The word is that solar eclipses happen every twenty or so years. This means the last one I would have experienced in my lifetime was probably around 12 years of age. I don’t remember any such craze as I have seen with this solar eclipse. Then again I was a child so maybe I just wasn’t aware.

The craze around this solar eclipse however, is not odd. Given the shift in planetary consciousness that we are experiencing, more and more people are turning their attention towards the stars, towards the profound, towards the mystical. It is a great time to live in, and still many people are refusing this pull towards a more spiritually oriented way of being. This is understandable, since change is uncomfortable; yet it is still inevitable.

There have been many theories as to what the solar eclipse means. Some religious folk claim it is the sign of the “end times.” This is a myopic view that fails to understand that nothing truly, ever, ends; at least not in the grand sense of the word. At the more minuscule sense of the word, things end, only because we cannot perceive – or are unwilling to accept – what comes after.

Some others claim that this will herald in the arrival of the aliens, or a portal opening to an alternate dimension. In case you haven’t realized. The aliens have already arrived and portals to alternate dimensions open every day.

I am of the belief that most things in our perceived universe simply mean whatever we allow them to mean. Life itself is meaningless, unless you attach meaning to it. The natural phenomenon in our Universe are no less subject to that rule. Therefore, I have chosen, to lead a life that believes in the animation of all objects, both physical and non-physical. This is an ancient perspective, that is referred to as ‘animism’ in modern times. A word used to denote the customary beliefs of most indigenous peoples around the world.

I have chosen this belief because it brings me into deeper connection with all things around me, which I see as a benefit. I feel in my heart that this belief is good for me. In addition, my questioning mind is satiated by the scientific proof that supports this belief as a plausible notion. The scientific evidence yielded by quantum physics revealing that all material, changes behavior in response to conscious perception, tells me that all atoms – including their subatomic parts – are conscious, living, beings. We are, and live within, fractal units of consciousness.

This being the case, the earth, moon, and sun are also, conscious entities. These beings have a dedicated task, of maintaining a specific cycle of rotations and revolutions through three dimensional space in order to manifest the process of time. The earth, moon, and sun come into approximate alignment every month with the coming of the new moon. They set into perfect alignment during solar or lunar eclipses.

If we want to study meaning of natural phenomenon we must look into the universal language – symbology. It took me a long time to grasp what was meant by symbology as language. With time, and practice, of exiting my main mode of thinking in words and instead replacing with feeling and raw sensory perception, I was able to start to grasp the intelligence behind symbology.

Let’s look at the symbology of the Sun. The Sun brings us light and warmth. Both things necessary for sustaining Life. During the light hours are when most perceptible beings are active and working. The Sun allows us to see far. The sun is that planetary unit of consciousness that allows us to go outside and have something to experience day to day. Plants and other people, but, it blocks almost everything that lies beyond it. When the sun makes its appearance, it dominates the sky. It shines so bright, and so hard, that no other stars can be seen beyond it. It takes center stage, “all eyes on me.”

If we refer to the Hermetic principle of , “As Above So Below” it teaches us about this fractal nature of consciousness. This fractal nature of consciousness shows how the macro-universe is a reflection of our micro-youniverse. Our planetary system is a unit of consciousness that reflects the nature of the beings that inhabit it. Each of the planets, and each of the sentient beings that inhabit these planets are reflections of the macro structure. Therefore, there is a Sun within each of us, both physically and spiritually. The best way to grasp the quasi physical-spiritual nature of this Sun quality within us is by studying our psyches.

There is that part of our nature that can nurture everything around us, it can shine light on problems both for ourselves and for others. It is big, it is noticeable, you might forget it’s there but you will certainly not forget about it if it suddenly disappears. All the other planets in our nature revolve around this one aspect. It takes center stage, but participates in a give-receive relationship with all these planets. “You watch me and I will watch you.” This is what the sun says to each planet, and because the Sun is steady, always on time, always predictable. The planets yield to its power and accept its offering of Life and Light.

Because of this symbology, western astrologers and alchemists have likened the Sun to being The Ego or the Outward Personality of the Self. In an age where ego has become such a bad word, it is prudent upon us to study the Sun in order to come to a better understanding of what ego really is and how it can be healthy when harmonized with the rest of our planetary system. Notice, the sun does not stay in our face forever, it disappears for a while everyday to allow us some rest from its fire. Notice that it does not demand every planet to stick to a specific position, or for each planet to come as close to it as possible. It treats every planet according to its needs and nature. The sun moves, and simply for it being the powerful star that it is, the planets are compelled to move with it.

The Moon. The lantern of our night sky. Our guide in the darkness, for most, but not all of the lunar cycle. For several days a month it leaves us in the dark while we block the sun rays from reaching its surface. When our material needs block the ego from influencing our subconscious wishes, then we can truly go into the dark. The night time, a time for deep reflection, also a time for treachery, where evil deeds can go unnoticed, straying from the beaming eyes of the all seeing sun. The moon witnesses us when our ego is gone. When we are “defenseless.” When we are that being that exists when there is nothing to give, only to receive. This can be a vulnerable spot, and difficult to navigate, but not impossible. We still have the night stars in the sky. Beings that we did not know were there when the Sun was around. But now that the Sun has gone, wow, all those beings, watching over us, that we did not even know were there. And wow, pay attention, the longer you look at them, the more appear. Seek and ye shall find. The Moon brings forth messages from the subconscious. Messages of mystery rooted from intuition.

