Eclipses act like portals that want to realign us with our destinies. Triggering fated events or decisions. If you believe in fate, anyway. As human beings we often ponder on the big why question. Why am I here? And following: Is there a reason? Is all fate? Is all chance? Is there autonomy? Astrology is a practice and art that is developed and based on the registered correlations between what happens in the heavens above and what happens on earth below. This doesn’t mean that astrology states that planets dictate our lives. This doesn’t say anything about determinism. It’s up to every astrologer to decide for her or himself what to believe or not believe in. It is also up to you to decide what you believe in…
I see birth charts as snapshots of the cosmic energies present at the moment of birth. Every human being is an unique expression of the cosmos. As a humanist I wish to empower people and especially my clients. I firmly believe in autonomy. I also believe in fate and karma. I do not believe that planets dictate life on earth. I rather see the events above as reflections. The more I study astrology, the more birth charts I read, the more I’m in awe of life and the universe. Things are often to coincidental to be coincidental.
The study of astrology has made me understand that everyone is here for a reason. That reason is reflected in the birth chart. Eclipses want to remind us of the reason, especially if the eclipses happen near significant points in our charts. The question on meaning in life is the most awesome question to ponder on and at the same time it is the most torturous question one can ask.
I want to remind you that your life has meaning. And it is hidden in your birth chart. This year, 2020, is a fucking intense weird apocalyptic year. You will get through it. There is meaning to it. You are here for a reason. Don’t forget it.
The Lunar eclipse on July 5th + current astrology
On July 5th 6.44 am CEST there is the last eclipse on the Cancer – Capricorn axis; the Full Moon Penumbral Lunar eclipse at 13 degrees Capricorn. We have had eclipses on this axis since 2018. We won’t have eclipses on this axis for the next twelve years or so. We are rounding off a chapter. The effects of this eclipse, and the Solar eclipse in Cancer from two weeks ago, will ring out in the next six months. There is definitely a chapter that is finishing up this weekend. By the time we enter the next eclipse season with all eclipses in the Gemini – Sagittarius axis, this chapter is pretty much done. Especially if you have a lot going on in Cancer and / or Capricorn in your chart, you might be relieved that the eclipses are moving on into another axis (I know I am…). So, there are some themes that were prevalent over the past year or two (that are related to the houses that contain Cancer and Capricorn in your chart) that asked for your attention and hopefully have been dealt with by the end of 2020. Eclipses want to push us forward into growth; but whether we actually do the difficult and daring stuff that eclipses often ask from us, is up to us.
So, this Full Moon eclipse takes place at 13 degrees Capricorn. The Sun is at 13 degrees Cancer and the earth will block the light that the Sun shines on the Moon, meaning an eclipse will take place. The eclipse isn’t complete and isn’t visible all over the world. The eclipse will happen opposite Vesta; the asteroid Goddess will be at 13 degrees Cancer conjunct the Sun. Mercury retrograde is 5 degrees away from the Sun, at 7 degrees Cancer. The Sun and Mercury retrograde in Cancer and also the Moon in Capricorn are squared by sign by Mars. Mars will be at 4 degrees in Aries. Pallas Athena, Jupiter and Pluto (all retrograde) will all be at 23 degrees Capricorn and Saturn retrograde will be at 29 degrees Capricorn. Aside from the eclipse, there is a damn lot of other stuff happening on the Cancer – Capricorn axis that is all squared by Mars.
