It is customary for our planet Earth to have a Solar (New Moon) and Lunar (Full Moon) eclipse once every six months, but this month is a bit different. This time we have two Solar eclipses with a Lunar eclipse right in between creating three eclipses, back to back, all happening during the month of June. Although this does happen occasionally, we can expect this month to be an important turning point for those of us who have planets in their birth chart in close aspect (3°) to the location of the eclipses. The first in the series occurs at 11° of Gemini on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 2:03pm PDT. The second of the series is the Lunar eclipse on June 15, 2011 at 24° of Sagittarius at 1:14pm PDT. And finally, we will have a second Solar eclipse on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 9° of Cancer.

I’m going to focus on the first eclipse of the series for this article and will talk about the others in the next newsletter. Many of my readers know that I regard a Solar eclipse as an ‘inertia destroyer.’ Things can be going along pretty well, or shall we say, normally, and then an eclipse occurs on a sensitive point in our chart and suddenly it seems that everything is shifting. The other way we can experience an eclipse is that it can trigger changes that have been brewing for some time but which have seemed to be stagnant and unmoving. In other words, eclipses tend to break the momentum of the past and create or force us into a new direction.

In astrology, eclipses have very bad reputations. Many astrologers regard them as ‘bad.’ Nothing good can come from an eclipse, many say. But this makes no sense to me. And, from my personal experience I know it isn’t true. My view is that what makes an eclipse feels good or bad is how we personally experience it in the short term. In my case, I once had a significant eclipse on my Jupiter and wondered for months what it would elicit. Would it be fortunate or unfortunate? Would I be lucky or unlucky since Jupiter rules luck? In actual fact, however, this particular eclipse resulted in my deciding to start the Sher Astrological Institute. Jupiter also rules education and this is exactly what was triggered by that eclipse. It was not unlucky for me to say the least. Also, it is helpful to be aware that what can seem terrible in the short run may turn out to be quite necessary for our personal growth later. It is not possible to avoid pain in life, so if there was a destructive aspect of an eclipse, often we see later, that we could not have progressed into new territory in the future without that pain. This principle can be hard to hear when we are in the midst of loss, but if it does occur, at least in the back of our minds, we can remember or feel that there may be important meaning for us even if it seems impossible to admit while we are in the midst of its effects.

This particular eclipse is characterized by a trine to Saturn. This adds a seriousness and purposefulness to this eclipse. Most of all, if you are in a process of creating or expanding a business, this is a great time to move forward as long as you have already determined the kind of structure or plan you need. If not, then this is the time to do it, so that when Saturn goes direct in a week, you will be ready to take advantage of new opportunities coming your way.

Of greater interest to many who pay attention to Saros cycles, this eclipse is called 13 South. Saros cycles are extremely long cycles that repeat every 19 years. The meaning of this one as interpreted by Bernadette Brady is that it carries two opposing forces. One is quite expansive, while the other is restrictive and delays progress. The reason for the expansion and optimism is that Jupiter is connected to the New Moon of this series. But due to the influences of both Mars and Saturn with it, there can also be frustration, inhibition, delays and separations included in the mix. In order to get an idea of how difficult this eclipse might be for a person, one would have to examine the natal chart of the specific person very thoroughly as the more negative aspects possible here are quite rare.

Jupiter and Saturn

In addition to the series of eclipses, this busy month has two additional factors to be considered. On June 5, 2011, Jupiter changes signs and enters Taurus for a one-year stay. And on June 13, 2011, Saturn turns back to its direct motion. Together these changes signal that important matters can move forward strongly. I will be going into this in future articles, but Jupiter’s entrance into earthy Taurus indicates that the inspiration and enthusiasm of Aries is now turning into opportunities for some of the things we have been considering to actually be manifested. Slow, steady and determined work is Taurus’ signature, so it is best not to seek fast results. But with Saturn also moving ahead again, we are entering a great time of steady progress as long as we are practical, do our homework and remain steadfast. The doors are opening fully now, so if you are involved in a project that you take seriously, this is the time to move with confidence and optimism. At times like these, one can achieve real results that can endure.

As always, I’d love to hear about your experience of this month’s shifts and changes, so please reply if you feel inspired to write.

