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| Threshhold Catherine Al-Meten |
As the astrological calendar begins its turn to a new year as the New Moon in 10 degrees of Aries peaks at 11:46 A.M., PDT on March 30, 2014, Mark Twain’s words capture some of what many of us may be feeling.
“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
Shortly after the New Moon peaks, it conjuncts Uranus, the Great Awakener at 12 degrees Aries, setting off some major changes, unleashing some shocking events, and unveiling some mind-blowing awakenings. Something quite out of the ordinary is likely to happen on some level in whatever area of your chart this New Moon is accenting. However shocking, uprooting, or surprising the changes may be, nothing will be ‘as usual’ about this New Moon.
The New Moon energizes and triggers the t-square with Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in Cancer which is also moving towards the formation of a Grand Cross near the end of April. Mars in Libra forms a Grand Cross that is at the height of its energy and power between April 20-23. A new lunar eclipse cycle begins, the first of four occurring on April 15 when the Moon in Libra and the solar eclipse with the Sun in Taurus on April 28 kicks off a 6-week period of increased growth and change. This eclipse cycle will highlight the Aries-Libra cycle, with continued issues and growth taking place around our need for independence, freedom, and action (Aries) versus our need to connect, cooperate, discern, and move with intention, purpose, and harmony (Libra).
The Aries New Moon kicks off the astrological new year, with a need to be what you wish and appear as you really are. Any inconsistencies between who you really are and how you appear to others or how you present yourself in the world reveals any areas where cognitive dissonance is evident. Knowing ourselves, and then acting in our best interests according to who we are meant to be, is the key message of this New Moon in Aries. First house issues always deal with whether or not we are being our authentic selves, or simply mirroring what others project or expect of us.
Time to look at who we know ourselves to be, and how we are telling our stories. Listen to what you say about yourself, through your words, actions, thoughts, and relationships. Examine your relationships to not only those you are in contact with but also what it is you do and how it is you spend your time.
Mars in Libra, currently in retrograde (March 1-May 20), has been taking us back on memory lane, recalling what we have recently experienced, decided, and explored in the way we relate to others in our closest contacts, and in how we have been able to maintain our own sense of independence and freedom while in relationship. Our relationships reflect in our outer lives, the desires, dreams, challenges, and fears we experience within ourselves (conscious and unconscious).
Aries ruler, Mars is all about the Element of Fire and the Warrior Archetype. Fire represents the potential to use resources and energy wisely in our efforts to create peace, understanding, and compassion or to blast apart the world around us through force, violence, and aggression. With the Sun and the Moon in Fire signs, along with Uranus, we can expect to experience some fireworks and the release of pent up emotions and unresolved conflicts.
How we resolve conflicts and use power is also represented by our reverence for the Warrior archetype. There are different ways we can interpret the warrior. “The Pen is mightier than the sword” versus “Might makes Right” illustrates the dichotomy in the philosophical perspectives of the extremes of the spectrum.
Pluto, the Great Transformer, is also the great initiator, the pioneer, the explorer, the innovator, the great leader. With the Mars in Libra, warrior archetype and the Pluto in Capricorn transformer, discoverer, change agent archetype, we continue our journey within to confront not only what needs to be changed in the world around us, but also, and perhaps more importantly, what needs to be changed within ourselves. No real, lasting change happens until it happens on the micro-level. Society may agree to or be forced to change due to dictates, law, trends, or new information, but real and lasting change happens only when it happens within each person. This is a period when we are forced to deal with our shadow, the hidden elements and the unhealed and undeveloped aspects of our being.
Our relationship with our value in society and our self worth. Pluto says, in Capricorn looks for equity not only between people, but within each person. Finding the paths to wholeness, integration, and individuation is necessary for authentic growth, change, and movement in our lives at this point. Examine how you are using your power, or turning it over to others. No one can take your power without your permission, but unfortunately, in our efforts to be self effacing and likable, we give away power and talent at the drop of a hat. There used to be a ploy used to catch someone’s attention-to drop a handkerchief, so that the other person, a potential suitor, would pick it up and return it to us. The goal was to allow for a proper way to make contact, show interest, or make a pass.
