**Times where noted are for the Pacific Time Zone.
**Degrees where noted are rounded to the nearest whole degree.
Anyone paying attention to the world news doesn’t need a reminder that the next pass of the Uranus in Aries/Pluto in Capricorn first quarter “crisis of action” square is heating up. Ukraine, anyone? Between Russia’s saber rattling in its former state and many other countries experiencing major civil unrest, brutal sectarian fighting and/or economic hardship, the current global intensity exposes the nature of this epochal aspect that is working to force change in places where entrenched, dysfunctional systems are not aligned with the planetary galactic goal. Perhaps devolution will win a battle or two, but the power of evolution ultimately will triumph. Juggernaut Jupiter is amping up the astral configuration from his position in Cancer, forming a T-square that will be exact in April, and joined by retrograde Mars to form an urgent, gotta-get-something-going cardinal grand cross. With all this archetypal energy insisting on movement, there is probably a lot of frustration in certain corners of the globe at the unseen forces of Mars and Saturn’s recent retrograde turns that seem to be inhibiting clear forward movement. Perhaps these calibrated planetary movements are just giving us the space and time for more preparation – to see where we are fearful, to see where we are self-serving – and to do some re-calibrating of our own to be in alignment with the amazing growth opportunity headed our way. Two sign changes during this period bring the archetypes of water and air to the fore and leave only Pluto in an earth sign making this period less about practical, material manifestation and more about perceiving and feeling our way through the choppy currents.
Venus takes to the skies when she enters airy Aquarius on March 5th. Segueing from the traditional to the avant-garde, Venus here loves her freedom and supports the uniqueness of her friends and lovers. Commitments to others may seem burdensome to her under the rebellious Aquarian influence, especially after spending four very long months in serious, grounded Capricorn where the business of relating was emphasized. Hopefully, however, she will retain Capricorn’s sense of responsibility and not cut all ties entirely in the pursuit of unfettered expression in her dealings with others. Ideally, she’ll use them to build robust networks of contacts, celebrating each individual as they unite in one purpose to advance humanity’s march to a more egalitarian future and protest against anything that threatens her revolutionary goals.
On March 6th, Jupiter in Cancer turns direct, becoming the fourth planet to reverse course within a week. Saving the biggest for last (following Mercury on February 28th, Mars on March 1st and Saturn on March 6th), the planets’ collective purpose is to reset the stage. Sending vibrations that disrupt the status quo, they keep us on our toes so we are more easily moveable in their cosmic play. If our consciousness plays the director of this mise en scène, and moves the actor in us down stage center, we could stare into the eyes of our galactic family out there in the audience and declare our intent. This is no time to be shy! For those of us with stage fright, may we find the courage to act in the face of it. Fear can be a great teacher when it is acknowledged rather than ignored. How often is it that when we expose our fears, the very act has the astonishing effect of minimizing them, making us wonder what all the fuss was about to begin with? The planet of faith turning direct may re-activate our enthusiasm for life and give us the boost we need to take the helm of our ship and steer through the potentially tempestuous cardinal grand cross.
As discussed in recent AstroCasts, Mercury has been in an extended conversation with both Saturn and Mars due to his retrograde that ended last Friday. He will make his third and final performance as the go-between during this period, squaring Saturn in Scorpio on March 10th and trining Mars in Libra on March 14th, challenging our ability to alternate between the forces of stop and go. The difference this time, is that both Mars and Saturn are now retrograde themselves, so we may be revisiting the overall theme of these aspects in slow motion: serious mental muscle. Thinking and acting carefully and deliberately can be quite effective in realizing our desires.
In between Mercury’s go-between dance, the Sun in Pisces trines Saturn in Scorpio on March 13th, bringing practical intuition, sensitivity and an enhanced ability to manage whatever challenges are at hand. A spiritually infused will and deeply committed discipline align harmoniously to enrich earth activities, especially if they are of the joint venture or artistic collaboration variety.
The stabilizing Sun/Saturn energy carries right into the Full Moon on March 16th. The Power of a Dream is the theme of this lunar cycle, which began with the Pisces New Moon a couple of weeks ago. Aligned with Jupiter in Cancer, the New Moon was imprinted with a Big Picture outlook. Now the Virgo Full Moon aligns with Saturn in Scorpio to reveal a realistic approach to implement our dreams. The Moon in Virgo, with her attention to detail, will help us bring our imagination down to earth. This annual opposition represents the archetypal principles of spirit and matter, of the macro and the micro. Whereas the Pisces Sun delights in the mélange of energies all sparkling in the same cosmic bubble, the Virgo Moon prefers everything to be clean cut, precise and well defined. The challenge is to find the balance between them. Can we let go of our need for definition and find order in a world without boundaries? Can we see the Divine in the simplest of temporal manifestations, the proverbial grain of sand? One thing these polar opposites do have in common is the desire to serve. With Virgo’s refined sense of purity and Pisces transcendent compassion, working together they become a dream team.
Adding a voice to the Full Moon’s dream, Virgo’s ruler Mercury enters Pisces on March 17th. Our thoughts and manner of communicating may take on a highly visual style as a plethora of images stream through the Pisces filter. Under this influence we may also find it easier not only to sense what others are thinking but also to see beyond the façade deep into their soul and thus make more inspiring and profound connections. The challenge is to be able to see the soul and at the same time maintain a sense of realism about where the other is coming from, which may not be as soul-connected as our idealistic impressions would have!
That acceptance of other regardless of their state of being should be easy due to a sextile between Venus in Aquarius and Uranus in Aries that becomes exact on March 18th. This is the archetypal signature of Free Love! Anything goes in relationships, the more bohemian the better. We may suddenly look for experimental experiences in art and relationships and be attracted to anything that sparkles with the energy of innovation. Freedom and the space to operate without strings are favored at this time. The gift this relatively brief aspect gives us is a little distance to be able to see our own value and the unique contributions we bring to our alliances. We would do well to remember that as we head into the unpredictable times ahead.
Here’s the data:
March 5th: Venus at 0° Aquarius at 1:03 p.m.
March 6th: Jupiter stations direct at 10° Cancer at 2:42 a.m.
March 10th: Mercury square Saturn at 23° Aquarius/Scorpio at 11:14 p.m.
March 13th: Sun trine Saturn at 23° Pisces/Scorpio at 2:16 p.m.
March 14th: Mercury trine Mars at 26° Aquarius/Libra at 9:17 a.m.
March 16th: Moon opposite Sun (Full Moon) at 26° Virgo/Pisces at 10:08 a.m.
March 17th: Mercury at 0° Pisces at 3:24 p.m.
March 18th: Venus sextile Uranus at 12° Aquarius/Aries at 12:00 p.m.
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