A lot of this astrology will stay like this for the rest of 2020, while it will intensify in September, October and November. Saturn and Jupiter will stay in Capricorn till December (and Pluto for a few more years). Mars will stay in Aries for the rest of 2020, due to a retrograde period that is coming up. Mars will set all the ‘shit’ in Capricorn on fire. When Saturn and Pluto are together in Capricorn we can expect the breakdown of ‘solid’ structures in the world; primarily the economy, but also regarding other societal structures like infrastructure and healthcare. During the second half of this year we will see how bad the pandemic has hurt the economy. Based on astrology I would say pretty bad. Lots of other astrologers predict another wave, the pandemic flaring up, this fall. I’m not that familiar with diseases and astrology, but it does make sense. The pandemic started when Saturn and Pluto were conjunct in Capricorn. Throughout history this conjunction has reflected wars and other pandemics. They will come close to a conjunction again this fall. Jupiter is seriously debilitated in Capricorn and the hits he will get from Mars will make him even weaker. In other words: the malefic planets are pretty damn strong in 2020 and the benefic planets are not. Pluto stays involved; being the planet of the underworld, death and transformation we can assume 2020 will remain to be a dark year. In many ways, July sets the tone for the rest of the year. Because Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto will stay in the same signs. But note: this tone will greatly intensify. Mars isn’t retrograde yet. Mars isn’t squaring the shit in Capricorn by degree, yet (only by sign at the moment). Saturn isn’t that close to Pluto, yet. The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus will move through different signs and bring us fluctuations; but the rest of 2020 is Capricorn and Aries heavy, Saturn and Mars strong.
I also want to make a few notes on Mercury and Mars. Mercury is currently retrograde in Cancer and will station direct on July 12th. Throughout Mercury’s transit through Cancer, Mercury and Mars square each other either by degree or by sign. This will bring heated conversations, fights with words. It brings the expression of repressed anger. Which is not necessarily a bad thing; some people have trouble expressing their anger and sometimes it’s good to let it all out! The vocalisation of anger will probably be a thing throughout July.
Ok, back to the Full Moon eclipse. While the Moon is exactly opposite the Sun, the asteroid Goddess Vesta is conjunct the Sun. Vesta guards, protects and keeps the sacred fire burning; the fires in all temples and in our hearts. Vesta luminates, just like the Sun luminates. In our birth charts the Sun shows us how and where we shine. Vesta shows us our passions and where we make sacrifices for something we consider holy and sacred. Vesta relates to our spiritual passions. To a certain kind of light; that doesn’t shine bright and visible for everybody up in the sky, but it shines in the centres of the temples we visit in silence. Both the Sun and Vesta luminate, but in very different ways. Being opposite the Moon, they luminate her; except for the moment the earth blocks their light. Throughout July the Sun and Vesta luminate everything that is going on in Capricorn. They luminate the troubling transits in Capricorn. Maybe it’s like a warning for what’s to come. Maybe it’s a reminder that no matter whatever shit happens: sacred fires don’t burn out and the Sun always rises in the next morning. Both the Sun and Vesta teach us that the light in our lives comes from within. The Sun, representing the ego and our souls purpose, reminds us that we are here on Earth to shine our light. We have light to bring into the world. No matter how dark circumstances are, the divine light is found within ourselves. Vesta reminds us to keep attending to sacred fires; to our spiritual practices and to good and sacred causes. No matter how difficult circumstances are (no matter how many malefics are creating war in Capricorn), we are not victims without any power or say in how we want to relate to that. Like one of my favourite writers, Viktor Frankl, states: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Upcoming astrology
July 7th 6.03 am CEST Ceres stations retrograde at 12 degrees Pisces
The asteroid Ceres stations retrograde in Pisces. Ceres or Demeter is the Mother Goddess whose daughter got abducted into the underworld by Pluto. A while ago I wrote an article on Ceres: you can read it here. Ceres in Pisces symbolizes nurture and compassion. During this transit she wants to remind us of universal love and faith. To not turn blind to the suffering of others. The whole world might be in crisis; that doesn’t mean we should ignore the suffering of fellow human beings no matter where they are on earth and what culture they belong to, religion they identify with or whatever.
