Eclipses have been portents of ill fortune for millennia. Many great astrologers have written on the methodology of adjudicating these portents. For our purposes, this methodology can be categorized under the heading Mundane Astrology, the astrology of nations, religions, and dynasties.
For simplicity in this reading, I rely on William Lily’s short book, appropriately titled An Easie and Familiar Method Whereby to Judge the Effects Depending on Eclipses, Either of the Sun or Moon, printed by the Company of Stationers, and H. Blunden, at the Castle in Corn-Hill, London, in 1652. (Lily relies on Ptolemy strongly, but among his sources are the Italian mathematician and astrologer, Guido Bonatti (died c. 1300); the famed Italian polymath, Gerolamo Cardano (1501-1576); the brilliant Jewish-Persian astrologer, Mashallah ibn Athari (c. 740-815); and the great Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi (787-886). Lily offers us a convenient synopsis as well as ample experience.)
The mean time of the eclipse set for Washington D.C. is 2:21 p.m. EDT, 08 Apr 2024. A chart is erected, thus (Solar Fire® v. 9 Regiomontanus Houses, Mean Node):
I. Summary
The eclipse occurred at the 20th degree of Aries, within one degree conjunction with the degree of Exaltation of the Sun (18º Aries). As viewed from D.C. (where the eclipse was not total), the eclipse occurred in the 9th House. Rulership is given to Mars (as ruler of Aries) and Venus (who rules the 10th House, the angle succeeding the eclipse). Venus has more testimony since she has domicile and triplicity dignity at the 10th House (the Meridian Coeli, “MC”, or midheaven). However, Venus is ill disposed in Aries conjunct the 9th cusp. Mars, natural ruler of the eclipse, is peregrine (without dignity) in Pisces and is in partile conjunction with Saturn (the Greater Malefic), also in Pisces, in the 8th House. Mars likely gives better testimony; yet both significators should be considered. The duration of the eclipse, from start to finish, was 1 hour and 18 minutes.
II. Method
1. Who is affected? Where is affected?
2. What is the character of the effects?
3. When will the effects begin? When will they end?
1. Location of Manifestation
a. Places
Since the eclipse is in Aries, Lily says countries under the dominion of Aries are susceptible. Municipalities that incorporated in the hour of Mars or laid the first stone or were chartered with Aries rising, or cities and places that are naturally martial in character (fire and metal works, smelters, refineries, forts, bases, blacksmiths, Chicago, etc.) are also alleged to be susceptible.
The effects are said to manifest more forcibly where the eclipse was visible (i.e., above the Earth), and of those places, where the eclipse ascended (in the first house) or culminated (at or near the midheaven) should be affected most.
Lily says, “Eclipsis in quarto Domo juxta Caeli Imum, validiores quam in octavo vel duodecimo loco, & in prima Domo quam in nona vel undecimal.” Easie, 3 (citing Cardan Seg. 7. Apho. 81). That is, eclipses in the 4th House are stronger than in the 8th or 12th Houses; in the Ascendant, stronger than in the 9th and 11th.
For the nation, the eclipse is in the 9th House. Thus, the effects should manifest stronger than an eclipse in the 4th house, but less strong than were the eclipse rising or culminating.
For meridians where the eclipse is at the midheaven (that is approximately 18º30’ West of Washington) and total, the effects will be most pronounced (e.g., Littlerock, AR, at 92.3º W; Dallas, TX, at 96.8º W; Oklahoma City, OK, at 97.5º W; and places nearby, s.a. Tulsa, OK; especially, Fort Smith, MS) but also as far East as Indianapolis, IN, (86.2ºW) where the eclipse was visible, total, and near the midheaven (approximately 9º passed the midheaven). The patterning of effects should come through these jurisdictions and manifest wherein Mars holds dominion.
