Dear ASTRO~NEWS Blog Reader,
what an intense month of AUGUST – already…
It IS the ‘HOTTEST’, most charged month of 2017, with (brief overview again): Â
Two Eclipses (Lunar on Mon Aug 7, Total Solar on the Sphinx Point / Regulus over the U.S. on Aug 21) – that’s what this article is all about;
URANUS turnaround on Aug 2 – Aug therefore ‘Uranian’ – shocks, surprises, wake-up calls;
JUPITER in LI square PLUTO in CAP on Aug 4 – Deep Imbalances and need for Sustainable Change;
MERCURY into ‘storm’ since Aug 2, retro Aug 12 – Sept 5.
With all these ‘imbalances’ to call it mildly, the ultimate ‘medicine’ is to be in the Centre, the ‘Hub of the Wheel’, the ‘Stillpoint’ where ‘nothing moves as everything is in motion, coming and going’. That would be the ‘shortcut’.
In the meantime, in the human journey we are experiencing all these dynamics.
Let’s see how they play out, and what’s ‘UP’.
Awareness leads to Freedom!
And LOVE is the Medicine that helps us in the âstormâ â is both grounding, and raises the vibration from which we experience the âeventsâ!Â
ECLIPSE Season is ON, this month of AUGUST:
- AUG 7: ‘Gates of Power’ / SIRIUS Rising Partial LUNAR Eclipse in mid-AQ – mid-LEO – Eclipse Portrait below!
- AUG 21: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE on the ‘SPHINX POINT, close to REGULUS, the ‘HEART of the LION’.
The TSE path goes over the United States (NW to SE) – only (except for the Northeast of Brazil), and it’s the first TSE that’s centralized over the U.S. since the country was founded, even though there have been Eclipses visible from the U.S., see list here.
Plus, it is exactly on Trump’s AC / MARS in late LEO.
Clearly significant for the United States and its present president.
Please find the charts of the PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE and of the TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE in the body of this article, and the charts of Trump and,of the U.S. as a reference on the bottom .
Quick ECLIPSES INTRO
2017 Eclipses
Twice a year, a pair of Eclipses occurs, and they ‘string together’, through the Lunar Nodes.
Remember the last Eclipse pair in FEB?
- FEB 10: Lunar Eclipse in late LEO – AQ. The Eclipse MOON, with the Lunar North Node, was close to ‘REGULUS’ the Heart of the LION where the Total SOLAR ECLIPSE on AUG 21 will be.
- FEB 26: ‘Ring of Fire’ Annular Solar Eclipse (a ‘Closure’ Eclipse – PI SUN / MOON with the Lunar South Node).
- And now the two AUGUST Eclipses, in LEO – AQ where the Lunar Nodes are since end of April.
Eclipses 101
- Eclipses occur when a NEW MOON and FULL MOON are close to the Nodal Axis which is presently in AQ – LEO. The closer the more likely a Total Eclipse.
- Eclipses come twice a year, and in pairs. When thereâs a NEW MOON Solar Eclipse close to the Nodal Axis, say, in late LEO (AUG 21), the FULL MOON before (AUG 7) or after is an Eclipse too.
- Eclipses are at the same position in the Zodiac every 18-19 years:
On AUG 11, 1999 was a TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE in mid LEO. Its path went over Europe (I saw it, before coming to Canada in 2000 – had quite an effect!).
For the AUG 21 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE in late LEO you might want to review where you were at in 1999, esp. if you have your SUN, MOON, Planets, or even Nodes in LEO – AQ.
- The effect of the Eclipses extends beyond âjustâ a lunar monthly phase, rather 2 â 3 months, and itâs a chain from Eclipse âseasonâ (last one in Feb) to Eclipse season.
- Eclipses are a RE-set, like rebooting your computer, after a temporary turning off of the energy.
In other words, a RE-generation of YIN-Feminine (LUNAR ECLIPSE), and of the YANG-Masculine (SOLAR ECLIPSE) energies, after a âdarkeningâ.
AUG 7 PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in mid-AQ / mid-LEO (Gates of Power)
Close to INDIA’s 70th Anniversary of Independence on AUG 15, and centrally visible over the Indian Ocean.
Inner Power, Freedom, and Self-Radiance
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Since itâs an ECLIPSE of the MOON, by the Earth Shadow which causes the temporary lunar darkening, literally Mother Earth provokes and evokes a âRE-SETâ of themes like:
WE The People, The Climate & The Planet.
Humman Community and collective Interconnectivity (AQ).
I.o.w.: Weâre all in this together!
