Author: Amelia Shea

“We see through the prism of our categories.” Joseph Chilton Pierce

“The act of perception is always open-ended and unfinished.” David Abram

Mars is moving up to a conjunction  with Saturn this week. Under this influence, frustration can be part of the picture -especially with all the fiery Aries energy that is action oriented. Do watch for overdoing and overworking . Best to take your time and follow plans methodically and at a moderate pace. A lot can be accomplished that way.

Jupiter is moving up to a conjunction with  Uranus -making this a good time for expansive thinking and rethinking under the Mercury retrograde – a good time to update perceptions.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A white dove flying straight and fearlessly over troubled waters.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Venus in Aries is excellent for shaking off the winter blahs and finding that missing motivation.”Nadia Gilchrist

Venus, the goddess of love and abundance, moves into the dynamic sign of Aries today joining the Sun, the North Node, Chiron and Mercury as we head towards the Solar Eclipse on April 8.

Mercury in Aries can clarify thinking and provide the courage to  move obstacles to the side. The Solar Eclipse on Monday echoes this theme as well with the Saturn/ Mars conjunction. This planetary pair can see where the obstacles to further growth and evolution lie.

It’s often said in astrology that when Saturn and Mars are   aligned in this manner, that it is akin to driving with  the brakes on. It provides good timing to look at how we take action and how we hold back and whether a better balance can be struck.

Chiron, the Wounded Healer centaur has been prominent in the sky – moving in and out of a conjunction with the North Node of  Life Path and destiny. This indicates an important threshold time for healing  fragmentation and moving in a direction of increased wholeness.

Chiron is associated with holistic healing. Not surprisingly, as Mercury is retrograde, the Tarot Card for this Eclipse is The High Priestess. This card is about the inner world of ideas and inspiration – reminding us that wholeness is composed of a harmonious balance between body, mind and spirit.

Solar Eclipses open doors and present opportunities for a new start, like the spring. They are also associated with breakthroughs and revelations. It’s wise to heighten awareness to be in tune with intuitive messages that come at this time.

Look at your chart and see the sign and house placement of your Chiron. It is this area of life that is up for personal evolution now.

One of the Sabian  symbols for this time is ,”A young girl, feeding birds in winter.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“You can’t force simplicity, but you can invite it in by finding as much richness as possible in the few things at hand.” Thomas Moore

“Make everything as simple as possible.” Albert Einstein

I have a friend who  had been waiting expectantly to hear if she has been accepted into a nursing program at a nearby college. The date by which they would let her know was April 1 – the day Mercury turns retrograde this spring.

She had heard that normally the acceptance letters were sent  close to that date. But this year, as it turns out, was different. As an email explained, they had received so many applications, they needed more time to process them. And so acceptance letters would go out by April 15.

Mercury with station  retrograde on April 1 at 27 degrees of Aries and the retrograde period will last  through April 25 when it will station direct at 15 degrees of Aries.

There often are delays and changes in plans under the retrograde influence -which can extend to several days before and after the exact stations.

It’s wise to pay more attention to detail when it comes to communications.  Best to make sure important information is backed up.

It’s a good time to rethink, redo and renew.

Throughout the month there is significant planetary activity including the Solar Eclipse on the 8th, the Saturn/Mars conjunction  on the 10th and the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction on the 20th. During all of these events, Mercury will be retrograde.

It’s best throughout the month to slow down. And  keep it simple.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Through imagination, a lost opportunity is regained.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

Monday’s  Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (at 3 AM EDT)  is at 5 degrees of Libra, the sign of diplomacy and relationships. Eclipses are always a good time for a reset of some kind and this time around, this involves our relationships – with ourselves and others as well as our relationships to patterns and habits in our lives.

Libra is a sign that is associated with equilibrium and so it is a good time to look at the balance in relationships -for example where we give power away  unnecessarily, how we can be overly accommodating to others in a way that feels inauthentic or how we have used or abused power in the past.

This Eclipse is also about the patterns in our life related to self esteem and life path. Are the patterns and routines  in your life supportive of where you would like to be going?

