PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY April 14 2014 to April 20 2014 Monday April 14 Lunar Eclipse It isn't necessary to see an eclipse to benefit from its healing, uplifting influence. That will come to us all this week. But it definitely is necessary to witness an eclipse with your own eyes if you wish to fully appreciate the rare, spectacular display of natural magic. That sight, all on its own, is auspicious because it bestows upon the beholder an almost life-changing, awe-inspiring sense of wonder. I'll be in Melbourne tomorrow, watching the eclipsed Moon rise over the city just prior to giving a talk. I'll give another talk in Sydney on Wednesday night. The lunar eclipse starts in the early hours of tomorrow morning, Tuesday April 15, with totality lasting from 8.06 - 9.24am (UK time).It is visible from both North and South America. Observers in the western Pacific miss the first half of the eclipse because it occurs before moonrise. Much of Europe and Africa experience moonset just as the eclipse begins. None of the eclipse is visible from north-east Europe, eastern Africa, the Middle East or Central Asia. These are the timings (in local time for the UK): Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 05.53; Partial Eclipse Begins: 06.58; Total Eclipse Begins: 08.06; Greatest Eclipse: 08.45; Total Eclipse Ends: 09.24; Partial Eclipse Ends: 10.33; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 11.37.Time of Greatest Eclipse around the world: Tuesday.Los Angeles: 00.45; NYC: 03.45; Rio De Janeiro: 04.45; London: 08.45; Madrid: 09.45; Perth: 15.45; Tokyo: 16.45; Sydney: 17.45. Tuesday April 15 Eclipse to Eclipse Where an ordinary alignment effectively occurs in two dimensions, an eclipse involves an additional alignment across another plane. These spectacular celestial events tend to come in pairs. And the conditions that create them remain in place between the first and the second. Those of a mystical disposition see that interval as a time when a 'portal of possibility' opens up. They believe that, from today's Lunar Eclipse till the end of April's Solar Eclipse, amazing awakenings can occur and wonderful new options can be identified. Nor is this the only exceptional cosmic event right now. I'll say more tomorrow. The lunar eclipse starts on Tuesday April 15, with totality lasting from 8.06 - 9.24am (UK time).It is visible from both North and South America. Observers in the western Pacific miss the first half of the eclipse because it occurs before moonrise. Much of Europe and Africa experience moonset just as the eclipse begins. None of the eclipse is visible from north-east Europe, eastern Africa, the Middle East or Central Asia. These are the timings (in local time for the UK): Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 05.53; Partial Eclipse Begins: 06.58; Total Eclipse Begins: 08.06; Greatest Eclipse: 08.45; Total Eclipse Ends: 09.24; Partial Eclipse Ends: 10.33; Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 11.37.Time of Greatest Eclipse around the world: Tuesday.Los Angeles: 00.45; NYC: 03.45; Rio De Janeiro: 04.45; London: 08.45; Madrid: 09.45; Perth: 15.45; Tokyo: 16.45; Sydney: 17.45. Wednesday April 16 Omen Corners Last week, I had much to say about the difference between the 'Mutable', 'Fixed' and 'Cardinal' signs. We've now got a major, relatively slow-moving celestial body in each of the Cardinal signs. Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer, Mars in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn. They're not just forming 'vague right angles' to create a kind of cross formation across the circle of the zodiac. They're moving into precise alignment. Rarely have I seen such a strong omen of a 'fresh start' for all who seek one. And it all occurs in a mystical phase, between two eclipses. Thursday April 17 Slow Quartet In over thirty years as a professional astrologer, I have never seen a formation quite like the latest Grand Cross. It is not uncommon for four heavenly bodies to form successive 90-degree angles, dividing the zodiac wheel into quarters. And as signs of the three different 'qualities' are distributed equally among the twelve in the celestial circle, those Grand Crosses have all been 'Fixed' or 'Mutable' or 'Cardinal'. But usually, one or more of the participating planets will be the Moon, the Sun, Mercury or Venus, all of which travel fairly fast. The current quartet are slow-movers. Friday April 18 Grand Cross Some astro-theologists argue that the story of Christianity echoes an ancient celestial mythology involving rising suns and other symbols of rebirth. The biblical reference for the date of Christ's death is the 'Last Supper' which was the Jewish feast of Passover. This celebrates the life of Moses, another special child, 'born to fulfil a prophecy and rescued from death'. And there's an obvious link between Easter and the tradition of honouring the fertility goddess, Ostara, who symbolises the annual rebirth of crops. But the link between all that and this weekend's rare celestial 'Grand Cross' is entirely coincidental. Saturday April 19 Your Week Ahead There's a rare 'Grand Cross Formation' happening now. It involves Uranus making a right angle to Pluto - which, in turn, forms a right angle to Jupiter which, in turn, once more, forms a right angle to Mars, which makes yet another right angle with Pluto! Plot this out on a circle (representing the zodiac) and you can see why we call it a cross formation. And though the fact that this is happening at Easter is entirely coincidental, the symbolism of a cross as a sign of immense challenge followed by the potential for glorious rebirth is definitely appropriate. Sunday April 20 Your Week Ahead - Love Focus Remember, your Love Forecast today doesn't just cover romance. A love forecast may also have something to say about your family life, your closest friendships and even some of your most important working relationships. Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts