August 11 Eclipse

(What are called) the Moon’s nodes tell the story of the larger karmic issues that are involved in the chart. They are the places where the moon’s transit crosses the ecliptic. The south node represents the past karmic (positive and negative) tendencies, and the north node indicates what capacities and goals are asked for in this cycle. In the chart, both nodes are conjunct planets in the grand cross, and both are in conjunction or opposition to the sun and moon in eclipse. When this is the case, the soul is confronted with necessity of resolving a very powerful karmic conflict, which absolutely may not be postponed beyond this lifetime. This again keys into the theme of the required death and rebirth that is a keynote of the eclipse. The Leo north node symbolizes a struggle to develop strength and will within the self. It requires complete individualization and development of autonomy, even to the point of having to experience isolation and loneliness to develop it. The outcome can be a complete commitment to one’s destiny and the freedom that comes from completely embracing one’s soul path. The south node in Aquarius represents the shadow from the past that must be overcome, as well as the gifts of the positive traits and qualities we have developed in the past. The shadow of Aquarius is the loss of individuality through blind adherence to the collective social mores, religious principles, even governmental laws. In many cases, following outer rules entails a false sacrifice of the individual for the whole. An example might be the giving up of one’s personal freedom for collective order in a time of crisis, or going to war because governmental leaders and the majority feel it is the right thing to do, even when there is an inner knowing that it is not right to participate.

This nodal combination indicates that the challenge will be for each of us to get clear about who we are, and what our own unique soul purpose and destiny is. This requires differentiating oneself out of the collective culture ideals and stereotypes in order to be true to oneself. This might mean standing up at work and questioning the social and ecological impact of the products, services, or methods of operation. Or of saying that it is not life-supporting to spend 8 hours in an office cubicle being subjected to radiation from computers, fluorescent lights, and microwaves. It might mean leaving or changing our most intimate relationships to pursue our soul impulses, even in the face of money fears and concerns. In essence, it will probably mean most of us will face the need to wean ourselves from the unconscious parts of our social identity, and walk the soul path on our own. The path to doing so is represented by the house of the nodes. The north node in the 9^th house indicates that there must be an embrace of the higher mind, and an opening to the vast horizons and vistas of the spiritual dimensions. It signals the opportunity for enormous spiritual growth, and the leaving behind the finite world of linear, material mind and the opening to the infinite consciousness of the soul and beyond.

The gift of the positive past traits and qualities of the south node in Aquarius might be related to the social or cultural values cultivated in the past that were whole and in alignment with natural law and life processes. In the last few decades there has been a resurgence of interest in native peoples and their cultures. We seem to have a need to look backward in time in order to rediscover aspects of our collective soul that we separated from in the past because we judged them as primitive and in the way of progress. Traditional cultures were founded in a deep connection with Mother Earth and the Great Mother. They were in touch with the rhythms and cycles of life and deeply embodied the innate intelligence of the feminine, which knows how to foster and nurture life. With the rise of the solar archetype and the demonizing of the feminine, these cultures began to rapidly decline which left only a few fragments here and there. They hold a major piece that we have lost and forgotten, one that we desperately need to make the next step.

With Uranus conjunct the south node there may be a resurgence of breaking free of the shackles that have held indigenous peoples in bondage. In Hawaii, the Sovereignty movement continues to percolate, with the ultimate goal being the restoration of governance and land ownership to the Hawaiian peoples. The revolt in Chiapas is but another example of a theme that is echoed across the planet.

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