What happens during a Lunar Eclipse is that the Earth lies exactly between the Sun and Moon, which casts a shadow over the Moon. My view of eclipses in general is that they are ‘inertia changers.’ Whatever has been static or resistant to movement will in some way be forced to move, thereby freeing up energy that will result in a flow that balances out whatever has been held back. To understand the nature of the Lunar Eclipse, which occurs at the Full Moon, first we need to understand the nature of a Full Moon. Each month we experience this and it is best described as the culmination, fulfillment or bringing to a head of something that has been building during the present month or sometimes even longer. The seed planted at the New Moon (which represents beginnings) comes to fruition at the Full. A Lunar Eclipse however is much stronger in its effects than the regular Full Moon.

The Nature of a Lunar Eclipse

So, what is the nature of a Lunar Eclipse specifically? Most of these eclipses will bring about some kind of emotional catharsis that while being difficult, will conclude with a clearing of the air and a clarifying of actual positions or stances someone is taking with you and you with them. The location of the eclipse in your chart determines how it will affect you personally. However, even if the eclipse does not affect us personally, don’t be surprised if others around us are. Most of us will know someone who is affected strongly and we will be dealing with them in some way. There is an axiom in astrology that posits the notion that eclipses happen before the date of the eclipse. In other words, nothing really happens totally out of the blue. There is a build-up, with the time around the eclipse creating the final release or revelation of what it is that has been emerging. Feelings are expressed that may seem sudden, but in fact, it is what the person has been feeling for quite a while, they just either didn’t consciously know what they were feeling, or they did know and felt that it was best to remain silent.

Here are some more effects of Lunar Eclipses:

1. When handled well, they often enable us to grow in wisdom and maturity. How we handle the harder times of our life is so important in the development of our character.
2. New events can occur such as marriages or divorces, birth of a baby or business, significant encounters that move us forward in some important way. It is the cleaning out of the old that paves the way for the new cycle that will come at the Solar Eclipse.
3. Whatever happens at this time should be regarded as extra important since their effects are likely to last longer than a regular Full Moon.
4. An increased sensitivity or emotionality is likely at this time. It is helpful to be aware of this so that you can be prepared to handle the demands made on you now. And, if you are rather unemotional, you may find that others around you are, and you will have to deal with them in some way.

The Best Way to Handle an Eclipse

I must admit that often events happen to us and we have to react. We may not have a choice. But because feelings run rather high right now, it is best to wait, whenever possible, to have that very intense or important talk with someone until the eclipse period has passed…. at least a week or so. And if you cannot delay the matter, then be aware that the softer and more subtle you are able to be, the better the outcome. Take a look at how President Obama handled the Gen. McChrystal firing and you’ll see a good example of this. He carefully prepared his response and had everything in place before acting. In fact, the outcome may improve things considerably. It’s interesting that Obama has been criticized for not showing anger more. First of all, it is not his nature with Aquarius rising. But how would people react in the long run if they saw their President reactive and unpredictable? Being calm under pressure demonstrated confidence and that inspires trust.

This Particular Eclipse

I must say that I do not remember seeing a more intense Lunar Eclipse than this one. This eclipse has what astrologers call a Cardinal Cross in it which includes the Sun, Moon and 5 planets. There is a conjunction between the Moon and Pluto (creating very intense emotions) and a Sun-Mercury conjunction as well. The feeling that one needs to say what is on one’s mind is very strong, and it can come out very strongly and quite suddenly due to the square to Jupiter-Uranus. This eclipse is a true ‘inertia destroyer.’ Much will be revealed and said, some of which may not be able to be taken back, so be very careful about what you say and do. However, when there are a great many squares and oppositions in a chart, it also means that it is a great time to do what you need to do to finish a cycle that has been moving slowly towards greater clarity. This is its best use of all. I know quite a few people who are going through just this thing. Sure, with Uranus involved, there can be some surprises, but with Saturn also in play, we will know what to do for the most part. If there is conflict, then we must deal with it calmly and strategically, but also we must face it. In other words, if action is indeed required, then we must not shirk or shy away from it. Take it on and deal with it honestly and kindly, but one’s future depends on acting in a way that frees us to be ourselves.

I want to encourage our readers to consider sharing their experiences of this challenging Lunar Eclipse. It can be helpful to all of us.

