This month’s New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse and it’s also an occasion for lightening up. That may seem like a contradiction, because an eclipse tends to have a heavy feel, plus Saturn is involved, which also feels heavy. But this eclipse falls in the Air sign of Gemini, and draws on Libra, another Air sign. Lightening up could be the most responsible course of action during an eclipse like this one.
Details About This Eclipse
Date: June 1, 2011
Time of eclipse: 2:03 PM PST
Type: partial (moderate in intensity)
Visible in: eastern Asia, northern Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia.
At: 11 degrees Gemini
Shadow Agent: Saturn (in Libra)
Does It Affect You Personally?
If your birthday is on any of the following dates, you most likely experienced this eclipse:
May 28-June 7
August 30-September 9
November 29-December 8
February 25-March 7
Remember, not every eclipse touches everyone, but when it does, it’s usually noticeable. A solar eclipse is likely to be marked by an external, real-world event (unlike a lunar eclipse, which is likely to bring up strong emotions and to be experienced as a subjective event). The following script is just one possible way it could go.
You hear a knock at the door. You answer it. Saturn stands there, appearing today as a well-manicured older woman in a twin set and skirt. Her graying hair is in an attractive, streamlined cut. She is the very model of social appropriateness.
Saturn: Good afternoon. I’ve brought you something.
You: What might that be?
Saturn extends her hand to you, opening it, palm up. In it is a small, beautiful butterfly, flexing its wings.
Saturn: Consider the butterfly. A butterfly does not live long, but enjoys the days it’s given. A butterfly stays light and follows the moment. A butterfly is always well-dressed.
You look closer at the little insect and notice its beautiful coloring.
You: Do you think I should be more like that?
Saturn: You take life too seriously sometimes. You need to lighten up.
You: Look who’s talking!
Saturn: Sometimes everything depends on rising above the dirt and grime of life. Sometimes everything depends on a graceful word spoken at the perfect moment. Sometimes everything depends on good manners. You’ve got to have the ability to respond in those moments.
You: I’ll think about that.
Saturn: Please do. Especially in your relationships. All of them.
With that, Saturn opens her handbag and releases a flock of butterflies into your living room. You panic and begin chasing them down, in an attempt to catch them all.
Saturn: Stop that! There’s no need!
You: But they’re everywhere!
Saturn: Just observe. It’s a meditation. Relax. Let them have your home for a while. They will die soon enough. For now, just watch them move.
You sink into a chair and soon are lost in a trance, watching the colorful wings flutter, land, flutter again. Eventually you realize that Saturn is gone and you are alone in a room full of beautiful moving symbols of pure grace.
Read about other eclipses coming up: 2011 Eclipses.
