The Catastrophic Eclipse of the Real Estate Bubble
2008-02-01

By Lloyd A. Wright, AMAFA

A total lunar eclipse occurred August 28, 2007, 6:35 a.m. EDT, Washington, DC. Saturn and Mars, two of the most malefic planets, create the most chaos when they are conjunct or opposition a total eclipse of the Moon or Sun. For example, there was a total eclipse of the Sun on June 21, 2001 at 0 Cancer 10. On September 11, 2001, Mars moved into an opposition to that solar eclipse at approximately 1 Capricorn 28. You know what happened. The fiery planet Mars did its job. Saturn is not only devastating when it comes to eclipses, but can have a negative influence on everything it touches, causing much loss and despair. Yet, Saturn can be beneficial under favorable aspects from other planets.

The negative effects of eclipses can be magnified by bad aspects from other planets. When the eclipse occurred, Saturn afflicted the Moon by an opposition of five degrees. The Moon was at 4 Pisces 46 with Saturn at 29 Leo 21, an opposition. The Sun was 4 Virgo 46, and Saturn was 29 Leo 21. As if that is not destructive enough, Jupiter was square both components of the eclipse, the Sun and Moon.

The Sun square Jupiter, according to The Astrologers Handbook by Sakoian and Acker, “. . . signifies ill-considered extravagance in self-expression. The natives want to accomplish too much too fast, without sufficient discipline or forethought.” Sounds like the irresponsibility of the sub-prime loan real estate bubble? It is interesting to note that Jupiter, planet of big money, is afflicted in the fourth house of homes of the eclipse chart.

The Moon represents the public. Since the matter at hand is the total eclipse of the Moon, its effects should be pervasive and endemic. With the Moon square Jupiter we have, according to Sakoian and Acker “. . . an aspect of emotional stress. There is a tendency to be foolishly generous by befriending people who have a good sob story; often these natives lose money as a result. Generosity is a noble virtue, but it must be tempered with discrimination in order to accomplish good results.” Sounds like some components of the sub-prime fiasco.

About Moon opposition Saturn, Compendium of Astrology by Rose Lineman and Jan Popelka says: “This aspect indicates rigorous emotional restraint. These people instinctively withdraw from other persons and situations that affect them emotionally. They fail to reach out in the areas influenced by the Moon and Saturn; they lack the imagination to broaden the scope of these activities. Subconscious inhibitions place severe restrictions on the development of Moon-Saturn interests. These people are serious, stern, austere and unemotional. Materialism and worldly ambition are strong motivating factors.” Will this attitude delay or speed the market’s return to normal?
Mars is afflicted in the tenth house in opposition to Jupiter and square Uranus. Mars is a malefic in a destructive aspect to Jupiter, planet of money. According to The Astrologers Handbook, “If Mars is afflicted in the tenth house, there is a temptation to use unfair means to gain power or position. A bad reputation and sudden reversals in fortune can result when the wrongdo- ings are exposed. Mars afflicted in the tenth house can cause extreme material ambition 1eading to a disregard of human values, if other factors in the horoscope do not supply these values. In extreme cases there can be a desire for power at any cost regarding career and ambition.

Mars afflicts Jupiter in the fourth house, which rules real estate, property and homes. According to The Astrologers Handbook, “This opposition produces extravagant tendencies, especia1ly with other people’s money. Often the natives appear to be outgoing and friendly, but as a rule this attitude only serves their own interest—often their holy crusades are designed to promote their own material well being, their sense of importance, or both. This aspect does not favor speculation, and partners or business associates should be chosen for dependability. The natives are prone to boast and exaggerate their own importance. They often acquire reputations for wastefulness and unreliability.

Some of the planets in the first, fourth, seventh and tenth are part of a grand square. It looks like the proverbial Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a.k.a. pestilence, famine, war and death. Did this real estate bubble burst precipitate a catastrophe of this nature? Time will tell.

Prior to the eclipse the real estate market, et al, reflected stability. I began to wonder when Saturn, that planet of doom, would be conjunct the Sun, opposite the Moon, possibly setting off a tumble in the market. The Moon rules the public and their homes; Saturn rules their land and rea1 estate.

I noted that Saturn, which was at 29 Leo 21 at the time of the eclipse would move within one degree opposite the lunar eclipse on October 24, 2007. On that date the market began to plummet. I began to wonder how long this market drop would last and observed that Saturn would be within a five degree orb of the total lunar eclipse until approximately August 15, 2008, almost a year from the date of the plummet.

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