The October 3, 2005 @ 10:29 GMT Solar Eclipse is in Libra. The eclipses follow patterns and cycles that are tied together over thousands of years. The connections are known as families or astronomically referred to as saros. This particular eclipse is from the 134 Saros or the Solar 7S family. To learn more about eclipses, be sure to read my article in the Moon Signs section on this site. The original Saros 134 occurred on June 29, 1248 at 8° Cancer. (Note: The actual date is adjusted based on calendar differences between 1248 and now. Some sites show June 22, 1248 as being the original date of the Saros 134 Eclipse.) The current eclipse shares a few similarities to that original Saros 134 Eclipse. The original eclipse occurred at 8° Cancer, was ruled by the Moon (Cancer) and sub-ruled by Venus (Libra). Also the Venus placement of the original eclipse was at 23° Taurus, Mars at 8° Leo and the North Node at 21° Sagittarius. We will feel some of these same energies in this eclipse since Mars Retrograde is now at 23° Taurus, Saturn is at 9° Leo and Pluto is at 22° Sagittarius. As we have learned over the many years of eclipse research, the original eclipse of the series continues to hold substantial sway over its family of eclipses. The original 1248 eclipse projects sensitivity and harmony into all the following 134 Saros eclipses. Although the original eclipse contained considerable productive emotional and family-oriented potentials, there were a few destabilized connections that would likely be felt through relationships and psychological warfare.

We will probably see the above-mentioned issues being readdressed or reassessed in this Solar Eclipse as Venus and Mars are opposing one another through their integral placements in relation to the original Solar 7S Eclipse's chart. I am also a bit concerned because of the Quincunx connections of the Solar Eclipse in Libra to Uranus in Pisces. Plus from the other side of this chart is the Quincunx from Saturn in Leo to Uranus in Pisces. The two opposing Quincunx aspects are putting considerable tension onto that Uranus placement in Pisces. Remember that Uranus represents excitement, shock, surprise and unpredictability. The Pisces influence tends to mask any problem until it is too late to change course. It would be my recommendation to stay alert and be prepared. When Uranus is involved, our best offense is to be on the defense; be ready to take charge of a situation the moment it becomes obvious. Another tension-filled placement is Mars Retrograde. Jupiter and Mercury in Libra are Quincunx to Mars while Pluto in Sagittarius forms a mirror Quincunx to Mars. Normally, I do not mention the quincunx aspect in my reports, but when we have this many set up in this way, I feel it is important to mention the tension factor. The quincunx aspects to Mars (apex) while opposing Venus, sets it up as a Boomerang pattern which will likely have us feeling confused and passionate at the same time. We should proceed cautiously with our ideas. Thorough investigation will be necessary to help us become more aware of the "need to know" factor in our choices and activities. The fact that Mars is retrograde in this apex position may have us feeling like everything that we attempt is thwarted. The best laid plans tend to backfire when transiting Mars is in retrograde motion, especially in relation to the house it is transiting within our personal charts.

The Sun and Moon join up in Libra. We are trying hard to communicate our own needs within our relationships, but we may be too involved in our own problems to notice whether we are being fair or not. The Solar Eclipse is Sextile to Saturn, helping us to be more patient, but it may not provide enough self-discipline to help us accomplish more than the simple basics. The Solar Eclipse is Trine to Neptune in Aquarius. Our imaginations are stimulated and creativity tends to be more productive in this aspect. We may also end up being misdirected or stalled by too much day-dreaming. It is up to us to use the opportunities that crop up. Waiting too long is possible, and once that happens, we may not get a second chance.

The Solar Eclipse will dove-tail nicely into the Lunar Eclipse of October 17, 2005 @ 12:15 GMT in the sign of Aries. The eclipse of the moon is partial and many may not even notice it since it will only reveal a small slip of the Earth's shadow on the Moon.

As was mentioned earlier eclipse articles, the eclipses are tied together in cycles that occur for thousands of years. There is a beginning eclipse that reoccurs every 18 years and after approximately 73 ecliptic events, that eclipse cycle will die out as a new one will be taking its place in the Eclipse family. These are ecliptic cycles called Saros and are identified by a number. This Lunar Eclipse cycle is Saros 146 and it is relatively new. Lunar and Solar Eclipses have totally separate Saros number sequences. Lunar Saros 146 began on July 11, 1843. It has only had nine ecliptic events, so far. The 1843 eclipse occurred in the sign of Capricorn meaning that the overlapping theme of that Lunar Eclipse will always include "career and family" messages in the subsequent Lunar Saros 146 Eclipses.

This Lunar Eclipse occurs in the sign of Aries, bringing focus on the tensions between the Self and significant relationships involving partners. Tempers could easily flare or we may be exploiting (or feel exploited by) another on an emotional level, particularly with the T-square to Chiron in Capricorn. The Sun in Libra is conjunct with Jupiter which normally produces a time of productive energy. However, the Libra scale could tip either way with the opposing Moon. It could either cause our emotions to burst at the seams or help us to find more compassion for others in need. A lot will depend on whether our own needs are being met and fulfilled within our relationships. As many Libra will tell us, the visit by Jupiter to their sign has not been a beautiful garden of roses; with many experiencing the pain of thorns rather than sweet pedals. On the more positive side of this Lunar Eclipse is that it is connected to Pluto in a Wedge Pattern. This influence can help us to bounce back even after the worst of situations, helping us to make sense of events and transforming through them.

When the two Saros are tied together for this year, we will feel the significance of relationships and self as defined within the relationship. The emotional thread that pulls this all together for us will be much stronger if we learn how to search for the productive outcomes of our decisions. The changes must come from the inside first before we reveal them to others. The experiences that we learn from these eclipses will be with us for a very long time.

Reference
Lineman, R, Eclipse Interpretation Manual, American Federation of Astrologers, 1986, pp 1-2.