Expert: LeLonni Campbell - 7/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: general question regarding both lunar/solar eclipses - when deeming the significance of either occurances on a natal chart, is it important to note the exact degree and what aspects they make to the natal planets or is it only necessary to note the natal house the eclipse falls to understand their effect on the individual?  Thank you!

ANSWER: When using eclipses I use a very tight orb with the planet or angles, maybe 2 degrees, not much more than that.  I do use the house as I think the house position is important.  I also do the same you do with mundane astrology I use the degree of the eclipse in a natal chart as a sensitive point, so for example the next full solar eclipse is 8/1 that eclipse falls at 9 Leo, that degree will be sensitive for as many years as the eclipse is hours long, each time a planet or the Sun and Moon go over the point it is activated. If its not settling of a natal pattern it more than likely will not have a huge effect, if its is setting of a sensitive natal point the effects are more noticeable. Of course each time the point is hit the effects lessen.

LeLonni

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - just to clarify because I'm still a bit lost (sorry!) - for example, if someone's natal sun is at 9 scorpio which is a tight sqare with a 9 leo eclipse, do you mean that that square would have an effect for as many years as the eclipse is long?  Or, if there are no planets at 9 leo where the eclipse hits, then there is only the house effect of the eclipse? So I guess I'm not understanding what the definition of "settling of a natal pattern" is..  Thanks!

Answer
I tend to use mostly the conjunction, sometimes the opposition or square if its in a chart square. So using your example if the Sun is 9 Scorpio with no natal squares oppositions or conjunctions, I would not really use the eclipse, but if the Sun in Scorpio Squared Mars at 10 Leo I would use it, but would also give most of the attention to the fact the eclipse fell on Mars.  If a person has a chart pattern by aspect its important when any transit or eclipse hits it. As to the empty house and an eclipses I hardly pay attention to them as they are not really setting anything off. Remember the number one rule in Astrology if you do not have it as a promise in the birth chart a transit on its own will not cause it.  Don't forget to include progressed planets in you assessment as they can often be a major indicator of where an eclipse will show its influence. So setting off a chart patter is simply a transit of what is going on in the sky currently to the natal chart, this includes any eclipses. It takes into account what is in the natal chart and where it has an influence in the life then using that understanding to understand how the transit of an eclipse will work.

LeLonni