Eclipses ask us to shut down our past behaviour patterns . They try to tell us that some attitudes and beliefs are hampering our growth and need to be discarded. They also offer some general idea about the kind of energies we may have to deal with.

This can be better understood if we look at the aspect pattern of the upcoming  4^th January 2011 eclipse.  The chart for the eclipse is shown here and the positions of points in aspect are given below:  

Readers will notice that Zeus which is square the eclipse is also in sesquiquadrate aspect to Neptune and semisquare to Venus. Since Saturn is conjunct Zeus it becomes an important player. The eclipse is bracketed by Mar and Pluto and right at their midpoint. 

The conjunction of the eclipse with the asteroid EROS clearly connects it with matters of the heart (literally and figuratively). An Eros-Saturn interaction may mean that one may have been too fearful of consequences, pssion may have been sublimated by work or responsibilities.

Venus-Neptune-Eros can be a heart yearning for an ideal or lost love. Fantasy, delusion, disappointment and possible deception (of self or others) may have been  a source for sorrow. Saturn-Zeus …  creativity and excitement (Zeus) may have seemed to be at odds with...one's  age..duties and  responsibilities… .....professionalism...self-discipline and managerial  capabilities (Saturn).  Those of us who have been  living  by  rules and  "what other people will think" may have found it hard to express ourselves freely. 

Saturn-Neptune: If there has been some erosion of  ambition or disillusionment (Neptune) with success or the work (Saturn), drop back a bit  and assess whether you're finding enough "spiritual fulfillment" and  whether the work is the kind you want to continue to do in the future. 

Mars-Pluto containing the eclipse is essentially saying that there is energy available to do what we need to do regardless of the consequences, regardless of who  or what might be standing in the way.     

This eclipse is trying to shut down our behaviours in the areas mentioned above so that we can more freely express who we have become…rather than remain who we were in the past. 

Added on 5^th Jan 2011

Jeff Jawer writing about the Solar Eclipse in Stariq says;

The Capricorn New Moon Solar Eclipse signals a need to shed outdated obligations to make way for more important tasks. Guilt may grow in response to letting go of a person or project to which we feel duty bound but the greater responsibility is to an inner truth where caring for oneself takes precedence over living up to others’ expectations. 

This is essentially the same message as in this post … a need to live out our heart’s desire even if it goes against what others expect of us. 

Ref:

Delineate V2 : Martha Wescott Lang

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_aspect#Sesquiquadrate