Note too that Mexico is strongly signified by the eclipse, from Mazatlán, Durango, Torreon, through to Piedras Negras. This is important from the perspective of the national chart, since it deals with the 9th House (and thus, by extension, inter alia, foreign states and therefore trade).
b. Generally
Lily tells us that eclipses in equinoctial signs (i.e., Aries or Libra) signify upsets to religion. Id, 10 (“[w]hen the Eclips is also in Aires or Libra, there follows Controversies in Religion, or some change or alteration . . .”). Thus, some religious upset could result, particularly made manifest in places subject to the eclipse’s greater dominion. Consider, for example, abortion laws in issue and the places wherein these laws are contested most. Consider also, the trade dispute between the U.S. and Mexico over genetically modified seeds.
c. People
People will be affected in those places the eclipse signifies, to greater or lesser degree. They will be affected according to the disposition of Aries in their natal charts. The effects of the eclipse will manifest to a character determinable by the natal House wherein the eclipsed degree falls. Thus, if Aries falls on the 2nd House cusp, say, impact to income is signified. If on the 10th; status or career. If on the 7th; marriage or partnership (or war or lawsuit), etc. The strength of the effects will be proportional to proximity of the natal House cusp.
People whose natal Sun, Moon, or Ascendant are in 19º Aries will be particularly at risk. People whose natal Sun, Moon, or Ascendant are in opposition to the degree eclipsed (i.e., at 19º Libra) or in quartile aspect (i.e. at 19º Cancer or Capricorn) are also at risk. People with the degree eclipsed on or in opposition to their natal 8th cusp should also take pause. Id., 16.
Finally, Lily tells us that when the Sun is eclipsed in Aries “in the second Decante, or from 10 to 20 degrees, it brings some King, Prince, or eminent officer to Prison or restraint of Liberty, it adds sorrow and danger of Death unto him . . . .” Id., 18. Relying on Ptolemy, Lily observes that eclipses “in the Mid-heaven,” affect “Regions, Kings, and people of middle age.” Id., 38.
d. Animals and Plants
Aries is matutine and vernal. As such it is associated with production. Thus, “they affirm if an Eclips appear in Aries, it produceth great alteration in fruits, as in tender Vines, corruption in Fig trees.” Id., 17. And “the milder creatures or Beasts show losse and damage in such like beasts as are usefull for man, according to the reason of the singular shapes, forms, and figures thereof” – hence sheep, cattle, livestock. Id., 9. “Commonly the Eclips is prejudiciall to the ayr and the present season. In the Spring it destroys the growth of such herbs as spring out of the earth, and the budding and blossoming of trees.” Id., 10.
Thus, certain natives with Aries prominent, kings and prominent men (probably by virtue of the eclipse to the Sun at its exaltation), people in middle-age generally, fruit, wines, juices, and livestock are likely to be affected, according to the tradition.
2. Emergence and Duration of Manifestation
Lily tells us to take the duration of the eclipse in hours and turn it to years. Id., 35.
The eclipse lasted for 1 hour and 18 minutes. This translates to 1 year and 3/10 of a year (109.5 days) for the duration of the effects. From the date of the eclipse (April 8, 2024), then, the effects should end on or around July 26-27, 2025.
Lily tells us that, for eclipses in the 9th, 8th, or 7th House, the effects begin to manifest in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th month after the eclipse and that the effects will be most pronounced around the second Trient (third of the time allotted to the eclipse). Id., 5. Thus, according to this method, the effects should be palpable by early-to-mid-September 2024, (September 9, 2024), increasing in intensity through mid-February, 2025. Thereafter, things should diminish, ending latter July, 2025.
