The New Moon of July 1, 2011 is a Solar Eclipse at 9° Cancer. In a Cardinal sign, this eclipse signifies great changes ahead. In the chart cast for Washington D.C., the eclipse falls in the First House. Eclipses in the First House announce great changes to follow and this eclipse falls in conjunction with the USA Sun, another indicator of its importance. This chart has mutable signs on the angles and a Grand Cross in Cardinal signs so we are adapting to changes. It is a difficult time for moving forward for the American people and there are complications in foreign affairs.

Note that the eclipse in the First House opposes Pluto in the Seventh House. Pluto complicates its house and is an indicator of power struggles or those obsessed with power. Uranus square Pluto suggests unexpected disturbances or abrupt political changes occurring in foreign affairs. This may mean a change of power, change of political party or leadership in other countries.

Terrorism is associated with Pluto in the Seventh House and in this chart Mars falls in the Twelfth House, conjoined with USA Uranus, an evil position signifying an increase in crime, unruly behavior on the part of prisoners, and a time when the country may suffer from secret enemies. This eclipse also happens to fall on the USA Mars Solstice Point. This is a reflex point for Mars, reacting in a similar way as if the eclipse actually fell on Mars. Dealing with conflicts often follows an eclipse on Mars.

The closest planetary aspect in the eclipse chart is the applying square of the Sun and Moon to Saturn. Sun square Saturn is unfortunate for the president and for government; obstacles arise, delays are encountered and the machine of state does not function smoothly. The Sun rules the Third House so problems surrounding travel may occur. With Moon square Saturn, trade and labor are unfortunate and people suffer from unemployment or in other ways. The country has heavy expenditures and there are fluctuations in revenue and money markets.

Since the Moon falls in the First House, the affairs concerning people are to the forefront. Questions attach to things signified by the Moon; the interests of women and children, land and crops, occupations connected with water and travel. Travel is a big theme in this chart, with Gemini rising and Venus in Gemini conjunct the Ascendant. It is vacation time and people are taking advantage of easing gas prices.

Saturn in the Fifth House suggests concerns about crimes against women and children and it is unfavorable for the interests of children. Saturn in this house is unfortunate for amusements. Some entertainment may be withdrawn or there is the death of an entertainer. This house also rules the stock market. Some sorrow or gloom may overshadow the social side of the nation. Venus ruling the Fifth House conjoined with the South Node gives similar indications.

Cancer Solar Eclipse

There are aspects among Venus, Neptune and Jupiter suggesting peace and goodwill among people, with a collective image for a brighter future that helps navigate current difficulties. (Click the image to view the chart, then use your back button.)

Jupiter in the Eleventh House is fortunate for the progress of legislation. This helps Congress reach agreements, especially on financial issues. Mercury trine Uranus indicates busy political meetings and debates, when bills can be planned, discussed or passed under favorable auspices. This is also a very good period for scientific discoveries and inventions with Uranus trine Mercury. There may turn out to be special benefits for motoring, aviation or railways.

Uranus in the Tenth House receiving hard aspects suggests that sudden trouble requires careful management by the president. Neptune on the cusp of the Tenth House suggests confusion in Washington. It may mean scandals or disgrace to notable people. Neptune represents fraud, corruption, vices coming to light, or other elements of distortion.

In weather events, Neptune has input along with Virgo on the cusp of the Fourth, ruled by Mercury in water sign Cancer. The eclipse in Cancer suggests rain, floods, accidents by rivers or seas, while Neptune when prominent may signify dam breaks or marine disasters, etc. Weather is changeable. Storms at sea or affecting the coasts are suggested by Uranus ruling the Ninth House. From the Cancer Ingress chart of June 21, which has a three month lifespan, weather extremes are noted due to Pluto in the Fourth House. Earthquakes are an increased likelihood. In the ACG map, Mars runs through the southwestern states, an indication that fires, drought and dry conditions will plague that area this summer. Other trouble spots in the world from this map are Chile and Japan, where earthquakes may occur. Japan is dealing with major problems based on the ACG map of the Solar Eclipse, with both Saturn and Uranus affecting that area!

Many times, the themes shown in the New Moon chart come to fruition at the Full Moon. The Full Moon occurs July 15 and that chart is a close match to the USA chart, with Gemini rising. Mars is in the First House, as in the national chart. The Full Moon falls across the cusps of the Third and Ninth House cusps, bringing a focus to communications and travel…

We have a dynamic configuration coming into play this month that bears close observation. Transiting Mars soon conjoins transiting South Node, a sure fire indicator of problems ahead. The aspect was in play in September 2001. It was a feature in many tragedies and dire events; the shuttle Columbia disaster, massacres, serial killings, terrorist attempts, pandemics, extreme weather and earthquakes. As these two come together they join the USA Mars, making the combo doubly dangerous and somewhat explosive. From July 10 to July 24 is a high energy period for the country, with restlessness and impatience to move ahead, but due to the malevolent nature of the South Node, prone to accidents, or facing dangers.

Since the Mars/South Node conjunction forms in the sign Gemini of transportation and communications systems, this suggests heightened risk for troubles in those sectors. There could be travel related accidents, vehicle recalls, strikes or terrorist attempts affecting transit systems, events disrupting communications, trouble for the Post Office, etc. It might also contribute to high winds; twisters or hurricanes.

Within the country during this period there is increased initiative and competitiveness, leading to amplified actions to achieve status and success. So, on a bright side, there may also be firsts or new innovations involving communications, news distribution, TV, the Internet, etc. There might be innovations in travel; new airliners or vehicles, or records set in racing, running, etc. While this configuration is of prime concern for the business interests of the U.S., other parts of the world will also experience the effects of Mars conjunct South Node, such as Egypt and Mexico.

In your own chart, check the house where this Solar Eclipse falls at 9° Cancer. The eclipse stimulation will bring the affairs of that house front and center into view for your consideration of how you can improve this area. If it is an area you’ve neglected, events and circumstances will now require you to do something about it. Maybe it’s time to let something old go out of your life, making room for the new. If the eclipse falls on one of your planets, pay attention to the things ruled by that planet because these subjects and people will begin to play a bigger role in your life. They take on increased importance. Find out more about how to interpret your personal eclipse from my book, Eclipses. If the Mars/South Node conjunction falls in aspect to one of your natal planets or another important point, learn how to gear up for it from my book, Lunar Nodes. Wishing you a happy holiday and a safe, progressive month! Celeste Teal 6/29/2011

Actual Events: Unemployment rises to 9.2%. Shooting Spree in Michigan leaves 7 dead. Cruise ship sinks in Mexico killing several Americans during a storm at sea. Terrorism alert as plan to implant bombs in the stomachs of suicide bombers comes to light. There were several terror threats that were discussed or made news although not for specific times or places, only that there is increased likelihood as we near the tenth anniversary of 9-11. Syria accuses U.S. of inciting unrest. There was much political bickering in DC over debt ceiling increase. Jaycee Dugard’s new book comes out of her ordeal being kept prisoner for 18 years by a known sex offender. The Cayce Anthony case is big news for days early in the month – no one can believe she was found not guilty. Last Harry Potter movie comes out. Space shuttle makes final voyage of the program and makes historic final landing on July 21. A heat wave across the country plagues residents all month. Phoenix experiences an apocalyptic dust storm, called a Haboob. TSA plans new less intrusive scans for passengers. Amy Winehouse dies. Japan has another strong earthquake. The Post Office is closing 3600 rural offices.