AstroCast: March 20 - April 6, 2014

**Times where noted are for the Pacific Time Zone.

**Degrees where noted are rounded to the nearest whole degree.

The Spring Equinox on March 20th is the moment the Sun bursts into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac.  All things new are associated with the inaugural fire sign – new life, new experiences, new growth and ways of being.  Familiar Aries archetypes are the pioneer and the warrior, exploring and conquering new worlds.  New life bursting forth can feel violent – imagine the tremendous amount of energy required for plants to germinate from a seed and break ground, compelled by the Sun and its life-giving force.  So tremendous is the transformation that it completely forgets its roots, where it came from.  The Sun here also takes on the qualities of the innocent new born with no memories or learned behavior to hold it back from just doing what it has to do – live.  The courageous Sun in Aries is all about fearlessly living in the moment with a clear sight on what he wants.  He yields no space in his mind for second thoughts of consequences or repercussions that inhibit the impulse to act.  The Sun’s ingress into this energizing “Just do it” fire sign shifts the balance of the elements somewhat from endings to beginnings, but the dominance still belongs to soft, emotional water with Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune all submerged in the sensitive seas of all three water signs – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.  Sheer will power gives the Aries Sun the competitive edge even though his current status is somewhat an underdog – Aries’ ruling planet Mars is retrograde in Libra focusing his attention on others, thus diverting it away from his natural state of self-determination.

Although the Sun has dried off from his dive into Pisces, Mercury and Neptune are still swimming there contributing to a general mood that is not quite ready for the exuberant rites of spring we all jump into as the perfect antidote to the barren times of winter.  Additionally, Mercury during this period will aspect all the other planets in water signs, as well as heavyweight Pluto.  Our manner of perceiving therefore remains in the undertow of Pisces, keeping our thoughts and communications immersed in the mysteries of the deep, equipped with rose-colored glasses to keep our focus diffused and perhaps a little idealistic.

Mercury conjuncts Pisces’ ruler Neptune on March 22nd, intensifying the theme of non-linear, non-logical thinking.  That Piscean undertow is exemplified on earth by the profound mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, reports of which, however intriguing, have been confusing to say the least and are surely inspiring various conspiracy theories, fueled by the Malaysian government’s apparent withholding of information as well as inconsistent and sometimes contradictory reports.  A simple definition of mystery is something we don’t understand.  We don’t have enough data to piece together a hologram in our mind about the essence of something.  Our experience is not broad enough to come up with a clear picture.  Something is missing, maybe a lot.  Pisces, which governs worlds unseen, is the sign that rules mystery.  Our physical senses cannot begin to comprehend Pisces’ domain of the vast existence of everything on this planet and beyond our universe, of which we are most decidedly not the center.  Mercury aligning with Neptune has the potential to move beyond the confusion that is so common to those of us who are used to thinking in linear, logical ways, but to find clarity we need to let go of the deep-rooted mind of facts, figures and belief systems.

Mercury trines Jupiter in Cancer on March 26th, sextiles Pluto in Capricorn on March 27th, then trines Saturn in Scorpio on April 2nd, highlighting issues of expansion and faith, secrets and espionage, authority and consequences. Let’s hope it also opens a few intuitive pathways in the minds of those from the 25 countries who are tasked with the unprecedented search of the nearly three million square mile area to find some answers from the families or organizations involved.  Perhaps a revelation or two will shake loose in the form of previously unreported information related to the disappearance of the plane with 239 people onboard.  Neptune figures prominently in the chart of the flight indicating it may remain mystery for some time.

On March 29th, the competing forces of stop and go influence the relationship scene when Venus in Aquarius trines Mars in Libra and squares Saturn in Scorpio.  Interpersonal matters may experience a pleasant burst of energy that ordinarily would flow rather freely and encourage individual expression, but boundary issues may arise to test our level of commitment.  The best way navigate through this obstacle course of affection is to pay attention, to be present in the moment to know when and how to express love.

The drive for self-determination surges at the Aries New Moon on March 30th.  This annual meeting between the Sun and Moon in independent Aries is particularly forceful as it is aligned with the tight T-square between Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn.  Freedom will be the word on everyone’s lips and discernment may be in short supply, as the uber compelling nature of the energies at play will resist any restraint.  Lunar cycles are great times to set intentions for what we want to manifest in our lives.  If ever there was a time to really focus on that, this is it.  The line up of powerful aspects during this month’s cycle includes both the Sun and Mercury translating the T-square, which becomes exact on April 22nd, and a lunar eclipse on April 15th. This is volatile but also filled with the potential for exciting breakthroughs.  The New Moon chart pattern is a bucket with a handle.  Jupiter as the handle acts as a kingpin of opportunity.  The Sun square Jupiter, which becomes exact on April 1st, will challenge us to find the courage to embrace a larger vision for ourselves.  The Sun conjunct Uranus in Aries, exact on April 2nd, should give us the revolutionary spark to awaken what is unique within us.  The Sun’s square to Pluto, exact on April 3rd, connects us with the taproot of power and the potential to reveal anything deep within us that must be exorcized in order for us to gain the freedom we desire and deserve from our own internal prisons.

With all this intensity, the planets in water signs should help us stay in touch with our feelings through this period.  Venus takes the compassionate dive into Pisces on April 5th, bringing the total to four planets in water signs.  Taking relationships to a higher level, Venus here has the ability to sense the sublime qualities of her friends, lovers and associates, sometimes to the point of not being able to see the reality of their nature playing out on earth.  If she can reign in her idealism and impulse to express love in an all consuming way, she can avoid disillusion and simply let her spiritual grace and ultra refined artistic sensibilities shine.

Here’s the data:

March 20th:        Sun at 0° Aries at 9:57 a.m.

March 22nd:       Mercury conjunct Neptune at 6° Pisces at 1:16 p.m.

March 26th:        Mercury trine Jupiter at 11° Pisces/Cancer at 6:11 a.m.

March 27th:        Mercury sextile Pluto at 13° Pisces/Capricorn at 10:30 p.m.

March 29th:        Venus trine Mars at 23° Aquarius/Libra 12:05 p.m.

                           Venus square Saturn at 23° Aquarius/Scorpio at 2:14 p.m.

March 30th:        Moon conjunct Sun (New Moon) at 10° Aries at 11:45 a.m.

                           Moon conjunct Uranus at 12° Aries at 3:45 plml

April 1st:             Sun square Jupiter at 12° Aries/Cancer at 12at 12:40 a.m.

April 2nd:            Sun conjunct Uranus 12° Aries at 12:08 a.m.

                           Mercury trine Saturn at 23° Pisces/Scorpio at 8:02 p.m.

April 3th:            Sun square Pluto at 14° Aries/Capricorn at 2:19 a.m.

April 5th:            Venus at 0° Pisces at 1:31 p.m.