On August 21, 2017 a dramatic celestial event will take place. A total solar eclipse will traverse the United States from coast to coast. It will make landfall in Oregon at 10:15 AM and progressively diagonally cut a 60-70 mile wide swath of darkness across the states until it reaches South Carolina at 2:36 PM. It will be the first total solar eclipse to travel across the entire continental United States in 99 years. The last one occurred on June 8, 1918.
The red line on the map indicates the path of totality, where day will briefly become night, as the Moon precisely aligns between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow, and blocking the Sun’s light from reaching us. The longest amount of total darkness will be 2 minutes and 40 seconds, when it reaches Carbondale, Illinois. Along the periphery, a partial solar eclipse will be visible, extending from Canada to the upper part of South America. The path of totality will then depart off the coast of South Carolina, head out across the Atlantic Ocean, and will not touch land again. Seventy-five minutes later it will disappear into the sea close to Africa.
Solar eclipses are super charged New Moons, signifying new beginnings and are symbols of great change. They have been closely observed and charted by cultures around the world since ancient times, and typically are seen as powerful omens. One of the most common interpretations is that they represent an upending of the established predictable order; day becomes night, disrupting our normal conscious functioning. The residual effects of an eclipse are said to be felt up to six months after its occurrence.
The total solar eclipse of 2017 will occur in the sign of Leo, latin for lion, and is all about courage and heart centered consciousness, meaning that we acknowledge our inextricable connection to one another and to the web of all creation. Leo is associated in its elevated vibration by warmth, joy, generosity, generativity and the very particular legacy that an individual leaves for the future, including her children and creative works.
We are living in a time of impending catastrophic environmental disintegration. We are confronted daily by a steady drumbeat of news reports of record breaking heat, fires raging all over the globe, collapsing polar ice sheets and rising seas, and the massive extinction of species creating a loss of biodiversity not seen since the the era of the extinction of the dinosaurs.
There is desperate and urgent need for us to awaken to the heart centered consciousness symbolized by Leo, and to contribute the unique individual gift of which each of us are capable. There is no time to lose, and the world needs each of us.
One of Leo’s elevated expressions is the noble good king.
The dark expression of Leo is narcissism, selfishness and vanity, and is associated with authoritarian heartless leadership. In the face of the dire unfolding environmental collapse, our president is attempting to withdraw American support for the global Paris climate accord in the name of “putting America first“, and hopes to enact legislation which would deprive children and the most vulnerable in our society access to health care in order to give tax cuts to the most wealthy.
The 2017 total Solar Eclipse in Leo marks a turning point. Are we going to act with courage, to speak out and do whatever we can to reverse a situation that is jeopardizing the future of our children and future generations, or are we going to passively stand by in helpless passive denial? It’s time now for sacred activism on behalf of planetary healing. Get involved, organize, demonstrate, donate, speak out, vote.
Occasionally I have received comments from readers to the effect that they really like my blog, but I should not spoil it by mixing in politics. The situation in our country is desperate and inimical to holistic health. There is no distinction at this point between the spiritual, the mind, the body, the heart and the political. Our health is being systematically undermined by financially motivated policies benefitting only a small powerful elite with complete disregard for the public good.
May you be moved to embody the highest vibration of the Leo archetype, courage and heart centered consciousness, in the name of the children and the future. Special insights and intuitions about what you can do are most available if you spend time in nature, in prayer and meditation during the time of the eclipse. Here is a link to determine what time the eclipse will occur in your time zone.
I dedicate this post to the Great Mystery and Beauty out of which all things arise, to our connection to one another and to the web of all Creation.
This post was inspired by an article that appeared in the most recent issue of the Mountain Astrologer by eco astrologer Stephanie Austin entitled “What Would Love Do?”
Thank-you again for all you do to help. This is one of the many people I also find inspiration from https://selacia.com/blog/choosing-hope-in-dark-times.
Judy, thank you for this wonderful post. We need to hear this, and your take on the Leo eclipse is so needed right now. I will share it with my students and readers. Today the science journal Nature published a statement by prominent climate scientists and leaders that we have just three years left to avoid a climate catastrophe. I have hope, but I see hope as a verb– something you DO, not just something you have. Your post sees what we have to do here in the U.S. as the eclipse sweeps across our country. I believe we will succeed. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks for your response, Jeanne, and for your intention to share the post with your students and readers. I have not seen the article in Nature, but will look for it. It’s mind blowing that given the non stop reports of the impending catastrophe, that our government is putting its foot on the accelerator to drive us over the cliff. The symbolism of the darkness falling over this country is so dramatic. May the eclipse bring the needed change in consciousness that will result in actions to benefit the generations to come.
Thank you for this most enlightening post! I am not an astrologist, however I am well aware of the changes we are going through. I have been intuitively aware of the significance of the coming eclipse, but your description of it – especially the upper and lower aspects of it – makes it very clear. A vast swath cutting across our country. We have not chosen an easy path. Neither have we chosen the most difficult; but the one we have chosen is difficult indeed. It will only serve as a catalyst for our ascension; of that I am certain. Thank you for your work
Thank you for writing. May your conviction that it will only serve as a catalyst for our ascension be so!
