Number 60                                      

March is a quieter month, at least astrologically speaking, but the Uranus / Saturn opposition is activated by the Full Moon. The headline this month is the new cycle of Venus that begins whenever Venus moves retrograde.

 Astrology classes began this month. Enrolments are still welcome for the first, second and third year programs. All programs are available by correspondence.

 Blessings

Christine

 Christine Rothwell

 Contents

1. March Overview
2. A New Cycle of Venus
3. Autumn Equinox
4. 2009 Astrology Classes.

·        Beginner’s / First Year on Thursday nights

·        Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·        Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

5. Consultations and Gift Certificates

 1.    March Overview

 March begins with a major line up in Aquarius: Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury are all in the sign of innovation and change, challenging us to think laterally and step out of our comfort zones. Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian and inventor and represents humanity’s desire to create meaningful change that can lead to progress, especially in the cultural, social, political and technological spheres. Hopefully this will lead to some spirited debate that could result in constructive action as the May Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune triple conjunction in Aquarius comes more into focus.

March 7 sees Venus move retrograde until April 18. Whenever Venus is retrograde She is at her closet to Earth and undergoes the transition form Evening Star to Morning Star. If any of you have been watching Venus in the western sky at night you will notice Her disappear around March 21 when She gets lost in the blaze of the Sun and reappear around April 3/4 as the Morning Star.  When Venus moves retrograde She invites us to become more conscious of our values. Astrologer Richard Nolle says there may a boost to the financial markets around this time as Venus acts as a pacifier - but beware that Saturn is also making its closest connection with Earth at the same time and this may cancel out the effect.

 An Australian meteorologist discovered that the Earth’s magnetic field actually quietens down when Venus is closest to Earth [i.e. - the geomagnetic storm index tends to be minimized] No-one has been able to explain this phenomenon scientifically so the discovery has been overlooked. [Reported by Nick Kollerstrom in his wonderful article on Venus, the Heart and the Rose at www.skyscript.co.uk/venusrose.html ]

See section 2 for a deeper explanation of the Cycle of Venus.

 March 9 sees the Sun oppose Saturn [effect for a day or two either side] at the same time that Mars is conjunct Neptune, creating a conflict between our need to dream [Neptune] and the everyday demands of the material and financial world [Saturn].The need for ‘being’ [Neptune] and ‘doing’ [Saturn] are equally strong and need to be balanced. This opposition marks Saturn’s closest point to Earth for the year and suggests the need for a responsible and pragmatic attitude. Saturn can be a hard taskmaster, so beware of the tendency to criticize others and try not to give your self a hard time. It is a good time to get stuck into something you have been avoiding for a while.

However Mars conjunct Neptune is calling us to dream, imagine, meditate and surrender our everyday concerns so try to schedule [Saturn] some time for just that. This is not an auspicious time to sign contracts or try to get a lot done. The dark side of Neptune can lead us to fall prey to illusion, confusion and delusion.

 March 11 is the Full Moon in the sign of Virgo.

This Full Moon will activate the Saturn / Uranus opposition as the Sun conjuncts Uranus and the Moon conjuncts Saturn. This highlights the tension between the reformist energy of change, democracy, equality and universal brother/sisterhood [Uranus] and the conservative Saturn [the ruler of Capricorn] and its preference for the status quo and tradition. This energy may be experienced collectively as well as internally, especially in the houses where the full moon takes place in your birth chart.

Personally, what might this mean?

We are all called to find a bridge between the past and the future, between our need for freedom, change and innovation and our need for stability. We need to find responsible ways to embrace change, let go our fear of the unknown and be willing to pioneer the creation of new life structures. We also need to make sure we don’t go overboard in our desire for change [Uranus] and throw the baby out with the bath water. We need to examine our lives and see what is useful and needs to be retained, but the opposition does suggests the form rather than the essence may need to undergo a process of re-evaluation so it can move us forwards in a new way.

 New Moon in Aries on March 27

The chart for the Aries New Moon contains a stellium in Aries all squaring Pluto: Venus, Sun, Moon and Mercury all sit within the first 7 degrees of Aries. Traditional astrology would call Venus the Lord of the eclipse as She makes a very tight conjunction with the Sun and Moon and She is beginning a new cycle herself, the following day when the conjunction becomes exact.

 The Aries stellium talks of the need for independence and autonomy yet Pluto could bring in power struggles and fear as we attempt to assert our individuality. Instead of meeting confrontations head on during this time use the diplomatic skills of Venus and the persuasiveness of Mercury to assist you. Be prepared to listen to others and consider their viewpoints and you will achieve a happier outcome.

