Signs of the Times: Leo 2008

The biggest news this month is the two Eclipses: a Solar Eclipse New Moon at 9 degrees of Leo on August 2 and a Lunar Eclipse Full Moon at 24 degrees of Aquarius on August 16. A Solar Eclipse is a special New Moon when the Moon is directly between the Sun and Earth. During a Solar Eclipse the Moon completely or partially obscures the Sun across the Earth’s surface. In this moment of perceived darkness, spirituality and the psyche combine anew, beginning another cycle in our personal development.

Both Eclipses, since they are in Fixed Signs, will most affect Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Speaking of Aquarius, the Solar Eclipse New Moon on February 5 this year was at 18 degrees of Aquarius, and one of the more ominous interpretations of this Eclipse according to Sabian Symbols was “A man’s secret motives are being publicly unmasked.” This was around the time of the subprime scandal, Bear Sterns’ demise as well as Eliot Spitzer’s dalliance with a prostitute and his subsequent resigning as Governor of New York. The Affirmative of that same Eclipse is “I am bathed in the loving light of Truth.” Take your pick, or rather apply whichever interpretation has come true for you, particularly, if you are an Aquarian or have personal planets there.

A Lunar Eclipse Full Moon is when the Earth passes precisely between the Sun and the Moon-the shadow of the Earth covers the face of the Moon. There is a theory that Lunar Eclipses are more foreboding-triggering the end of the matter, perhaps a marriage or a job, oftentimes the loss of money or perhaps moving from one place to another. In my experience Solar Eclipse New Moons are more powerful in how one’s life can change in whatever area of the chart it falls.

There are four other planets retrograde in the Leo cycle: Jupiter at 16 degrees of Capricorn (may portend a slow down in the good fortune of this blessed planet; Uranus at 22 degrees of Pisces (sudden change are a bit kinder and less jolting); Neptune at 23 degrees of Aquarius (the deceptive nature of Neptune will be less daunting, and Pluto at 29 degrees of Sagittarius (diminished the full bore of Pluto’s colossal upheaval somewhat). Retrogrades soften the impact of the retrograde motion. What it really means is for each of us, wherever these retrogrades occur, should be learning the lessons they have come to teach.

Get ready September 24th for Mercury retrograde at 22 degrees of Libra. You know the drill-lay low and do not commit to contractual agreements and don’t start new projects during the three-week run of Mercury.

Albert Clayton Gaulden can be reached at info@sedonaintensive.com or visit www.sedonaintensive.com/ for more information.