3. Character of Manifestation
Eclipses are generally associated with ill fortune. However, where the benefics i.e., (Jupiter or Venus) rule the eclipse, the effects can be positive (or at least, expansive). There is usually some sort of obscuration, however, some sort of removal, even while growth may result. Since we have Venus as a co-ruler in this chart (albeit in a lesser dignity than Mars), we need to bear her testimony in mind. However, in detriment and disposed by Mars, her ability to assist is diminished.
a. Eclipse in the Fire Trigon
First, the elemental correspondences of Aries. “Eclipses of the Sun or Moon in the fiery triplicity, doe declare the death of Heards both of great and small Cattle, the banishment of some great King, Prince, or eminent man, or his imprisonment or beheading. Amongst the vulgar people, or men of somewhat better quallity, it excites enmity, jarring one with an other, much dissembling with each other, the motion of some great Army or Company of men, horrible Wars, slaughter of men, thefts, murders, many towns or places depopulated, women suffering by Abortions, sharp Feavers, strange apparitions in the ayr, Epidemicall diseases by reason of scorching heat; scarcity of fruit especially in those Countries which are subject unto the Sign Eclipsed, admirable mutation in many things.” Id., 16.
b. Mars as Ruler
“If Mars be the onely Lord he causes generally destruction by reason of his drought. But properly among men he raises Wars, inward seditions, the taking of Cities, destruction, tumults, rebellions, the indignation of Princes towards their subjects, and for that reason unexpected slaughters. Moreover, he induceth burning diseases, tertian Agues, eruptions of the blood acute diseases, violent deaths, and that especially of young men. As also combustions murthers, impieties, injuries violence, rapine, robbery. The constitution of the ayr will be extream hot, causing hot, pestilentiall and corruptive blasts; There will be also great droughts, thunder, and flames of fire fall from heaven: At Sea unexpected wracks by reason of tempests and thunder-bolts; Rivers and Springs shall be dried up and especially the waters necessary for drink shall fall and all other things usefull and necessary to man, Cattell, Plants and Fruits will be corrupted, partly by excessive heat, partly by showres and ill winds. And those that are layd up for to be preserved shall be destroyed by Fire.” Easie, 40.
“When Mars alone shall obtain the Government of an Eclips, he generally is the cause of corruption in regard of his too much dryness, and this especially when he is in a fiery Sign. When the Events appertain unto men, he stirs up Wars, Seditions, intestine risings, and tumults, imprisonments, banishments, besieging and taking of towns and Cities, popular tumults, frowns of Princes upon severall of their Subjects, divers principall men suddenly arraigned, condemned and beheaded; moreover he portends Tertian Feavers, acute diseases, corruption of blood, or infirmities by breaking or stretching the veins, violent, untimely, and the sudden deaths of young men; he inclines Kings and Princes unto tyranny, violence, injuries and injustice; the Souldier to the firing of Houses, to Man-slaughters, Rapines, Thefts, Robberies on High-wayes, Law-Sutes, Duels. In the ayr he stirs up extraordinary soultry blasts and great heat, hot pestilent winds, pestiferous and infectious, thunder, lightning, whirl-winds, immeasurable droughts. In the Sea he occasions impetuous storms, and denotes sudden and violent shipwracks by reason of inordinate blasts, &c. In Rivers he lessens or dryes up the streams, and drains the fountains dry, corrupting all waters, causing putrefaction in them; he occasions or more naturally signifies scarcity of grain, and of all such things as are produced or grow out of the earth, either causing untimely heats whereby nourishment sufficient cannot come to maintain the Root, or destroying the tender grain by unseasonable dry blasts of wind ere it be mature, and by Mildews, &c. Usually he excites mens minds to great rashness and fool-hardiness, provoking to Duels, to all manner of evils, as thefts, murders, &c. Great dissension amongst kindred, much undutifulness in children, yet many times it foreshews amongst Mechanicall men, some rare or admirable man produced to light.” Id.,13-14.
c. Venus as Ruler
If Venus be the onely Lady, she generally doth the same as Jupiter, but with more beauty. But particularly as to men, she causes Fame, Honours, Joy, fortunate Marriage, off-spring, and it goes well in all things, and as is desired; She encreases the substance, and generally she denotes, a chast and pious institution of humane life, and holy things receive the honour and veneration due to them. Between Princes and their subjects there is an unexpected familiarity. There will be an excellent temperament of the Ayr, a humid and precious constitution of winds; and generally the Ayr will be excellently temperate, and pure, and there will be many showres, but fruitfull. A prosperous and profitable Navigation Rivers will be risen because of the plenty of showres; and there will be plenty of all the creatures, and fruits which are usefull to man.” Id., 41.