Eclipses are threshold time and offer the opportunity for personal evolution. There is support from the starry heavens for positive change at this time.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A man watches his ideals taking a concrete form before his inner vision.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves,
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water, white and black.” TS Eliot

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” George Orwell

Mars, the planet of desire and action moves into the watery, dreamy sign of Pisces March 22 and will remain in Pisces through  April 30, 2024.

Although we have just moved into the fiery Aries season heralded by the recent Vernal Equinox, Mars in Pisces brings a different energy to the table.

Mars is fiery – he moves  directly towards his desire with ardor and passion. Pisces is dreamy, illusive, sensitive and like a fish, flows with the tides and currents. Have you seen how a school of fish can shift their direction suddenly?

Mars in Pisces is a good time for self nurturing. It bodes well to make some time each day to calm the body and the mind. Yoga, meditation, spiritual retreats and time by the ocean  will all be beneficial.

Its a good time to play catch-up with yourself. Allow a broader, perspective to emerge and gain new understanding.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A petrified forest, an eternal record of a life lived long ago.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

“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 its
spring

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

“Pisces season is good medicine for the heart, it’s the green room that prepares us to step on stage once more as the Aries equinox arrives.” Paetra Tauchert

The week starts out with the Sun in late Pisces still widely conjunct Neptune. Under this influence it bodes well to heighten intuition and clarify dreams and visions to set in motion on the Spring Equinox on Tuesday March 19 at 11:06 PM EDT.

The Sun enters the sign of Aries on the Spring Equinox- Tuesday March 19 at at 11:06 PM EDT. This  is a potent time to turn over a new leaf and make a re- energized start into the future. It’s a time of starting a new cycle and new things.

Mercury will be conjunct Chiron – the asteroid of the Wounded Healer this week. Chiron will be a strong influence for several weeks and during the upcoming eclipses on March 25 and April 8. The Sun, the Moon  and Chiron will be all exactly conjunct at the time of the Solar Eclipse on April 8. Eclipses can be felt before the actual event and this conjunction is an influence now. Under this influence it is likely that old wounds may arise making it a good time to assess  the progress that has been made or needs to be made on the path of growing and evolving. Both personally and globally it’s a good time to look at how we use anger and aggression.

Venus is conjunct Saturn this week – Steven Forrest calls Saturn a “grown up planet.” Saturn is associated with building a strong foundation. It provides a good time to look at  commitments  in  relationship – both in terms of self worth and self esteem as well as our relationships with others.

Mars will move out of Aquarius into the watery sign of Pisces on Friday.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”light breaking into many colors as it passes through a prism.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So I’ve been told and
Some choose to believe it
But I know they’re wrong wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me.” Williams and Ascher

Venus, the goddess of love and beauty enters the sign of Pisces on Monday this week. She will transit this otherworldly sign through early April.

Venus in Pisces heightens creativity, compassion and psychic ability. This is a very idealistic placement, prone to disillusionment when the world proves disappointing.

There can be a certain emotional wisdom present in people with this placement which reminds me of the recently discovered asteroid, Clariko. Clariko in mythology was the wife of the Wounded Healer, Chiron.  Chiron’s influence is very strong at this time as he has been transiting in close proximity to the North Node which governs fate and destiny. Chiron will also be exactly conjunct the Sun and Moon – by degree and minute (an extremely rare event) at the Solar Eclipse on April 8.

Clariko is also associated with the healing process – a certain part of it. She is known for the ability to hold the space where there is conflict or polarity in order for new ideas or perceptions to emerge – rather than rushing in and trying to solve problems or conflicts.

The orbit of Clariko is circular – unlike that of the other centaurs -and she transits between Uranus and Saturn as does Chiron. Uranus governs the new and the innovative while Saturn governs the traditional ways.

Barbara Hand Clow, who has written about Chiron, calls his transits between Saturn and Uranus as “The Rainbow Bridge,” an interesting way to think about the process of moving from the past to the future.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

“Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.” Wislawa  Szymborska

During the early part of the week it bodes well to heed any intuitions  that surface that provide new insights or solutions as Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, makes a sextile  to Uranus. It’s a good time to be open.

