Eclipse

An eclipse occurs either when the Moon stands between the Earth and the Sun and its shadow temporarily obscures the Sun (solar eclipse), or when the Earth stands between the Sun and the Moon and its shadow temporarily darkens the Moon (lunar eclipse).

Astronomy

A solar eclipse can only occur during a New Moon - i.e. when the Sun and the Moon form a conjunction. This happens once a month but a solar eclipse only occurs twice a year. When there is no eclipse the Moon is located either directly above or below the Sun. In order for an eclipse to occur, the Moon's ecliptic latitude needs to be as small as possible. In a natal chart, this is graphically portrayed by the conjunction being close to the Moon's nodal axis (Moon's Nodes). As stated, this usually happens twice a year, but occasionally as often as four or five times.

There are several kinds of solar eclipse:

• A total eclipse occurs when the Moon's disk completely covers the

Sun's - as seen by those at locations within the Moon's umbra (see diagram 1). For a total eclipse to occur the conjunction must take place within 11 degrees and 15 minutes of the Moon's nodal axis.

• An annular eclipse is similar to a total eclipse, but because of

the greater distance between the Earth and Moon the latter's shadow does not totally cover the Sun so that a ring of sunlight around the Moon remains visible during the eclipse.

• A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon is not situated directly

between the Earth and the Sun and its shadow only partly covers the Sun's surface. A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon is further away from its nodal axis - somewhere between 11 degrees 15 minutes and 18 degrees 31 minutes, depending on the distance between the Moon and the Earth.

A lunar eclipse can only occur at the time of a Full Moon, i.e. when they form an opposition. This also occurs once a month and the Moon is normally to be found directly above or below the Earth's shadow. Up to 3 lunar eclipses (at most) are possible in one year, namely when the Earth is situated directly between the Sun and the Moon. That means that the opposition must occur on or close to the Moon's nodal axis. In some years there are no lunar eclipses.

There are several kinds of lunar eclipse:

• At a total lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow completely covers

the Moon (see diagram 2). In this case, the distance between the Sun-Moon opposition and the Moon's nodal axis must lie between 3 degrees 34 minutes and 6 degrees, depending on whether the Moon is at perigee or apogee.

• At a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon's is only partly covered by

the Earth's shadow. In this case, the distance between the Sun-Moon opposition and the Moon's nodal axis lies between 3 degrees 34 minutes and 12 degrees 15 minutes, depending on whether the Moon is at perigee or apogee.

• A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the

Earth's penumbra. In this case, the Moon's surface becomes only slightly faded as less light is reflected but there is no obvious darkening.

An eclipse occurs every 18 Years 10-11 days at the same position in the Zodiac. This is called the saros period.

[1] Diagram 1: A solar eclipse.

[2] Diagram 2: A lunar eclipse.

Interpretation

At one time, eclipses, being a rather scary natural phenomenon, were thought to herald disastrous times ahead. The names given to the ascending and descending Moon's nodes attest to this, namely the Dragon's Head for the former and Dragon's Tail for the latter. It was thought that an eclipse occurred because a dragon swallowed the Moon's light. For a long time, modern astrology paid little attention to the eclipse cycle, and it was only after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 and the much heralded total eclipse of August 1999 that interest in the phenomenon increased again.

Eclipses are powerful triggers, which means they can activate other horoscope factors - either in an individual's chart or in any other kind of horoscope, for example that of a country.

Not every eclipse has an equally powerful effect. The nearer to the Moon's nodal axis an eclipse occurs, the more powerful it is likely to be. In other words: A total eclipse is more powerful than a partial one. Solar eclipses are thought to have a more powerful effect than lunar ones.

In order to trigger something in a natal chart the degree at which the eclipse - whether solar or lunar - should ideally be in conjunction or form one of the other main aspects to a horoscope factor in the natal chart. Like a planet in transit - which in effect it is - an eclipse will activate any factor/s to which it forms an aspect. A total solar eclipse, and to a lesser extent a total lunar eclipse, usually has a powerful effect. A breakthrough could occur, or an ongoing process might finally be brought to a conclusion. Because of their intensity and transformational potential, total eclipses have been compared to triggers by Pluto transits. The fact that during an eclipse the two polar opposites per se - namely the Moon and the Sun which symbolise the principles of Yin and Yang or feminine and masculine - come together (solar eclipse) or face each other (lunar eclipse) underlines this fact, because Pluto is also seen as embodying both the light and dark sides which together form a whole.

Eclipses are considered to be particularly important in horary astrology. The method known as Astro*Carto*Graphy can help to calculate the locations at which the eclipse is conjunct one of the main axes. To go into more detail it is necessary to check whether the eclipse makes aspects to the Sun, Ascendant or Midheaven of a city, country or head of state.

It is estimated that the effects of an eclipse are felt until the next eclipse of a similar kind - usually around 6 months. A Solar eclipse can sometimes be felt 3 to 4 months before it actually occurs.