We are swirling in the cosmic soup of Chaos. This moment in time carries all the weight of the past and the promise of the future. At the Summer Solstice the Sun has reached its maximum height in our sky. The Light that was born on the Winter Solstice has reached full growth. Everything is illumined. The challenge now is to embody the Light of Spirit and ground it into our reality.
Late Saturday night on the west coast, early Sunday morning in the East, the Sun, newly-arrived at 0 degrees of Cancer, is joined by the Moon which passes directly in front of it, slowly blocking its light until it reaches totality. Remember the 2017 eclipse that crossed the USA? Millions of us viewed it. Consider what has transpired in the last three years. Our nation has accelerated its deconstruction and the gap widens between its people. Our center is collapsing, our government abandoning us to disease and economic disaster. From the shadowy depths of our collective unconscious darkness has emerged in corrupt misuse of power.
In 2017 we had a Total Solar Eclipse. This Solstice eclipse is slightly different. It’s an “annular” eclipse which is a form of totality, but this time the Moon is furthest away from Earth, at what is called her apogee. Therefore she appears smaller and doesn’t quite cover the whole surface of the Sun. Instead a ring of illumination encircles the shadow. It’s a beautiful spectacle as beads of sunlight form sparkling gems between the ridges of the Moon.
The path of totality arcs from central Africa across Asia – Saudi Arabia, Tibet, China, and the border between Pakistan and India. There is much unrest in this area. Saudi Arabia is being challenged to emancipate its women. The age of oil is coming to an end. Tibet and China live in permanent conflict, China having seized Tibet and forced its spiritual leader into exile. The citizens of Hong Kong are in an uproar over losing their sovereignty to China. The pandemic has returned and China has closed its borders. Quarantine is being strictly enforced. Pakistan and India are engulfed in religious enmity and both have become nuclear powers.
At home we are facing the truth of systemic racism, a raging epidemic, a shaky economy with thousands out of work and struggling to survive amid constant social and political conflict. These are challenging times and this eclipse offers more intensity, literally adding fire to the mix. There is potential for war, death and destruction. But there is also potential for unprecedented transformation.
Zero degrees of Cancer is one of four cardinal points in the Zodiac that form the world axis and initiate the seasons. Cancer is the sign of the Mother, the nurturing, caring aspect of the Divine Feminine. Our nation’s Sun is in Cancer. It is in our nature to be caring. Right now Mercury has made its retrograde station within one degree of our natal Sun. Mercury prompts us to reflect on our national identity, to open our minds and reconnect with who we really are, to communicate with one another and discover our shared values.
We are all suffering from separation which we experienced literally as we sheltered at home. People want to be with other people, to play and laugh and celebrate, to communicate and be stimulated by one another. Without connection, we wither. Our confinement isn’t over because the pandemic isn’t over. People keep speaking of the second wave, but the first wave hasn’t even crested. Nevertheless, a new solidarity is forming, triggered by the murder of George Floyd. We’re sick of race hatred and violence. We want peace and equality. We believe in the founding principles of our constitution. We want to reestablish justice and liberty and equality. We want to live in peace.
Zodiacal Cancer is associated with the crab who survives by building shells around his tender flesh and hiding in crevices. Its driving passion is for safety and security. Developmentally, Cancer is the stage at which we become aware of our feelings. When our emotions are not honored, when our needs are not met, our tender emotional body is wounded and we acquire defense mechanisms to protect ourselves. We carry these defensive patterns into adulthood. We build walls around our wounded hearts that exacerbate our feelings of isolation.
During this Cancer month, family issues, old grievances and unmet needs emerge. As adults it is up to us to transform them, to parent ourselves and meet our needs for belonging, self-esteem, and emotional security. While the crab feels safe in hiding we must learn that true safety lies in harmony, solidarity and good will. We cannot hide anymore and take refuge behind a wall of fear and judgment. What is being asked of us right now is to live fearlessly with open hearts, to bring forth our authenticity, our integrity, our power.
Total Eclipses happen when the Sun and Moon are close to the Moon’s Nodes. As you recall, the nodes of the Moon are the points at which the Moon intersects the ecliptic which is the path of the Sun as seen from Earth. Sun and Moon are within one degree of the North Node at 29 Gemini. A portal of choice opens today and before us lie our possible futures. The Heavens have scattered some clues to help us focus.
The eclipse is within a couple of degrees of our nation’s Venus and transiting Venus has just begun a new cycle. She is now rising in the morning sky as a warrior goddess. Think of Wonder Woman defending justice and exercising compassion. Venus is transmitting the energy of the spiritual warrior right now. She is advocating the path of the heart. In addition Vesta at 7 degrees of Cancer is conjunct our natal Jupiter. Growth and abundance, hope and faith lie in remembering what is sacred and devoting our hearts to that.
The New Moon is exactly quincunx – 150 degrees from Saturn at 0 degrees of Aquarius, giving us a glimpse of what’s to come in the next few years. Astrologer Mark Jones believes the quincunx or inconjunct asks us to pause and re-evaluate – there’s that theme again. It is a point in our development when we meet our limits of understanding and are forced to adopt humility, acknowledging that we do not know. At the beginning of the year I suggested that one of the most helpful spiritual aids to navigate 2020 was Innocence – adopting Beginner’s Mind, an attitude of not knowing and therefore being open and receptive to possibility.
This weekend is an opportunity to attune to the energies of pause. The Sun stands still, the Moon is dark, Saturn is inconjunct the eclipse, Mercury is stationary and Venus has just emerged into the morning sky approaching her direct station when she too will temporarily stand still. The North Node portal is wide open to our unknown future and we are swimming in potential. We can surrender to innocence, soften the shells we have built around our tender hearts and let things unfold.
Planetary archetypes respond to ritual. Take some time to mark the moment. Create an altar with objects sacred to you. Light a candle, invoke the elements or directions, then sit in prayer or meditation. Visualize the portal of light opening before you and welcome inspiration and the love of the Divine Mother. Declare your intentions and ask for support. You may want to sing, chant or dance, make an offering. Whatever you do, make it memorable. The more love and light we allow ourselves to receive now, the better prepared we will be for whatever comes next.
Chaos is a fertile arena for transformation. Anything is possible. For instance, on Thursday the Supreme Court decided to preserve DACA. Dreamers got a reprieve. And the House announced its “Moving America Forward” bill which is designed to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and transportation system, as well as our energy grid, with sustainable resources in keeping with the Green New Deal. This act will provide millions of new high-paying jobs in multiple fields, just when we need them the most. The House committees have been working for a solid year on this bill, focusing on creating a sustainable future for our children and the generations to follow. It’s a remarkable accomplishment.
Teton Antoine
Beautifully said, with such loving encouragement to navigate the challenges we are facing.