The Astrology Blog – w/b 24 March 2014
Mercury takes the lead yet again, being the key player until the end of the week. After a retrograde period which brings muddles and false starts he turned direct on 28 February. This sets things back on track again but it isn’t always a magic wand. A planet’s turning points are called “stations” and like a train pulling into its station it has to slow down first and then stop (turning retrograde). When leaving the station (turning direct) it takes a while to gather speed again.
So, Mercury is now up to full power which is good news in itself. Being the planet of communication so much comes under his jurisdiction, in our personal lives and in business. News, decisions, emails, agreements, getting hold of the right people, having that conversation or finding the right information – all such issues are now getting the green light.
Matters are helped along even further by the fact that Mercury’s first travelling companion is lucky Jupiter. Mercury makes a trine (harmonious) to Jupiter on Wednesday (exact at 13.12 GMT) so this gets the week off to a flying start. Jupiter is not just about good fortune – he’s about expansiveness, optimism, vision, and he loves to say yes. In particular he rules foreign travel and all things connected to overseas, education, publishing and the law. He’s the bringer of justice, joy and opportunity so anything that takes shape for you in the first half of this week is essentially good for you. Themes of generosity, good news and sound advice are also part of the package. And with Jupiter in Cancer, his sign of “exaltation”, you can expect things to settle or move in the right direction if you are dealing with family or property issues.
Mercury’s second aspect is a sextile (harmonious) to Pluto early Friday (exact at 05.31 GMT). This is not as open or as dramatic as the Jupiter contact but, again, it’s good for agreements or news of the final kind. Pluto’s nature is unbending, he loves to wipe the slate clean and start again, and he loves closure. In this respect his answers can therefore be yes or no, but either way it’s all about getting the goal posts firmly in place and woe betide anyone who tries to move them again.
So, if you have an issue that’s been dragging on this is the week to get it wrapped up once and for all. However, do be careful with ultimatums. If you don’t really mean it, don’t say it. Also be prepared to dig deeper for answers and insights in your personal life. In mythology Pluto is god of the underworld and rules the teeming riverbed of the unconscious mind. He was discovered in 1930, an era which brought huge advancement in the world of psychoanalysis (Freud and Jung etc). In many ways the act of entering into therapy constitutes the exploration of our own underworld, unearthing our hidden issues which, once in the light of day, can transform and heal us. Many Plutonic types are natural psychologists or sleuths.
The weekend brings a mixed bag of activity, starting with Venus making a trine (harmonious) to Mars on Saturday (exact at 19.06 GMT) but a square (inharmonious) to Saturn just a couple of hours later (exact at 21.15 GMT). Note that Mars and Saturn both turned retrograde at the beginning of the month and are still slow moving. Also note that, in traditional astrology, these two planets are known as the “malefics” so all Venusian issues need careful handling. Top of the list of course is your love life. How you compromise and negotiate with your other half, and vice versa, will be under scrutiny. If you’re looking for a new partner then make availability a top priority. Squares to Saturn are text book for red lights, for barriers or obstacles that can only be overcome with a great deal of time and effort, or not at all. Otherwise do nothing in haste and if you’re embarking on a new romance don’t underestimate the importance of the courtship period.
Finally we have the New Moon in Aries on Sunday evening (exact at 18.46 GMT). This echoes the themes of the Spring Equinox – the moment when the Sun entered Aries last Thursday – which is the astrological New Year. This is the brand new start of all brand new starts, the starting gun, the beginning of a new adventure and the time to swing new resolutions into action.
This could happen rather more dramatically than usual as this New Moon falls at 10 degrees of Aries, which means that it aligns with the T-Square that is currently dominating the heavens. Two planets in relationship to each other make an aspect, but when we have three (or more) doing the same thing we then have an “aspect pattern”. The T-Square is two planets opposing each other (the line at the top of the T) and both making squares to a third (sitting at the bottom of the stem of the T).
The current T Square is:
Jupiter – whose nature/issues are outlined above – at 11 degrees of Cancer.
Jupiter opposing all or nothing Pluto at 13 degrees of Capricorn.
Jupiter and Pluto both squaring to Uranus at 12 degrees of Aries – Uranus being the planet of drama/the unexpected or events of the exciting/innovative kind.
This aspect pattern first formed last August and has been moving in and out of focus since then as it involves the slower moving planet of Uranus and Pluto, and Jupiter going backwards and forwards during his retrograde period. The T-square will still be “in orb” (still count) for another couple of months but, like Mercury, Jupiter is now picking up speed and is gradually moving out of the crossfire.
T- Squares are not “bad”. They often symbolize friction or tension, but in turn these are so often the elements needed to create change and progress. The New Moon is sensitizing this pattern which, admittedly, is not for the fainthearted. Most of us do not relish upheaval after all but this is not the time for avoidance or the soft options. If you can embrace the warrior spirit of Mars ruled Aries you can accept a challenge and possibly make changes of the kind that you have longed for. Wishing you courage, inspiration and self belief.
In the spirit of newness I now have a new page on Facebook for the Greek Island Summer School courses. Many thanks to those who have already found it and liked it. https://www.facebook.com/tarotastrologycourses
You can also read and add comments on the group page The World of Astrology:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/131108987086161/