Author: Amelia Shea

“When we dance with Mars, we enter the realm of fire, where qualities of boldness, courage and forthrightness are forged. In spring, Mars’fiery spirit quickens and emerges from the frozen earth.” Caroline Casey

“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” Irish proverb

When I was a teenager and learning to drive, I had a friend who had an old station wagon that had belonged to his grandmother. It mostly ran fine but had one problem which she had unsuccesfully  attempted to fix over the years she owned it.

When the car was at a stop  and you pushed on the accelerator, the car wouldn’t respond at all. And then suddenly, unpredictably, it would lurch forward.

This could present, as you might imagine, a problem in stop and go traffic. But my friend seemed to manage it as his grandmother had done before him.

We are moving into a time in April that may feel a bit like driving or riding in that car. This week Mars, the fiery planet of courage and action, will enter his own sign of Aries, joining the Sun, Saturn/Naptune conjunction and Chiron.  By April 15 Mercury and the Moon will have moved into this action oriented sign.

On the eighth, Mars will sextile ( a favorable alignment) Uranus. This is a very dynamic combination and there can be a desire to break free of limitations. Uranus at this time will be at the antaretic degree – 29 degrees – and this can give a sense of urgency. In the old texts it was correlated to the culmination of karmic events.

This stellium of planets energizes the house in your chart where Aries is on the cusp.This represents a sudden shift in energy from the planets that kind of  languishing in Pisces.

If you have been feeling stuck in some area of your life, this month would be a good time to harness Mars’s energy and courage and move forward. Patience and perseverance will be helpful partners.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is “A teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

“there is a
moon sole
in the blue night.”  e.e.cummings

“We all shine on,
Like the moon and the stars and the sun.” John Lennon

The Moon waxes full Wednesday April 1 at 10:12 PM EDT.The Moon will be at 12 degrees of Libra, the relationship sign. The Libra/Aries axis is about the interaction between personal autonomy and partnership.

The Moon is widely opposing Neptune at this time indicating a good time to keep strong boundaries as this duo can have an addictive side to it. Under this influence, things may not be as they seem – it’s wise to keep pragmatics in the picture when making any decisions.

The Moon will also be squaring Jupiter indicating that feelings may be exaggerated.

Venus, newly in Taurus will be squaring Pluto, indicating a time that deep feelings can arise, particularly about love lost, stability and security. If so it’s wise to remember that Pluto is associated with the phoenix and the idea of “rising from the ashes.” There is an opportunity for processing  difficult or painful things on a deeper level and coming to a new understanding.

The Moon card in Waite’s Tarot  deck shows a large full Moon lighting up the landscape. A crustacean is climbing out of the water headed towards a path which rambles off into the distance. Two wolves – one on either side of the path –   bark at the Moon.

The crustacean symbolizes the process of evolution – going from a sea creature to a land creature. But the wolves signal a warning .The idea behind it is that in the process of personal evolution, if there are circumstances  that seem unclear or confusing, the crustacean can always go back into the water and wait for a better time.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A flock of wild geese.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

“An adventure, Gandalf says, is a ‘there and back again’ affair. A quest is a calling – never one’s own desire – No guarantees.” Robert Westminster

We recently crossed the threshold to the Spring Equinox when the Sun at zero degrees entered the sign of  Aries. We are in the season of beginnings as Aries is the sign that starts the astrological year.

Zero, too is the number of the Fool card in the Tarot deck. This card, which depicts a free spirited vagabond or gypsy, is the only card in the Major Arcana (the higher cards in the deck) that evolved down into our current playing card deck.

In A.E. Waite’s deck, the Fool looks like he is happily on his journey, his possessions on this back and accompanied by a small barking dog. His is holding a white rose which symbolizes his pure intention and courage.

He looks upward, seeming not to see that he is about to step off a very high cliff. The dog, symbolizing the senses, barks in warning. But when the Fool walks off the cliff, he turns into the Magician and flies.

