Solar Eclipses
During Solar Eclipses the Moon is directly between the Earth and Sun (known as a conjunction between the Sun and the Moon). During this brief time the Moon can “block out” the Sun, temporarily turning off the lights, if you will. We have a finite focus as human beings, and it’s natural to concentrate on what’s in front of us. At times, this can limit our perspectives on the world, and even cause us to miss out on opportunities. Solar Eclipses might snatch away the familiar temporarily, forcing us to consider options we would never otherwise explore. Although this can cause temporary upheaval, eclipses are “cruel to be kind.” Major growth can happen during these cosmic power outages. This is when we should leap into new (and generally improved) terrain, even if we feel forced there by circumstance.

Lunar Eclipses
During a Lunar Eclipse, the Earth is exactly between the Sun and the Moon (known as an opposition between the Sun and the Moon). For a brief spell, we can see the Earth’s shadow turning the luminous Full Moon intense shades of reds, browns and grays. According to astrology, Lunar Eclipses give us a glimpse into what Carl Jung referred to as the “shadow self.” We all want to think of ourselves as good, kind people, but c’mon—we’re also human! What we discover about ourselves and others during Lunar Eclipses can be tough to swallow, even shocking. Still, this gives us the opportunity to embrace our wholeness, and see where we have room to grow in new directions. Owning the fact that we have emotions like fear, anger, jealousy and rage is the way to get a handle on them. Trying to pretend we’re Polly Pure or Sam Straightlaced? That’s when our feelings creep up and overwhelm us. If we’re willing to accept the good along with the bad, Lunar eElipses can be magical moments of discovery.

Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipses (2010-2014)

Redefining Travel, Learning & Community
In 2011, the eclipses move on to the Gemini-Sagittarius axis for two years, illuminating the flaws in our educational system and pushing for more alternative solutions for communications and the sharing of information. Gemini is like the hip English teacher who lets us swear during discussions about The Catcher In The Rye. Sagittarius is more like Yoda, croaking out indisputable truths that we almost wish we didn’t ask to hear. Both signs love the art of the written word. Gemini is more apt to Tweet and text, while Sagittarius will send us a manuscript to download on Kindle.

The cry of “content is king!” that was popularized during the late 1990s Internet startup boom could resound again, as Gemini eclipses create openings and advances for creative media producers. New advances in publishing (Sagittarius’ domain) will continue as iPads and Vooks become household accessories. Bad news for print publishers? Only if they refuse to roll with the times. Chopping down trees for paper is soooo last century! (Note to The Yellow Pages: nobody under age 75 uses those things anymore.)

Got a manuscript written or a documentary that’s edited and ready to show? Embrace the opportunities in independent publishing that these eclipses are providing. The way we share data could go through a serious shakeup between 2011 and 2013. Freedom of speech? Freedom of information? The Facebooks of the world have certainly opened new avenues for that, but we ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Legal battles could erupt as social media sites push the envelope on sharing our personal information. Our brains might be too fatigued to read the complex legalese on those “Terms of Use” pages. We pushed those “I Agree” buttons, but now Big Brother is serving us targeted ads when we simply wanted to post a status update.

Enough’s enough! Or is it? Cyberwars could erupt, shining a light on the weaknesses in our online security systems. Firewalls, schmirewalls. A breach could occur, causing an embarrassing or shocking moment on the world stage. Does anyone really know who that guy is in the I.T. Department? How hackerproof are our e-mail accounts, really? These will be hot topics in 2011. (The December 2010 WikiLeaks crisis happened right on the heels of the first Gemini eclipse.)

Sagittarius rules international relations and Gemini focuses more on all things locally grown. Outsourcing to factories in China and India has eliminated many jobs for American citizens. There may be tax breaks extended to companies who keep their assembly lines on U.S. shores over the next couple years. The educational system may shift radically under the influence of these eclipses. As teacher’s salaries veer towards the “just scraping by” range, luring people to this field is getting harder and harder. For those who do devote themselves to bettering the lives of youth, the job is often thankless, or more like doing time in the Peace Corps. Something’s gotta give.  

As 2011 opened, Skype School is already a reality and people are earning degrees and certifications through e-courses. The documentary “Waiting For Superman,” has already begun this discussion with its candid lens into the world of charter schools, and its critical view on teacher’s unions. So for parents looking for a place to enroll their kids in high school, avid bookworms, or students desiring a degree in a brand new field, this year, therere will be less and less need to travel further than our own PCs to accomplish these aims.

Transportation also falls under the realm of these eclipses. We could see more people biking or finding "hybrid" methods of getting around that don't require senseless hours stuck in traffic polluting the environment. Already cities are creating bike-share programs, a trend the eclipses will make into a major boom.