August 1st Solar Eclipse
  August 1 was a total solar eclipse! A solar eclipse is a New Moon that  really packs a punch! The Sun that gives us life and lights our path is joined briefly with the dark and mysterious qualities of the Moon. The Moon blocks the light of the Sun. In this moment of perceived darkness, spirituality and the psyche combine anew, beginning another cycle in the spiral of our personal development. . A solar eclipse is only possible during the new moon phase, when the Moon's shadow can be cast on Earth. During the full moon, Earth's shadow can be cast on the Moon, resulting in a lunar eclipse.
  Eclipses do not happen at the new and full moon every month because, for most of its orbit, the Moon is above or below the ecliptic plane -- the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun. Only when the Moon's orbit crosses through the ecliptic plane, can the Sun, Moon, and Earth align to produce an eclipse. This occurs at least twice a year, at varying times, for a period of a few weeks. During such seasons, there will always be a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse. Occasionally, the three bodies also align at other times of the year, producing up to seven eclipses in one year.
  While Eclipses are common, a total eclipse is rare!  A  total eclipse happens about every 1.5 years and is visible only along a very narrow path and lasts only moments while a lunar eclipse can last up to 3 hrs!

  The last time there was a solar eclipse at this same degree of Leo was in 1674; the next one will be in 2027. However, there were previous eclipses near this degree on July 31, 2000 and August 1, 1943. Think back to the personal themes in your life at those times and review the progress of your personal growth.
  Eclipses bring change; solar eclipses signify beginnings and usually manifest as events in the outer world. At solar eclipses we: begin something new, make promises to ourselves, commit, announce, present ourselves, show up, make plans, select events, make decisions, rise to the challenge, make an effort, change, mature, take on greater challenges, travel at a faster pace, feel restless, feel pressured by deadlines and a buildup of emotions, experience a crisis and feel excited.
  There are two kinds of solar eclipses. North nodal eclipses have a personal orientation and symbolize personal identity, ego and the physical body. South nodal eclipses are other-oriented and symbolize a spouse or significant other, relationships and new perspectives based on interaction with others.
  Aug 1st was a south nodal eclipse, and suggests that we are being called to use previously learned skills and talents in new ways and that the opportunities to do so will come through our relationships.
  This eclipse took place in Leo -The tarot card associated with the sign of Leo is Tarot Key #8 - Strength. Strength is Force of character! Spiritual power overcoming the material powered by the Sun, Love overcoming hate and the higher nature over carnal desires.  Leo represents the heart and solar plexis.
  The impact of eclipse energy can be felt by everyone as much as 3 months in advance and has subtle reverberations for as long as 3 years afterwards. the energy can be especially felt  a week before and the week after! the effects can last up to 3 years as the events created during this period unveil and infold.  Eclipse periods are extremely active, often associated with meaningful events and public exposure.
If your birthday falls around Jan 29, Feb 27, Mar 14 or 29, Apr 29, May 30, Jun 15, Jul 1, Aug 1, Sep 1 or 17, Oct 2, Nov 1, Dec 1, your experiences now will have impact lasting three years. Expect to see current themes begin to develop ambitiously on their own next January. A full understanding of the impact of this period will take until the end of 2008 to unfold.

Info for this lesson from Teachers Domain, NASA, Wikipedia,