The eclipse degree of 19º24’ Cancer is of significance in a number of mundane maps. In my view, significance of the eclipse as indicative of major change or of important events in the political entity concerned, is to some extent a function of the role that this degree plays in the relevant map. If one of the luminaries is present at this degree, this would be more noteworthy than Pluto, all other things being equal. But it is one of the perennial frustrations of studying astrology that all other things are never equal.

We have been discussing the issue of what chart works best for the USA in our Facebook and Myspace forums over the last couple of days. This topic is a point of heated debate in the astrological communinty and many astrologers have devoted much of their careers to wading through the many options. Many articles and books have been published on the matter, each describing how a particular horoscope for America fits transits from major historic events, the philosphy behind the date for a particular chart, and the interpretation of these charts.