  2.    Cycle of Venus

• Venus retrograde: March 7 to April 18
• Venus conjunct the Sun: New Cycle: March 28
• Venus invisible from March 21 to April 3-4

 The 584 day cycle of Venus charts our likes and dislikes, our attractions and repulsions and most importantly – OUR VALUES.

Venus goes retrograde [appears to move backwards] once every 18 months for about 40 days. At the beginning of this period Venus is the Evening Star, She disappears to reappear as the Morning Star. A new Venus cycle begins on March 28 when Venus conjuncts the Sun.

Whenever a planet goes retrograde it offers us a new perspective. A doorway opens and we have the opportunity to develop a more objective viewpoint. It suggests a time of reflection on the past, and a need to refocus. The house position where this retrograde motion is occurring suggests the area of your life that will need to be reviewed.

 Whenever Venus is retrograde we are challenged to develop more objectivity and consciousness about

·        our personal values

·        relationships

·        finances

·        desires

·        and self worth.  

Sometimes we realize the need to develop a new set of values and attitudes based on current personal beliefs and let go out-dated values based on habits and attitudes that come from the collective and our conditioning. This may crystallize around the beginning of the new cycle – March 28.

Every 8 years Venus goes retrograde around the same degrees. Can you remember what was happening for you around 2001, 1993… etc?

 Some useful questions for reflection while Venus is retrograde.

1.      What is important to me IN THIS AREA OF MY LIFE?

2.      What do I value? Does my life reflect this?

3.      Do my values reflect my reality?

4.      What resources do I have in this area of my life?

5.       Do I need to add to my skill base here?

 And more generally speaking…

6.      How do I feel about myself? Is there anything I want to change?

7.      Am I happy with my relationships? Do I feel valued and respected by the people close to me? What do I need to change? Do I give too much / not enough?

8.      How can I manage my money better? Do I need advice here?

9.      Am I paid enough for what I do? Is it time to move on?

10. Do I value / honour my body? What gives me pleasure? Is there enough fun and pleasure in my life?

 3.    Autumn Equinox

 Friday March 20 marks the Aries Ingress, better known as the Autumn Equinox in the southern hemisphere. At 10:45pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time the Sun will move into the sign of Aries and be exactly overhead at the equator and day and night are of equal length. It marks the turning point when days will become shorter than the nights and the darkness will begin to prevail over the light. From this point forward the days will shorten as the Sun decreases in power and strength. It is time to turn towards the darkness of winter and focus inwards.

 Esoteric writers say this is a magical time when the magnetic field of the Earth is influenced by the Sun’s position directly overhead the equator. A doorway or portal opens to other realms due to a reduction in the Earth’s magnetic field. This is a powerful time for ritual and meditation that can offer us wisdom, inspiration and guidance. The equinox energy lasts for about 24 hours either side the exact moment.

 Celebrating the Autumn Equinox: A Time of Thanksgiving

The Autumn Equinox marks the second and final of the two harvest festivals in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. In Ancient Greece this was the time of the Greater Mysteries that were celebrated at Eleusis, 14 miles from Athens.

 This is the time to acknowledge with gratitude all the goods things in your life that you may tend to take for granted. It is time to stop and reflect on the abundance that you enjoy on a daily basis as well as your personal harvest: becoming conscious of what you have achieved and manifested during this last solar cycle. You may choose to hold a thanksgiving dinner where everyone expresses their gratitude for life’s riches, or you may prefer a more private ritual such as the one below.

 A Private Equinox Ritual

When you are ready sit quietly, centre yourself and invoke your Highest Inspiration, then call for the assistance of your guides as you light your harvest candle. Gently come into your heart and allow yourself to remember all the good things in your life – the people, things, works, interests, pets, family, travel – anything and everything that gives you joy. Allow yourself to feel sincere gratitude as your mind floats over the richness and abundance that you often take for granted. Form the intention to be more mindful and appreciative on a daily basis.

 Next, reflect on what you have achieved and learned over the last year. Give thanks for both the achievements and lessons of the last year, and then spend some time reflecting on what has not gone the way you had wished. What can you learn from these experiences to take into the new cycle at the coming Winter Solstice? Keep your candle to light whenever you need to remember to be more thankful.

 Blessed be!

 Blessings

Christine Rothwell

Courses, Workshops and Classes

 Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for a brochure.

Blessings

Christine Rothwell