On eclipses and 8-8-8 and finding your own security in the midst of change.

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Wow! There's a lot happening this month, between the two August eclipses and multiple planetary contacts. Do you feel the change in the air? On August 6th, Mars opposed Uranus, always a signature of unexpected changes which can liberate us from old restrictions. Or did that sudden release of tension got you into trouble! :)

Did you work with the energies on 8-8-8? Of course by now you know that the Chinese picked the start of the Olympics on 8-8-8 because they consider it a very lucky number. 8 is also associated with manifestation, with the manifestation of Heaven on Earth, with regeneration and transformation. 8 is about possibilities. Triple 8's signify the process of consciously working with that regenerative power – or if ignored, manifesting the karma you bring on yourself. (Perhaps John Edwards is feeling this?)

If you want to clarify your personal vision, I'm offering an Eclipse special. $25.00 for a mini reading to see where this year's eclipses fall in your chart and how they are evolving your soul. Offer is good until Fall Equinox.

Here's some interesting information from astrologer Kathryn Cassidy : From August 9 to August 18th, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can all be seen in the nighttime sky., (The 3 furthest planets are also in the nighttime sky.)

Look for Mercury, Venus, and Saturn in the West at sunset, Mars will be a bit higher in the Western sky, and Jupiter will be near the Moon before the eclipse. While there's no clear information about what this rare occurrence means (it happens once in a decade or more) I would say that, symbolically, the planets are free to synergistically operate on a more intuitive level. Since none of the planets will be hidden by the Sun's light, these cosmic energies will bypass our conscious mind and work directly with our unconscious. So, spend time outside stargazing (there are meteor showers too!), then turn your attention inside on your dreams, on meditation and on imagining what kind of life you want to create for yourself and the world.

With Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Mars in Virgo, there will also be a series of conjunctions to look for in the sky. Conjunctions unite two different energies as well as being close together in the night sky. All that Virgo energy is asking us to simplify, to organize and to integrate any new information that will help us achieve our goals. So look for virginal Venus (yes, she does have a virginal aspect) to connect to responsible Saturn on August 13th, asking you to listen to that inner voice that's saying, “Take care of yourself!” Then practical Mercury will get focused with Saturn on August 15th to figure out how to make that happen. Finally Mercury will communicate with Venus about the deeper meaning of what's been happening this month on August 21st.

These Virgo planets will trine Jupiter in Capricorn and Vesta in Taurus, forming a grand trine in earth, helping us ground in the information we receive during the eclipse. So work the energies consciously and continue to create a life that fits your values and your vision.

These planets in Virgo will be angular over Los Angeles, so watch out for another earthquake this week, just in case. The fire risk will also be heightened at this time. These planets will also be angular over the Middle East, so we might be hearing similar news from there.

The lunar eclipse takes place on Saturday, August 16th at 2:16 pdt/5:16edt. While most of Asia, Europe, Africa and South America will see the eclipse, most of North America won't. But the energies are still in play.

Eclipses create change, resulting in endings and new beginnings. Sometimes we don't like the changes that occur, but since change is inevitable, it's always best to work consciously with the energies. Step into the change, dance with it, and you'll find you have some control over it.

Eclipses of the moon were traditionally viewed as a bad omen, causing irrational behavior (so it should be interesting to see how the Chinese deal with this on the closing day of the Olympics). But lunar eclipses aren't necessarily bad – it's all in how you meet it.

Solar eclipses usually govern leadership issues, more the outer, political landscape. Lunar eclipses are governed by the moon, so are more personal and emotional, governing the inner landscape. But since this eclipse is on the Leo/Aquarius axis, there will be interesting outer manifestations, since Aquarius rules the collective consciousness and Leo rules our individuality. The Leo/Aquarius axis relates to our contribution and participation in the collective consciousnss. What do you create that the collective needs?

Since the Moon is cut off from the Sun's light during a lunar eclipse, its lunar qualities stand out. Stronger emotions, irrational thoughts, repressed energies and deeper imagination might leap to the forefront of your day. You can also use the energy to go deeper into the collective unconscious as the seers of old did and ask for a vision of the future.

The Aquarius Moon usually is associated with distant, cool feelings, idealism, judgments, a liking for the strange and eccentric, a curiosity for the unusual or original ideas. Who knows what will get invented this week?! There's an urge for independence, which can cause a strain in relationships. If you aren't paying attention, those Virgo planets can start you worrying and then the pressure from the eclipse can make you more neurotic than usual. So remember, Breathe!

And then there's Neptune, which conjoins the Moon right before the eclipse. It can make everything more dreamlike, confused or even glamorous to your eyes. We've been talking about Neptune in Aquarius for over a year now, during it's opposition to Saturn in Leo. Neptune in Aquarius wants to enlarge our vision of the possible for the whole. It represents utopian ideals. But isn't it time to get rid of the limiting beliefs that tell us the world can never operate in a peaceful, cooperative, creative, fair way? (We know it can – there were peaceful civilizations before the patriarchal/ warrior takeover.) That worldly wisdom comes to us from . . . you guessed it! The patriarchal powers that continue to rule the world.

So with Neptune conjoined the Moon conjoined Chiron and the North Node of our collective destiny, this eclipse promises endings, healings and new breakthroughs in our personal and collective destiny. While we watch the Olympics, perhaps more of us will recognize the truth that we are all one and in this experiment called life together. It's time to balance the masculine mode of perception that insists on the “Survival of the fittest” with the feminine mode of perception that knows we can survive better if we help one another.

