Total Solar Eclipse of 2 July – an Astrological perspective

Solar and lunar eclipses occur every year, but they’re not always total. However, this one is this week, so having studied astrology in my youth and interpreted horoscopes for the past few decades, I would like to give some insight into the upcoming event. Depending on who you ask an eclipse can be considered positive or not. So let’s take an inside look at the grand solar eclipse of 2 July 2019.

According to Vedic astrology, called Jyotish, which is apparently thousands of years old, eclipses are not very auspicious, and understandably so. The luminary is being hidden before your very eyes and the world turns dark for a moment. Nothing auspicious about that. Usually the temples would close at that time, nobody would go outside, and it was considered bad to even cook or eat during the dark period, which usually lasts an hour or two, from first approach, to full, to final conclusion as the triple alignment of Sun, Moon and Earth passes by.

Nevertheless, the western system of astrology based on the Tropical zodiac as opposed to the Siderial system of India, does not see it as so bad inherently, and takes the overall alignment of the other planets as well as the fixed stars into account. I believe that the western astrologers actually gained a lot, if not most of their information from the far older Indian or Vedic system, which is ancient. Even the Arabic astrologers gained their knowledge from the older culture of Persia and India, and the Arabs taught the western astrologers and alchemists a lot in the Middle Ages, so the west is a newcomer to the wisdom of the ancients.

Amazingly the 12 signs of the zodiac are the same in both systems, as are the seven visible planets. It is only with the advent of the telescope that the western stargazers discovered the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, and added them to the pantheon of astrological archetypes named after the Greek and Roman gods of old. And they added their symbolism to those newly discovered planets too. Nevertheless, all cultures are aware of eclipses since they are so obvious to the naked eye, and have interpreted them as good or bad according to their mythology.

Traditionally the Sun symbolized the ruler of the nation, or king and the Moon symbolized the mass of citizens. So when the Sun was totally eclipsed it forebode ill for the ruler of that country. This month’s total solar eclipse is hardly visible to many nations on the planet. In fact it will only be fully visible in South America, in Chile, just north of Santiago, and in Argentina, just south of Buenos Aires, the capital city. Uruguay will experience a partial sighting. So according to the ancient lore, the leaders of those first two countries may suffer some setbacks.

The duration of the event will be two hours and 13 minutes in total, from first slither to last, with the actual totality lasting two minutes and thirteen seconds, according to https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2019-july-2. Statistically it’s cloudy 72% of the time there at this time of the year so they may not even see it directly, but they will certainly see the darkness begin to descend on them at 16h32 local time. If you have ever been in a total solar eclipse during the day, it is the most ominous experience, where it looks like night is coming. Even the birds go quiet.

Now from an astrological point of view, the solar eclipse occurs at 10 degrees 30 minutes of Cancer. The new moon moment is at this precise position. Anyone who has a birthday within three days of this event will also traditionally be personally affected by it more so than most, as it occurs in conjunction to your natal Sun position in your birth chart. The effects of an eclipse are said to be felt for the entire six months after the event, not just on the day, so it will affect the rest of the year for you and in fact for the whole planet indirectly.

Now one entity that is having a birthday within three days of the total solar eclipse is, of course, America, with their Independence day on the 4th of July. So I would say that this eclipse does not bode well for them as a nation for this next six months. They are already on the brink of war. Fortunately it is not visible in America but the eclipse does land on their natal Sun in the sign of Cancer. As a result the nation may be eclipsed in some way or another. That’s the traditional theory.

Specifically falling in the sign of Cancer, according to the western system, this eclipse is said to have an effect on our home and family set-up, our base, ancestry, family tradition, roots, heritage and our domestic situation, these all being Cancerian themes. Also issues arise around food and security and safety. This makes me think of the impending food crisis that could hit the planet due to extreme weather that is affecting crop production. In recent months America has already been hit by severe flooding that has ruined much of their crop production and sent grain prices spiraling on the commodities markets. Farmers simply could not plant their full quota for the year due to flooded pastures. Many farmers are going bankrupt as a result, despite bailouts from the Federal government. If this kind of weather disaster continues, the agricultural sector of America will be knocked further down, and the economy and lives of many in the industry will suffer badly.

Besides that “security issues” imply defense and military involvement, especially if the nation feels insecure psychologically. This kind of sensitivity is like that of a crab, who is soft on the inside so needs to protect itself with its hard shell on the outside. When Cancerians feel insecure, they seek shelter in food or other defensive mechanisms, like house and possessions, filling their pantries with excess supplies in case of emergencies, for example. Let’s hope America does not get insecure and decide to launch a pre-emptive strike on Iran. The trade wars are already a defensive manoeuvre, a form of protectionism, making America “great again”, like the good old days of our forefathers, at least in the minds of those involved.

Astrologically the eclipse falls at a point in the sky in conjunction with or aligned with the fixed star Alhena, a brilliant white star situated at the foot of the southern twin Pollux in the Gemini Constellation. This is a literal position in the sky from the perspective of Earth, thanks to the Precession of the Equinoxes. The Sun is literally in the sign of Gemini, but the western system still alludes to its position in Cancer as it was 2000 years ago or more. That’s the difference between the eastern or Vedic system and the western tropical zodiac. The Vedic system is astronomically accurate whereas the labeling of the western system is outdated, though still used ironically.

And this fixed star is traditionally a positive influence on the new moon alignment on Tuesday, bestowing eminence in the written creative arts, so that will be beneficial for us bloggers and social media journalists. It also facilitates the negotiation of peaceful solutions to disputes, which can be seen in the resolution negotiated between Trump, XI and Putin regarding a trade war cease fire at the G20 meetings in Japan now. It also facilitates health, honour, riches, pleasure, domestic benefits and distinction for our efforts. So as I said, it depends on whom you ask as to how auspicious this eclipse is this week.

Besides that the Saturn sextile Neptune alignment, which is a major influence throughout the entire year, due to their slow movement and thus long time in aspect to each other, should facilitate practical material gain from our spiritual or service-related endeavours. Saturn grounds the more mystical or transcendent influence of Neptune.

To conclude, we need to see this new moon solar eclipse as part of a pair, the other half being the lunar eclipse two weeks later, at full moon on 16 July. So set your intentions for the month now at the new moon moment this Tuesday 2 July, and remember to balance work with family involvement, be inspired by your support system of your community, even if it is here on the social media platform, where many of us find our true kindred spirits.