The Beacon: July 2009

Eclipses for Inner Growth
Conversations with the Moon

A lunar and solar eclipse pair is a once-every-six-months occurrence. But to have a third eclipse tagging along for the ride is a little unusual. It certainly intensifies the challenge of the six month period that the eclipses influence. We have three eclipses happening over the next month: on July 7, then on July 21, and then on August 5.

Lunar eclipses can only come about on full moons, when the earth stands between the sun and the moon, blocking the moon's light.

This month, a full moon/lunar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:22am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Purva Ashadha. Our sense of military invincibility, as well as our sense of financial invincibility as a nation will experience a shakedown during the six months affected by this eclipse. A useful contemplation on the day of this lunar eclipse will be: "What fuels my optimism?"

The solar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 21, at 7:36pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Pushya. We may witness challenges for agriculture in the coming months. The current administration may have more difficulty providing relief to the sectors most in need. Practicing qualities of gentleness, kindness, sweetness, and tenderness on this day will help human generosity stay alive during a time when it is being eclipsed by fear.

The solar eclipse's Path of Totality affects a swath of Asia from Bombay, India, through the city of Chengdu and the Sichuan province of China, all the way through the city of Shanghai. Bombay, Chengdu, and Shanghai could experience troubles around this eclipse.

The third of the three eclipses is a lunar eclipse, which happens on Wednesday, August 5 in the evening, in the lunar sign of Shravana. More on this eclipse in the next Beacon.

The above image is a 17th century Chinese illustration of a crank-operated rotary winnowing fan machine, separating husks from the grain. Ancient Hindu astronomers associated the process of winnowing grains with the portion of the sky they named "Purva Ashadha."

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mercury travels through the constellation Gemini until July 15, a placement that stimulates reading, writing, exchanging ideas, and lots of talking. Fireworks are not the only potential explosions this July 4th weekend. Transiting Mercury and Pluto are in an exact opposition, creating some volatile verbal outbursts from self-righteous parties. While getting excited about ideas, just respect others' rights to their own opinions.

Venus continues a conjunction with Mars, but for the month of July this creative pair are in a much more enjoyable tango than they were in June. They're traveling through earthy, sensual Taurus, heralding July as a month of enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses.

Jupiter is in Aquarius until the end of July in opposition to Saturn, symbolizing the reorganization of leadership within communities.
Jupiter is also closely conjunct Neptune until the end of July, signifying altruism, rooted in an ideologically based compassion. In general, people may want to escape during this time, into imaginative technological spaces like the movies and the internet.

Saturn is finishing his tour of the sign of Leo. From now until September 10 is a time for mandatory self-actualization. With the economic changes we are facing as a nation and across the globe, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the social construct of "career." Many are having to adjust to job loss, and financial insecurity. If this hasn't affected you personally, it is likely that someone close to you has been affected. Notice what doesn't change, even when everything around you does. Coming from this place of what doesn't change - this is one way to look at enlightenment.