Warriors use different tactics to achieve their goals. Ideas like “killing someone with kindness” or “keeping your friends close, keeping your enemies closer” are both ways of maintaining control without resorting to violence. There are other ways the warrior archetype works within us. Now is the time to examine the beliefs, behaviors, and hidden agendas that we have been operating on. Question everything, especially your motives right now, in an effort to sort out what is true, good, honorable, just, equitable, and worthy of you and those you befriend and love. Question the ways you use power, or abuse it. Question the way you allow yourself to be manipulated (an abuse of your power) or used, and examine how that prevents you from living as your authentic self. The more you get into the habit (and we all do that), the less conscious and aware we become. Remember to keep eyes fresh and responses in tune to who you are, what your needs are, and how your relationships, your life, your work, your sense of self is in tune with your real and felt needs, or not.
The challenge for the Warrior archetype come is knowing who we are, and standing in that truth. It also comes as a challenge to know one’s own power and to use it wisely. How do we allow the warrior archetype to change to promote health, wholeness, compassion, and peace? How do we choose to stand up for ourselves, to take care of our health, to live with the ability to take risks yet maintain healthy boundaries?
This week’s dynamic alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Uranus in Aries is likely to feature a “moment of truth” or an unforgettable reminder of what the cost of not paying attention to our true nature may result in. Surprising and shocking events may remind us all of just how important it is to be true to ourselves, and to live in harmony with others and the world we are part of.
Near the end of the week Venus enters Pisces on April 5. The Aquarius transit of Mercury ends, and the more metaphysical, mystical, and imaginative transit of Venus through Pisces begins. Today, March 29, Venus in Aquarius forms a square with Saturn in Scorpio. Feelings of distance, isolation, abandonment, disappointment adds to a sense of malaise and depression in the area of relationships. At the least some strain, and at the most some outright cracks appear in areas where we feel we are not being heard, having our needs met, or feeling any type of satisfaction in our intimate connections and partnerships. The strain of whatever has been building up for some time may rise up to the surface as we become more emotionally clear and psychologically and spiritually aware of our unconscious and conscious desires. For some, the sense of obligation and responsibility put a strain and damper on more romantic and idealistic ideas about love and marriage. Connections are strained when our lens is clouded by only our own expectations, and our inability to resolve our inner dissatisfaction or misgivings.
As the week goes on, Venus forms a sesquiquadrate with Jupiter (April 1-2) awakening us to a sense of greater pleasure and a desire to enjoy life more fully. Channel some of this energy into creating, enjoying, or immersing yourself in beauty so as to fully appreciate your own ability to find meaning and connection through your own heart-centered focus, activities, and understanding. Later, on April 2-3, Venus forms a semi-square to Uranus triggers unexpected or out-of-the-ordinary types of emotional and physical responses to pleasure. Use some discretion and restraint. And on April 3-4 when Venus semi-squares Pluto, be wary of focusing only on the negative in how you view your relationships. The balance between the need for freedom and independence versus our need to connect and find meaning with others, can be the focus during Venus’ final days in Aquarius--we may become too critical or we may lack understanding of ourselves, of others, and of the growing process inherent in all relationships.
The North Node remains in 29 degrees, the anaretic degree of Libra, until April 11. This remains a crucial time, particularly at this New Moon in Aries, for continuing in our reflection, discernment, preparation, and transition process between what we are releasing and what we are about to begin. If you haven’t already done so, take some time to rest, reflect, nourish yourself (body, mind, spirit, emotions) and do some psychological and physical house cleaning to prepare for the new life ahead. Continue developing healthy practices, constructive and positive behavior, and manageable and authentic goals that a in line with your true nature, and your spiritual path and the Divine’s call for you. However you understand the sacred, this is the time to use meditation, prayer, reflection, contemplation, and mindfulness to bring you into greater alignment for a new leg of your journey. Prepare for the unleashing of energy, spiritual growth, and physical growth and activities meant to help you discover meaning, fulfillment, and connection.
Mars, Saturn, and Venus are each at 22 degrees ( 22 is a universal power number), and though in different signs, all indicate increased power generated at this time of the New Moon launching the new astrological year.
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ~Rainier Maria Rilke
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