Solar Eclipse in Scorpio

There is something about the centrality of this particular eclipse around the Italian scene which fascinates me. During these weeks filled with Scorpionic intensity, we are definitely stepping into mysterious territory, literally peeking into the underworld. From a political point of view, Italy has just gone through a major political and ideological shift. In fact, we have witnessed the rise of Giorgia Meloni, the new Italian PM, the first woman in that role, and the first far-right leader since WWII. Astonishingly, today’s Solar Eclipse at 2 Scorpio has fallen exactly on her IC. In Eclipse Season: Scorpio – Taurus October – November 2022 I described the angularity of both this New Moon and the next Full Moon (Lunar Eclipse in Taurus) over the Italian territory. I wouldn’t rule out geological events but, as I wrote then, so much more research needs to be done on that topic for us to focus on anything of that sort. Definitely, I have seen connections between eclipse charts and geological phenomena such as earthquakes and eruptions. What is most fascinating is that those lunation charts can be triggered years after the eclipse has occurred.

From a worldwide perspective, I find it interesting that today’s Solar Eclipse has fallen close to Putin’s Ascendant and progressed Midheaven. When Mars and Pluto were parallel in declination earlier this month, we would only hear of a possible nuclear strike. Considering the intensity of this lunar month, that danger is still in the air. In fact, we are now hearing about Russia’s accusations that Ukraine is getting ready to use a ‘dirty bomb’. I am especially interested in how Putin’s progressed New Moon will be playing out. This is a major turning point in one’s life, but the unfolding of any related changes takes months to build up and consequently be digested. In one of Christeen Skinner’s financial astrology workshops, I learned about the Progressed Moon in Declination. Putin’s progressed Moon is going to reach a maximum next year, and that’s another indication of major change, of something becoming critical in his life.

However, in this article I would like to introduce something I have not mentioned before. We may be surprised to find out that the Vatican’s chart (June 7th 1929 commonly used as the foundation of it in its modern form during Mussolini’s Fascism), has Venus at 2 degrees of Taurus. That Venus was eclipsed and triggered before the departure of Wojtyla. However, things never occur in the same way. The chart carries a very symbolic square between angular Jupiter and Neptune in late Taurus/Leo. By Solar Arc Directions, the square is currently on a critical alignment, through next year as well. We should also remember that both Luminaries, which are in Gemini, have been eclipsed in the past months, and they are being triggered by Mars’ retrograde movement this season. These astrological events may suggest an increased need for reforms or some kind of pressure on the Vatican over the next year or so.

There is an interesting detail to take into consideration, though. Pope Francis’ progressed Venus is currently at 2 degrees of Taurus, still within orb of conjunction with the Midheaven. If the reported birth time is correct (17th December 1936, 21:00, Buenos Aires, AR, astro.com), his natal IC is in early Scorpio. Therefore, it has just been eclipsed. Another major transit is the opposition of Pluto to its natal position in the 1st House, combined with the progressed Midheaven approaching a conjunction with natal Pluto itself. At the same time, Neptune is conjunct the progressed Sun in Pisces. His Sagittarian Sun is opposite Chiron in Gemini, and they are both aligned with the lunar nodes. This means that he was born during an eclipse season. Similarly to the Vatican chart, his Sun has been eclipsed a few times over the last two years, and Mars is triggering it now. Can these transits put more pressure on his mission?

There is surely a lot of pressure on him already, from a spiritual point of view. I find it fascinating that he has repeatedly spoken of an ongoing WW3 with vehemence, as well as the fact that he ‘re-consecrated’ Russia in March. The ‘consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ is an act which has its roots in the 1917 Marian prophecy of Fatima. The same consecration was carried out by Popes Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul II. In the second of the three mysteries disclosed to three little shepherds, the Virgin asked for a consecration of Russia to stop evil from spreading. The notorious Third Secret contains a vision of an unknown Pope being killed at the top of a mountain, in the midst of an Armageddon-like scene. A lot of controversy has been caused by the delayed disclosure of the prophecy in 2000, which many allege has never been completely revealed.

As Neptune goes through the last degrees of its home-sign Pisces, we may be working as a global community with whatever bit of compassion is left in our human hearts, regardless of political views, creed or race.