ECLIPSES.
Solar and Lunar eclipses are prominent features in Mundane Astrology, for they indicate most important and far-reaching events, and their period of influence extends over some considerable time. The figure for each solar eclipse should be erected for the time of the ecliptic conjunction of the luminaries, and that for each lunar eclipse, for the ecliptic opposition, and not for the time of central eclipse. The times of the ecliptic conjunction and opposition are those of the New and Full Moon.
Eclipses have most effect in those countries where they are visible, and more especially where they are on the meridian at the moment of central eclipse. They also affect the countries and cities ruled by the signs in which they are placed.
In eclipses of the Moon, it has been found that the effects commence almost immediately, but in those of the Sun it has been generally observed that some months elapse before the greatest effects appear, and also that the greater or lesser effects of each eclipse will be in proportion to the magnitude of such eclipse, or, in other words, the more total the eclipse the more powerfully will it operate upon the earth and its inhabitants. Also, that eclipses which are invisible are found to have no peculiar or perceptible influence over that region, city, or country in which they are invisible.
The united observations of Astrologers in every age and every clime confirms this opinion, and the student himself can easily prove it.
In Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos, we find the following rules laid down in regard to eclipses.
“In all eclipses of the Sun and Moon and especially in such as are fully visible, the place in the Zodiac where the eclipse happens is to be noted; and it must be seen what countries are in familiarity with that place… and, in like manner, it must be observed what cities are under the influence of the sign in which the eclipse happens, either by means of the Ascendant and the situation of the Luminaries at the time of their foundation… Whatever countries or cities shall be thus found in familiarity with the ecliptical place will all be comprehended in the event, which will, however, principally attach to all those parts which may be connected with the identical sign of the eclipse, and in which it may be visible while above the earth. ”
Further it has been found that the effects of eclipses falling in the Fixed signs (♉, ♌, ♏, and ♒) will have a very lasting effect; those that are formed in Cardinal signs (♈, ♋, ♎, and ♑) will be brief and soon over, while those that are formed in Common signs (♊, ♍, ♐ and ♓) will commence sooner, and last longer, but that their effects will be liable to interruption, that is to say, they will continue, for a time, suddenly cease, and then commence again.
Now as regards the effects of eclipses, the sign position is first to be taken into account.
1. Eclipses in Fiery signs. These threaten the destruction of cattle and sheep, exile or imprisonment or murder of some king or notable person, or great ruler. Much discontent and dissension among the people. Movements of armies, fighting, fires, fevers, pestilence, and scarcity of the fruits of the earth, especially in those regions affected by the eclipse.
2. Eclipses in Earthy signs. These foreshadow a scarcity of corn and products of the earth by drought, and cause earthquakes, mining disasters, and great agricultural depression.
3. Eclipses in Airy signs. Famine, sickness, pestilence, and tempests and stormy winds hurtful to mankind.
4. Eclipses in Watery signs. These denote much mortality among the common people, great destruction of fowls and fishes, and such things as live in or near the sea.
The strength of the planet ruling the sign in which the eclipse falls should be considered, and its position in the figure of such eclipse duly noted, for the significations of this planet will principally appear.
Thus, if Mars rule over the sign in which the eclipse falls, and is placed in the eighth house of the figure, it will denote some grievous calamity, causing many sudden and terrible deaths: if in the sixth house much sickness, if in the third many terrible railway accidents. The same with the other malefics. When the benefics rule over the place of the eclipse, the effects are better, but much depends upon the strength of the ruling planet.
The effects of eclipses are spread over a long period in proportion to the duration of the eclipse. If a solar eclipse, then the effects will last as many years as the eclipse is hours in duration. Thus the total eclipse of November 1 st, 1910, lasts 4h. 35m., equal to four years seven months. If a lunar eclipse, then the effects will last for as many months as the eclipse is hours long. The lunar eclipse of November 16 th, 1910, lasts for 3h. 14m., equal to three months seven days. It is not altogether certain whether this period of duration means from the date of the eclipse, or from the commencement of its effects, but it is more probably the latter.
Several rules are given in regard to this matter, and experience alone can best decide which are correct. Cardan says, “To know when the effects of an eclipse will begin to be felt, take the distance of the rising of the luminary to the middle of the eclipse, or from the middle of the eclipse to the next rising of the luminary in hours and minutes. The proportion of time the length of day may bear to the year in the case of a Solar eclipse, and the proportion of time the night may bear to the year in a Lunar eclipse, will show the proportion of the year due to the interval obtained. ” Ptolemy says:
1. If the eclipse falls in the eastern horizon, the effects will manifest themselves about the next four months, and most strongly will operate during the first third of such period.
2. If it falls in the midheaven, the events thereof will begin to appear from the fourth to the eighth month following the eclipse, and the chief effects will happen during the second or middle part of that period.
3. If falling in the western horizon, the effects will appear from the eighth to the twelfth month, following the eclipse, and the chief effects will be felt in the last part of that period.
The most reliable rule, as far as experience goes, is to calculate the time of Sunrise or Sunset from the middle of the eclipse, and reckon this time at the rate of one day for every four minutes, or 24 hours to the year.
In the next two chapters are given the effects of solar and lunar eclipses when falling the three decanates of each sign. These observations have been handed down to us, and have been found to be very reliable, if not entirely so.
It should be observed here that a decanate is the third part of a sign, and consists of ten degrees. The first decanate of a sign extends from 0° to 10°, the second from 10° to 20°, and the third from 20° to the end of the sign.