A movement is obviously already kindled, and happening globally, and even more so in  the U.S., since the new presidency.
Goes to show, often it has to get worse to get better or bring out our best…. human nature…
In our personal lives, the Eclipse calls us to be in touch with our loving and creative Heart, and in passionate creative (SUN / MARS in LEO) collaboration with others in community, and in solidarity with Humanity (MOON in AQ).Â
The LUNAR ECLIPSE in mid-AQ / mid-LEO is super relevant for all of us with SUN, MOON, AC, or Planets in mid-LEO, mid-AQ, but also in mid-TAU, and mid-SCO.
Your personal birth chart and which houses the Eclipse axis falls into for you reveals the particular themes and areas of life this plays out for you.
For all of us, loving Heart creations and showing ourselves more fully and fiercely are LEO SUN / MARS / North Node incentives in the Eclipse dynamic, vs. just âwatching the showâ (lots of ‘shows’ going on out there in the media, it can easily get draining and overwhelming) or dissociating (AQ South Node shadow).
Lunar South Node Glyph
That doesn’t mean not to be informed politically, but too much of a ‘good thing’ in a passive, numbing way doesn’t help, yet the tendency can be strong these days, as the MOON (our default moods and needs) connects with the South Node.
The Nodal axis invites us to balance both âpolesâ in a healthy way, starting with âbreathing inâ beneficial energies on the SUN / MARS in LEO side:
Lunar North Node Glyph
Loving and showing ourselves as we ARE.
From there connecting with others, friends, groups, humanity, or even an âanonymous crowdâ with a good energy.
If we âpick upâ ârandom vibesâ from the collective that are draining clearing and release is definitely cool and needed. Being in Nature, and being creative and playful helps.
Letâs loosen the connection with the technological umbilical chord (SN / MOON in AQ), and be naturally creative and playful FIRST.
Indian Postage stamp commemorating the Independence Day, and the flag with the spinning wheel (symbolizing self sufficiency)
The Partial Lunar Eclipse in AQ – LEO will be most visible over Central Asia, especially India (and the Indian Ocean).
India will celebrate its 70th Anniversary of the Birth of the modern Indian Nation, and independence of Britain (midnight on Aug 15, 1947) just a week after the Eclipse!
Here’s an interesting little blog post about Gandhi and the spinning wheel.
The MOON in AQ (“Freedom to the People!”) will be temporarily eclipsed by the Earth shadow, before re-emerging, bright and clear.
So, what on Earth, and which part of Humanity is overshadowing the Spirit of Freedom and Independence?
I can think of a few people and things…. and the Earth is speaking too.
What brings the Spirit back, what’s called for Balance?
LEO celebration – but not just of the privileged elite on a power trip (LEO).
Everybody’s a Star, and by nature FREE, and Self-radiant as the LEO SUN.
Bright Buddha Blessings
I’m immensely grateful for the spiritual teachings – and the many teachers originating / with their lineage from India – foremost Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha – who point us to the truth of the matter.
Let’s invite the AQ – LEO Spirit of inner Freedom and Self-Radiance, in our path through the LUNAR ECLIPSE, and in preparation for the TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE!
Here’s to Nature-ALL Inner Buddha Power, and Inner Buddha Nature!
The LUNAR ECLIPSE FULL MOON will be in Central AQ – LEO (15°25′) – LAMMAS FULL MOON / SIRIUS RISING FULL MOON – All in One!
Celtic Wheel of the Year, with Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnassadh / LAMMAS, Mabon, Samhain.
The Four Center-Points of the fixed signs in the Zodiac wheel represent the center of each season (like now, mid-LEO / LAMMAS = mid-Summer), see Celtic Wheel to the right.
They are called the ‘Gates of Power’ where energy concentrates, and power themes come up.
The mid-Summer Lammas energy is double-LEO – very fiery – see the ASTRO~NEWS blog post about it!
Fiery MARS is this year super close to the Lammas SUN too (see Lunar Eclipse chart below).
And it’s the time of SIRIUS (the ‘Scorcher’) Rising at dawn before the SUN, this year on 08 / 08!
See my blog article SIRIUS Rising – RE-birth of the Spiritual SUN.
Clearly, the Fire Element asserts its Power – to be used wisely.
You probably heard of, or are even personally affected by the smoke from the devastating BC wildfires that have been burning and spreading since the last Full Moon on July 8 when MARS and the SUN in CANCER were aligned with SIRIUS (check out the ‘Powerhouse Full Moon’ / Guru Purnima Full Moon chart and article)
Interesting SIRIUS Full Moon 07 / 08 Â – Â 08 / 07 Full Moon @ SIRIUS Rising Connection…Â
Central AQ where the FULL MOON will be is double-AQ – a call for Humanity to not just ‘stand by and watch’.
