Wendy Cicchetti

Libra Solar Eclipse

The Libra annular solar eclipse is the second eclipse of the season, and is arguably more significant than the partial eclipse, but is still not entirely complete. What marks it as distinctive is the “ring of fire” effect, which makes it very pretty around the edges. Music fans may think of a Johnny Cash song and a possible theme therein of the power of love to transform us. There are different versions of the “truth” about who actually wrote the song and what inspired it [see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Ring_of_Fire_(song], depending on whether you wish to believe Cash’s first or second wife’s story! But that in itself reflects some of the issues of a Libra eclipse.

So does the official, credited co-authorship between Cash and second wife, June Carter, alongside the song being a non-hit when first recorded by her sister, Anita Carter, but more successful when later rearranged by Johnny Cash to include the famous mariachi-style horns for his own recording. This song was clearly a result of collaboration, but with different results on either side of the scale! And with certain people’s truth, and success, “eclipsed” by another’s version.

This is a fair example of what we might expect when contemplating what this Libra ring of fire eclipse might bring. But let’s hope there’s a more amicable way through relationship and business matters, and not too much pain from any flames! Spiritually, fire is often linked with purification, and, at the level of farming efficiency, razed ground is cleared to help with regeneration. So this might be a time when we try to clear away some of the bad (or old) stuff and start afresh.

Mercury is conjunct the eclipsed Sun in Libra, adding to the sense of diplomacy needed to manage certain situations peaceably. But some people may find themselves so at odds with a situation that this place of equilibrium feels out of reach, no matter how they try to square the circle. If so, a possible way forward is to examine what is gained by holding steadfast to a line that seems to stir up trouble, whether inwardly or outwardly. Possibly, we are fueling an inner fire because it provides a useful energy. So the eclipse might well reveal a hidden motive, or help with understanding the complexities of a situation that seems paradoxical or nonsensical.

A square from Mars in Cancer to Sun, Moon, and Mercury, suggests that a hatchet has not been entirely buried, or that the reason this is the case might become more evident. With the Cancerian focus, it could be that blood-ties and inherited issues complicate matters. There is the decided feel of lighting a fuse if we’re not careful!

On the plus side — because there always is one, according to Libran logic — passionate energy can fuel decisive action that puts an end to an argument, too. It may do so in a fairly dramatic way, and perhaps not without loss — yet, just as with the razed field, what has gone was mostly already spent. The focus for the future is on cleansing and regeneration, so that new seeds can be planted.

This article is from the Mountain Astrologer by Diana McMahon Collis