Total eclipse on summer solstice
June 21, 2001

Summer Solstice on June 21st is always a big shift and this one is especially powerful with a total solar eclipse on this day as well. The eclipse is at zero degrees of Cancer and this is a particularly potent degree known as the 'world point'. Esoterically, it is through the sign of Cancer that the Soul takes incarnation for the first time. It is a sign of the masses and one of the 'gates' into manifested form. The eclipse at this degree symbolizes a major initiation, a new beginning in expressing what nourishes the Soul. The Sabian symbol (1) for zero degrees of Cancer is "On a ship the sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one."  The keynote is: "a radical change of allegiance exteriorized in a symbolical act: a point of no return."  We have recently had a poignant example of this within range of this eclipse with the changing of alligiance of Senator Jeffords of Vermont becoming an Independent in the U.S. Senate. This event precipitated a massive restructuring within this governing body and some would say towards a "kinder and gentler" and more "compassionate" focus.

This eclipse occuring on the world point could easily trigger major effects around the world with a focus on security issues and protecting one's home turf; the feeding of the world's people emphasizing food production and basic supplies as well as worldwide financial security. Major international agreements occuring during the next six months will place greater emphasis on the needs of individuals.

Cancer puts a spotlight on close family ties, stimulating basic nurturing principles that bring out our deepest feelings, emotions and instincts into greater clarity and consciousness. There is a sense here of the Archetypal Mother protecting and nurturing her children. There will be opportunities during the next six months to become aware of and sensitized to the processing of feelings with greater integrity and authenticity and less interest in goal-oriented processes. A chance to focus more on our nature as Human Beings instead of Human Doings. It is a time when those involved in world service on every level can allow their perceptions of home and family to expand to include all children of Mother Gaia, broadening our sense of self-identity in the process.

A solar eclipse is, of course, a New Moon and is a power day in general each month, a favorable day for new beginnings. It is an auspiscious day to make a wish list for the month ahead and with a total solar eclipse, for the next six months. It is recommended to write them down assisiting the energies to take root and to more easily come into manifestation. In keeping with the Cancer theme this month, areas to focus on would be home and family, feelings of belonging to a greater whole, cultivating empathetic understanding, and feelings of security and nuturing self and others.

For those of you interested in the British Monarchy, this is also a big day for Prince William. William was born on the Summer Solstice of June 21, 1982 which was also a solar eclipse. This means he has an eclipse, eclipsing his birth eclipse and this will happen to him every 19 years. This is a major event and is considered to be one of the most important of all astrological occurances. There is an extremely high potential for events to occur this year that will be instrumental in bringing William to the throne. These events will likely occur amid significant conflict associated with William's rise to power.

The eclipse path moves from the coast of South America across the ocean and through southern Africa. It is total in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Madagascar. Time of totality is 11:58 am GMT; 7:58 am EDT, 6:58 am CDT; 4:58 am PDT. 

(1) The Sabian symbol  is taken from Dane Rudhyar's 'An Astrological Mandala'.
 

Copyright, 2001. Debrah Burnight.