November 13/14: A solar eclipse in opposition to star cluster M34 transformes our social environment, emphasizing enriching exchange and personal value in relationships

November 13/14: Solar Eclipse in opposition to star cluster M34. Eclipses of the Sun represents a task to be performed during the next six months. The moment when they happen only indicate the area in which we must work. All living entities on Earth receive this "cosmic notification", no matter if they are located in the shadow of the eclipse or not. Indeed, despite the dramatic and evocative beauty of the phenomenon, an eclipse is only an alignment between the Sun, Moon and Earth, in which the three celestial bodies are on the same axis in relation to the zodiac or ecliptic. This indicates the start of a new semester cycle. In the beginning of the cycle is contained all the story that will subsequently develop over 24 weeks...

     This time, the alignment occurs in the sign of Scorpio and in ecliptic opposition to an interesting star cluster: M34, an open cluster in the constellation Perseus. The sign of Scorpio is associated with a tendency to deepen, to transform, to regenerate. Meanwhile, M34 is an open cluster or star family with many features that can be activated from the eclipse. The most important of these is that M34 has several double stars, whether only visual (gravitationally unrelated) or binary systems. That is largely the work represented by the eclipse: it is about relationships, the social and the personal formula we have for relating. Scorpio indicates the tendency to go deep, to get to the bottom of relationships and change the rules or patterns of behavior that have proved problematic in recent months.

    Clearly this can match some crises and emotional catharsis. But without a shock, there is no motivation for change. Therefore, it is important to cooperate with the trend instead of taking it as a negative influence. Those who have suppressed their emotions or denied certain emotional reactions will have more difficult to deal with this diving in the depths of the psyche. But those more accustomed to introspection psychoanalysis may even get to enjoy it. But we will all face the possibility of seeing the actual background of our relationships, and this will undoubtedly lead to modify some behavioral patterns that are not working.

     Perhaps the most important one is related to our personal value, and how we handle relationships. If the exchange serves only to put one of the members on a pedestal while the other part is underestimated, the job will  be to balance the nature of the association. Why is this possible? M34 is a cluster that has high metallicity, i.e., chemical elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. This often happens with relatively young clusters, which are formed from clouds enriched with more complex chemical elements  from previous generations of stars.

     The higher the metallicity, the higher the value. In this eclipse, M34 invites us to raise the value of our relationships, increasing self-esteem, properly valuing each person and giving the proper place to our aqcuaintances. The greater the imbalance, the more intense the process, because the effort to correct what is not working is much higher. People who already have built a balanced formula to relate can enjoy an enriching exchange: it is a semester in which we can team up with people who'll bring us good things, while letting go of those contacts that are detrimental or unfair .

     Furthermore, this increase in value can be very important in personal finance: it may involve a diversification of business or revenue. In this sense, the enrichment is not so much in quantity but in quality (although M34 is a rich cluster, with over 400 stars). We can do more with less time or effort, find a better paying job, or just be in the place where one is valued according to their qualities. Obviously, abuse, contempt and excessive convenience will cause widespread unrest in the coming months ... Internationally, the eclipse reveals strategic economic alliances, particularly to deal with the crisis caused by an unequal distribution of wealth. The contrasts between scenes of deprivation and the excesses of capitalism will certainly be seen in social networks, even more than in recent months. The economy will constantly make headlines during this semester...

     But the most important lesson of this eclipse of November 2012 is that union makes strength. If  we mutually reinforce the value of the things we care about, and if there is a real will to improve, corporations and corrupt governments can hardly harm the people of Earth. And if in many cases the imbalance will be visible, it is just to be offset by people united in solidarity. This happens both in the privacy of a home or company, in the streets occupied by people protesting or in a constructive dialogue between civil society and governments, but the important thing is to let it happen. If there is no union, there is no transformation, and if people disperses, it is a kind of betrayal. Over the next six months, choose carefully the associations that represent a real and deeply transformative enrichment.

Carlos Duarte

Research Astrologer