Notice that the moon periodically enters the Sun’s domain, but the Sun never interferes with the Moon’s domain. If the Sun were to enter the moon’s domain, night would simply cease. It does not work the other way around. When the Moon enters into the territory of the day light sky, I see that as the moon asking to be heard. When the Moon comes and blocks the sunlight right in the middle of it doing it’s job, it is not suggesting to be heard, it is demanding to be heard.

What is the Moon telling us? Put down your outward personality for just one second. I know it’s time for work and doing the thing that makes you who you are, but just pause for one second and take a look at me. Remember that I also have the power to stop everything. What are you giving your time and attention to? Is that who you really are? Who Are You?

The Sun allows the Moon center stage to speak for a period of time. We should all Listen.

In conjunction with the rest of the planetary bodies visible during this eclipse. We can gather a larger meaning from the message. Something that perhaps can show us where we have been and where we are going.

We can mark the precession of the equinoxes by looking at the constellation in which the sun rises at the beginning of the year – the spring equinox. We are currently reaching the end of the Pisces constellation, slowly moving into Aquarius. Using this direction, from East to West, from Aries to Pisces to Aquarius, we track the planets positions during the eclipse.

Uranus was the most eastward planet lying in Aries. Uranus is cold and windy, with 13 rings and 28 moons. It spins on an axis that is oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to its revolution around the sun. It does not follow the norm, and for this reason the planet Uranus is said to represent eccentricity, rebellion, and overall thinking that is outside the box. Placing this planet in Aries, the “I Am” sign, signals a bold declaration of and claim to your eccentricity and unconventional ideas.

West of Uranus we find Jupiter, also lying in Aries. Jupiter is a large gaseous planet with volatile storms and high pressures that are constantly creating new materials. It is the biggest planet in our system, 11 times larger than the Earth and claiming a wealth of 95 moons. It spins on an axis only 3 degrees off its plane of revolution. This planet represents expansion, new creation, and abundance. It asks us to be confident in ourselves, trusting in the plentiful resources the universe has to offer us. The placement of this planet in the sign of Aries is another claim to step boldly forward in that which identifies you as truly you. The Core of Your Being.

Next in line we have the planet Mercury. The messenger of the Gods. It is the smallest and fastest moving planet. With a slow rotation of 59 earth days but a fast revolution of 88 earth days. It experiences both very hot and very cold temperatures ranging from 800 to -290 degrees Fahrenheit. It has no rings and claims no moons for these would slow it down, it is solely concerned with the transmission of information. On this ecliptic sky, Mercury was lying directly above the solar eclipse, on the same line of 235 degrees, only slightly higher in altitude by 6 degrees. This shows Mercury being extremely active in conjunction with the energy of the solar eclipse. Being the planet concerned with intellect, communication, and mind, its placement in Pisces above the eclipse is calling us to pay attention to the signs. It is asking us to apply intellect to the mystical depths of our own waters. Use the mind of a scholar and the body of a fish to swim deep and rise back to the surface with a clear communication of what you have witnessed.

Chiron the asteroid, lies directly west of the solar eclipse. The wounded healer observes and tells us there is medicine to be found inside this dynamic of Piscean-Ecliptic energy.

Venus is next, still within the large Pisces constellation. She is the hottest planet in our system and the brightest in our night sky. It is no wonder the old Europeans named her after their most beloved goddess. Her days are almost as long, if not longer, than her years. She asks us to live in the presence of our sensations. To appreciate the beauty and luster of life. She has been associated with art, love, relationships, and harmony. While digging into the transformative power of the solar eclipse, pay attention to those sensations that bring harmony to you. What do they mean for you in the backdrop of the two fish?

Next is Neptune, the trident, the god of the sea, sitting in his throne of Pisces directly west of the goddess. Neptune is extremely dense, composed of gas, liquid, and ice. Whether the liquid is hot or cold, or if there is ice or just a small block of rock is still up for debate. The planet is covered in thick gas. It has five rings with 16 moons. It is symbolically associated with deep mystical intuition and the dreamscape. Together with the other planets in Pisces, Neptune being the ruler, we see there is a grander message about the Piscean energy that is important here. The eclipse of sun and moon, mercury sitting on top, chiron on the side, with venus and neptune sitting below. The spirit of the medicine man (chiron) is watching over you, mercury is asking you to take the challenge to extinguish that which you thought you were for that which you really are. Tune into the harmony and beauty present in your deep intuition and dreams and you will find the key.

We now end the cycle with the two last planets above the horizon. Saturn and Mars. Saturn is the famous ringed planet and also the infamous malefic of astrology. The rings represent the constraint it places upon us, it makes limitations aware to us, makes them real. Traditionally touted as a bad thing, but it is actually a great thing. If we don’t know where our limitations lie, then how can we cross them? How can we push them? Limitations challenge us to grow. Only a victimized mentality looks at limitations as something to be concerned about. This is now where the Mars energy comes into play. Mars represents conflict but also pure determination and will with a driving passion to fuel it. These two planets lie 1 degree off each other in near conjunct. Together, they are sending a clear message through the sign of Aquarius. There is a deeply humanistic and inventive future lying ahead of you but it can only be yours through courage and application with persistence. Through all obstacles that may present themselves, push forward forthrightly in a state of default aggression. Discipline is Key.

Notice, I make all these interpretations of symbology based on the way I perceive it. This message is for me, not for you. However, because we both come from the same source, and we both bleed the same blood, it would not be odd if this message also applied to you. This is how symbology both universalizes and distinguishes each human experience.

So no, there was no cataclysmic event (at least not yet). No one was raptured into the sky (at least not that we know of). But the collective conscious of North America paid enough attention to receive a message that will have its ripple effects.

The planets cast spells on the psyches of those that choose to pay attention.

And even if you don’t pay attention, the moon will still make the tides rise.