Number 84  

March has a lot happening… astrologically speaking.  

Uranus enters Aries for the next seven years, the third and final transit of Jupiter opposition Saturn marks the turning point in the Social Master Cycle, Mercury moves retrograde and the seasons shift as the Sun moves into Aries. 

Blessings 

Christine Rothwell 

' 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com.au

1.    March Overview

2.    Jupiter opposition Saturn

3.    Mercury Retrograde

4.    Uranus to Aries

5.    Autumn Equinox

6.    2011 Astrology Classes.

·        Beginner's / First Year on Thursday nights

·        Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·        Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

7.    Consultations and Gift Certificates

 

1. March Overview

 

All dates and times are for Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

 

·         March 2: Venus to Aquarius

·         March 3: North Node to Sagittarius

·         March 5: New Moon in Pisces

·         March 10: Mercury to Aries

·         March 12: Uranus to Aries

·         March 20: Full Moon in Virgo

·         March 21: Autumn Equinox: Sun to Aries

·         March 27: Venus to Pisces

·         March 29: Jupiter Opposition Saturn

·         March 31: Mercury retrograde 

The New Moon on March 5 is part of a stellium which spans late Aquarius, all of Pisces and the early Aries. The New Moon is in compassionate, sensitive and idealistic Pisces but it is conjunct both Mars and Mercury and quincunx Saturn. Mars energizes and spurs us to action, Mercury suggests the need to communicate and Saturn calls us to ground our Piscean impulses. This is a positive time to set intentions [New Moon] and take action [Mars] relating to all things Piscean: our spiritual / meditative practices, our creativity, our need for healthy experiences of ecstasy and joy, our connection with the transcendent realm [God / Goddess] and our intuition. This New Moon may also highlight unhealthy Piscean patterns as a way of asking us to find a new way of expressing this part of ourselves. Negative patterns that could be highlighted include: co-dependency, the victim and martyr archetypes, escapist and addictive patterns. 

On March 12 Uranus moves into Aries where it will stay until 2018. As a transpersonal planet Uranus serves the needs of the individual and collective soul, rather that the ego's conscious wishes and desires. Uranus is identified with the principle of change and seeks to destroy stagnant and out dated structures, beliefs and philosophies. His action is often confronting and challenging and can become chaotic and disruptive when we resist the change that our soul demands. The last time Uranus was in Aries was between 1927 and 1934, when the warrior archetype came to prominence and .a number of militant political regimes [Fascism & Stalinism] took power. [More information in section 4] 

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 20 is in a close opposition to the Black Moon and Uranus [which moved into Aries on March 12], and forms a square with the Nodes.  The Virgo Full Moon is time to ground ourselves and balance the Piscean impulses [see the New Moon information] of the solar position. Pisces sees the big picture while Virgo challenges us to attend to the details as well. Virgo is a practical earth sign that calls for self analysis, humility and the development of new skills. The negative Virgo can be inclined to worry, anxiety and [self] criticism. The opposition with Uranus brings an impulsive flavour and it may also heighten anxiety. Grounding yourself either through energy techniques or physical activity - especially out in nature - could be helpful at this time. The opposition from the Black Moon brings in some of the dark feminine energy [nothing to do with gender]that combined with Uranus can bring out a rebellious, contrary shadow energy that can sabotage our conscious efforts… so be especially aware of your shadow around this time. 

Saturday March 21 marks the Aries Ingress, better known as the Autumn Equinox in the southern hemisphere [Spring Equinox for our friends in the Northern hemisphere]. At 10.20am Australian Eastern Daylight Time the Sun will move into the sign of Aries and be overhead at the equator, marking the time where day and night are of equal length. It marks the turning point when days will become shorter [reverse for the Northern Hemisphere] 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. [More information in section 5] 

Jupiter opposes Saturn on March 29 for the last of three transits. The 3 exact dates are:

• June 23 2010
• August 17 2010
• March 29 2011

This opposition marks the mid-point of the Jupiter /Saturn cycle that began in 2000, and the beginning of a period of contraction and consolidation. The first half of this cycle [2000 - 2010] is considered more Jupiterian [and expansionary] and the second half [2010 to 2020], is considered more Saturnian. The Saturnian half of the cycle calls for the cultivation of positive Saturnian qualities such as: responsibility, patience, hard work, self discipline and the gifts that come from a willingness to re-evaluate and re-structure [more information is found in section 2] 

Mercury enters the retrograde loop on 17^th March in preparation for turning retrograde on March 31, a process that heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin on April 10 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun.  The retrograde process takes place in the sign of Aries. 

The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review - a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier. [More information in section 3] 

2. Jupiter Opposition Saturn: March 29 

This opposition formed part of the cardinal cross that peaked in July /August 2010 but it is also a powerful configuration on its own. It marks the midpoint of the Jupiter / Saturn cycle that began during May 2000. The Jupiter/ Saturn cycle is called the social master cycle as it is one of the key astrological indicators of social, cultural and economic shifts.  

Astrology students are taught that one transit suggests a possibility of a certain result; two transits make an event likely while three suggest an event described by the energies is inevitable. Currently astrology is revealing four major transits that involve Saturn - or the sign it rules, Capricorn - all speaking of the need for major re-structuring.

