As discussed in the last AstroCast, the current lunar cycle called us to delve into the immeasurable unconscious, the home of our darkest fears as well as the priceless unique talents of our psychic being that lay dormant just waiting to be discovered. Simply bringing any discovery into our conscious awareness, being impartial as to whether it appears dark or light, suddenly gives us more options to creatively actualize our potential. Venus, still traveling closely behind the Sun, now forms its exact sextile to Pluto on March 18. This extends the imperative to dig deep with a focus on our personal values. What do we really want to attract into our lives, and what should be let go? The archetypal focus this year, correlating to the active long-term square between Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus, is on finding creative solutions to much needed structural changes so that our turbulent global village can come into greater harmony. Yet this kind of evolutionary transformational process always begins with self. If enough of us value and authentically approach this important work of consciousness raising, the collective will naturally evolve with us.
On March 20 and 21, the Sun and Venus complete their sojourn through Pisces, which archetypically represents universal consciousness. This transition also completes a full cycle around the Zodiac and the point at which we leave behind all that went before – except its precious essence, the seeds of that which we experienced and learned from. Our hearts seem to leap as we cross the threshold from Pisces to Aries. The Sun doing so marks the cyclically significant Equinox, the metaphor of spring, wherein those seeds sprout up from the depths of the nutrient-rich earth. As new life emerges, it inspires us to call out “I exist!” And as we dance around this mandala of the signs and return again to Aries year after year, we could even come to the point of real knowing that “I matter!” We are innately creative beings, birthing all manner of new life in this reality that reflects back to us our own consciousness. Recognizing that and engaging fully in this process of individual development with each successive step through the signs, could bring us to experience the magic and the mystery of life.
The Equinox chart featuring the Sun at 0° Aries, sets the tone for the next three months. In addition to other aspects described herein, the chart also features Mercury, the planet of perception and communication, in the compassionate sign of Pisces, making successive aspects March 21 – 23 to the great Awakener Uranus in Taurus (sextile) and action-oriented Mars in Gemini (square). Mars and Uranus contacts can correlate to increased instability, which can either result in a breakout of chaos or openness to the creative, innovative spark within. The Mercury/Uranus sextile stimulates while the Mercury/Mars square agitates. If we’re consciously working with these archetypes, we may engage in vigorous discourse about the issues at hand, actively seek unusual sources for new information, or experience a sudden flash of brilliance from the realms of our imagination that feels like we just uplinked to the Mystery. Also featured in the Equinox chart is a harmonious trine on March 21 between Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Aquarius. This is an industrious and stabilizing force that unites active information gathering with a vision of a future where pure integrity infuses all our structures for living. With no retrograde planets between February 20 and April 27, the coming few months may feel like a productive time where real progress can be made.
On the world front, we may also feel like the long pandemic winter is finally looking towards the rejuvenation of spring. Extraordinary, intensely focused efforts are finally being made in the U.S. to vaccinate the nation and stabilize the economy in ways that help those most affected by the multiple interrelated crises. However, the overarching archetypal energies in play still indicate a need for restraint and to take into consideration the effects our behavior might have on ourselves as well as others as these measures unfold. Patience is not exactly the strong suit of Aries, which often correlates to reckless actions based on impulsive desires without thought of consequences, especially to others. When Venus and the Sun reach their exact conjunction on March 25, the need to socialize could reach a crescendo, but also the need to love and care for the wellbeing of others. So as the holy days of Judaism and Christianity occur over the next couple of weeks, hopefully our graciousness and creativity will prevail so that we find safe, fun and meaningful ways to celebrate our togetherness.
Furthermore, this pairing of Sun and Venus, called the Superior Conjunction, represents the commencement of the full moon phase of a 19-month cycle that began with their Inferior Conjunction at 13° Gemini on June 3, 2020. At that time Venus was retrograde and we were likely evaluating and examining our values and relationships. The new seed ideas regarding these areas of focus born at that time may now be gaining momentum so we can better see what they are about.
The Full Moon on March 28 marks the culmination of the lunar cycle. The Sun in Aries opposes the Full Moon at 8°18’ Libra. This underscores the cycle’s theme of bringing the unconscious to consciousness with another layer of focus on the relationship between self (Aries) and other (Libra). The question of how to remain true to our uniqueness as individuals and yet still feel the connection with and concern for others can be a challenging one. Coming to know that we matter is really important when engaging with others so that we can express our true nature and even feel at ease when doing so. But also important is understanding the full rippling impact our every thought, word and action has on others around us and ultimately throughout our netted collective.
A tight Mercury/Neptune conjunction in Pisces in effect as the Full Moon unfolds becomes exact on March 29 and initiates a new annual cycle between the archetypes of individual perception and universal consciousness. If we’re open to this idealistic union, it may have the effect of softening our rigid ego façade. That would allow us to perceive ourselves and others with greater compassion. Once the mind is out of the way, we may be courageous enough to face disempowering internal judgements that so often repeat on an endless thought loop. “The simple act of observing without doing anything else doesn’t mean nothing will happen or that we won’t grow,” says Jim Sher. “Oftentimes, the most important discoveries actually begin in the unconscious mind and arise into consciousness as we study or just live our life.”
Also part of the Full Moon chart, Venus and the Sun in Aries are in sextile to Saturn in Aquarius, which becomes exact on March 30 and 31 respectively. As our internal state clarifies in meaning and purpose, it begins manifesting in our outer world. Saturn represents stability, taking responsibility and also ensuring the structures of our life function well for us and those around us. The crisis of the prolonged pandemic lockdown eliminated much of our normal external distractions, which like or not acutely, focused us on the intimate conditions of our life. If we took the opportunity to contemplate what we need to do to change and adapt to a whole new reality, the cardinal, life-renewing Aries energy picking up, supported by responsive Saturn, may lead to the seed ideas generated during the long pandemic winter now sprouting to life.
Thank you Kimberly,
That was a mouthful❣️ I’ve been so looking forward to the Spring Equinox and everything moving into
Aries with more energy and light and fresh air!
I feel like this last year gave us more time to think about what was most important and in my case I wanted to clear everything out including all the stuff in my home! I feel like I’m getting ready for a whole new life and I’m making room for all the possibilities.
Thank you for all your insight??