At 5:55pm PDST, Wednesday August 5th, 2009, we will have a Lunar eclipse (Full Moon) that marks the last one in this series that began at the previous Full Moon on July 7th. The Sun will be at 13 degrees of Leo and oppose the Moon at 13 deg. of Aquarius. Because this is the last one of a series, it’s likely to occasion a finishing up of what has been set into motion over the last 6-week period. Lunar eclipses do often create emotionally turbulent periods that can bring cathartic relief in their wake. This one might do something similar, but that will depend on how much a person has been dealing consciously with the myriad of forces that have been emerging so far.

This eclipse describes the nature of the possible difficulties and also provides some strong hints on the best way to deal with the issues that are coming up. Firstly, there is a square between Mars and Saturn that is likely to bring about delays and perhaps even frustration in projects on which we are working. We see this now in the health reform issue as the forces trying to stop reform have been successful in either slowing or derailing the legislative process. Although things may not be working out the way one hoped for or had intended, it is also true that this aspect suggests that continuing to work is the wisest course of action. Squares ask us to either let go completely of what can now be seen as unworkable or make a conscious decision to put in whatever effort is needed to persist and handle the obstacles in our way. Sometimes, we have to make considerable effort at a time like this and not let delay or frustrations stop us.

Also, there is a sextile (60 deg.) aspect between Mercury and Venus. This suggests that success can be achieved if we make an effort to communicate with whomever we are having difficulties and try to find common ground. This is a hopeful aspect for overcoming misunderstandings but with sextiles, one must make the effort or the flowing energy will not be used.

Finally, it is noteworthy that Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Chiron are all retrograde now. The energy I’ve been writing about in the last two articles is still strong, but all of these issues are now being reviewed. And they need to be. Let’s use the health care debate as an example. Over the past two weeks the protests against reform have become stronger and more vocal. Some of the issues are important concerns that need to be addressed, but also what is being revealed is that there has been a concerted effort to distort (Neptune) the facts which confuses things more than ever in the minds of the people (Moon). I believe however that the square between Mars and Saturn that I referred to above is doing two things. It is bringing about delays and an amplification of the negative voices, but it is also demonstrating the real motives and financial interests behind those voices. The powerful financial interests of the insurance, pharmaceutical, hospital and other health care giants is now being seen as doing all it possibly can to negatively influence the health care debate. This could bring about a kickback against these forces if enough people react to learning that their personal interests are begin highjacked by these powerful lobbyists. We’ll see in the early Fall when Mercury goes retrograde what comes of this.

I want to encourage you to write responses to this article and on any other articles in our interactive blog. You can write about your personal experiences or your thoughts about what is written. I believe that disagreement is as important as agreement as both make an important contribution to any discussion. My only request is that all posts avoid rudeness. Again, you may reply to any articles on the blog, not only the most recent. I hope you will enjoy reading these responses. Let’s have some fun together.

We are about to have a most unusual Solar Eclipse. It takes place on July 21st at 7:35pm PDST. You may see this eclipse referred to as happening on July 22 but don’t be confused. It will be July 22nd in China which is the only country where this total eclipse will be seen in its totality. It will be visible in such cities as Shanghai and Hangzhou, but most of the eclipse will occur over the Pacific Ocean.

What makes this eclipse so unusual is that it is the longest Total Solar eclipse occurring in the 21st century. It will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. What this means to an astrologer is that the intensity of this eclipse is far stronger than most eclipses. An eclipse is what I have termed an “inertia changer” and this one could change things more than most.  They tip any situation into a new direction, sometimes radically. Although the reputations of eclipses are often negative, I have found that they can be experienced both positively and negatively. Perhaps it is human nature for us to feel that change is negative, but years later, we may regard what happened in a much different manner than when we first experienced it. This particular eclipse is likely to be much more intense than most due to its being a Total eclipse and its duration. But there is another reason.

Each Solar Eclipse is part of a much longer series which astronomers have called Saros cycles. They are 1,300 year cycles that describe a particular type of eclipse. The Saros cycle for this eclipse is termed 11 South. Bernadette Brady has done a wonderful job describing each of these so let me quote her work. You can find this in her outstanding work “Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark.” She writes- “This family of eclipses is concerned with the need to make sudden reforms. Old ideas or methods will fail and new systems are required to deal with the events brought by the eclipse. As a consequence the person will need to think of new ways of handling the issues. Any blocks could be violently or tragically removed.”

