a landscape he rules – on June 28th for a very extended stay in his home realm. Usually Mars spends an average of 2 months in a sign, but Mars stations retrograde on September 9th at 28 degrees Aries and will travel back to 15 degrees Aries where he will station direct on November 14th. Mars leaves Aries and enters Taurus on January 6th 2021 – Mars is in Aries for 6 months.
Mars retrograde will perhaps apply the brakes to forward momentum, any current projects or plans – bring a pause – that allows contemplation of past actions to see what it achieved and how they could be beneficially altered in the future.
Saturn re-enters Aquarius on December 17th, Jupiter follows on December 19th. The Winter Solstice, December 21st, brings the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction at 0 degrees Aquarius – an air sign. The start of a new Jupiter-Saturn 20 year cycle, and a huge shift as for nearly 200 years their conjunctions have been in earth signs, apart from the triple conjunctions of 1980/81 in Libra.
The recent Solar Eclipse at the Summer Solstice and the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction on Winter Solstice both illuminate the World Axis – 0 degrees of the 4 cardinal signs. All of this combines to accentuate that change is here and will continue.
The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction will be followed by Pluto entering Aquarius in 2023. Aquarian themes will be in the spotlight – technology, travel by car or plane – innovations or new laws around how we travel, electricity and electronic devices – 5g and its effect on the earth and us, idealism and rebellions.
Mars retrograde allows for reflection on, and adjustment to our actions – individually and collectively – to facilitate and assist change.
Chart
The Moon is in detriment in Capricorn, feels lonely and unsupported, she is also out-of-bounds at this eclipse meaning emotions are likely to be amplified, jacked up. Emotionally we could feel somewhat vulnerable, sharing how we are feeling with others may bring a sense of relief and empathy – with so much uncertainty surrounding life and the future, we are all likely, to one degree or another to be feeling slightly fragile and anxious.
But, potentially, for some the Moon here could lead to an emotional withdrawal, a dismissal of feelings – don’t take this to heart, it will pass.
The Lunar Eclipse is trine Uranus in Taurus, suggesting (underlining) that more change is on the way – unexpected and/or exciting. Whilst we may wish for a return to normal, for all the challenges to subside, but collectively how we approach and go about life needs to embrace further change and adjustments (as also illustrated by the upcoming Mars retrograde and Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction).
Mercury is in Cancer and retrograde, conjunct the Sun and opposite the Moon, the orbs are wide but still influential. Mercury here suggests being open to discussing problems – in our love, family or work life or our deep, inner fears – may help us discover unexpected insights and ways forward. At the Inferior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury on July 1st, both were sextile Uranus, and Mercury will sextile Uranus again on July 22nd once he resumes direct motion.
On July 1st and 22nd, Mercury is additionally square Chiron, and on July 11th Chiron will station retrograde. Importantly Mercury will also square Mars on July 8th, just after the eclipse followed by Mars conjunct Chiron on July 14th. Communications could well be painful, and perhaps involve conflicted opinions and heated emotions – but should help us clarify what needs to change or has come to an end, possibly release or ease some tension.
Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are all currently in Capricorn, and Mars will square all of them three times.
- Mars square Jupiter – August 4th, October 19th and January 23rd 2021 (with Mars in Taurus/Jupiter in Aquarius)
- Mars square Saturn – August 24th, September 29th and January 13th 2021 (with Mars in Taurus/Saturn in Aquarius)
- Mars square Pluto – August 13th, October 9th and December 23rd
Collectively we are experiencing disruption and disturbance, the world has many unresolved problems – Covid-19, racism, injustice, poverty and the climate emergency. Mars is likely to inflame these issues – there is the potential for a second wave of the virus, more conflict and protests, but alongside hope for practical, realistic steps being taken towards solutions.
Fixed Stars ~ Ascella & Nunki
Ascella and Nunki are both in the Constellation Sagittarius.
Ascella is at 13 degrees 54′ Capricorn is “Of the nature of Jupiter and Mercury. It gives good fortune and happiness.” – With Moon – “New and Influential friends, valuable gifts, love of respectable women.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson
Nunki is at 12 degrees Capricorn 39′ “(Nunki) is an indicator of one who may be expected to be an authoriative orator on Sagittarius and Capricorn topics on business, state or foreign affairs, religion, interest in long distance travel and in ships and airplanes.” ~ The Living Stars, Dr Eric Morse – With Moon – “Successful writer on science, philosophy, education or agriculture, unorthodox in religion, defeats enemies, many friends, illness of a Saturnian nature.” ~ Robson
TAROT ~ 3 of PENTACLES
The Lunar Eclipse occurs in the second decan of Capricorn ruled by Mars (Venus by triplicity).
Capricorn Decan II ~ “two women, and a man look toward a bird flying in the Air, and the signification of these is for the requiring those things which cannot be done, and for the searching after those things which cannot be known.” ~ Three Books of Occult Philosophy or Magic, Henry Cornelius Agrippa
Book T calls this card “Material Works.”
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts a craftsman revealing his handiwork so far and discussing plans in a church or cathedral with a religious man and finely dressed woman.
“In its mundane sense, the Three of Pentacles represents the mastery of skills and their use in the marketplace. It stresses the personal and spiritual benefits of producing goods of lasting quality. It encourages us to set our own standards of integrity, and to commit ourselves to focus physically, mentally, and spiritually for the best outcome.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 119
The Meaning of a Lunar Eclipse
A Lunar Eclipse happens on what would ordinarily be a Full Moon. However, the presence of the Moon’s nodes means that the Sun, Moon and Earth are all aligned. The Earth is between the Sun and Moon and therefore blocks the light of the Sun from reaching the Moon.
Normally a Full Moon shows whatever seeds we planted at the New Moon maturing and becoming ripe, being illuminated so that we can clearly see and understand our course of action and its results. At a Lunar Eclipse the illumination is interrupted and blocked. This can be disorientating, things are obscured and we can’t fully discern what is ahead. Our inner world, our emotions and fears that are normally suppressed can rise to the surface. Emotions may erupt and overflow, sometimes this release is necessary to aid purging, cleansing and healing from something buried and painful.
It’s a good time to pause, reflect on and assess our life over the last 6 months since the previous eclipse season. If possible, wait to make any important decisions until eclipse season has passed.
Top Image by Maggie Hung on Unsplash
3 of Pentacles from the Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter
References
Fixed Stars ~ constellationofwords.com