Monday, August 14, 2017

The Solar Eclipse of August 21st, 2017 An astrological guide to meeting your shadow side





On August 21 at 10:04AM (PT), a total solar eclipse will move across the US, west to east. As the moon causes day to turn to night, the darkness will reveal the stars in the sky as well as a few planets. On an esoteric level, this gives us the opportunity to embrace our shadow side while our ego (the Sun) is blocked out. We have the opportunity to see beyond the self.

 The shadow is the part of ourselves that we have not reconciled, and is associated with our repressed urges and emotions. As the word shadow implies, this archetype is often seen to be a dark or negative force, although the shadow isn’t necessarily bad but rather a hiding place for our unexpressed forces. Anything suppressed or denied in the personality is a shadow. 

Shadows have their birthplace in the light and are a derivative, or shade of our higher potential that gets skewed off course due to many factors usually originating in self-doubts. The shadow is a natural part of the personality. Meeting the shadow is a meeting with our own reality, which in turn enables us to look at ourselves more realistically. If the shadow can be met it leads to wholeness. A main feature of many archetypal figures, particularly of the shadow, is their autonomous activity in us. Jung implied that meeting our shadow helps us be more inclined to not pass judgement on others because we have already recognized these attributes in ourselves.

This total eclipse of the Sun on August 21st. gives all of us the opportunity to feel the energy shift within ourselves as we release karmic patterns and recognize our shadow. Take a look at any significant changes in your life that may have come up for reevaluation around the time of the Lunar eclipse on August 7, 2017. The full solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 will emphasize the necessary changes you need to honor in order to achieve your full potential and possibilities. 

Look to your shadow. What have you not been fully incorporating into your life? Situations that crop up now will give you the opportunity to look at what you may have been ignoring in your life. You have the chance to reveal your repressed emotions even if it means shaking up the status quo.

This eclipse occurs during the time when Mercury will be in retrograde so expect changes. The planets Mars and Uranus also add to this celestial energy cocktail so expect sudden bursts of unexpected actions. Upheaval at this time actually helps you to make necessary changes that you possibly would have stayed tethered to and missing out on the opportunity for growth.

Associated tarot card for this solar eclipse is the Tower. This represents going through sudden change, experiencing upheaval, having plans disrupted, being surprised, undergoing a crisis, having routines shaken up, and being in chaos.

The positive side of embracing these changes will bring a revelation and suddenly realizing the truth. The shadow exposes what was hidden and you may have a burst of insight. Seeing through illusions, getting much needed answers, and seeing everything in a flash helps you get out of your own way.

 Look below to see the areas of contemplation your astrological sign may experience from the solar eclipse.  If you know your ascendant, also read the information for that sign.

Personal impacts:

Aries- Children, affairs of the heart, creative projects, and risk taking. Your shadow may urge you to handle things as you see fit regardless of peer group pressure. Do you care what others think or do you follow your own guidance? Time to revisit your relationships and make necessary repairs.

Taurus-The home and everything associated with it (both the childhood home & the current home): family, land, personal foundations (inner emotional security), your roots. This eclipse wakes up your shadow and gives clues to your karmic lesson for this lifetime. It shows what karmic baggage you brought with you into this life. Time to ask, “where are you headed?”

Gemini- Communication includes messages, deliveries, gossip, phone calls, visits, transportation, short trips, reading and writing. This eclipse brings a double whammy for Gemini’s since a Mercury retrograde will add to the confusion you may experience in these areas. Careful with your words since your shadow is looking for expression especially when it comes to siblings, planning events, politics and justice. 

Cancer- Your own money and possessions, what you value, your hidden talents, sense of self-worth, self-esteem, moveable property, investments and securities will be brought into view.  This eclipse brings out your shadow’s feelings toward security. What do you really value? Can you rely on yourself or are you co-dependent? Time to be your own person or risk being vulnerable to the demands of others. 