Also, the chart of this eclipse indicates the possibility of sudden changes as Uranus opposes Saturn and squares Venus. Thus, we may find that our relationships can be affected in a powerful way. The necessity of facing any issues that arise now as directly and truthfully as possible is important for us even though we may not like what we are asked to see. We will have to handle these as when Saturn is involved, we don’t really have a choice. Sometimes all we can do when the negative side of life happens is to accept and hope for a better future. However, for many others, this eclipse could free you up to be able to take advantage of new possibilities that are emerging as old systems or structures are destroyed.

How a particular person is likely to be affected by an eclipse depends on where it occurs on one’s chart and the aspects it makes. But it certainly is capable of overturning situations in such a way that something truly new can occur.

As always, I appreciate hearing from readers about what they are going through now and will post some of your responses. I am working on making my blog interactive which will enable you to post your thoughts on my articles on your own.

Wishing you all the best on the coming New Moon.

Jim Sher

The first thing to know about a Lunar eclipse is that it must occur at a Full Moon. The basic meaning of a Full Moon is that it always brings forth some kind of culmination, fulfillment and revelation of the ‘seed’ that was born at the New Moon two weeks earlier. We get to see fully whatever is developing either in us or in our world. The fact that this Full Moon is an eclipse makes its effect much stronger. The issues are bigger and strike us more deeply. So, it is an important period for us. At this time, the Earth stands between the Sun and the Moon. If you were on the Moon, the Sun would be blotted out for a time. Since the Moon rules subconscious emotions which are often negative, the fact that those very emotions are hidden allows them to be examined more clearly. For example, if we normally feel fear about some issue, we may be more willing to experience and move through that fear at this time. We can become motivated to handle an area where we are easily triggered. Of course, sometimes, we just feel forced to do so.

To gain some perspective on the nature of the Tuesday Lunar eclipse, it is best to begin by looking at what the New Moon tells us. It occurred on June 22nd at 1 deg. of Cancer. What is significant about it was that it was in a very close opposition to Pluto. When I study the nature of the Moon in mundane astrology (the area of astrology that examines events of nations, governments, politicians, etc.) it refers to things that affect the mass consciousness, what the people think and how they are affected. With Pluto ruling transformation and even death, in the past few weeks we have seen many national figures die, including Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Karl Malden, and the most recent tone being Steve McNair(ex-football player) who died in a violent shooting along with a woman whose relationship we do not yet know. What is significant about this type of event in the national psyche is that it often sends forth strange reactions in the people. It seems to me that any public figure who achieves some sort of intense attention, is actually resonating with something far beyond just themselves personally. It sends out ripples into the mass consciousness because those individuals somehow represent something significant in ourselves. It doesn’t matter if they are famous or infamous, they tell us about our own consciousness as a people. That’s part of the heightened expression of this New Moon. Now we are about to have the Full Moon of this very same cycle and it is an eclipse as well.

To repeat — the nature of a Lunar eclipse is that it often brings out an hidden emotions that can result in a catharsis. This can enable us to release something that has been building up for a long time, so that we can feel a great sense of freedom. Because Pluto rules the depths of our subconscious and what Carl Jung referred to as the ‘shadow material (the feelings we may not approve of in ourselves), it is very helpful to confront these things, letting them see the light of day, so we can deal with them and move on. That’s what a Lunar eclipse can help us accomplish. However, the way it usually works is that one must go through a very intense confrontation with something that has been avoided, something from which we want to turn away. It will help us improve our lives if we don’t do that and instead take advantage of this pressure to work as consciously as possible with whatever is coming up.

Of course, where this eclipse occurs in our chart will tell us a lot about the specifics of what we will be having to deal. If it occurs in our 7th house, we may be dealing with important relationship issues or have to deal with someone who is going through the things I have spoken about here. If it is in our 4th house, it can affect our home, family or parents. This is a time to be a warrior and to make a noble effort to see into our depths no matter what we think we might see. Have the courage to face the demon and it may turn out to be far less of a beast than we thought.