I have studied and practiced astrology since 1969, and been an environmentalist and social activist for nearly that long. I have been preaching the connections between our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health– and the health of Mother Earth– for many years. Thanks for your words. This needs to be said, often. There are, perhaps, many more of us who think like this than we think. I will be sharing your post!!!
Many thanks and blessings to you. We need to come together and do everything we can.
Dear Judy, I’d like to add something to my previous post just two minutes ago and that is, the eclipse happens at 28 degrees Leo. The sabian symbol is a piece of wisdom I suspect we might all want to be mindful of…. it is…. Many little birds on a limb of a big tree. This points to the “wide and confusing openness we have to a multiplicity of inspiring potentialities.” We must chose, however, to focus, to limit our field of activity so avoid being overwhelmed and scattered. Focussed mindfulness of our choices will lead to the lightness of joy provided in reaching a goal through concentrated effort.
Not so easy to accomplish, but I keep trying………. Bye
Thank you, Patricia, for these thoughtful comments. That does sound auspicious to have the eclipse conjunct your North Node and Chiron in the 12th house. May it be a blessing!
The Sabian symbols are always read for the subsequent degree. So for 28 Leo, you need to look at the symbol for 29 Leo. Stephanie Austin wrote in the article which inspired me to write this post, “The Sabian symbol for this solar eclipse at 29° Leo illusutrates that a new consciousness is arising: “A mermaid emerges from the ocean waves ready for rebirth in human form; the stage at which an intense feeling-intuition rising from the unconscious is about to take form as a conscious thought.” (Dane Rudhyar, An Astrological Mandala, Vintage Books, 1973) This image reveals our readiness for an evolutionary leap, one requiring a deeper integration and expression of our feminine side, which feels its kinship with all life and is able to perceive holistic connections, cycles, and gestalts” I like that interpretation for this eclipse.
Dear, dear Judy. I was literally beginning to email you when your eclipse post popped up and how excited I am to see that you, too, are excited about the August eclipse. My great anticipation is prompted by the fact the the eclipse will closely, so closely, conjunct my North Node, Chiron conjunction in my 12th house. I have been working diligently on my head and heart these last few years and am truly seeing positive results, a kind of auspicious culmination of the qualities of Leo. So the eclipse feels like an affirmation from the stars.
I’d like to add a bit about an earlier subject of yours… bone broth, because I think we all might want to reconsider its merits. Sadly, it seems bone contains large amount of the harmful substance, fluoride. As does black and green tea. If you don’t already know, fluoride is a very destructive substance creeping into us from increasing sources. It actually lowers kid’s intelligence and undermines thyroid health.
So I’ll leave you for now with gratitude that you showed up once again. Love your blog. Love your spirit. Be well.
Patricia Gilligan Mears
Dear Judy,
Thank yo u so much for taking a stand and bringing the awareness to astro-psychology. We are deeply affected by our environment -what is personal is political. Our health is personal, thus political. May we all psych up our heart-centerness to shift for the better. What better time than a grand solar eclipse. As above, so below. Sending love to you and all.
Our health has become such a political issue, not only in terms of the health care bill, but all the ways in which corporate interests are dictating health policy which has nothing whatsoever to do with what really promotes health and well being. There is so much that needs to change.
Love this…looking forward to needed changes ( both personally and globally)
Dear Judy, thank you so much for this beautiful, impassioned, and informative post. I will share it! I completely agree that it is neither possible nor healthy at this point to try to separate the condition of our bodies from the condition of the ecosystem and political world. To stay physically healthy ourselves we need to attend to the health of our society, our democracy, and our beloved planet. We have so much evidence now that all are connected. May this eclipse awaken the elevated expressions of Leo in each of us. I will be witnessing it from a fairgrounds in Oregon!
Thanks for writing, June. Nice to hear from you and thank you for offering to share the post. I would love to experience the total eclipse myself. In Boston, it will be only a partial eclipse. Yes, may it be so, the elevated expression of Leo for all!
You are a beautiful writer, an inspirational thinker, and a wise leader.
Thank you, Judy for this insightful essay. These political times make it mandatory that we speak up and out for all of us- all life, all things all beings. I know the Leo energy well- my other was a Leo and I am just now getting the perspective to see her life as a whole.
Looking forward to seeing in August.
Love, Jean
I have found it really interesting too the ways in which I understand my parents differently over time. My father was a big Leo energy, both in its higher and lower expressions. I have found that my relationship with my parents keeps evolving over time.
A deep bow in your direction. A fierce appreciation for your words and your willingness to speak them from your own lion-heart.
Thank you Judy.
Marilyn Dam-Rabolt
So good to hear from you. May it serve to awaken all of us to most effectively contribute.
Thank you for sharing this exquisite message of truth, love, courage. <3
Much gratitude for your message. May this post make a difference and be a call to action.