Amelia’s Blog

“A way down the river
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boat ashore.” Robert Louis Stephenson

In the early mornings I often go for a walk to a nearby waterfall. For the past couple of weeks, in the water, there has been a model sailboat that must have sailed away out of the reach of its young owner.

The sailboat had gone over the waterfall and was  caught in the current along the edge of the river. It would pull  forward and then suddenly be pulled back by a small  eddy – moving back and forth in one place.

Each day I would go back and finally the little sailboat started making very slow and incremental progress on its way down the river.

I stood looking at the water thinking that that this was a good symbol for this weeks Saturn/Mars conjunction which is in effect early this week. This aspect in astrology is sometimes referred to as driving with brakes on. There is a certain friction between this planetary pair. There can be more frustration and delays.

But with good planning. good organization and good time management, a lot can be accomplished. It is a planetary pair also symbolizing hard work. No nonsense work.

Mercury joins this pair early this week also. It’s best to be careful with speech as Saturn and Mars together can create anger, frustration and the desire to take control. It’s best though, to take control of work projects and tasks that need to be done in an organized way.

Later in the week Venus makes a sextile to Pallas Athene – the goddess of diplomacy, strategy and conflict resolution. Under this influence it’s wise to be diplomatic in your dealings with others if disputes have arisen. Agreement may be more easily reached through innovative ideas and approaches.

Uranus – the planet of innovation and awakening will enter Gemini on Saturday. Uranus  will be in the sign of Gemini until August of 2032.

Uranus in Gemini has a quicksilver quality to it. It can speed up thinking, strengthen intuition and  bring sudden flashes of knowing.

Uranus will be widely conjunct Venus through the end of this week. This is the alignment of love- at -first -sight relationships and can bring sudden shifts in relationships. Often with this alignment, there is a strong desire for freedom.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A glass bottomed boat reveals undersea wonders.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

In the early part of this week Mars. Saturn and Mercury are all aligned in Aries. This presents a good opportuniy for focused concentration, organization, planning and exucuting tasks in a persevering way. A lot can be accomplished during this time as slow and steady wins the race.

“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that otherwise would never have occurred. Whatever you do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has great genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe

We are in an interesting planetary realm now and at the New Moon on Friday April 17. The Moon will conjunct the Sun at 27 degrees of  Aries. There is a very dynamic line up of planets in Aries also – Neptune, Mercury, Mars, Saturn and Chiron -all in this  action and desire – oriented sign.

Chiron is now conjunct the Sun. This is an important gate time in personal evolution. Chiron governs  the process of deeper healing that goes on throughout time and the Sun rules the personal identity – how we think of ourselves.

Aries represents a new beginning or the beginning of a new cycle. It provides a good time to review ways of thinking of yourself and who you are, and identify patterns which are no longer desired or appropriate so that you can assert yourself going forward more freely and authentically.

There is a lot of fiery energy at this New Moon. It’s a powerful time for intention setting and starting something you have wanted to start for awhile. There is passion and courage to harness at this time. The Major Arcana card in the Tarot deck associated with Aries is the Emperor- time to take charge!

Aspirations may need tempering or to follow the “rules of the road” as Mercury moves up to Saturn on the 20th. Patience and good planning will go a long way towards success.

It’s a good time in general  to keep equilibrium in mind as there can be a lot of restlessness.

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

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

“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.