My high school friends joke that one of us had the boobs, another had the butt, and I had the belly. Countless sit-ups, diets and colon cleanses never succeeded in flattening that part of me, as my father enjoyed pointing out. In my 40s, I’d managed to drop some weight after strenuous dieting, and was looking forward to joining a dating site. His response? “You look exactly the same as you did six months ago – FAT. Nobody wants to date a woman who looks like she’s already halfway pregnant.” Ouch!
My Leo dad had Sun conjunct idealistic Neptune in the fifth house of creativity and children. He was artistic, but he also suffered from fantasy thinking about me, his only child. He saw it as his fatherly duty to mold and perfect me – even as he outraged my proud Mars, Jupiter and Pluto in Leo. When I was quite small, we were best buddies. But once I found my voice, our home became a battlefield. Finally, I gave up trying to defend myself. It was easier to stuff my feelings than risk his wrath. How I wish I’d had the skill to stay cool during his tirades, knowing that this too, shall pass.
We’re headed into a stormy eclipse season, with a total solar eclipse in Leo (Aug. 12, 10:37 a.m. PT). Time to stay cool. Not easy to do when the weather is miserably hot and powerful men are behaving badly. In the astrological realm, a bomb recently exploded when respected elder Steven Forrest used the “n” word and apparently made other disparaging remarks about Black people (on a podcast which has since been taken down), then failed to adequately apologize for it. People have been taking sides on social media with some denouncing Forrest and others defending him. As a result, he has withdrawn from the upcoming UAC conference where he was scheduled to be a keynote speaker.
Steven Forrest is being triggered by this intense eclipse at 20 Leo – traveling near the regressive South Node and activating his Pluto in Leo. Old, unconscious patterns are being revealed as his shadow (Pluto) is exposed. People born from the late 1940s thru the mid-1950s with similar degrees are being called to examine and revise old, archaic thinking. This eclipse calls all of us – especially those with planets in Leo – to ditch egoic, outmoded patterns and discover a more authentic, inclusive version of ourselves.
When the Moon eclipses the Sun, feelings reign supreme. And Mercury in Leo is now opposing Pluto and approaching a conjunction to Jupiter. Communications are bold, dramatic and emotional. The day before this eclipse, Mars enters Cancer (until the end of September). When the warrior is in the sign of home and family, our fighting spirits are activated, especially on the homefront. But with Mars in its fall, fighting with close kin and comrades will be a losing battle. Thankfully, Venus just entered Libra – one of the signs she rules – bringing a nice dose of balance, justice and forbearance to any tense situations.
Being in the field of the South Node can be exhausting and draining. Try to not schedule anything important or launch new things at this time. This eclipse is urging you to examine any judgements or grudges you’ve been carrying against yourself or others, and to release past patterns. This process of shedding and forgiving will reach a peak at the August 27 Pisces lunar eclipse. More on that next time.
If you’ve been feeling inflamed during this hot season, avoid adding fuel to the fire by stoking your anger or frustration. Focus instead on what you’re grateful for – and try to stay cool. Especially if you have planets around 17-23° of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), self-examination and release of the past are the order of the day. We’re talking about things that have plagued you for years. I’ll be anointing various inflamed body parts (including my belly) with plenty of healing oils around this eclipse. And I’m going to focus on remembering the good times with Dad. Sending you blessings at this potent lunation!
This total solar eclipse will be visible in far northern climes like Russia and Iceland. North America will witness a partial eclipse the morning of Aug. 12. The night before, the heavens will showcase the annual Perseid meteor showers, which should be spectacular under such dark skies. And lovely Venus in her home sign of Libra will be visible low in the western sky. More details at https://spaceweather.com/.
HI Simone,
thank you so much for this. I felt a lot of empathy, when I read about how your Dad put you down, thought & spoke about your belly (I also read that he was a creative friend to you, in your childhood). My sag moon would like to share how I have found some relief with my middle aged body. I drink a very simple cinnamon tea (half a spoon of cinnamon in hot water or warm water, it can also be cold, but I prefer hot) first thing every morning – it must be before you poop. it turbo-charges your middle-aged metabolic system & helps with lowering cortisol. I have made very little changes to my diet (halved the alcohol and added vegetables, I am a huge meat eater). One year later, my very stubborn thigh fat has changed so much and I have shed half my cortisol belly. Just doing morning stretches, using body weight excercises (planking). Try it out. Sending You Love & Light
Daraja
Thanks for the suggestion! Glad you’re getting good results. Happy eclipse…