July 11th 11.09 pm CEST Chiron stations retrograde at 9 degrees Aries
Chiron is the wounded healer. The one that became an expert in healing crafts while searching for the medicine that would heal himself (which he never found). So often we become great counsellors on the topics we’ve had to battle ourselves. Chiron in Aries supports us to express the voices that haven’t been expressed before or that have been kept hidden. I think the growing power of the anti-racism work is one of the several ways Chiron in Aries expresses itself. With Chiron stationing retrograde we are reminded that this work or fight isn’t a linear process. Two steps forward, one step back. It might be discouraging, but it is unfortunately how these things go. And with taking a step back, there is the chance to do something over and to make sure it doesn’t have to be done over another time. Like we shouldn’t forget about Breonna Taylor: that’s a Chiron retrograde in Aries statement. The voices of black women are the voices that are most silenced in this world. We cannot allow that. We must fight against that. The fact that no one is held accountable for Breonna’s death, shows the worth patriarchal societies give to the voices and lives of black women. Chiron in Aries wants to make these voices heard and lives valued, and retrograde he’s willing to do some extra work in order to make sure this happens.
July 12th 10.26 am CEST Mercury stations direct at 5 degrees Cancer
This Mercury retrograde has been all about working through emotions and going with the ebbs and flows of the Moon. How were the last couple of weeks for you? Ups and downs? Before Mercury stationed retrograde I posted something on Instagram stating that emotions would express themselves through the body during this transit and I advised things like yoga, dance and massage. During this transit my yoga practice severely suffered, from both bodily injury and lack of strength and energy. Very typical for this Mercury retrograde… I also spend way too much time doing other physical stuff. Fun stuff, nonetheless. But not necessarily the yoga I advised people to do. It’s funny how often I ignore my own astrology advice. I think I ignore my own advice 90% of the time. Instead of going gentle on myself, taking rest and caring for my body in the last few weeks (like I advised), I explored masochism to the fullest. Anyway, I’m happy when Mercury retrograde is over. I’m pretty sure I will remain masochistic. Which might be good, since Mars is pretty strong for the rest of the year.
July 20th 7.33 pm CEST New Moon at 28 degrees Cancer
I’ll get back to you soon with more info on the New Moon!
A ritual for the Full Moon Penumbral Lunar eclipse in Capricorn
This eclipse is the last one in the series of eclipses that took place in the Cancer – Capricorn axis since 2018. What lessons have you learned in the last two years? What patterns had to be broken? What losses did you suffer? And how did you grow? Has something come to completion by now? Something that started two years ago? It doesn’t need to, but Full Moon eclipses, especially the last eclipse in a series, can bring completion.
Full Moon eclipses often want to take something away. If there is any burden on your shoulders… Let it be taken away. Don’t hold on. Sometimes we tend to hold on to people, places, jobs, anything, because we are afraid we can’t live without them or it. But when relationships or circumstances are holding us back or keeping us small, they don’t actually serve us. It is only after we release something, that space opens up for something new to emerge. So often losses are blessings in disguise. I hope you dare to let go of whatever is holding you back in life. Holding you back from expressing your voice, pursuing your dreams or finding the love of your life. Like a dear friend and I discussed earlier this week: we only live this life once and thus we are not going to let fear hold us back of pursuing love, dreams or anything else; we are not going to die with regret and the ‘what if’ question on our minds. That is what eclipse seasons are for: they are here to remind us that life is short. Eclipses help us to let go of the stuff that is holding us back. Eclipses also push us into making big steps towards a more aligned life: they force us to do the courageous thing.
You probably have lost something or maybe a lot in the last two years. You probably have also learned some lessons. You probably have also grown. This ritual is designed to help you reflect on the past two years and, if needed, find some closure.
Ideally you perform the ritual on the day of the eclipse; but any other day surrounding the eclipse is also fine.
For this ritual you will only need a piece of paper (possibly your journal) and pen. This is a sober ritual, true Capricorn style. However, you are free to burn candles and incense and add to this ritual whatever you like. This ritual is very simple. It’s actually a journaling exercise.
Create a safe and quiet moment for yourself, ideally you won’t be disturbed. Sit down comfortably with your piece of paper, or possible journal, and pen. Think back on the last two years. What storyline has developed and unfolded in the last two years? What losses did you suffer? How did you grow? Write it down. Has something come to completion by now? And finally, ask yourself: is there one last thing I could let go off? That, if you would let go, would give you more space to breathe. I hope you can allow yourself to let go.
You can safe keep your writings to read them again on later day, if you like. Or when the time feels ready, dispose of them by burning them safely and with love.