This eclipse falls in the sign of Capricorn, which means it shows us our shadow in the area of career. We see our shadows when we are deeply immersed in career-building, ambition or neglecting ourselves for a long-term goal. Some aspect of our work can show us our shadow during this eclipse. It’s a lunar eclipse, so it’s marked by an internal, emotionally intense stirring up of feelings (unlike a solar eclipse, which is mostly experienced externally).
Details About This Eclipse
Date: July 7, 2009
Time of eclipse: 2:21 am PST
Type: penumbral (weak in intensity)
Visible in: eastern Australia, New Zealand, South America, Central America, North America (except the extreme north).
At: 15 degrees Capricorn
Shadow Agent: Saturn
Does It Affect Me?
If your birthday is on any of the following dates, you most likely experienced this eclipse:
December 31-January 20
March 31-April 10
July 2-12
October 3-13
The Shadow Agent for this eclipse is Saturn, acting through a gentle, harmonious trine. Remember, a lunar eclipse is likely to bring up strong emotions. This particular eclipse may bring up emotions in areas of life where you work hard and feel unappreciated. The following script is just one possible way it could go.
You hear a knock at the door. You answer it. Saturn is standing there, an attractive middle-aged woman in a business suit. She’s wearing glasses and looks tidy and streamlined. She nods at you and steps in, seating herself as if she belongs.
Saturn: So have you seen it?
You: Seen what?
She points to the floor behind you. There, stretched out on it is a dark blotch which is slithering around your feet. You jump, trying to get away, but it follows you.
You: Ick! Where did that come from?
Saturn: It’s your shadow. Everyone has one. Hey Shadow, wake up!
Shadow: Mmmph?
You: Woah—it talks?
Saturn: It does more than that. Shadow, what do you have to say?
Shadow: I’m strong. I’m stoic. I never whine or complain. I suffer quietly in the background while others get the benefit of my efforts. No, no, it’s all right! I can take it—even though my health is failing. I overwork because I care about the people around me and I care about doing things right. I work towards a long-term reward and only endure the present because I believe the reward is coming. I have deferred pleasure so long that I have forgotten how to have fun.
The more you listen to this, the more despondent you feel. Saturn looks at you warmly, but you feel she is staring through your soul. Suddenly you burst into tears.
You: I am so tired! I work so hard all the time. It seems like everyone but me gets the benefit of my work. Sometimes I feel really hopeless.
Saturn: Do you feel that you haven’t accomplished anything of substance?
You: Sometimes, yes, I feel that way.
Saturn: You have, you know. Sometimes it’s hard to see, but you have. Here, let me remind you.
She then waves her hand at a nearby mirror. Suddenly it’s filled with images of all your accomplishments in the last 5 years.
Saturn: Never forget that you have a great impact on your world. What you do matters.
You sit and watch the images for a few minutes, remembering with pride all you have accomplished. The pride fills in some of the empty places in your heart, until you can’t help but grin.
Saturn: You work hard. It matters.
You: Wow, it really does matter!
Saturn (smiling): Now watch this.
She waves her hand again and a different set of images appears.
Saturn: These are your blessings. You don’t need to count them, but you do need to appreciate them. The more of them you appreciate, the more they will multiply, until your life is so filled with blessings, you won’t be able to help seeing it on your own. Notice all this in great detail.
You gaze at the images, reminded of all the good things in your life and all that you did to bring them closer to yourself. You realize you have been taking a lot for granted and that many people don’t have as much as you do.
You: Somehow I ended up with a pretty good life and never knew it.
Saturn: Your life is good in certain ways because you made it like that. Instead of suffering, go out and make the rest of your life good too.
You sigh, lost in thought as Saturn quietly leaves, closing the door behind her.
Read about this year’s earlier eclipses here.
