The
Astronomy
A
Solar Eclipse is a special type of New Moon when the Moon is directly
between the Sun and Earth. The closer the Moon is to the center
of the line between the Sun and Earth, the more total the eclipse.
During
a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely obscures the Sun over
a relatively narrow band across the Earth's surface, its shadow
racing generally eastward.
Non-total eclipses include the annular, when
the Moon is farther from the Earth and appears smaller, so the Moon does not completely block the Sun but leaves
a ring around the rim; and the partial, when the Moon is slightly off center, blocking only a portion of the Sun.
|
 The
solar eclipse on April 19 is a partial eclipse, visible from southern Africa and parts of Antarctica as
shown in this illustration.
For more information, visit
Fred Espenak's NASA Eclipse Home Page for 2004.
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The Astrology
A
solar eclipse is a New Moon with tremendous impact. The Sun that
gives us life and lights our path is joined briefly with the dark
and mysterious qualities of the Moon. The light of the Sun is blocked
by the Moon. In this moment of perceived darkness, spirituality
and the psyche combine anew, beginning another cycle in the spiral
of our personal development. All eclipses indicate change; solar
eclipses signify beginnings and manifest as events in the outer
world.
At
solar eclipses we: begin something new, make promises to ourselves,
commit, announce, present ourselves, show up, make plans, select
events, make decisions, rise to the challenge, make an effort, change,
mature, take on greater challenges, travel at a faster pace, feel
restless, feel pressured by deadlines and a buildup of emotions,
experience a crisis and feel excited.
There
are two kinds of solar eclipses. North nodal eclipses have a personal
orientation and symbolize personal identity, ego and the physical
body. South nodal eclipses are other-oriented and symbolize a spouse
or significant other, relationships and new perspectives based on
interaction with others. This is a north nodal eclipse, suggesting
that we are being called to develop new skills and talents through
independent effort.
As noted in the Astronomy section above, this
is a partial eclipse; the Moon does not obscure the light of the Sun. One way of interpreting the symbolism of
this fact is that neither the masculine/active/yang energy of the Sun nor the feminine/receptive/yin energy of
the Moon dominates. Rather, the joining of the two forces could be described as integrative and unifying, a process
of becoming whole. Indicating perhaps that with this eclipse there is an opportunity to experience that sense
of balance firsthand in our personal lives and on a global level.
This solar eclipse takes place with the Sun and Moon in the last degree of Aries.
The tarot card associated with the sign of Aries is Key #4 -- The Emperor.
This card teaches us to be pioneering and to weild our power with compassion.
The symbolic interpretation of this particular
eclipse indicates the need to focus on the limitations of our environment in order to grow and flourish within
the existing reality. It suggests that it is time to take responsibility and control, to accept the commitments
that are presented. There is the need, however, for a more feminine or nurturing approach towards developing situations.
Emotional needs must be taken into consideration.
The
heightened impact of eclipse energy can be felt by everyone as much
as 3 months in advance and has subtle reverberations for as long
as 3 years afterwards. Although the energies are most prominent
for a week on either side of the eclipse, the influence on events
continues. Eclipse periods are extremely active, often associated
with meaningful events and public exposure.
If
your birthday falls around Jan 20, Feb 18, Mar 4 or 19, Apr 19, May
20, Jun 4 or 20, Jul 22, Aug 22, Sep 6 or 22, Oct 22, Nov 21, Dec
6 or 21, your experiences now will have impact lasting three years.
Expect to see current themes begin to develop ambitiously on their
own next January. A full understanding of this period will take until
October 2005 to unfold.
Generally
eclipses occur at or very near the same degree in a 19-year pattern.
This year is an exception. The last time there was a solar eclipse
at the same zodiacal degree was April 1670. The previous eclipses
occurring close to this degree were April 17, 1996 and April 18, 1977.
When
an eclipse falls on your birthday, you can definitely count on an
eventful year ahead. However, it does not have to be in your sun sign
for you to feel its effects. If it makes any contacts to a planet
or personal point in your chart, your experience of the eclipse will
be intensified. A qualified astrologer can determine the placement
of an eclipse in your chart and advise you about what to expect, along
with how to make the most of the potential offered.
