favorably. Those on the places of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or M.C. and on the malefics are,
however, unfavorable influences. Frequently their effects are not felt until some time thereafter,
when another planet, principally Mars, transits over the degree on which the eclipse occurred.
Thus an eclipse-degree becomes a sensitive point for several years after the eclipse has passed;
in fact, until its consummation is attained with a subsequent transit of Saturn over the eclipse
degree. Frequent reference to the following tables in connection with current or past events, will
contribute vastly to an understanding of the major trends that are set into motion by the third
dimension of the Moon's orbit - that which is vertical to the plane, marked midway by the
passing of the Nodes.
The temperature on the Sunlit Full Moon exceeds the boiling point of water, at which time it
emits infra-red rays that are several times more intense than the rays it reflects from the Sun.
During the first five minutes of a Lunar Eclipse the surface temperature falls far below the
freezing point, and the emission of the infra-red rays ceases.
Saros Cycle of Eclipses. The Plane of the Moon's Orbit has an inclination of 5-15 degrees to that
of the Earth's orbit. Two opposite points of intersection of these orbits are the North or ascending
Node, and the South or descending Node. These Nodes regree from month to month, and in
approximately 19 years make a complete circle of the zodiac. In the following tables showing
the nineteen Saros series, since each year one or more eclipses occur at each Node, separated
roughly by half a year, the entire number of from 2 to 6 are listed as belonging to one Saros
Series. Taking as the first of the series the group that follows the passing of the Node over 0°
Aries, there result 19 series - after which each group repeats itself slightly altered.
It should be noted that a Solar Eclipse, caused by the passage of the apex of the Moon's shadow
in a narrow path across the Earth some 70 miles in width, is visible only to a person located in
the path. A Lunar Eclipse, partial or total, caused by the passage of the Moon into the Earth's
shadow, is, however, visible all over the hemisphere that is turned toward the Moon.
If the Moon is at such distance from the Earth that the apex of its shadow falls short of the
Earth's surface, the Moon's body will not entirely obliterate the Sun and a narrow rim of light
will surround the dark body of the Moon. This is termed an Annular Eclipse. Sometimes an
eclipse begins as an Annular Eclipse and then becomes total as the apex of the shadow
approaches the equatorial* regions. This is called an Annular-Total Eclipse. Both are termed
Umbral Eclipses. Where there is an appreciable separation in latitude there results a Partial
Eclipse.
*: Because of its convexity, the circumference of the Earth's surface is some 4,000 miles father
from the Moon than its central position.
Because of the eight-hour fraction of a day, the umbral track of the eclipse shifts some 120°
West at each return; hence on every fourth Saros return (54y 1m) it recurs in the same longitude,
but somewhat farther North or South.
A complete Lunar cycle consists of 48 or 49 eclipses over a period of about 865 years; a solar
cycle of 68 to 75 returns, over a period of about 1260 years. A Saros cycle consists usually of 14
partial, 17 annular and 10 total solar eclipses, and 29 Lunar eclipses - or a total of 70 eclipses.
Eclipse Limits.
When a conjunction of Sun and Moon occurs within 18° 31' from either node, the major solar