Visible Over USA

February 20: Virgo Lunar Eclipse, 2008

Sol in Pisces opposes Luna in Virgo at the second degree. The health and welfare of the common people are emphasized as tax rebates and short-term welfare monies are distributed in an effort to ease the inevitable transformation from a national to a global economy (Pluto in Capricorn). Retrograde Saturn at the sixth degree of Virgo conjuncts the Moon, decreasing the nation's food supply.

This Virgo Lunar Eclipse occurs in the 10th house in the chart for Washington, DC, so political emphasis will be on the working classes, who are feeling the worst effects of the current economic downturn. Retrograde Saturn is trine to Pluto and Jupiter in Capricorn at the first and fourteenth degrees respectively, imparting a strong measure of security as the US government shores up the economic structure using methods that have worked in the past (Retrograde Saturn in Virgo), such as lowering interest rates and creating tax refunds meant to be quickly spent by the working classes.

This Virgo Lunar Eclipse puts an emphasis on health and welfare. In personal, rather than political terms, this could be an excellent time to go on a diet to improve the health. In fact, givng up any unhealthful habit should be fairly easy now.

Pluto at the first degree of Capricorn makes an out-of-sign opposition to Mars in Gemini, so there could be some fighting words at home (Cancer is involved) or in the public sphere (Capricorn). Mars trines Neptune and the North Node of the Moon in the late degrees of Aquarius, as well as the Sun at the second degree of Pisces, which is in a close sextile to Pluto at the first degree of Capricorn, so the friction from Mars opposing Pluto could be considerably mitigated. Mars in Gemini also makes a sextile to Retrograde Saturn conjunct the Moon, giving us opportunities to think of and articulate practical solutions to our currently depressed circumstances.

This Lunar Eclipse could be hard on the emotions (Saturn conjunct the Moon), especially for older people who might feel depressed about their health, or people who are losing their jobs or their homes. Nevertheless, there is a lot of stable earth energy for making necessary changes that could positively affect the health and welfare, not only of individuals, but also of the body politic. (Pluto in Capricorn trine Saturn and Moon in Virgo.)

This chart lacks fire, confirming the idea of possibly depressed feelings for those who are "under the weather."

To avoid depression, make an extra effort to take care of yourself, eat healthfully, and try to enjoy the Aquarian energy in this chart. Venus is conjunct Mercury in the first decanate of Aquarius, and Neptune is conjunct the North Node of the Moon in the last decanate of Aquarius, so there should be some very inspiring, loving and humanitarian spirituality to rely upon for lifting the spirits. Maybe a three-hanky movie could provide the perfect excuse to turn on the waterworks and feel much better afterwards. (Luna at the second degree of Virgo falls under the shadow of Gaia with Sol directly opposite at the second degree of Pisces.)

Map: Visibility of Lunar Eclipse, February 20, 2008