Solar Eclipse of January 5-6, 2019

It is eclipse season again, and the first eclipse of this will occur on either January 5 or 6, 2019, depending on where you live. This will be a partial eclipse and will be visible in Japan, Eastern Russia, Northeast China, most of Mongolia, and in the Southwest tip of Alaska.

As eclipses go, this one looks to be a rather mild one, and its influence will be mostly in the business and economic sphere. Let’s take a look at the chart for this Solar Eclipse.

Chart Analysis for Solar Eclipse of January 5-6, 2019

The most obvious thing about this chart is that it contains a heavy concentration of Capricorn. Not only are the Sun and Moon in Capricorn, but Mercury and Saturn are there as well. Furthermore, Pluto is in this sign and is coming up upon the South Node.

This suggests that this eclipse will concern business and other practical matters.

The Fixed Star Vega

An interesting thing about this chart is that the eclipse will occur by the Fixed Star Vega, especially because it will be visible in Japan. Vega is considered a rather magical star, and it is located in the constellation of Lyra, the Harp.

With respect to Japan, Vega is important in the lore surrounding the Star Festival of Tanabata, which on the Western calendar is July 7. On the Chinese calendar, it is on August 7. This celebration is about two lovers Orihime, represented by the star Vega, and Hikoboshi, represented by the star Altair, who are separated by the Milky Way and only allowed to meet once a year. Tanabata is a time for making wishes, writing them on strips of paper, and hanging them on bamboo trees.

Other planets

Of the planets that are not in Capricorn, Mars is in Aries forming a square with Mercury in Capricorn. Venus is in Scorpio, moving into a trine with Mars, and she is also disposited by Mars.

This increases the potential for volatility, and tempers may flare as a result of this eclipse.

The good news is that Jupiter is standing on her own in Sagittarius, showing the way through any difficulties. This seems to promise that with faith and good humor, we should get through this eclipse relatively unscathed.

On the other hand, eclipses are part of families know as Saros Cycles, so it is important to look at the Saros Cycle involved as well as the individual eclipse.

Solar Saros Series 122

The Solar Eclipse of January 5-6, 2019 belongs to Saros Series 122, which began on April 17, 991 and will end on May 17, 2235.

Here is the chart of the first eclipse of this series:

In looking at this chart, it does not seem particularly ominous. It occurred in Taurus, and the Sun and Moon are moving into a square with Saturn. There is a little volatility with Jupiter and Mercury in Aries by the South Node. Pluto is by the South Node, but this was long before Pluto’s discovery, so it really can be ignored.

If this was the chart for a person, I would worry about issues like depression, but in an eclipse chart, it seems to indicate that the eclipse is not very potent….which is a good thing for an eclipse!  It seems to indicate “sleepers,” small seeming events that grow with time.

This series is relatively old, with only a couple hundred years left to go so we can look back at its history.

It has been total only three times, and that was early in its life cycle. None of these total eclipses were visible anywhere that was inhabited. The first one was on July 12, 1135, visible in the ocean a little Southeast of New Zealand. The second was on July 23, 1153, which could only be seen in the ocean South of Australia, and the third, on August 3, 1171, could only be seen in the ocean between Brazil and South Africa.

In looking at the eclipses from this series that occurred in the 20th Century, the events associated with them were not huge compared to other Saros Series. So, this seems to confirm that this coming Solar Eclipse is not a major or scary one.

Thoughts & Recommendations

The Solar Eclipse of January 5-6, 2019 is not a major one, but it could still cause some disruption if one is not careful. Below are my thoughts on the impact of this Eclipse and some recommendations to manage it.

1. This Eclipse will have the most effect on the business and economic sphere on a worldwide level. It is best not to panic or get nervous. Be sensible, but do not let yourself become stingy or miserly or tempted into rash actions or decisions.
2. The people who will be most impacted on a personal level are those with planets or important chart points in the Cardinal Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.  If you are one of the people, it will be especially important for you to stay calm and steady and avoid impulsive actions.
3. If you are in the path of visibility, do your best to avoid seeing the eclipse or letting its light into your house.
4. Hold on to a sense of magic, and do not let yourself be taken over by cynicism. Yes, there are times of setback, and no, this world is not perfect, nor are the people in it. Still, there are many things of beauty and wonder in this world. Hold on to these things, and also remember to count your blessings.