AQ is an AIR sign, and a collective sign – i.o.w. “we’re ALL in THIS together”, as we’ve experienced here on the Westcoast with the wildfire smoke this week, building up to the AQ – LEO FULL MOON / PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE on Monday. So, yeah, AIR quality has been clearly ECLIPSED, and water-bearing clouds would be much needed.
Showing us as another wake-up call, how important and often taken for granted fresh AIR is (esp. when you live by the coast), and how much so many Beings – Humanity and all Sentient Beings on Planet Earth – are exposed to poor AIR quality nowadays, due to… well, mostly technological ‘progress’ that isn’t really innovative re: use of clean energy (all these are AQ themes).
In my opinion, the weather, the climate, and the fires aren’t just ‘random’, a ‘given’.
PLUTO in CAP, today Sat AUG 5 crossed by the MOON, has us look deeper, and take responsibility, incl. for the change we wish to see.
We’re ALL in THIS together, in the cycle of LIFE, says AQUARIUS.
What we do to a ‘small’ part (MERCURY about to go retro in VIRGO) we do to ALL (MERCURY opp. NEPTUNE in PISCES)… and we do to ourselves (LEO).
URANUS, Awakener Archetype and ruler of AQ, just went retro on Aug 2 – pointing us to previous shake-ups and wake-up calls (in different ways), and even more so, Inner Awakening.
Sometimes, an ecliptic, temporarily apocalyptic event triggers a change.
Let’s hope it’s a wake-up call that leads to a change in human behaviour, and support for more innovation that leads to sustainability.
Re: AIR quality (AQ) and Heat (LEO) – my prediction is they only lessen post the AQ – LEO FULL MOON / Partial Lunar Eclipse – often after the FULL MOON there’s weather changes…
Maybe it takes until Tue (08 / 08) when the MOON goes into PISCES until the smoke wave goes towards the ocean… not to say the issue is gone…
And yes, mid-LEO / mid-AQ energy is quite intense… may we use these ‘Gates of Power’ for a good purpose!
Â
Here’s the AQ – LEO FULL MOON (exact at 11:11 am PDT) / Partial Lunar Eclipse chart for Victoria BC:
Showing the central-LEO MARS / SUN and the North Node in late LEO, with MERCURY about to go retro, in early / mid VIRGO.
The MOON in mid-AQ and South Node in late AQ on the opposite side.
URANUS, ruler of AQ, now in late ARIES, just went retro on AUG 2.
JUPITER just squared PLUTO too (on AUG 4), see blog post for both cosmic events (Wake-up calls, and Soulful Choices).
Â
AUG 21 2017 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE end of LEO, over the U.S.A. on the ‘SPHINX POINT’, and close to REGULUS, the ‘Heart of the LION’.
Total Solar Eclipse with ‘Diamond Ring’ effect
The path of the TSE will cross centrally over the U.S.A. (Northwest / OR to Southeast / SC) and touch into Brazil.
The TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE Effects are clearly related to the United States, and to everything that emanates from the U.S. who themselves declared / ‘owned’ it as the Great American Eclipse – so American… “make Eclipse great again???!”
Definitely a spectacle to view (Eclipse show a la LEO?) – yet: What are the deeper and longer term implications of this ‘cosmic event’?
Astrology (literally: language  of the stars) helps us reveal the themes:
The TSE will be at the end of LEO, the ‘SPHINX POINT’, in transition to VIRGO, and close to the fixed star REGULUS ‘Heart of the Lion’, and brightest star in LEO!
This is where the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse / LEO – AQ FULL MOON of Feb 10 was (just 3 weeks after Trump’s inauguration).
Did you know? Trump was born on June 14, 1946 – Â the DAY of a TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE (just 3 1/2 hrs before totality!) I’ll show his chart below.
According to EarthSky, âA series of monthly lunar occultations of REGULUS (i.o.w. a series of  Eclipses of REGULUS by the MOON) started on DEC 18, 2016, and will continue to take place until the seriesâ conclusion on APR 24, 2018.â
Interesting… DEC 19, 2016 was the day when the U.S. Electoral College voted for Trump, in the ‘winner takes it all’ plurality per state fashion that received a lot of controversial attention, given the shocking result (ha, URANUS was end of DEC also turning direction) – plus, MERCURY went retro in mid-CAP next to PLUTO the same day, DEC 19!