Mercury is also moving up to a conjunction to Neptune at the same time as Chiron conjuncts the North Node. This presents a good time to be in touch with our higher aspirations for  the future – both personally and collectively.

Mars will also be aspecting the Chiron/North Node conjunction by sextile. Elements that are holding you back from pursuing your life path or life work may become more clear now. There can be energy and ambition to move forward.

Chiron in mythology in addition to being a healer, was a teacher and mentor. Chiron’s influence is very strong this season as the Sun, Moon and Chiron will be exactly conjunct by degree and minute (a rare event) at 19 Aries 24 on the Solar Eclipse on April 8. Eclipses can be felt both before and after the exact event.

Important people can enter our lives around this time.

On Thursday Jupiter in Taurus will form a beneficial trine to Juno in Virgo. Juno is the asteroid of marriage, partnership and commitment. This influence  can be beneficial to partnerships of all kinds and bring abundance and pleasure.

Mars is moving up to a square to Uranus this week. This gives Mars more courage  and daring to take action. But do watch for impulsiveness.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An empty hammock hangs between two lovely trees.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Mars is the god of desire: eros, feistiness, aggression, heat and action. We draw up on Mars for courage, dynamism, passion and kinship with life.” Caroline W. Casey

“To love is not a state; it is a direction.”Simone Weil

Mars is a strong influence early in the week as the god of desire and action moves up to a square with Jupiter. Under this influence there can be more courage, optimism  and a desire to take action. Just one caveat – it’s wise to watch for overdoing and overextending as Jupiter tends towards excess.

Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer is in Aries  now – a sign ruled by Mars. Chiron entered Aries in  2019  and will leave this fiery sign in 2027. Under this influence  it bodes well to consider how we direct our energy, anger and aggression – both personally and collectively.

At the Solar Eclipse of April 8, the Sun, Moon and Chiron will be exactly conjunct at 19 degrees 24 minutes of Aries.  If you have cardinal (Aries, Cancer Libra or Capricorn ) placements around this degree, it could be a very significant time for you in terms of healing, awakening or finding a mentor. The mentor could be a person who is alive or someone like a philosopher who has passed over who influences your thinking and direction in a significant way.

This conjunction on the Solar Eclipse is in general, an important time for everyone and  threshold time when important people can enter our lives. Check the house in your chart where 19 Aries falls – this is the area of life which will be energized for you.

This week on Wednesday, Saturn, Mercury and the Sun form a conjunction at 9 degrees of Pisces. Saturn in Pisces has many meanings but among them- rebuilding our dreams or taking steps to create a stronger, pragmatic  foundation under our initiatives or aspirations.  It is a good day for serious thinking, conversations, planning and intention- setting.

On Thursday  Mercury  and the Sun will form a harmonious alignment with Jupiter, ushering in a time  of optimism and expanded thinking.  This is a good day to do something inspiring.

Friday Venus in Aquarius will form a harmonious sextile to Chiron. This aspect can shed light on healing relationship issues and issues related to self love and self worth.

Venus in Aquarius will also sextile the North Node in Aries. Venus in Aquarius is cool headed and can take an objective perspective about  how to go forward in an evolved way in relationships  (of all kinds.)  It can open the door to new and different kinds of partnerships/relationships.

Venus will move up to a challenging alignment to Uranus  at the end of this week. Uranus is the planet of  awakening and there can be sudden insights about self love, self care and how we manage the financial side of our lives.

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

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Mercury in Pisces encourages you to look at what’s unspoken. The half glimpsed figure,the whisper, the tug towards a transcendent energy-there’s an opportunity to become a conduit for something higher.This is a brief transit (Mercury enters Aries on March 9) but sometimes that’s all you need to dissolve a barrier that’s been preventing you from seeing what’s possible.” Nadia Gilchrist

According to traditional astrology, Mercury is very weak in this sign (it’s the opposite of Mercury ruled Virgo.) But that weakness can open doors that have been locked by rigid logic, analysis and precision- when you let go of what you think you know, you’d be surprised at what emerges.

This is a brief transit (Mercury enters Aries on March 9) but sometimes that’s all you need to dissolve a barrier that’s been preventing you from seeing what’s possible.” Nadia Gilchrist