Over the period of one month from June 5th to July 5th, 2020, we will have experienced three eclipses. The first, on 5-6 June was a penumbral lunar eclipse visible over all of Africa, Europe, South East Asia and the Indian Ocean. The second eclipse – on June 21st, was an annular solar eclipse which began in Africa and ended over the Pacific Ocean. The third eclipse of 4-5 July – a penumbral lunar eclipse – will be seen over most of Africa, most of North and South America and Antarctica.
Note on Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
(eclipse map courtesy timeanddate.com)
- Regions seeing, at least, some parts of the eclipse: South/West Europe, Much of Africa, Much of North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica.
- Lunar eclipses can be visible from everywhere on the night side of the Earth, if the sky is clear. From some places the entire eclipse will be visible, while in other areas the Moon will rise or set during the eclipse.
- Note that since it is a penumbral eclipse, it can be hard to see, as the Moon will only be a bit fainter.
- Areas with lighter shadings left (West) of the centre will experience the eclipse after moonrise/sunset. Areas with lighter shadings right (East) of the centre will experience the eclipse until moonset/sunrise. Actual eclipse visibility depends on weather conditions and line of sight to the Moon.
As the eclipse is not seen in our country, we take Washington DC and the eclipse maximum at that location.
This eclipse is in Sagittarius, the natural 9th house, so impacts foreign journeys, legal matters, practice of dharma (right conduct) medicinal drugs, science, acquisition of learning, morality, practice of religion in the public domain, town halls, assembly halls and circulation of money. We do not need lack of integrity and scientific rigour in the race to find a vaccine for Coronavirus; yet this eclipse with Jupiter retrograde and deprived of energy and strength suggests that such an outcome is possible: eclipses spoil effects for a period of six months.
Pluto is retrograde in Sagittarius at 29°51′ … which places Pluto just within the borders of this sign. Jupiter – Lord of Sagittarius is retrograde in Sagittarius at 29°21′ of degree, within the within effective orb of Pluto, less than 1° – telling us several things: there is an influence from Pluto, and Jupiter’s strength is somewhat reduced, as the sandi portion (29°-30°) reduces both light and energy available from planets in every sign. Pluto is the active agent for catharsis and release; there is transformation and healing. Pluto can empower, intensify, regenerate and renew our purpose in life. On the other hand, Pluto can probe, pierce, purge and cleanse, expel and exterminate that which is not serving our life’ purpose, our soul contract.
Jupiter is a multiplier of energy, activity, events. With such a proximity of Jupiter and Pluto, care is needed in everyday, simple matters, care with your hands, care and attention to where we place our feet walking down the street, little things that breed resentment and pointless, pyrrhic anger that has no resolution. This conjunction can raise simple (piffling) matters before us that we may realise our oneness with Divinity and not let small accidents pull us out of union with the Divine – something we have all the time. We don’t need to set energy in motion (e-motion) that separates us from the Divine and our soul contract.
At the time of eclipse Jupiter – Lord of the 10th House, is resident in his own house. This is indicative of changes to social-ordering suggesting that there is a global restructuring of society and culture: think social distancing, restrictions on gatherings, commuting and work spaces. Many nations will change public health regulations and relax restrictions. Amid fears of a second wave, the cultural restructuring will continue as life will not return to the public order that existed before the advent of coronavirus. For example, international air travel will not return to the volumes that existed earlier, cross-border travel will be restricted for some time yet, and medical affairs will still continue to dominate the media.
The eclipse occurs in the Rahu-Ketu Axis, with Ketu resident in Mula nakshatra, Mula being the place of destruction and renewal, self-discovery and enhanced self-awareness. Planets in the Rahu-Ketu axis are afflicted. Social isolation has been under the rule of Ketu, and the effects of this isolation is inner strength, inner awareness, freedom from mass infections and pandemics. Ketu is the planet of digging deep within the psyche, and engaging in self-discovery. Ketu in Mula nakshatra takes us toward exploration of our origins, the Source of All Creation, and the role we play out in this Universe with its multiple dimensions and multidimensional existences. Our hearts are multidimensional hearts, all qualities exist within the heart. Which qualities are we experiencing this lifetime, which qualities do we need to develop in this life, as part of the soul contract. These are the questions that Ketu explores in Mula nakshatra.
On this eclipse evening, the Moon is Full; the Full Moon occurs at 00:41am. The Eclipse is at 00:29 am. These events are closely related, as the penumbral eclipse, while not a total eclipse, has the same effect. If the Sun or Moon rises while being eclipsed, then the three days after the eclipse are particularly unfavourable. The eclipse of the Sun is more severe than is the eclipse of the Moon.
The Moon is in Purva Ashada, ruled by Venus. Purva Ashada deva is Apas, God of water. Jaal is another name for this nakshatra. So a water focus, body part is the back. What are we floating on, what are we resting our laurels on at this time of pandemic? Pandemic started with Jupiter in Sagittarius. Jupiter, a multiplier of energy, has returned to Sagittarius. The question arises, should we be resting on our laurels? Is this a time to be taking rest? Eclipses destroy energy, there is an diminution of light to the human body, and flocculation of the blood (lessening of light delivered to the bloodstream).
Full Moon – Prayer for Light
In the Navamsha – for those who are over the age of 48 years – the eclipsed Moon is in the 12th house, the house of losses, containment, imprisonment and retreat from the world at large. It is also the house of people’s ire or mob fury, fetter (shackles), place of captivity, dispute This mirrors the experience of humanity in lockdown as response to the coronavirus, and the Black Lives Matter rolling protests. We note that this is a Full Moon also, and the Moon is familiar with the spirit guides that reside in the 12th house. There is a risk of following the incorrect guide for action or inner guidance. An eclipsed Moon is an afflicted moon. Spiritual intelligence demands practice, discrimination and discernment over an extended period of time. Hasty decisions are often regretted in leisure.
This is a new age with a new consciousness, a raising of energy, frequency and vibration to the 5th Dimension – whilst this is an eclipse, it is also a Full Moon, and a stepping-stone to higher consciousness. Humanity on Earth, all planets in our solar system and stars in our galaxy are receiving energies flowing from the Grand Central Sun of All Universes, a raising of consciousness of all life forms. More light, more energy, at higher frequency and vibration are flowing from the Grand Central Sun.
The prayer, the meditation for this eclipse and full moon period is, “How can I add to the Light in this world?” How can I, in thought, word and action, spread the light among all that I encounter as service to Mother Earth and all who live upon her? What actions might I take, what intention might I have in these challenging times of Covid-19, that will raise the energy, frequency and vibration of Light all around? The ancient Hindu prayer Asatoma, prays,
From the Unreal, lead us to the real;
from darkness lead us to light
from death, lead us to immortality,
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
In this time of eclipse and full moon, let us hold the intention in our hearts given by this prayer. Let us pray that we are led from darkness to light, the light that illuminates all the worlds.
