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Solar Eclipse / Aquarius New Moon
Rings in Year of the Earth Rat
Happy Chinese New Year!
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in
The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
Pluto has barely made it into Capricorn and as of this writing Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, and Rudy Giuliani have all left the 2008 Presidential Race. And as Ted and Caroline Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger (married to Kennedy cousin Maria Shriver) endorsed John McCain. The NY Times had endorsed both Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
In the background but just as important, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D. Nevada) has helped advance a White House backed bill to validate and ultimately legalize more government spying on American citizens, and as a token of the govt.’s appreciation, most taxpayers will get at least $600 from the Feds by June (to stimulate the economy).
Though understandable, it’s too bad about Ohio’s Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards dropping out. Kucinich’ dissenting voice is threatening to the other candidates, newscasters, and media owners alike. He had been excluded from the last few democratic debates and must now focus on his re-election to congress. Born October 8, 1946 @ 5:53 PM in Cleveland, Kucinich is a Libra with Aries rising and the Moon in Pisces. Committed to personal growth, he has done a lot of work on himself and several years ago, on the recommendation of Shirley MacLaine, he worked with author and renowned spiritual teacher Chris Griscom in Galisteo, New Mexico. Edwards too seems authentic in his commitment to eradicate poverty in America.
Most candidates and politicians broadcast neatly packaged versions of their religious selves because the political power and influence of Christian Fundamentalists and Evangelicals has made it a requirement. But how many in the group are actually that religious? Who has faced the dark night of the soul and as a result acquired the depth and humility that religious people truly have? Who amongst the front-runners has had to surrender their egos to the wrenching process that results in a man (or woman) being filled with profound understanding, empathy, and devotion, an experience that would make for a great and compassionate leader? Kucinich is a rare entity among modern politicans: He is courageous, kind, moral, and committed to service. One hopes that whoever gets elected in November will have the smarts and gumption to include him prominently in the mix. We’d all be that much better for it.
Venus Conjoins Jupiter on Feb 1, Mercury Rx Conjoins Neptune on Ground Hog’s Day
The two benefics (a/k/a good guys) Venus and Jupiter conjoin at 10 degrees Capricorn on February 1st (this is happy news for Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn), and Mercury retro backs in to Neptune on Feb 2nd, Ground Hog’s Day, which is enough to befuddle any rodent I know. Will “Punxsutawney Phil” bump into a rock before seeing his shadow? But wait: Phil almost looks like a rat- so he may be able to double as the resident rat for Chinese New Year, which arrives late eve on Feb 6 on the Aquarius New Moon/Solar Eclipse.
Yes, Chinese New Year, based on a lunar calendar and the Aquarius New Moon are always one and the same. The rat marks the beginning of the 12 year Chinese zodiac cycle, and the earth rat in particular is reputed to be a ‘pragmatic achiever’. Previous earth rat years were 1828, 1888, and 1948. The list of notable individuals born in those years is impressive. They include: Al Gore, Lewis Black, Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Katherine Mansfield, Samuel I. Jackson, Donna Karan, Robert Plant, Grace Jones, Lulu, Joseph P. Kennedy, Anita Loos, Dale Carnegie, Nijinsky, Harpo Marx, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Henrik Ibsen, Wolf Blitzer, and Antoinette Perry. The last presidential election to take place in an earth rat year when Saturn opposed Uranus was in 1828, between incumbent John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Other earth rat elections occurred in 1888 (Harrison vs Cleveland) and 1948 (Dewey vs Truman).
Weather-wise, rat years tend to be very wet and turbulent. The legendary ‘Blizzard of 88’ occurred in the year of the rat. Forecasters expect above average storm activity in 2008 and have gone on record with predictions for earthquakes where they’ve never been before.
Chart: Solar Eclipse - Aquarius
Click for larger view
Jan 31: Moon void in Scorpio, enters Sagittarius @ 5:08 PM
Feb 1: Venus conjoins Jupiter: 10 Capricorn @ 6:34 AM
Feb 2: Mercury conjunct Neptune: 21 Aquarius @ 7:55 PM
Feb 3 & 4: Moon in Capricorn
Feb 5: Moon in Aquarius
Feb 6: Venus Sextile Uranus @ 9:23 PM,
Solar Eclipse: 17Aquarius 44 @ 10:44 PM
* All times EST.
ARIES: The burst of fresh Aquarian energy in your 11th house of group activities inspires and delights with busloads of company you’re thrilled to see. Several spontaneous parties could erupt and carry you off into a zone of no return. But that sort of distraction would be wasteful and should be given in to before the right time. The great good fortune that the Venus/Jupiter merger at the (career) top of your chart brings- must be validated and cannibalized. Dress for success. Women, legal types, and overseas colleagues all contribute to your quantum leap forward.
