Musings on the Taurus Solar Eclipse May 10th 2013

We have another powerful eclipse this week which peaks on Friday 10th May at 00:28am GMT. This is part of the Taurus/Scorpio eclipse cycle that began in November 2012 and continues until October 2014.

This week’s eclipse at 19 Taurus 31 is close to last November’s eclipse at 21 Scorpio 57 reawakening similar themes. Taurus and Scorpio are at opposite sides of the zodiac but both are solar or New Moon eclipses and synonymous with fresh starts and new beginnings.

During an eclipse the energy’s intensified and whether you experience enforced change and a door closes in your life or you’re the one wielding the sword of power, it often feels like living life in the extreme.

Both myself and my other half are Scorpios so this is a powerful cycle of eclipses for us and I’ve been knee deep in Taurus/Scorpio symbolism over the last few days, sometimes literally. Add to the fact that the Sun and Moon in Taurus are next to Mercury (mind), Mars (action) and the South Node (habits/past) and we’re talking a huge emphasis on one sign. Here’s a quick guide to what Taurus and Scorpio, it’s polar opposite, represent.

Taurus/Scorpio

Taurus is the sign of money, what you possess and own but also what you value in life. It rules food and produce and in it’s highest meaning is synonymous with appreciation and gratitude for all that life has to offer. Ruling the physical world, it’s about savouring the simple pleasures and remembering to stop and smell the flowers.

Scorpio is associated with the metaphysical world and what’s beyond reality. Scorpio wants to go deep into an experience to understand it fully and to live life intensely. It’s the sign associated with regeneration and the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

In black and white terms, Taurus creates and Scorpio eliminates or destroys in order to rebuild from scratch, to wipe the slate clean and begin again so these are powerful signs for eclipse season. Here are some things I’ve been up to recently which fit this Taurus/Scorpio symbolism:

Gardening (Taurus) & Compost (Scorpio):

Scorpios rarely do things by halves and over the glorious Bank Holiday weekend I decided to tackle the garden and spent 12 hours in all weeding and digging over the veg patch. This is Taurus and Scorpio in action. Here’s the process in our house: eat food (Taurus), put veg and fruit peelings and other recyclable waste into the compost bin (Scorpio); months later dig out dark, rich, fertile & smelly compost and dig back into the soil (Scorpio). Plant seeds, watch veg grow and eat gorgeous home-grown food (Taurus).

Hoarding (Taurus) & De-cluttering (Scorpio):

In our society and especially when you have children, it’s so easy to constantly collect and amass stuff. Taurus wants and needs things for the sheer pleasure of owning and possessing them. Our house hit crisis point last week so we have started a major purge and de-clutter. Scorpios know instinctively that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure which is perhaps why I love car boot sales. It feels immensely satisfying seeing the delight in peoples’ faces when they find exactly what they want amongst your unwanted goods. They get a bargain (Taurus), you get rid of stuff (Scorpio) and make a bit of pocket money (Taurus) and it’s a win-win situation all round.

Food (Taurus) & Obsession (Scorpio)

Taurus loves food but with the onset of spring, there’s a trend towards cleansing and juicing. Admittedly I currently have both feet firmly in the Taurus camp (eating) and haven’t yet got round to a spring detox (Scorpio). Let’s just say, I’m considering starting a healthier diet next Monday, excellent timing for this week’s solar eclipse (see below).

I would also publicly like to admit to a recent obsession with Candy Crush on my I-phone and it was only when I read Jo Tracey’s blog on this recent craze that I realised how it fit beautifully the Taurus/Scorpio symbolism. The bloomin’ game is about food (Taurus) for heaven’s sake, removing jelly and bringing ingredients down the screen, and is it an obsession (Scorpio)? Oh yes. Thankfully I’ve already kicked my Candy Crush habit and played my last game yesterday.

What it means for you

If you have Taurus or Scorpio planets between 17-21 degrees, you’re likely to feel this eclipse more powerfully than others. Be alert to what’s happening in your own life and look into the dark shadows to see what can be brought into the light. There’s always the possibility of change with a solar eclipse and it’s a powerful time to create new intentions or let go of stuff that no longer serves you.

Traditionally, it’s wise to wait three days after an eclipse before initiating new habits, new behaviours or issuing ultimatums. Give yourself the weekend to heal, explore, come to terms with change or learn something new and by Monday be ready to swoosh into life again and set out on your new path.

Here are a few quotations that have come my way this week which resonate with this powerful eclipse and may also speak to you. I’ve added star signs where appropriate:

“Nature (Taurus). Cheaper than therapy (Scorpio)”

“If we don’t feel grateful for what we already have (Taurus), what makes us think we’d be happy with more (Scorpio)”

“Today is your day to let go of things that no longer serve you”

“May the sun bring you new energy by day
may the moon softly restore you by night
may the rain wash away your worries
may the breeze blow new strength into your being
may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life”
– apache blessing

 Sending you all eclipse blessings and peace from strife.

[photo from flickr.com]