The potential for military conflict that I explored at the December 21, 2010 Lunar Eclipse is unfolding exactly as expected:
“Eclipses bring matters to a turning point, whether they’re matters of love, loss, financial changes – or conflict…. (T)his eclipse degree is conjunct the fixed star Betelgeuse (27 Gemini), a star associated with both war (Mars) and words (Mercury)…..
Eclipses near Betelgeuse (particularly this one, with powerful Pluto close to the eclipse point) bring tensions to a crisis point not just between individuals, but occasionally between countries or other groups. Often, it’s a square, opposition, or conjunction from transiting Mars to the eclipse point that brings simmering confrontations to a head.
(…) For this eclipse, look to late March and early April, as transiting Mars at late Pisces/early Aries (ruled by Mars) squares this eclipse point, for an activation of this eclipse’s warlike flavor. But though we may not recognize it, there could be an instigating event around February 20, when Mercury, Mars, and Neptune come together in late Aquarius, trine the eclipse point.”
Perhaps inspired by the relatively peaceful ouster of Egyptian president President Hosni Mubarak just days before, demonstrations against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi began on February 14, 2011 and turned violent within days. On February 20, Gaddafi’s son appeared on television to threaten civil war if the protests didn’t end. The demonstrations continued, and Gaddafi responded with increasing violence in the weeks that followed.
On the morning of March 19, 2011, Nato allied forces led by France, responding to reports that Gaddafi was in violation of a U.N. ceasefire resolution, launched an airstrike on Benghazi. At the time of the first air strike, 7:20 am local time, the Sun was at 28.15 Pisces, square the December 21 lunar eclipse points, with Pluto on the Midheaven.
Mars, which I had expected to be the trigger for conflict, was still at 19 Pisces; it will be interesting to see what happens when it reaches 29 degrees at the end of this month.