TAURUS: If legal matters arise, a woman with solid financial experience and know how is at your disposal and ready to speak on your behalf- just for the asking. This sequence and/or another that involves a religious institution or one of higher learning will somehow renew your faith in yourself and in mankind altogether. Although Mercury retro slows things down till after Feb 18, the Feb 6 eclipse will brighten career prospects, get you unstuck, and point you in a whole new direction.
GEMINI: You could be so in the money, but it will require your taking responsibility in ways you never thought you could. Pay close attention to what needs to be done so that you maintain and grow your new found good fortune. No more ephemeral “I-can-wing-it” behavior. Funny thing is, you actually enjoy the process more than you thought. The solar eclipse in your 9th house reframes a situation in a way that enables you to see it from all sides. This liberating development could release you from a mindset that enslaved you for ages.
CANCER: Someone at work or in a doctor’s office is sweet on you, but if either of you are unavailable, keep it at a safe/flirtation level for now. A partner or beau will have very good news to share. The solar eclipse in your 8th house of financing may throw a temporary monkey wrench in your best laid financial plans. The key word is ‘temporary’, it will work itself out. In the meantime, be honest about any breech of ethics on your part and clean it up now. It is imperative that you’re careful to treat others exactly the way you want to be treated.
LEO: The Venus-Jupiter combo in your 6th house keeps you working hours more than usual but you’re having a bona fide blast being this productive. Tear yourself away for a spell, as the solar eclipse in your 7th house can alter the balance with your primary relationship in a snap. If you’re committed (married or involved), brace yourself for a shake up in your partner’s life and stabilize when asked. If you’re single, well maybe you won’t be much longer. Be ready for anything with a few essentials (and your passport) packed. A quick getaway may present itself.
VIRGO: While the rest of us are bonkers from the financial rollercoaster out there, you are in excellent shape and riding the wave like a seasoned Hawaiian surfer. All kidding aside, you have the Midas touch and your ‘secret’ is to stay involved with what you know, like, and understand. The solar eclipse in your 6th house reminds to not under any circumstances burn the candle at both ends. You’re very susceptible to airborne bugaboos and must take precautions. An ounce of prevention will save you big time.
LIBRA: A miracle regarding a living space comes by way of a practical female friend or acquaintance. As impossible as the whole notion seems, don not dismiss this too quickly and make the effort to bring this about. A love from many moons ago may make contact online or by phone to resolve a misdeed and to see if there’s a chance at another go of it. Take your time. You must first see if this person is real or Memorex. Independent of this, a revitalizing creative renaissance is in the works.
SCORPIO: A hot head no more, at least, not this week. You’re often the first to explode when a conversation heats up. But something very good has gotten into you lately. Now you are the wise voice of reason. Venus and Jupiter in your 3rd house of communication gifts you with a sense of authority and verbal skill just when you need it. A sizeable reward will follow. The solar eclipse in your 4th house alerts you to be prepared for a transition in your family and/or living situation. You more than anyone know that life goes on no matter what.
SAGITTARIUS: The pay day at hand is enormous. Venus and Jupiter conjoin in your second house but once every 12 years, and you have surely earned this endowment. Do not spend it all in one place. And with the solar eclipse in your 3rd house of transportation avoid plunking down a wad on a vehicle- even if it’s love at first sight. Mercury and Neptune are involved and you wouldn’t know a lemon if it hit you over the head. Mend fences with a sibling or neighbor if you can.
CAPRICORN: Venus and Jupiter in your sign endow you with an aura of glamour and style of a bygone era that will leave others speechless. Though it seems shallow and trite, get a photo of yourself taken on Feb 1 if you can. It will come in handy. The solar eclipse in your 2nd house of finance may first appear to burn a hole and undo your financial ‘routine’ as it were, but the adjustments made will set you on a better course. Be open to a suggestion from someone you were dismissive of in the past.
AQUARIUS: The Solar eclipse in your sign with ubiquitous Neptune right there amplifies your intuitive faculty one hundred fold and you appear to float down the street in a trance-like state. So rather than run the risk of anyone mistaking you for the Oracle of Delphi, enlist your nearest and dearest as ‘escorts’ at all times till it passes. Seriously, your energy field is wide open and it would be a cinch for you to space out and lose your grip on the here and now. This altered state can be channeled for creative purposes and with divine results. Pay attention to your dreams.
PISCES: Venus and your co-ruler Jupiter conjoin in your 11th house of groups, and friends in high places come out of the woodwork and band together to form a unified front. The question is, what would you like to do with al of this ‘good will’ muscle and support? Is there a cause or a project that you’d like to make happen? Now is the time to act and make those dreams of yours happen for real. Opportunities such as this do not come often. Failure is not an option or a remote possibility. Dilly-dallying leads to depression, so don’t go there.