A solar eclipse is a supercharged new moon bringing powerful new beginnings.  Solar eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon are conjunct (in the same place) in the heavens and are close to the nodes of the Moon.  The Moon travels across the face of the Sun and blocks the light from the Sun to the Earth in certain locations.  For the first time in 99 years a total solar eclipse will fall across the path of the USA, plunging parts of the country into darkness.  The effect is like a reset, like turning off the power to your computer and rebooting, clearing the data that was cluttering up your system.  The manifestation of an eclipse is likely to occur along its path with the effects lasting at least 6 months and possibly years.  The symbolism of this event is immense.

In the past total solar eclipses been associated with the fall of kings and leaders, symbolised by the Sun.  This eclipse is especially powerful as the Sun is in its own sign of Leo.  The Sun and Moon are conjunct the North Node (symbolising future direction and destiny) as well as Mars, again associated with leadership.  This combination falls on the degree of the fixed royal star Regulus, the heart of the lion, believed to govern leaders, kings and world events.  This exceptional combination falls on the birth Ascendant and Mars of the current president of the USA.

A powerful eclipse such as this indicates the potential for a quantum leap forward in the consciousness of mankind.  The shadow side of Leo (arrogance, pride, ego, inequality and misuse of power both personally and collectively) is exposed and feminine consciousness (as the Moon casts her shadow over the Sun) is empowered.  The North Node future direction heralds the collective opportunity for a fresh start emanating from the heart.  Heart centred leadership inspired by the needs of humanity (integrating the opposite sign of Aquarius) and accelerated development of heart energy are highlighted.

This eclipse also forms a grand fire trine to Saturn in Sagittarius and Uranus & Eris in Aries.  Eris, as the goddess of strife and discord, upsets our limiting structures of consciousness by challenging our egoic defences and catalyses shifts towards a vaster reality.  She exposes hidden truths, hypocrisy and action driven by inflated pride.  Uranus inspires evolution and revolutionary action in service of liberation.

Check to see where 29 degrees of Leo falls in your birth chart.  This is an area where you may experience a reset in your life and receive support, benefactors and unexpected events and opportunities.  Any planets conjunct or aspecting this degree will be highly activated.

This is the second new moon in Leo this year.  When two new or full moons occur in the same calendar month it is known as a Blue Moon.  As our Gregorian calendar is effectively a construct and out of sync with natural cycles, two new moons in the same sign are of even more significance.

The Sabian Symbol for the 29th degree of Leo is “A mermaid emerges from the ocean waves ready for rebirth in human form”, depicting a feminine figure emerging from the unconscious and coming into a new form of consciousness.

The New Moon Solar Eclipse is on 22 August at 4.30 am AEST at 28 degrees and 53’ of Leo.