(a side note: Neptune relates to collapse and public scandal. We are at a critical turning point in the currency and banking markets and as Neptune rules oil and gas, the further collapse of banks or currencies will undoubtedly be related to the soaring costs of these fuels and to financial scandals. Don't let a few cents difference at the gas pumps fool you. The old companies are making bigger profits every quarter.)

This eclipse occurs at 25 Aquarius, in conjunction with the three fixed stars at 25 Leo, conjunct another.

1. Sadalsuud associated with: great fortune; astrology, psychic, visionary, originality; personal charm; temperance; aviation. It has the flavor of Saturn/ Mercury.

2. Deneb Algedi associated with: A wise leader; finding the joy inherent in sorrow – and vice versa; glory and fame if death is avoided; betrayal, loss of position if associated with Sun or Moon. It has the flavor of Saturn/ Jupiter.

3. Sador associated with: Glittering wings, figured by stars. Part of the Christian Cross. Words of command, gathering of wealth; a hidden god; love of water, swimming, the arts; communication with birds; aviation. It also has the flavor of Jupiter/Saturn.

The Sun in this eclipse is conjunct the fixed star Subra in Leo. Subra is full of swaggering strength, and is fond of battle and plunder. But it is not noted for guile. Perhaps we're redeeming the Viking warrior archetype.

So with these images in mind, let us hope that the eclipse will end the egotistical Leo power plays (by nations as well as individuals) and engage in a deeper understanding of the issues facing the whole world. And I would love to see our Artists step forward with vision and voice to lead the way. That's a better use of Leo's energy.

Anyone with prominent fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) in your chart will have some intense reactions to these eclipses. Separate out your ego desires from your soul's commitments. You want to deepen your emotional ties to your talents and gifts. Play, practice, write, create. Bless what you have and bless what you want to come to you.

The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon Eclipse are:

The Sun at 25 Leo: A large camel is seen crossing a vast and forbidding desert. Camels carry their own water supply. In order to be released from the bondage of the 'old order' we need to be completely self-contained emotionally to face the 'nothingness' of the desert until we reach the new world we want to reach. (Tell me about it! I have to live in Las Vegas where the desert is ugly!) We need to develop Independence and Self-Sufficiency.

The Moon at 25 Aquarius: Justice enthroned within a beam of moonlight: A sword in her right hand and a large butterfly in her left. The moonlight shows us the subtle realms of being where our fate is decided. The butterfly is a symbol of the soul, and the sword is a symbol of justice and discrimination. In making judgments, we need to find a balance between intellect and emotion, facts and intuition. Karma as the ultimate judgment.

It's time to take back your life. And then it's time to take back the world from the power mongers. The best times to do this are in times of trouble – how can you really change when your life is going well? All your complexes will come up as you work to become self-sufficient. That's when change can take hold. Triumph in the midst of adversity.

There are other aspects at play during this eclipse.

Pluto in Sagittarius trines the Sun and sextiles the Moon at this eclipse. Pluto in Sag opens us for the last time to the old beliefs that are still holding us back from achieving our unique destiny. Trines facilitate change, while sextiles offer us insights that can show us the next step. So Pluto opens us to the unconscious and furthers our evolution by showing us what beliefs no longer serve us and what new beliefs will take their place.

Pluto is also at the apex of a T-square with Uranus in Pisces opposite Mars in Virgo. This indicates radical thinking which can have a deep impact on the culture. Uranus opens us to other modes of perception and alternative approaches to complex issues. Mars can then make sure these new ideas are workable and useful. Individuals can have an effect on the big picture.

Pay attention to what's inside of you! There are treasures hidden there. There are doors to other worlds. There are dreams that want to guide you. We are all being called on the adventure of our lives. Don't be left behind!

On August 22, the Sun goes into Virgo. Mercury opposes Uranus.

On August 23, Venus opposes Uranus.

On August 28, Mercury goes into Libra.

On August 30, Venus goes into Libra.

I am available for astrology readings, dream interpretations, therapy and coaching. Check out www.imaginecoachingservices.com for information and fees.

Blessed Be.

Cathy Pagano

Authors Website: http://www.cathypagano.com

Authors Bio:

Cathy Pagano is a spiritual advisor and Jungian psychotherapist, storyteller, author and teacher.

She is the author of a book on the return of the Goddess, "Wisdom's Daughters: How Women Can Change the World".

Cathy trained at the C. G. Jung Institut-Zurich in dream interpretation, has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology in Feminine Spirituality, and is a certified Life Coach.

As an astrologer and storyteller, she weaves the Cosmic Stories written in the stars. From The Bard's Grove, she writes about emerging archetypal themes in movies and books.

Cathy works with the tools of the imagination - dreams, alchemy, myths, astrology, symbolic language, storytelling, ritual - to awaken the Soul's wisdom.



I believe that Americans are called to a higher consciousness at this point in our history. We are called on to live up to our ideals and create the country our forefathers imagined. Inner consciousness needs to be acted upon for social justice.



Cathy believes that our writers and artists must take up our responsibility to create art that inspires, teaches and heals our humanity.



Cathy writes about political, psychological/spiritual, and cultural issues.