Hauoli Makahiki Hou!!! Kung Hee Fat Choy! Happy New Year!
In January we celebrated the New Year of 2006 on the 1st from the Julian calendar. With the beginning of the Year of the Dog, we celebrated the Chinese New Year. Now, in March, at the Vernal Equinox on April 20th, we celebrate the astrological New Year as the Sun moves into Aries. Spring is definitely a time of new beginnings, new life. This year it will even feel like the newness permeates because we begin it in a New Moon phase with the moon in Aries. The New Moon itself was actually on February 27 at 11:56 am (Please note that all times posted are set for the Aleutian-Hawaiian Standard time zone.) with the Sun and Moon both being in Pisces. In the few weeks leading up to the equinox, we should use the mystical, dreamy Piscean energy to focus from our hearts as we plan our goals from the coming year. Resolve to do that which you long to from a very soul level, let your heart lead the way. Spend some time walking along the beach, in the rainforest near a waterfall, enjoy quiet meditations, beautiful music for inspiration. Better yet if you can spend some time doing absolutely nothing, your innermost being will enjoy the freedom from the more mundane and allow the creative space in your being to flower. With the month beginning under the influence of the Aries moon, (the moon whispers, "I need" and the sign that it is colored by tells you "what" is needed.) the "I AM" principle dominates. What is it you truly need to be? With the 1st aspect of the month being a Sun/Uranus conjunction, do not be surprised if the word "free" is part of your reply. Uranus needs to be unfettered to shine, so one might want to explore ideas as to where more freedom is needed. At work, at home, in relationships, in health, from clutter, in expression, from too many responsibilities (hint - delegate!!) - the list of potential areas goes on and on. Pick one (or two!) and set some goals. You'll be glad you did.
Uh Oh! On March 2nd Mercury turns retrograde at 26 degrees of Pisces 53 minutes, continuing thru March 25th at 13 degrees of Pisces. For the uninitiated, this means a red flag. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, transportation, neighbors, and siblings. A retrograde motion is when a planets as seen from earth appears to slow down and actually go backwards for a while, eventually stopping and turning forwards again. The meaning of that to us is to expect all sorts of delays - being late for appointments, having them rescheduled (done again) or cancelled. For those in service occupations, please don't take the changes personally; think of it as the universe making time for those who need you sooner! Folks often show up at the wrong time or even the wrong day! Contracts and agreements signed under this influence often will need to be done again or conditions will not be met. Traffic gets crazy under this energy, flights are cancelled or delayed, and the bus comes early or late. Plan accordingly! If you don't have to travel at this time, you might want to wait until Mercury is in a better way. Luggage can also get lost along with the car keys, so bring a carry-on containing essentials and keep spare keys available. Strikes in labor unions will often occur at this time. Probably one of the worst times to buy a car and get the car loan - yikes! Don't make purchases you can put off until Mercury changes direction later in the month, particularly vehicles, small appliances, telephones, computers, etc. It is a good time to clean out and reorganize files, get your car tuned up, wheels aligned, etc. It is also a good time to sharpen your pencil and do research, make tentative plans, drafts, etc. things that are expected to have to be redone. Review, don't begin under the retrograde.
On March 4th, Jupiter turns retrograde at 18 Scorpio 52, remaining retrograde until July 9, 2006. Jupiter is the planet that we think of much like the cornucopia - it gives confidence, provides opportunities, and is jovial, philosophical, and judgmental. It rules the sign of Sagittarius which is associated with law, religion, philosophy, foreign travel/lands/people, and higher education. Jupiter encourages us to improve things, take risks, and grow. In the sign of Scorpio, Jupiter asks us to build personal power, seek out the mysteries in our lives, find answers, and be intense in purpose. To have this giant of a planet moving backwards is to give us the time to reflect on these matters, change or improve what we can. Consider areas in your life that require expansion and address them. Once Jupiter turns direct it will move swiftly towards the next sign, changing to Sagittarius, its ruler, on November 24. Its cycle is approximately one year in each sign to complete the 12 years before its return.
On March 14th the Moon will be full exactly at 1:35 pm and will be in its penumbral eclipse at 24 degrees 15 minutes of Virgo, not visible in Hawaii. The Sabian Symbol for this degree is the flag in front of a public building at half mast in recognition of public service. Since it occurs under an eclipse of the moon, we may well find ourselves mourning a beloved public figurehead around this time or in late August when Mars reaches this same degree. The key signs to look for here are service given selflessly. We tend to be very sensitive to criticism under a Virgo moon.
The Vernal (Spring) Equinox happens this year on March 20th at 8:26 am as the Sun moves into the sign of Aries, the 1st sign of the zodiac. It is at a time when the days and nights are equally balanced. It is a great time to be celebrating birth and the beginning of Spring, but wait a bit longer, if you will, to begin new projects, especially ones even remotely concerned with growth - for this is the best time for such matters. It would however be a good time to get that new look in a haircut or fashion under the Venus in Aquarius influence that began on March 5th. (Hair and many other things grow slower if cut during a waning moon - between full and new; faster under a waxing moon - new to full)
On March 29th we will have yet another eclipse. This is one of the Sun at 0:15 a.m. (quarter past midnight), 8 degrees of Aries 35 minutes. This again will not be visible in Hawaii. In ancient times an eclipse of the sun often was considered to predict the death of a great leader. In this case, it just might, because Pluto turns retrograde two hours later. Pluto is the planet that governs the powerful, the masses. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Don't forget that astrology is the study of energy from heavenly bodies (planets & stars, etc.) that we are influenced by, but it does not take away our free will... .we get to decide how we will use that energy. I have heard it said that the stars impel, they do not compel, and the nuance is most applicable in this case!
Since we had a lot of planet activity this month, rather than address the moon each time it is in a different sign (it changes sign every two-three days) I thought I would only mention a few this time. With Mercury just having turned retrograde a couple of days before, this month's Gemini Moon (at stressful quarter moon phase) will see much chaos and accidents in traffic. Allow extra time to get to your destination on Sunday, 3/5 and especially on the 6th (MONDAY! Oh, no!) After all this stress, the moon moves into Cancer on Tuesday 3/7 until very late in the evening on 3/9 so we will want to go out and have some nurturing food. Expect restaurants to be very busy. Either make reservations or bring a good book to read while you wait. On 3/10 and 3/11 the moon will be in Leo and Leo loves the movies and entertainment of all sorts, so if you have one of these in mind... again, please know that lots of other folks will have it as well!
If you have any questions or areas you would like to know more about, please e-mail me. I am open to suggestion. Until next time, a hui hou!
