The New Moon of January 15, 2010 is a total Solar Eclipse in Capricorn. This brings a general focus to national affairs and the business of the country. In the chart cast for Washington, D.C., this eclipse at 25º Capricorn falls in the Third House. The Third House rules all forms of communication and transport; newspapers, the Post Office, education, and locomotion of all kinds. The house of a New Moon indicates the subject matters that attract attention. It shows where there are changes and new developments in the four weeks following. An eclipse is a more powerful type of New Moon. It has more long-lasting effects. And, with an eclipse, implications are that the matters ruled by its house position are vulnerable or out of balance, requiring adjustment. This is due to the strong Moon Wobble effects present with eclipses; the close alignment of the Sun and Moon with the lunar nodes.

An eclipse in a cardinal sign precedes many changes. Here, there are changes to inland transit, and in the communication and transportation sectors. There is the creating of new structures. There is an accent to public buildings and structures associated with communication and transport. There may be increased attention on borders and neighboring countries. Public opinion tends to be conservative.

With the eclipse in Capricorn, and with this sign on the Third House cusp, this suggests government control is connected to transportation. Capricorn rules government. One way this may play out could be as a result of the near miss last month when a would-be bomber managed to board a flight into the U.S. even though he was on a terrorist watch list. This chart suggests increased measures by the government to ensure this doesn’t happen again. With Venus conjoined with this eclipse, this shows extra efforts to ensure the security of travelers. This also suggests government involvement in the nation’s communications, taking measures to improve the communication lines between information agencies, again to help ensure national security. What is particularly interesting and fitting with this theme is that this eclipse falls in the degree of the fixed star Terebellum: there is some fortune but with regret and disgrace. This fixed star is associated with a cunning mercenary, and with terrorism, mass death and violence.

Solar Eclipse

While the symbolism of the fixed star Terebellum might manifest in different ways following this eclipse, we will, in any case, likely see this emphasis and focus on travel and communication related matters in many ways for several months to come. Watch for the possibility of increased accidents, for concerns about security in these affairs, and for restructuring. As the natural ruler of such things, Mercury conjoined with Pluto and in square to Saturn also suggests disturbances; means of transit present problems or legislation affecting these are hindered or unpopular.

Another way this Third House eclipse in Capricorn plays out is the State of the Union Address, an annual ceremony and address presented by the president. This ceremony traditionally takes place in late January but this year there is debate as to the exactly when. Dates suggested so far have run up against criticism because they conflict with people’s favorite TV programs! But, this address by Obama may be of some increased importance and interest whenever it does take place.

There are some implications for crops to suffer and for a rough time for agriculture. Weather may also be especially severe, with destructive storms creating restrictions or breakdowns. It is hard to say just how the Chiron/Neptune/Jupiter conjunction on the cusp of the Fourth House will play out, but in Aquarius weather may be cold and wet, changeable or freakish. Land conditions may be out of the ordinary. Of course earthquakes are one possibility. Earthquake activity often increases near eclipses and they are more likely when major planets closely conjoin the lunation Fourth House cusp. Jupiter is not always the benefit one might think it should be. Please link to Decoding Earthquakes for more.

According to mundane astrologer H.S. Green, in Mundane Astrology, an eclipse in an Earth sign is a bad sign for business. The business world is often disturbed or depressed. This chart, with Saturn square Pluto, certainly agrees. This is an aspect of hard economic times and in this chart Pluto falls in the Second House of the nation’s business. There may be a failure of measures, financial struggles or disputes over financial matters. Retrograde Mercury in the Second House also indicates discussion on finance; some review or reflection. There may be new laws or regulations affecting revenue, trade, and money matters generally, but these tend to be unfortunate and problematic.

Saturn square Pluto is a strong aspect, with these two slow movers in conflict all month. Hard aspects between these two outer planets have been a factor coinciding with political turmoil, wars and power struggles in the past. Violent or fanatical adversaries may be exposed.

To wrap up, an eclipse in Capricorn mainly affects those individuals who are prominent in commerce, business, banking, labor and management. Authorities, established office holders and those of middle age are among those that are most impacted by these eclipses. Ivy Jacobson says in her book, In the Beginning Astrology, that the Capricorn eclipses have a greater impact on the southern portion of the nation. Here, as we are just coming into this eclipse season, this certainly seems to be the case. Florida has recently suffered a freakish cold snap, destroying citrus and other crops. More importantly, Florida has the largest population of Haitians of any state and they have been quite affected by the massive earthquake in Haiti, unable to get in communication with their loved ones, resorting to watching TV to get a glimpse of anyone they know. We see how the themes of this eclipse chart fit with neighboring Haiti (third house) experiencing mass deaths from the quake. Relief efforts and help from the U.S. are ongoing (Venus in the Third House), with money, medical personnel and the deployment of thousands of military troops. The December New Moon chart suggested a new program of humanitarian efforts for the needy and unfortunately the need for these efforts did come about.

In your own chart, note the house where this eclipse at 25º Capricorn falls. The eclipse brings emphasis to these house affairs. In the matters ruled by this house you will experience changes and transformation in the months ahead. If this is one of the angular houses; 1, 4, 7, or 10, the changes will be more dramatic. In that case, one change might lead to many. If the eclipse falls in alignment with one of your personal planets, there are changes brewing that are somehow connected to the things or people signified by the planet. That planet is especially sensitive now to future transits. My book, Eclipses helps you decipher how this eclipse will impact you personally, by house position, and if aligned with a natal or progressed planet, as well as furnishing you with a table so you know when to expect increased activity. But, in a general way, with this Capricorn eclipse we are seeking material status and wealth as a means of gaining emotional security. And, we may be feeling very ambitious and ready to make changes and work hard to make that happen. With the influence of Venus, we have the capacity to enjoy hard work. We are ready to set goals and make commitments. We may enjoy working in partnerships or feel we can accomplish more that way. Whatever we start now may have long-term effects for good! This is a New Year, a new decade, and a New Moon, a wonderful time to write down your hopes and intentions. It’s also a good time to count your blessings. Wishing you a joyful New Year! Celeste Teal 1/13/2010

Actual Events: Toyota recalls millions of automobiles due to a sticking accelerator following an investigation into the tragic deaths of four passengers in late August 2009. They also stopped sales and production of some of their most popular models until the problem is fixed. (This event plays right into the theme of the eclipse in the third house and conjoined with fixed star Terrebellum, associated with concerns about mass deaths.) Republican Scott Brown elected in Massachusetts to serve in the seat held by Ted Kennedy for many years. This created a major political upset, taking away the Democrat majority. (This demonstrates the conservative opinion of the public, indicated by the eclipse in Capricorn. It demonstrates the political turmoil reflected in the Saturn/Pluto square.) A monster snowstorm wallops the Washington D.C. and the mid Atlantic. (This was shown in the heavy planets on the angles in the DC chart.) A second monster storm strikes February 10, once again canceling airline flights and closing schools. On the same day, a 3.8 earthquake strikes near Chicago but no damage was done. The stock market has fallen below the 10,000 mark this past month. (This was suggested by the Saturn/Pluto square) …J.D. Salinger dies as well as Howard Zinn, two famous American writers. (shown by this eclipse falling in the third house of writers and on the U.S. Mercury.) Obama welcomes Dalai Lama for a visit to Washington on February 17,18.