Hi Steve; I saw an intriguing video on YouTube last summer showing how the so-called ''eclipse of the Century'' (the very long-lasting TSE at 30 Cancer, tightly conjunct the South Node at 1 Leo)impacted the charts of various countries. One of those was Iran. I'm not sure if the eclipse was on the Midheaven, Ascendant or perhaps one of the natal planets in the chart for Iran. Anyway, Mars' direct station at 1 Leo on March 10 will be the first major transit to this sensitized degree area since the TSE of July 21/09, so I dare say the days and weeks leading up to March 10 could see some major developments along the lines of what you are suggesting. My natal (Uranus-)Jupiter is right there, in the last degree of Cancer, and I recall that the TSE at the very same degree on July 22 1990 triggered big changes in my own life. Thanks, Elizabeth

Been noticing the comments about birds and omens. Well . . . On Christmas eve early morning, when I was driving to work, a red tail hawk was flying along with my car for about a mile before he turned and went another direction. Made me wonder, what could that mean. We were heading due East. I have seen hawks before, but one has never flown with me before. What do you all make of that?

Hawks are majestic powerful creatures. In Native American culture- I think they are seen as a link between the physical and spiritual worlds.

A New Year message fom me-1) Happy New Year to Steve and all the good people who visit this site- and this year has seen new friends for me emerging from this site too- which is fantastic 2) New Years greetings to the people who sent derisory messges a few weeks ago advising me when I commented about the crass materialism of a 21st Xmas to:_ "Get off this planet, the same people also assumed quite wrongly that I read the Guardian, and someone else compared my Xmas tree to a metal rotary drier- let me say this "May I wish you all that you wish me for the New Year-i.e ""Get off this planet""- I am very happy inhabiting planet earth thank you,( -there has been a new planet discovered recently about 40 light years from earth- might be worth looking into ) And may I also remind you that this site is for intelligent discerning people.....

Dear fellowtraveller; its a bit difficult to read omens on such little info but the way you say you've seen hawks before it seems likely that this is one of your power animals. I would read this as at least protective and given the lack of neg. emotional content in what you say I would take it as a +sign. I note it was early am -new beginnings, and you were also travelling east symbolic of birth /intellect /ditto, plus red is a solar colour and one of good luck and action means it all feels very ace of wands to me (thats auspicious) unfortunately you also left out which direction the bird went off in, so its difficult but either way I would say the good fairies are with you. What does the colour red mean to you ? Depending on your work situation (where you were going) or if a key person is pregnant this could be highly pertinent: what were you thinking or worrying about at the time?

PS Dear Steve I thought the eclipse was at 29 deg. cancer - a critical degree

Hello to the person who responded - The hawk was flying on my right side and when he left, turned south. I live in a rural area and hawks, eagles, owls are frequently about. However, as I mentioned, none has ever flown along side of my car like that before. I was going to work, (am a therpist) and having some challenges with co-workers. Very new young beings with no honor and disrepectful of patients and older co-workers. In others words, emotionally immature.

Dear Hawk person: In that case the hawk was in very protective mode taking the sword position with you at the back. Just becos you live in a rural area doesn't mean you will notice hawks but you have;lots of people miss things. I think this makes it clearer that the hawk IS a power animal for you at this point in your life-I suggest you look it up,but as its a predator on your side its a good one. Work struggles are hell but red is nature red in tooth and claw here and its on your side. Eagles are another predator look them up too. Owls are the goddess (so as a healer she's on your side) but they bring wisdom and keen observation as skills to focus on. Red is also Mars' colour so the fact he's Rx at the mo' means anyone starting a fight now will lose. When did this power struggle start? I suggest you start unobtrusively keeping an observational log of events/remarks etc. so that you can either take this up the line next spring if you still need to, or use it to defend yourself if people throw false accusations at you. Get a diary esp. for the purpose. South is the direction of summer,fire,and action and its colour is also red. Pele is an excellent fire goddess to ask for help and protection from these folk, and I suggest you light an orange candle to her and thank her for protection given so far and (only)for more to enable you to go on healing people. If you are female dedicate it also to Artemis (a protector of women and goes well with the hawk). As the owls are Athena see previous you can ask her for wisdom 3 candles would be good if you want. I suggest a red candle for the god, and Cerne the hunter as an appropriate one; visualise yourself inside a protective circle and that any attacks or malice pings off this sparkly metal ring to fall into the earth harmlessly to all. South is"you must take action to protect yourself" softly softly catchee monkey re diary but talk to someone too - without starting a fight. Bullying is supposed to be politically non-correct these days. The old ones are with you.

To the person responding to the hawk question: Thank you for your insight and advise. I do keep a journal and will continue to do so. Again, thank you and have a great New Year to one and all!!