Solar Eclipse February 6, 2008

Februare, in Latin, means 'to purify". Cross-culturally, this is a time of prophecy and purification. Midwinter was celebrated in many cultures as a fire festival, symbolizing the return of the light. Ancient Celts observed the ritual of Imbolc, the Irish commemorated the feast of St. Brigid, the Aztecs and Iroquois ceremonially extinguished their hearth fires and relit them at this time. Renamed Candlemas by the Catholic Church, midwinter was celebrated as a feast of the Virgin Mary, continuing the promise of hope and renewal. This weekend, do something that honors and strengthens your inner light, your sacred flame, your divine essence.

Because of Mercury’s retrograde phase (January 28 to February 18), the Messenger’s transit time in Aquarius is doubled this year (January 7 to March 14), emphasizing the importance of redefining priorities, thinking out of the box, and networking with like-minded souls. Intuition and creativity are heightened as Mercury makes the second of three exact conjunctions with Neptune this weekend (the first was January 22, the third will around March 8). "It's in Everyone of Us", a beautiful song written by David Pomerantz and popularized by Cliff Richards, describes what happens when Mercury and Neptune combine. The answers to our questions and problems are within easy reach; all we have to do is slow down, ask, and listen with our heart.

A Solar Eclipse forms on February 6 at 7:45 PM PST at 17º44’ Aquarius). During an eclipse, electromagnetic streams are disrupted; matrices dissolve, new pathways open, consciousness reconfigures. This Solar Eclipse is closely opposite the powerful Grand Cross Solar Eclipse that formed on August 11, 1999 at 18º20’ Leo. That eclipse galvanized millions forward on their spiritual path, in particular the Baby Boomers who have their natal Pluto in the mid-degrees of Leo (especially anyone born 1946-1954). What happened in 1999 for you? What are you being guided to do now?

The Aquarius Water-Bearer stands for our baptism into collective consciousness, the realization that we are each unique, and an integral part of a larger whole. Every one of us, along with the Earth and the Cosmos itself, is participating in a grand experiment. We are in the midst of a huge paradigm shift, transitioning towards a new age of unity, equality, and diversity. Each one of us has an important gift to share. What is your vision, your hope and dream for the world? Chiron, Mercury, Neptune, Vesta, and the North Node are all in Aquarius as well, stressing the importance of embodying our ideals. It’s time to face the truth, live our truth, and share our truth. Where do you want to make a difference? What is your mission, your part to play at this momentous time on Earth?

“Be the change you wish to see.”--Mahatma Gandhi

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
Stephanie@EcoAstrology.com
360-379-3060
www.EcoAstrology.com