Leo-Your self-awareness, physical body, personality, appearance, personal views on life, self-identity, self-image, early environment, and beginnings are brought into focus during this eclipse. What have you been ignoring? The shadow of repressed feelings about yourself and personal relationships comes into view due to this solar eclipse. Do you want a partner or would you rather go it alone? This is a time for a shift in your status.

Virgo-Secrets, seclusion, self-doubts, hospitals, and your subconscious are rolled out during this solar eclipse. What or who are you hiding from. Secrets and private information may come into focus. Is your shadow repressing the truth? You may retreat for a much-needed rest at this time. There may be concerns over someone’s hospital or institutional (prison) stay. Resist escapism and depression.

Libra-Your social life, groups, friends, and associations may take a wobble during this solar eclipse. Be careful that repressed shadow feelings don’t become overly aggressive at this time or you may over shoot your mark socially. Impulsive moves in a group situation may put you in a bad light. Casual love affairs get rocky and children may need some direction at this time.

Scorpio-Your status, honor, community power, prestige, reputation, and professional career are highlighted during this solar eclipse. Your shadow is going to come out in the most public areas of your life. Your reputation and how others see you is pivotal at this time. You may shock and surprise others with your sudden change of direction and decisions. A lot of repressed fears and doubts come up for review and you may shock others with a sudden change of plans.

Sagittarius-Your philosophies, ethics, morals, and experiences that you encounter when you search for the meaning of things are all highlighted. Whatever expands your field of activity or the scope of your mind is brought into focus during this solar eclipse. Your shadow may want to express your strong beliefs but be careful or you risk offending others who don’t share your views. Ease up on pressuring others to see your views or risk getting the silent treatment when all communication breaks down.

Capricorn- Taxes, inheritances, stocks, wills & legacies, sex (the actual act of sex), joint resources, your partner’s money and possessions, spouse's money, bankruptcy, losses, personal sacrifices, and debts are wobbled at this time. This eclipse urges your shadow to speak up and re-frame your finances. If you don’t get a grip someone or something may tip the scales to only their advantage. Ask yourself, “Have you taken a financial hit because of someone else?” Now is the time to get finances back on track.

Aquarius-Your one-to-one relationships: marriage, business partnerships, contracts, and cooperative relationships are brought to your attention during this solar eclipse. Your shadow reveals what you truly seek from your relationships both personal and business. This is the time to make changes for a better future. Resisting change can cause unnecessary tension in your life. Get on with what you have been putting off and go up the ladder to the next level of both personal and business relationships. There is a hidden opportunity in any upheaval at this time. Embrace all changes.

Pisces-Your daily work, service, diet, health and physical stamina are the focal point of this solar eclipse. Your repressed shadow may be responsible for your bad habits, boredom at work, and feelings of all work and no play. This solar eclipse gives you the opportunity to take charge of your health and revamp your daily routine. You now have the opportunity to balance work and your personal life.  Shifts in your day to day activities benefit you in more ways than one. Great time to ditch bad habits and toxic relationships.

The impact of a solar eclipse may be felt for up to six months. Look to the 5th through 8th of September to see what gets triggered in your life due to the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Mundane impact:

On a mundane level, this eclipse will expose the shadow side of the country it passes over and in this case, it is the United States of America. Political, economic, and social situations that surface at this time and also for the following six-month duration will reveal the shadow side of the country as a whole. The archetype of the USA, can be recognized as the Hero, Warrior, Rescuer or Leader. Heroes believe anything can be achieved if you put your mind and determination to it. They believe in courage. Their greatest fear is being thought of as a coward, weakling, or vulnerable. They want to have triumph over adversity. 

The shadow side of the Hero is the Insolent, arrogant and always looking for the next battle. How controversy is approached during this time is vital to finding peaceful resolves to any social and political unrest. This is going to be a challenging aspect -ego verses taking a higher road.

Namaste” 

New book, Conscious Ink: The hidden meaning of tattoos, comes out October 23rd 2017.

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