Note: MERCURY will be retro during the TSE (MERCURY retro starts on AUG 12 and goes until SEPT 5, 2017).
Here is the whole line-up of REGULUS Occultations by the MOON – monthly, from the EarthSky page:
1. DEC 18, 2016
2. JAN 15, 2017
3. FEB 11, 2017
4. MARCH 10, 2017
5. APR 12, 2017
6. MAY 4, 2017
7. MAY 31, 2017
8. JUNE 28, 2017
9. JULY 25, 2017
10. AUG 21, 2017
11. SEPT 18, 2017
12. OCT 15, 2017
13. NOV 11, 2017
14. DEC 8, 2017
15. JAN 5, 2018
16. FEB 1, 2018
17. MARCH 1, 2018
18. MARCH 28, 2018
19. APR 24, 2018
Exactly midway through the occultation series â on AUG 21, 2017 â the MOON occults = eclipses REGULUS on the same date that it totally eclipses the SUN on REGULUS.
This is very significant for the U.S. and their current president whose MARS / AC is at the end of LEO / REGULUS!
See Trump’s chart below.
Io.w. the Martian / REGULUS LEO Rulership appearance / persona of Trump gets overshadowed / eclipsed by the late LEO MOON once a MONTH (ha, like a menstrual cycle), when the MOON in late LEO passes in front of REGULUS.Â
This cycle started just the day before he was sanctioned by the EC., then 5 days before his inauguration, then monthly when the MOON was late LEO until APR 24, 2018, culminating half-way with the TSE on AUG 21 – what a symmetry!
One could research and follow the dates and respective Trump effects (well, there are soo many!).
I’d say, at least at the first two occultations true ‘kingly’ ‘lionhearted’ Rulership got overshadowed / showed up in shadowy ways.
Let’s see what the TSE occultation brings.
The Fixed Star REGULUS at 29°53′ LEO has the following traditional connotations:
The most Royal Star. Raphael, the Healing Archangel, the Watcher of the North. Nobility, ambition, alertness, great power, status, leadership, sudden downfall, accidents, violence. Said by some to be the most benefic star in the universe.
Hereâs an extensive description of REGULUS â  the drawing of the LEO constellation above is also from that page.
REGULUS, astrologically positioned at the very end of LEO, in transition to VIR where the theme is: The King / Queen is the first servant of the state (Frederick the Great coined this term) â
Rather than âstaying stuck in LEO modeâ a la âLâEtat câest moi!â â quote by the âSun Kingâ Roi Soleil Louis XIV.
The current U.S. president is under scrutiny in this regard.Â
Sphinx on the Giza Plateau â Photo by Melanie, Egypt Journey Nov 2010âŠ
The LEO / VIR transition, as addressed many times on this âchannelâ, is also known as the âSPHINX POINTâ, or Self Awareness Point in the Zodiac.
Here, the vibrant, self radiant, self enamored LEO energy reflects upon itself, and becomes aware of who s/he is, and what s/he can do for others.
The âSPHINX POINTâ is an Initiation from âbeing chosenâ,  âspecialâ,  âprivilegedâ, âbeing King / Queen’ to becoming a Priest/ess, who offers sacred service. A transition from the âpalaceâ to the âtempleâ.
If you have Planets, SUN, MOON, Nodes on the âSPHINX POINTâ their Archetypes guide you through this Initiation to being of service in your life.
It starts with self reflection and self awareness âWho am I?â, from which follows the notion to extend ourselves to others:
“How can I do what I love and what inspires me creatively?” âWhat can I do for others?â , “What are my strengths, what am I naturally good at that would help others?”, âHow can I put my love into service?â.
The TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE is a âRE-SETâ of the theme on the ‘SPHINX POINT’ and REGULUS, i.o.w., we are all, president, Queen, King, or not, called to bring our LOVE, our LION HEART, and our Strengths into Service.
What is it that calls YOU?
Here is the TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE chart for Victoria BC:Â
The NEW MOON will be at 11:30 am, the maximum Eclipse at 11:21 am PDT, as noted on the chart.
We’ll be able here in Victoria to see 90% of the SUN disk occulted by the MOON, and the total Eclipse time takes 2 1/2 hrs, from 9:08 am to 11:37 am PDT.
Check this out:
MARS / Lunar North Node / SUN / MOON all end of LEO, and MERCURY Retro nearby (will meet the SUN on Aug 26), all round the ‘Sphinx Point’ / REGULUS.
A FIRE Trine to URANUS retro / stationary, at the very end of ARIES:
Can all this Ecliptic ‘reboot’ energy be channeled into major paradigm shifts, innovation, and inner liberation?!
