Today’s lunar eclipse places the Moon in Aquarius against the Sun in Leo, pitting the desire for individual self-expression against the group’s need to spread attention out among its members. Mars acts as the Shadow Agent, mediating the Sun’s bid for individual attention with the Moon’s bid on behalf of the group’s needs.
Details About This Eclipse
Date: August 5, 2009
Time of eclipse: 5:55 PM PST
Type: penumbral (weak in intensity)
Visible in: People in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, western Russia and western Asia will see this eclipse begin. People in Africa, the Middle East, Europe (except extreme north) South America and North America (except northwest) will see it end.
At: 13 degrees Aquarius
Shadow Agent: Mars in Gemini
Does It Affect You Personally?
If your birthday is on any of the following dates, you most likely experienced this eclipse:
December 31-January 10
March 31-April 10
July 2-12
October 3-13
Remember, not every eclipse touches everyone, but when it does, it’s usually noticeable. A lunar eclipse is likely to bring up strong emotions. This particular eclipse may bring up emotions relating to the polarity of individual vs. group. The following script is just one possible way it could go.
You hear a knock at the door. You answer it. Mars is standing there. Funny how he seems to be in motion, even when he’s standing still. He’s a little bit hyper. Behind him stands the Sun, a jolly looking man in a bright orange jacket. And behind the Sun stands the Moon, a mousy woman wearing gray. They all seem to be having an argument between them, which continues as they enter your house.
Mars (to the Moon): Do you have trouble being seen in groups? Do you struggle to get the attention you deserve? Does it make it hard for you to take action?
The Sun (also to the Moon): Some part of you wants to take center stage. You know you do.
The Moon: Yeah, maybe that’s easy for you to say. You’re comfortable receiving attention. But what about all the other people who deserve attention and aren’t getting any? Sometimes it’s important to back off and let someone else get a chance.
Mars: The logical thing to do is to back off sometimes and to start conversations so everyone can be heard. Then there will be room for the individual and the group too. Don’t you see?
The Sun: Mars, you get a little weird when you’re in Gemini. All talk and no action. Where’s your drive, your initiative?
Mars: When I’m in Gemini, I find I have to think before I act. Otherwise I just fritter my energy away in nervous activity that accomplishes nothing.
The Sun: Hrumph. Look, my point is, I’m just not willing to make myself small to make other people comfortable. It’s important to express oneself in life. Individual creativity is crucial to the community.
Mars: Why don’t you shut up and give the Moon a chance to speak?
The Sun: Since you ask directly, instead of covertly, sure, I’ll shut up. Moon, what do you have to say?
The Moon bursts into tears.
Mars: Now you’ve gone and done it. He pats her back awkwardly. There, there—it’s not so bad, is it?
The Moon: I was just thinking of the Star Trek moment when Spock is dying and he says, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few—or the one.”
The Sun: Outrageous! That’s a ridiculous notion, promulgated by a few who want to interfere with self-expression!
Mars (through clenched teeth): Zip it!
The Sun actually becomes noticeably smaller.
The Moon: When one person’s self-expression becomes too large, it takes away from the voices of others. If the individual is willing to diminish himself just a little, so many more perspectives can be heard!
The Sun: But not at the cost of squashing the individual!
The Sun here gets so large that the Moon begins to fade away. Mars places himself between them as the Moon starts to breathe heavily, as if she’s having an asthma attack.
The Sun (to the Moon): Why do you have to be so passive aggressive? All I want is space to be myself.
Mars: You need a little more awareness of your impact on others.
The Sun: I’m not the only one! She needs to get that groups are made up of individuals, all of whom have an impact. And if the individual is stifled out of fear of expressing himself, the group suffers.
Since the argument has turned into a shouting match, you stand on a chair and interrupt.
You: Quiet, everybody!
There’s silence. You actually have their attention.
You: I want to know why you are all here. Why are you arguing in my home?
Mars: Isn’t it obvious? We have a message for you.
You: You do? All of you? Together?
The Sun nods and the Moon stops breathing heavily long enough to nod also.
You: Well, out with it then!
Mars: It’s that you need to let your creativity be guided by what the group actually needs. Are you giving what you want to give, what will feed your ego rather than what will serve the collective best? Let go of the need to stand out from the crowd. Instead, allow yourself to be embraced by your networks of like-minded people, let your soul find a home and a purpose there. Serving that will fill a place in you that ego never could.
The Sun: Hmm, now there’s some food for thought.
The Moon actually breaks into a smile. The three of them leave quietly, while you meditate on their message.
For more about this year’s eclipses, see this:
2009 Eclipses and their Shadow Agents