Early Aries season presents good time to clarity your  intention and strengthen your courage and trust for the journey ahead. It’s wise to be open to the future twists and turns and anticipate help from unexpected sources.

The week starts off with Mercury conjunct the North Node at 8 degrees of Pisces, Do be aware of any information that surfaces about your life path for the next few days.

The Sun is moving up to a conjunction with Saturn  and sextiling Pluto this week. This alignment bodes well for stepping into your personal power and  authority. Organize to make way for the new.

Venus will move up to a conjunction to Chiron this week at 25 degrees of Aries – a good time to consider where you are on your journey towards  inner wholeness.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A seer gazes intently into a crystal ball before her.”

 

 

 

“In Just
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloon man

whistles far and  wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it’s
spring

when the world is puddle wonderful.” e.e. cummings

We are entering a busy time of change astrologically this week as we welcome in the Spring. The Vernal Equinox, when the Sun enters the sign of Aries, is Friday March 20  at 10:46 Am EDT.

Later that day – at 3:33 PM EDT -Mercury will station direct – ending the  fleet footed messenger god’s retrograde motion. Mercury will station at 8 degrees of Pisces. The Sabian symbol for this degree is “Light breaking into many colors as it passes through a prism.”

At the time of the station, Mercury will be conjunct the North Node. It’s wise at this time to think carefully about decisions – particularly decisions about the future -and to pay attention to information that arises through intuition or through interactions with others, that seems to be significant or worthy of consideration.

Mercury in Pisces is soulful and  visionary and indicates a good threshold time to envision a healthy, sustainable future for our small planet.

“It’s a very small planet, but so very beautiful. “Robinson Jeffers

“At the entrance to the New York harbor stands a feminine statue that portrays the Cancer type so very well. The protective, yearning, sustaining power is Cancer at its best.” Isabel HIckey

Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion has been retrograde since November 11 2025 and will resume forward motion tonight – March 10 at 11:29 PM EDT at 15 degrees of Cancer.

If you have been wanting to expand the horizons of your life, this planet, which  throughout the ages has been associated with luck and good fortune, will  be helpful with the process.

Under this influence, increased awareness may surface about the past, family issues or issues, in particular, with  the mother. There can be significant personal growth in these areas as a result.

Cancer also rules the public and mass consciousness. The  direct  motion of Jupiter may increase the public’s feelings and activities that are directed at  protecting  the vulnerable.

Venus will be forming a harmonious alignment with Pluto at this time. This influence gives power and support to  the process of personal transformation. It can help with letting go of ideas or beliefs formed at a  younger age which no longer seem appropriate. Relationships that start under this influence can have a magnetic quality and have a deep and passionate nature.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, :” A person studying a mandala in front of them, with the help of a very ancient book. ”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

“Behind our existence lies something else that becomes accessible to us only by our shaking off the world.” Arthur Schopenhauer

“There is a door.It opens.Then it is closed. But a slip of light
stays, like a scrap of unreadable paper left on the floor.” Jane Hirshfield

In ancient times Mercury was known as a “message bearer” and there were often statues of Mercury at the crossroads pointing the way.

The fleet footed messenger planet is now retrograde and will meet the Sun tomorrow- March 7-at 16 degrees of Pisces. This alignment known as the inferior conjunction,  occurs in the middle  of the Mercury retrograde transit.

It is wise now to raise awareness for moments of increased clarity and new and significant  perceptions that may  arise.

This influence  is in effect for a day or two before as well as after the conjunction.

 

“Eclipses make and break patterns.” Eric Francis

Tuesday’s Lunar Eclipse is at 12 degrees of Virgo at 6:38 AM EST. The effect of Eclipses can be felt in advance as well as after the actual event.

There is a good opportunity now, to identify old patterns that are hindering future growth and choose other options. There is support for this process from the spiritual world as the North Node will be conjunct Venus.