Another FIRE Trine to LILITH / SATURN retro / stationary, grounding out the journey, and showing us our True Nature (LILITH) when it looks like “rien ne va plus” (SATURN in SAG).
Â
FIRE is the predominant element (SUN, MOON, MARS, North Node, SATURN, LILITH, and URANUS, all in the 3 FIRE signs): So much stirred up – can it be expressed in passionate, creative ways? Things can really get rolling if we put intention and motivation behind them.
6 retrograde Planets (SATURN about to go direct, on Aug 25) – we’re also dealing with ‘unfinished business’ and recurring themes – many ‘inside jobs’.
Practically speaking, a better time to start a project when MERCURY and SATURN are out of retro & post-retro ‘storm’ – with the next Very VIRGO NEW MOON on SEPT 20.
Â
Here is Trump’s chart.
He was born just 3 1/2 hrs before a Total Lunar Eclipse!
The TSE is right on his MARS / AC which is conj. REGULUS.
He also just had his 6th JUPITER return in LIBRA, and SATURN / LILITH are on his MOON / South Node in SAG / opp. his SUN / URANUS / North Node in GEMINI – ‘rien ne va plus’, re: shooting / tweeting from the hip? Roadblocks for his attitudes and wild and crazy unpredictability?
We shall see what this culmination of occultations brings to / through him (he surely is a catalyst to bring out the shadow of the establishment and system).
The U.S. chart (signature of the Declaration of Independence) looks like this:
Have you noticed?
The U.S. MOON end of AQ is right opposite the SOLAR ECLIPSE Point: “We The People….”
Blessings to You and ALL, for the Eclipse Season!
Letâs stay HEARTful, and connected in our HUMANITY!
If youâd like to tune in astrologically, whether thereâs an outer âoccasionâ and change, or you just have âthat callingâ I invite you to get in touch.
Iâm happy to support you being re-aligned and re-empowered, on your own path, and in relationships.
August is Client Appreciation Month in my Astrology practice â celebrating its 17th anniversary â with substantial discounts on consultation sessions â 10 â 50%!
The longer ago you had your first session the less you pay in August! đ .
But even as a newbie you get 10% off this month!
© 2017 by Melanie Lichtinger
ASTRO CONSULTATIONS:
Serving you with astrological guidance and perspective, pointing you to YOUR INNER âCOSMIC COMPASSâ.
Iâd love to inspire you to be in alignment with, and smoothly ârideâ those âauspiciousâ or âchallengingâ waves of cosmic energies that present themselves at a given time, and, similar to climate and weather, affect our human energy field.
Why?
Because it leads to eye opening awareness, growth, healing, release, transformation, and you can feel connected with the bigger evolution.
Ultimately, you can dwell in a witnessing place in the âHUB OF THE WHEELâwhere you are less and less affected, more and more liberated, and self-realized.
The birth chart is an incarnational map to identify your âoriginal imprintâand themes that are showing up as âissuesâ in your life.
I help you see how you donât need to be unconsciously identified WITH them, and they donât have to run your life.
Iâm always happy to welcome you as a client who is not seeking a âreadingâ from me (âWhatâs going to happen TO me?â, âWhat am I supposed to do?â), but to be supported in accessing your own wisdom source, especially in times of a challenging transitions, stuckness, transformational crisis, or for perspective at a crossroad, dilemma, or empowered choices.
ASTRO~EXPERIENCES, via Courses. Workshops, and Embodied Astrology:
Our experiential and embodied Astrology groups have over time (the 13 years Iâve been facilitating workshops and classes) become quite potent and catalytic.
In a world of online offers, our small, intimate Astro hubs (6 â 10 participants) are a treasured way of being personally seen and involved â more commitment, a personal sense of community, and deeper effects.
Come join us, if deep synergy in a circle speaks to you!
This is to empowered and liberating ways of working with the ancient and timeless gift of Astrology!
Tags: AQ - LEO Full Moon, Astro Blog, Astro Charts, Astro Consults, Astrologer, Astrologer Victoria, Astrology, Astrology Consults, August 2017, Donald Trump, Eclipses, Gates of Power, Great American Eclipse, India, India Independence, Lunar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse August 2017, Lunar Nodes, Lunar Nodes in LEO - AQ, Melanie Lichtinger, Partial Lunar Eclipse, Regulus, Regulus Occultations, Sirius, Sirius Rising, Sphinx Point, Total Solar Eclipse, Total Solar Eclipse 2017, Trump Chart, Trump Eclipse, Trump Regulus, U.S. Chart, U.S.A.