The solar eclipse takes place at 00:28 on the 10th May 2013 (UT) at 19TAU31.

This is the second of a series of 5 solar eclipses in Fixed signs as the nodes move through Taurus and Scorpio. We are in a period which is exploring our relationship with money, the concept of wealth, personal security, survival, death, personal and shared resources, taxes, banks and other financial institutions and ongoing themes related to sexuality, self-esteem and personal values.

Taurus – Grows

Scorpio – Decays

Taurus – Feeds

Scorpio – Withholds

Taurus – Acquires

Scorpio – Releases

This Taurus eclipse is an amped up New Moon. Generally, when the New Moon is in Taurus, it’s a time to reflect upon what you are growing in your life. In the Northern Hemisphere, this sign relates to the blossoming spring, days growing warmer, buds opening. It is a time of fertility and fecundity. Taurus energy is about patience, determination and the strength to carry on. Like the powerful bull that symbolises the sign, we need to work hard for the results we require. Taurus is a builder, the ultimate manifester. To use his energy best, we must become grounded and conscious of the earth beneath our feet.

The Aspect Picture

The solar eclipse is semi-sextile Jupiter, conjunct Mercury and conjunct Mars in order of orb.

The semi-sextile to Jupiter may feel like an opportunity is there but it’s easy to miss. It’s like weeding the garden when you don’t know a lot about plants and pulling up viable seedlings thinking they are weeds. Semi-sextiles indicate that something somewhere needs clarification.

The conjunctions to Mercury and Mars feel argumentative. With both wrapped around the South Node, old ways of thinking and doing things may need to be re-assessed. There’s also impatience which is no good in a sign like Taurus! There’s a danger of sweeping everything under the carpet just to get the house looking clean. But Taurus requires that things are done properly if they are done at all. Whilst Taurus does like to sit with his feet up, when he eventually does get to work, he doesn’t stop until it’s done. There are no half measures with this eclipse.

The Sabian Picture

The Sabian Symbol for the eclipse is :-

Wisps Of Winglike Clouds Streaming Across The Sky

This Sabian is all about how you interpret things. With the eclipse emphasis on Taurus, there’s a tendency to only believe it if you can taste it, touch it, hear it, feel it or see it. But there is a hint that there is more to life than meets the eye. An empty field is full of life under the surface. With the ruling planet of the eclipse (Venus) tottering on the edge of Gemini, you may need to check in with someone else to see if you have the full picture.

The beauty in this degree is that Mother Nature herself may offer you a clue or a blessing along the way. Those clouds may well be angels in disguise. If you are feeling stuck, impatient or just unable to put a finger on what you’re missing, ask for a sign.

The Asteroid Picture

The eclipse is directly conjunct Pallas. Pallas seems to distinctly suggest that planning is required if you want to see your projects and goals manifest. Her presence along with Mars and Mercury feels rather like a meeting after losing a battle, figuring out where you went wrong and where possibly you can implement a different tactic to win the war. Whilst those two bicker about whose fault it was, Pallas insists upon being constructive instead of destructive.

Maybe the lunar eclipse took a swipe at you sideways. Maybe you just didn’t see it coming. Whatever has been laid bare is now just waiting for you to fill the void.

With the emphasis on the South Node, you may need to chuck out the junk. Get rid of what isn’t working. The difficulty here is that with Taurus, change is hard – almost impossible!

“I can’t throw it away, I might need it sometime!”

The questions is, do your really value it or are you just afraid of not having it? You need to make room for new life.

I see echoes of the Saros Cycle 138 chart. Mercury and Mars are raring to go and there is some excitement here but it’s too easy to miss what’s really important. It’s like the moment the light goes out, you catch sight of something out of the corner of your eye but then when the Sun returns, you can’t see it any more – not unless perhaps you are ready to see it. The subtle message of the Sabian symbol is a reminder that the universe will offer you confirmation of what you are growing. What do you see? If you don’t like the signs, then maybe you need to weed out the messages you are giving out. The art of manifestation is all in the intention behind it. Pallas is a wise counsellor and she urges that you resolve any internal arguments in order to transform the shape of things to come. All good things come to those who wait.

Questions and Reflections for the Solar Eclipse

If you’re going to do it, do it right

Think before you act.

Get rid of what you don’t need to make room for new growth

What messages for the universe have you noticed?

What do the signs say about the path ahead?

How can you resolve your internal arguments?

How can you do it differently?

What might you be missing that’s important?

What do you consider to be important that maybe isn’t?

Are you motivated by scarcity or abundance?

Birthday’s Affected

9th – 11th May (Taurus) – Conjunction

11th 13th August (Leo) – Square

11th – 13th November (Scorpio) – Opposition

7th – 9th February (Aquarius) – Square

Any planets or angles falling within 18 – 20 degrees in your chart will be affected but the strongest will be in the signs indicated above due to the nature of the aspect.

Illustration image is from The Hierophant card in the Celestial Tarot