The North Node with Venus in Pisces indicates the way forward is with love and compassion. The sign of Virgo can be healing and discriminating, but the shadow side can include pushing yourself too much or demanding perfection of yourself to the point of exhaustion. Best to avoid that now.

With the North Node in Pisces it bodes well to be more in the PIsces realm of intuiti0n, dreams, imagination and tapping into higher forces for inspiration and guidance.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “People traveling a narrow path, seek illumination.”

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘ I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to.” Lao Tzu

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu

Mercury, the planet of commerce and communication, stations  February 26 at 22 degrees of Pisces. This station is occuring within orb of the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction which is at 0 degrees of Aries..

This Mercury station reminds me of the Hermit Card in the Tarot deck. The Hermit Card is the number 9 – in numerology, the number representing a period of preparation. The Card of the Wheel of Fortune follows the Hermit and is the number of change, number ten.

In Waite’s deck, the Hermit stands in the darkness, clothed in a grey robe, holding a lantern, which casts light on the path ahead. With his white beard and his hooded cloak, he resembles a wise man.  The lantern lights his way in the darkness and there is a feeling of finding  his way carefully on his journey.

The number nine in numerology indicates a time of pause and reflection before a time of change and movement. This retrograde period -through March 20 -gives us a time of respite to rethink goals and aspirations – what has worked and what hasn’t worked and why. And a time to look at what dreams are best left behind in order to make room for others to flourish.

 

 

 

 

“To conquer frustration one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” T.F.Hodge

“This world is moving too fast. Everyone needs to slow down.” Venerable  Bhikkhu Pannakara, lead monk on the Walk for Peace

Mercury is slowing down this week to station retrograde on Thursday the 26th at 22 degrees of Pisces. Mercury will backtrack to 8 degrees of Pisces when it will station direct on the 20th of March.

Mercury retrograde periods are good times for rest, review and rejuvenation. It is also a good time to reconsider your goals,  intentions and uresolved issues.

As with all Mercury retrogrades, it is wise, if possible, to avoid serious decision making and signing contracts. Best to anticipate the occaisional delay or change in plans. Sometimes more time can mean more information and may be helpful in some way. It’s wise to  to be extra clear in  communication. Make sure all important info is backed-up.

It’s wise within two or three days of planetary stations to raise awareness for any  intuitions or realizations  that may surface that represents a culmination of information.

Also this week Mars in Aquarius will be forming a challenging alignment with Uranus in Taurus.This is  exact on the 26 but an influence now  through  March 2. It’s best to avoid impulsive actions and decisions and  be aware of this kind of activity on the part of others.  There can be more of a pull to act quickly to end a decision making process but it’s  best to slow down and take your time.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time  is, ” a materializing medium giving a seance.”

 

 

“The universe is evolving towards an even greater destiny and we are the means of this global transformation.” Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan

This is a very significant week in astrology. The Solar Eclipse on Tuesday the 17th was at 7:01 Am EST. This is followed by the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction on the 20th at 0 degrees of Aries. Also Mercury is slowing down to station retrograde on the 26.

On Tuesday at the time of the Eclipse the Sun meets the New Moon at 28 degrees of Aquarius. Uranus squares the Sun and Moon bringing the possibility of surprises and odd twists and turns. Look to your chart to see where the Eclipse falls – it signals the start of something new in that area of life.

Friday is the day of the Saturn/ Neptune conjunction. Saturn and Neptune form a conjunction roughly every 36 years but the last time they were conjunct in Aries was in the 1800s.

The conjunction occurs at 0 degrees of Aries which is the place of all beginnings in astrology. It’s the degree that starts the astrological year and the start of Spring in the northern hemisphere. It is also one of the World Points – one of the points where the “personal becomes political” or when our individual lives seem more connected to world events.

It’s a good week to nurture the nervous system. Potassium is helpful for Uranus transits.

On the 22nd Venus will make a harmonious alignment with Jupiter. This is an aspect that is good for socializing and enjoying life.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Moonlit fields once Babylon are  blooming bright.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill