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The Eclipse Happened. Now What?

By Dana Gerhardt

Moderns have no useful narrative for eclipses. We hype ‘em. We marvel at the astronomy. We move on. Yet especially here in the US, if we could learn from the ancient intelligence of eclipses, we would be seriously alarmed. By eclipse measures used for millennia, last month’s total eclipse, what came to be known as “The Great American Eclipse” because its path of darkness ran exclusively through this nation from coast to coast (and its degree was conjunct our President’s rising sign)—the August 2017 eclipse was a doozy.

So what are the ancient measures?  Our first clue is in the very word “eclipse,” whose root is the Greek “ekleipsi,” meaning “abandonment,” a condition which strikes archetypal terror in the members of a highly social species like homo sapiens. Laced with helplessness and vulnerability, knowing that you’re on your own and likely in danger, abandonment is one of the more difficult emotions for humans to bear. It’s a feeling children often have but quickly learn to stuff away, so that it can sneak out less treacherously as the monsters of one’s nightmares.

An ancient hunter-gatherer standing on the plains, one whose brain was wired with the cognitive jolt that caused homo sapiens alone to develop art, religion, and a sophisticated language that could carry symbols and concepts—that forager had a strong relationship with the Sun. He knew that without the Sun, there would be no life (a truth with which science still agrees). Fifty thousand years ago, when the Sun disappeared during an eclipse, humans felt seriously abandoned. They shrieked and drummed up songs to bring back their heavenly father.

We don’t have records from these ancient thinkers, but as humans gathered into cities and began writing things down, everywhere the Sun was perceived as a father figure. His eclipses became linked with his human surrogate, the King. When the Sun was eclipsed, the King’s power would suffer, and so would the humans under his care. Eclipses were dangerous times for leaders, when the heavens could turn against empires. Quite simply, eclipses were associated with widespread disasters—famines, floods, invasions–cataclysmic events that could strike down rulers and nations.

The priests worked furiously to avert such disasters ahead of time. Their primary purpose and method was to advise the king and perform the rituals that would keep the kingdom in balance, so the heavens would always be pleased. The king himself often performed key roles in these rituals, when necessary, groveling and debasing himself before the higher celestial powers. (How brilliantly such an act balances the natural arrogance of rulers!) The proof was in the pudding. Among the signs that the heavens had been appeased was the absence of calamities occurring before or after the eclipse. Bonus confirmation was a cloud or sandstorm hiding the eclipse itself.

For The Great American Eclipse of 2017, here’s what occurred: our king ran out on the Truman Balcony, gave a thumb’s up, then looked naked-eyed at the Sun, something every school child is warned against doing, while an aide shouted, “Don’t look at it!”  I’ll let you make of that what you will. But I wager the Babylonian kings were all rolling in their graves.

Of course, in the weeks since the eclipse, we’ve suffered three cataclysms beyond our imagining: the back-to-back record-breaking Hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, along with the Equifax hack, in which security data for nearly half the population was stolen, a cataclysm I don’t think we can even begin to understand yet. Add to that the constant drip of new information about a further terror, how the US social and digital systems were so easily hacked by at least one foreign power, a thing even the ancient Babylonians would have understood as being bad for the kingdom (though not our president).

In all, we feel the ancient archetypal fingerprints of an eclipse—abandonment by the powers that be.

The Astrology for Aquarius website predicted eclipse floods and hurricanes (as early as May, 2017,) and since then has kept a fine catalog of the disasters occurring within the traditional eclipse period (one to two months before and after). It’s an impressive tally of world events. But to think “Wow, look what the eclipse caused,” misses the point. It misses the core meaning of the ancient eclipse narrative.

Eclipses don’t cause the harm. Rather they define the period during which we can reliably measure a kingdom’s spiritual harmony. Disasters occurring near an eclipse are a signal that the kingdom is out of balance. Its leadership has gone astray. When the priests couldn’t avert calamities occurring near an eclipse, they worked furiously afterwards, trying to unwind the negativity and set things in order again.

As my colleague Simone Butler also writes this month, we can’t count on our authorities to keep us safe.  If the king will not right himself—if he will deny climate change, stand with white supremacists, roll back the rights of decent citizens while removing the protections and regulations that keep corporations in line—we’ve got to do an unwinding. We don’t have the support of ancient priests and their potent rituals. But we do have powers. We can unwind the negativity through various individual and collective ways. We can build personal emergency kits. We can freeze our credit. We can witness the system in action and hold our political leaders accountable. Most importantly, we can do the spiritual work that difficult times require. Though we’ve lost the ancient magic,  we still have the intelligence and imagination of the homo sapien mind. Let’s use it.

More from Dana on The Great American Eclipse here

Locate yourself in time!  This eclipse may or may not be personally significant, but your transits and progressions always are.  Don’t know what’s going on in your heavens?  Order Steven Forrest’s fabulous Skylog report.  If your birthday is within three months, ahead or behind you, Mary Shea’s Solar Return report will complete the picture of your year.

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About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Marfa says

    Oct 10, 2017 at 9:46 am

    Thank you . Wonderful article..

    Reply
  2. Anon eMouse says

    Sep 19, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    We don’t have public priests and leadership that make headlines every day but there are amazing shadow workers who give without others necessarily knowing and their works are being felt more and more… praise to them. Working in the shadows often means… being in the shadows 🙂

    Reply
  3. BZ says

    Sep 18, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    I love your writing! Thank you for another great article that reminds me how ancient yet timely is the art of astrology. Just adding my two cents on something I thought that was good about the Eclipse. It brought a deeply divided people together to share in nature and be reminded of our place within it. Humbling..

    Reply
  4. Ms Ren says

    Sep 18, 2017 at 11:40 am

    I am not so sure that we are out of balance post eclipse…I saw Americans pulling together to help one another during both hurricanes, reach into their wallets and the FEMA (government agency afterall) work seamlessly with local and state officials in the relief efforts. Additionally, I saw companies donating goods and services to help their fellow Americans..please be a little kinder and gentler to the collective efforts and leadership at all levels.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Sep 18, 2017 at 2:03 pm

      Oh I agree! The response has been great. We learned a lot from Katrina. We’ve even improved our ability to predict hurricanes, which is why there were warnings for both Texas and Florida nearly two weeks in advance. And we can already measure the oceans rising. Miami is now regularly flooded with seawater. Responding to catastrophes is one thing, but foreseeing them is another. Within the ancient eclipse narrative, cataclysms are about leadership–how the ship is steered. Our greatest cities are built on waterways for their great historical advantage in commerce and transportation. My fear is for the millions of coastal citizens who will need our future compassion. As a civilization, we do not yet have the skills to move these great cities twenty miles inland. May our hearts and wallets continue to be big enough to catch them after they fall.

      Reply
  5. Chris Faulconer says

    Sep 18, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Thank you for speaking truth to power. And for reminding us that we are responsible for our own happiness. Rather than sink into the negativity coming from our current administration, you remind us that we have the will to act and can choose to do so, rather than flailing around in the helpless state of “abandonment”. No power there. Power is in action.
    Thanks for your words.

    Reply
    • Iris ShadoWolfe says

      Sep 18, 2017 at 3:33 pm

      I agree wholeheartedly with Chris Faulconer. The article was right on and speaks to our need to bring balance in our own everyday life and bring as much peace and unity to each interaction with each person and the Planet Herself.. We do not have Priests or Leadership that is appropriate or capable of doing so. It is time we all step up and Be what we would have our World Be. Thank you.

      Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Sagittarius


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon square Mars, 3:51am  May 18 2022
  • Moon square Neptune, 3:59am  May 18 2022
  • Moon sextile Saturn, 3:59am  May 18 2022
  • Moon square Jupiter, 2:21pm  May 18 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.