We have a Total Lunar eclipse at 1 degree in Virgo, tonight, February 20, 2008. According to NASA, the mid-eclipse period is 10:26pm EST. If you wish further details in hopes of viewing tonight's eclipse I would recommend NASA's web page at sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes completely behind the earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one inside the other. The outer shadow is the portion of the shadow where the Earth blocks some, but not all of the sun's light. The inner shadow, or the umbra, is the portion where the Earth blocks all of the direct sunlight reaching the moon, thus completely eclipsing the moon's reflected light. This will be the last Total Lunar eclipse until 2010.
At 1 degree of Virgo this eclipse is within 4 degrees of Saturn, "the taskmaster." We may collectively and/or individually receive serious news. At this time we will look for practical solutions to answers. Virgo represents 'critical thinking.' The focus will be on public health, and jobs, and perhaps healthcare. There may be outbreaks of flu, and other diseases. Employment problems can arise. .We may see new military efforts, and potential shipping and transport related dangers. A foreign dignitary or religious leader or official may make news. This eclipse will emphasize the UK, Cuba, Phoenix, Arizona, Cuba, Iraq,the White House and NASA..
Virgo is further associated with communication and speech (in the USA we certainly have plenty of speeches going on) farmers, crops, food supplies and health care workers of all kinds.
On an individual basis we can make best use of this eclipse by putting our critical facilities to work, as it is a wonderful time to find solutions to problems that plague us all. At the same time we must be aware of a tendency to think in too critical of a manner. It is a delicate balancing act, for certain. It is not a bad time to start a new diet or workout program
Solar eclipses are said to rule the 'common people,' or the masses, and Lunar eclipses are said to rule royalty, politicians, clergy and heads of State. Yesterday, February 19th, CNN announced that Castro was resigning, marking an end to his 50 year political rule of that country.
On February 5th, one day before the Solar eclipse in Aquarius, I wrote, "The eclipse triggers Neptune, the planet of spiritual idealization and creativity. But, Neptune also represents fogginess, confusion, hidden factors, and deception. So, what starts out with the best laid plans can, at the end of the day, fall short due to a dissipation of energy, or energy directed in the wrong area altogether.... financial markets can fluctuate and we may see some unusual weather patterns over the next few days and even weeks."
The evening of the 5th, tornadoes hit the Southern states and as many as 60 people have been reported dead, with many more injured. "Super Tuesday" election results came in, and the Democrats were split over the choice of a candidate for the Presidential Nominee. As the eclipse triggered Neptune, the planet of things that are secret and hidden we have learned that the votes of the people in both Florida and Michigan.. are not expected to be counted. Additionally, the concept of 'super delegates,'choosing a Presidential Nominee is being questioned. And on the 6th of Febuary, the stock market went down several hundred points. And so we see how an eclipse plays out collectively, as well as individually. Good Luck!