The Eclipse Window
Modern astrologers have given the period between eclipses the title ‘eclipse window’. It is an apt analogy.
The lunar eclipse in sidereal Scorpio on June 5 opened up a period of change and uncertainty; a period which lasts through a solar eclipse in sidereal Gemini on June 21 and until the eclipse window is closed after the lunar eclipse in sidereal Sagittarius on July 5.
The eclipse window opens up the possibility of peering into a situation, to see the full picture and to make the necessary changes.
However, it can just as easily obscure our view.
Eclipses always show change to some degree, but it may not be obvious to everyone unless there are other indications in an individual’s chart, such as a period of the nodes, or the eclipse itself occuring around the same degree as a natal planet.
For everyone, there is a sense of a time warp, of things both subtle and not so subtle moving about, shifting beneath our feet.
This brings with it a sense of urgency, but also uncertainty and vulnerability. If we can be open to the subtle and not so subtle cues, we can make the most of these periods.
Things Line Up
As the Sun, Moon, Earth and the lunar nodes, all line up for an eclipse, there is the possibility of lining everything up in our awareness, to connect some dots and gain insights into a situation.
The areas of life impacted are seen by house position, as well as any planets placed within a few degrees of the eclipse and the houses these planets rule in a given chart.
Whatever areas are impacted, there are revelations, which show the subsequent changes we must make.
When we see something for what it is, we have no choice but to change it, or at least to change the way we think about it. Because, here’s the thing, the lunar nodes and eclipses are more psychological than anything. They are not planets, physical things. They are shadows. Yes, they represent very real changes occuring in the world, such as seismic shifts on the planet, earthquakes and volcanoes etc., but this is due more to the line up of our luminaries with the Earth. Mostly, they show changes in the zeitgeist.
In ancient times, the solar eclipse was viewed as heralding the fall of a King, which in our modern day would be those in government. But this doesn’t happen every time there is a solar eclipse. At least, not everywhere. And it depends on which nodes is impacting who.
Also, there are a lot of leaders around the world, so it would be no surprise if someone where to leave power somewhere!
Sometimes, we can see the impact of an eclipse simply highlighting, or low lighting, a leader’s activities, such that they may be revealed to have done something in the past which they simply acknowledge and move on from, or which they try to hide from view.
In ancient times, the eclipses were feared because they showed a change to the status quo and someone behaving in less than virtuous ways to gain something. These days, it’s not only not frowned upon, it’s actively encouraged in certain circles.
The north node, Rāhu, promotes the darker qualities of manipulation and power grabbing, while Ketu, the south node, suggests destruction and losses.
Rāhu and Ketu: The Lunar Nodes
As the shadows are pronounced, in our individual lives and on the global stage, there is a marked difference between how individuals react to gaining insight into their shadow self, and those in power who would do anything to remain so. Many times, the eclipses, particularly Rāhu, shows someone gaining power, by any means necessary.
It is not a coincidence that politicians tend to have a strong Rāhu placement in their birth charts. For example, the two American presidential candidates for 2020, Donald Trump and Joe Biden both have Rāhu placed in the prominent 10th house of career.
While both nodes, Rāhu and Ketu, represent shock and awe, they bring these about in different ways.
Rāhu shows a grab for power, for resources, for whatever the heck one wants, regardless of who it may impact, or how many toes are trodden upon to get it.
Ketu, on the other hand, shows a rejection of worldly power, of resources, in favour of a spiritual power, which really equates to losses on some level materially, or a rejection of something.
We’re not necessarily aware of either impulse, as both are shadows, eclipses.
Both shock us. Many times, we shock ourselves. Both point to our shadow nature and trigger us.
Rāhu is that part of us that is inappropriate, manipulative. When we see someone do or say something which seems inappropriate, we can use the opportunity to point the awareness back to where it belongs, to call back all those projections.
Ketu is that part of us that is critical and neglectful of this life and interested in what is beyond. When we observe someone being so, we can again call our projections home.
This is all the more possible and rewarding during the eclipses.
Rāhu grabbing something means someone else is losing something, of course. Rāhu and Ketu cannot be separated, although they are opposite in the zodiac. While the mythological story of the demon Swarbhanu having its head cut off is apt, they are part of a whole and cannot be taken separately, although Rāhu generally points to what we want and Ketu points to what we reject.
Someone is always gaining and someone is always losing, on some level. When someone gains power in the world, they also lose power in other ways that are not so obvious. There is always another side to the story.
Ask yourself this question: Which is worse: not getting what you want, or getting what you want?!
While this plays out more obviously on the world stage, in our leaders, and those we look up to, or down on, we too can see where we are gaining and losing, and can flip the nodes around it to see where we are truly gaining and losing out.
Rāhu is seen to create blocks, despite the amount of success one achieves. And if you were unsure of this, all you have to do is study famous people’s charts and note times in their life Rāhu was particularly active; when they had a lot of success. On the surface of things you may think that’s great, but if you dug a little deeper and asked if they were truly happy, you get a very different story.
Wherever Rāhu is placed in the horoscope shows a grab for something, for power, for recognition, for resources, whatever it may be, but there is always a bigger price to pay.
Where Ketu is placed shows losses, and a certain amount of ambivalence, which points to gains spiritually speaking, while Rāhu ultimately shows a net loss from a spiritual perspective.
Ketu are those lessons from losses which we are eventually grateful for; you know, when we look back and thank God for it not working out!
And if you are willing to sell your soul for x, y or z, Rāhu shows the gains you acquire are just not worth it ultimately.
Look at your chart and see where you wish to gain. Where is Rāhu in Gemini currently influencing your choices? What house is Gemini placed in? Always count inclusively from your rising or Moon sign to Gemini.
Do you have any planets placed in Gemini? Look at planets that are especially close to the upcoming solar eclipse at 6 degrees.
Where do you have Ketu in Sagittarius in your horoscope? And are there any planets placed therein? What house is Sagittarius placed in?
Now try to see them from the perspective of gains and losses. From which vantage point are you looking?
Switch your perspective and see if you can turn it around, to see your gains as losses and your losses as gains.
