Jan. 4 Solar Eclipse

The Jan 4 partial solar eclipse at 14 degrees of Capricorn belongs to the 1280 year Saros series 151, and appears somewhat important for the US(7/4/1776) as it aligns with the natal Sun-Saturn square, during the nation's 8th Saturn return. Moreover, the first eclipse of Saros 151 which set the basic tone of this series occurred Aug. 14, 1776, shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

From United States

The Jan 4 eclipse in Capricorn is square it's lord or ruler Saturn- planet of accountability and responsibilities. So generally speaking, this eclipse is a reality check of sorts, regarding our national or personal long term goals and objectives. But also on Jan. 4, Jupiter and Uranus conjoin for the final time(3rd of 3), and this aspect suggests a more hopeful and future oriented outlook, that's open to new and exciting possibilities. So whatever 'beginnings' this eclipse is seeding or foreshadows, it seems to carry both an energy for increased focus, along with a drive to forge ahead into new uncharted territory, with the potential for sudden breakthroughs.

Astronomically- the solar eclipse occurs at the Moon's North or Ascending Node, and is visible from much of Europe, North Africa and central Asia.
Solar Eclipse map
Astrologically, the eclipse on the Midheaven in Baghdad, may indicate that the structural integrity of the Iraqi government may be under duress, or at least subject to restructuring, in the first half of 2011.

From Asia & Mideast

Image: Eclipsed Earth- August 11, 1999

From Images 108

This quote from astrologer Demetra George on eclipses is illuminating; "From a psychological perspective, when the light of the mind and consciousness(Sun) or the instinctive wisdom of the body and emotions(Moon) is blocked, something else that is normally under restraint emerges unimpeded. Consider the analogy of robbers who prefer to do their work at night under the cover of darkness. Eclipses can allow us to access that which has been concealed or repressed- what Jung called the shadow. This encounter with the hidden and rejected contents of the unconscious as is refers to either the solar mind of the lunar emotions can bring a person to integrate the unknown with the known, the dark with the light, the past with the future. This is the potential inherent in the encounter of the two lights perfectly aligned in conjunction or opposition at the places of the lunar nodes, with the opposing pole being the possibility of breakdown or disintegration of the psyche.

Tibetan Buddhist spiritual traditions hold that the energies during eclipses are greatly magnified, and propose that the end results of the good or bad actions that are done during an eclipse have significantly larger-than-usual ramifications in the life."

****************Quote of the Day****************
"It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognized." ~I Ching