“Venus generally in all things is like unto Jupiter, and produceth such like effects, with a certain kind of gracefulness; Peculiarly she gives renown unto men, honour, cheerfulness, plentifull years in the fruits of the earth, or great increase of all harmless living creatures, delightfull marriages, numerous issues, firm friendships, constant Leagues, increase of mens estates, cleanliness in diet and manner of living, reverence, obedience and conformity in Religion, mens bodies are sound and lusty, little needing Physick, much unity and good correspondency betwixt the King and his Subjects, a perfect understanding betwixt the Magistrate and the vulgar people. In the ayr she stirs up temperate blasts of wind, moyst and fructifying, no unpleasing weather, or troublesome tempests, serene fair seasons in all parts of the year, very pleasing moystning showrs, succesfull Navigations, gainfull and advantagious to the Merchant, safe for his own person, wholesome for the Mariners. In Rivers, it notes their gentle Inundation, and pretty swellings without harming any thing, not destructive or violently breaking forth, plenty of all manner of working-Cattle, and abundance of all sorts of fruit growing forth and out of the earth, great store of Wine, Oyl and Figs; in generall, its the fore-runner of a quiet peaceable time upon earth, I mean in those Countrys where the Eclips is visible.” Id., 14-15.
d. Consideration to Planetary Disposition and Interaction
“But when they are mingled together among themselves according to the variety of the Aspects and Signes, as also in relation of their positure to the Sun, they do conveniently vary their actions, and from their severall Commixtures various qualities doe arise.” Id., 41-42.
The natural qualities of the planets are not isolated, but intermixed. Interpreting a chart requires synthesizing the general rules to perceive symbolically a movement between these extremes.
III. Prognostication
Trump’s legal troubles intensify, come September or as late as February his freedom may be curtailed. He may be physically imperiled. Already the litigations tether him. It gets worse: His supporters are riled up. Drought in summer causes a week harvest, especially overseas. There are hot, searing winds. Imports of fruit and fresh vegetables decline. Fires rage in the mid-west and south. Fuel prices increase. Economic recovery reverses under rising food and energy prices – the common people are impacted most, yet the downturn may be overlooked or underreported. Dispute over abortion rights magnify. Women are angered. Trade suffers, especially south of the border. Immigration turns violent. The seas boil.
Disease may come to livestock, and the people may be sickened by it. Fisheries may be endangered. Both candidates are threatened. Do both decease? With Mars in the 8th house, considering his age, the office of the Presidency may be vacated early, between September and February, giving Harris a short term.
Then, she may remain.
Period of intensity: September to February.
Presidential Election? It’s hard to tell from this chart, but the chart is definitely significant of the election (the election falls right in the key time period of the onset and intensity of the effects portended, and the eclipse in Aries afflicts the Sun (natural significator of rulers) and the 10th House of government is ruled by Venus (co-ruler of the eclipse) who is disposed by Mars in Aries). There’s a three-way resonance – Jupiter, Venus, and Mars – and the significators are somewhat tangled together. Trump is often signified naturally by Mars. So it seems like he is the worse off for it. It’s hard to say, but from this chart (reserving the right to reassess!) I’d estimate that Biden clinches the election. The question is whether he is around to take the office. Harris may take it under § 3 of the 20th Amendment.
Additional considerations: There also appears to be signification of fire at sea. Another oil rig fire? Or a tanker or boat? Strong hurricane season. Fish kill. Definite concerns over livestock and sickness.