1. Jupiter opposition Saturn
2. Saturn opposition Uranus
3. The transit of Pluto through Capricorn. 
4. Saturn square Pluto in Capricorn 

This process is being seen quite dramatically through the economic collapses of [current and imminent] several EEC nations and the difficulty many nations are having recovering from the Global Financial Crisis.  

Astrological cycles teach us that life ebbs and flows, expands and contracts and that this is all a natural part of the cycle of life. The waning phase of the Jupiter/Saturn cycle that begins this month informs us that is time for contraction, review and re-structuring. Saturn now takes the upper hand and we must collectively honour this process by becoming more responsible and grounded after the heady, expansionary ride that Jupiter has allowed over the last ten years. The 'bubbles' are all bursting, and this is as it should be.  

The first ten years of the Jupiter / Saturn Cycle tends to be more Jupiterian and expansionary while the second half is dominated by the contraction of Saturn. This new phase of the cycle has implications for the next ten years and needs to be taken seriously. This opposition marks the turning point were we enter the Saturnian phase, a time of contraction where re-structuring will once more become important.  

Saturn will test many of the structures [political, social and economic] that have been created or expanded over the last ten years and will demand that we re-think our progress and examine them in the harsh light of reality. Structures that are built on firm foundations may need some minor adjustments to adapt to the new Saturnian atmosphere, others major re-structuring while those that have little substance may collapse. 

3. Mercury Retrograde: March 31

Mercury enters the retrograde loop on 17^th March in preparation for turning retrograde on March 31, a process that heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin on April 10 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun. The retrograde process takes place in the sign of Aries. 

The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.  

This is also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don't run to plan. [For more information go to www.christinerothwell.com/page5.htm ]  

Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG! 

Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for   about a week when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun from around April 4 to re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around April 17 or later. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos.  

Key dates / degrees

·        Exact dates: 31 March to 23 April

·        Sensitive degrees: 12 to 24 degrees of Aries

·        Full time of influence: 17^th March to 11^th of May

·        Time for insight: 10^th April when the New Mercury Cycle begins [Mercury conjunct the Sun]

·        Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: 23^rd April to 11^th of May 

Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise over the first few weeks and the answers and insight can appear when the new cycle begins on April 10. Sit with your insights until after April 23 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action. 

4. Uranus to Aries: 2010/11 to 2018

On March 12 Uranus moves into Aries where it will stay until 2018. Uranus is named after the original sky god and takes 84 years to orbit the Sun, spending about seven years in each of the twelve signs. Uranus is a transpersonal planet, the first planet beyond the boundaries of Saturn and always challenges us to move beyond the limitations of our socialization and awaken to our individuality and larger truths. As a transpersonal planet Uranus serves the needs of the individual and collective soul, rather that the ego's conscious wishes and desires. 

Uranus is identified with the principle of change and seeks to destroy stagnant and out dated structures, beliefs and philosophies. His action is often confronting and challenging and can become chaotic and disruptive when we resist the change that our soul demands. The last time Uranus was in Aries was between 1927 and 1934, when the warrior archetype came to prominence and .a number of militant political regimes [Fascism & Stalinism] took power.  

Uranus in Aries presents an image of rugged individualism. At its best it is the true individual and pioneer who is unswayed by mass thinking and is able to move forward into unchartered territory and be true to their inner voice. At its most negative it can be the individual [or group or nation] who is totally egocentric and aggressively pursues their own interests. Uranus in Aries calls us all to honour our individuality and need for freedom and self expression but we must find ways to do this that do not negate others needs and rights. 

Here is a list of Arian qualities, events and structures that may come to prominence and be areas where we see significant changes in the next 7 years. The choice is always ours [and of course humanity's as a collective] whether the energy is used constructively or destructively. History tells us that there will probably be expressions of both polarities.

• Aries archetypes include: the warrior, hero, pioneer, innovator, entrepreneur, and daredevil.
• Competition, Sport
• Conflict, War aggression
• Auto industry [warrior's chariot!!]
• Metal industry - BHP, Rio etc
• Armed forces, Police, Fire services
• Violent crime
• Industrial concerns, including disputes
• Opposition forces
• Bravery, courage
• Getting moving, taking action
• Pioneering and moving into the unknown

5. The Autumn Equinox: March 21 

Saturday March 21 marks the Aries Ingress, better known as the Autumn Equinox in the southern hemisphere [Spring Equinox for our friends in the Northern hemisphere]. At 10.20am Australian Eastern Daylight Time the Sun will move into the sign of Aries and be exactly overhead at the equator where day and night are of equal length. It marks the turning point when days will become shorter [reverse for the Northern Hemisphere] 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. [Ring Lucy on 0418 382 924 if you would like to attend a ritual to honour the Equinox in Melbourne.] 

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! 

The Full Moon on April 17 is in the sign of Scorpio and heralds the coming of Easter. The Christian Church marks the Easter Resurrection as the Sunday after the Full Moon that follows the Aries Ingress [Vernal Equinox in the Northern hemisphere]. This makes Good Friday April 22 and Easter Sunday April 24.in 2011. 

 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell

Christine Rothwell
Phone: 03 9584 6532
Web: www.christinerothwell.com