Planetary news this week: Portals of insight at the Equinox and lunar eclipse 🌎
Astrological update for the week of March 19-26, 2024
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The word “equinox” comes from the Latin words meaning “equal night” - the equinoxes are the points of equilibrium between the solstices. As you may know, the solstices and equinoxes mark the entry of the Sun into the cardinal signs of Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn - the points in the tropical zodiac that correspond to the changing of the seasons.
The 0 degree point of Aries is sometimes called the "World Point" because it orients us towards the world at large and externalizes our experience. The Aries point is the harbinger of spring - the emergence of the Sun into a new trip around the Zodiacal wheel. It is also a time when the days and nights are in equal balance, so the idea of polarity and balancing the tension between opposites is a theme at this time. The idea of the emergence of the sap in the trees and flower buds in the garden is intricately tied to the awakening of the dormant fire at the Aries point.
This week’s equinox event. The moment that the Sun enters Aries this year is on March 19th at 11:06 pm EDT. The astrological charts for the solstices and equinoxes have long been used as predictors of the energies for the next few months, and this equinox chart set for Washington D.C. is a challenging one. We have the upcoming conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus with its penchant for radical change straddling the descendant, the point where we discover the nature of our allies and enemies. Pluto, planet of destruction and regeneration, opposes the Leo Moon which suggests that an adjustment to our emotional reactions will be required. In addition Mars, ruler of the equinox chart conjoins the IC of the chart, the point representing the soul of the people. I guess the political discourse will not be more civilized any time soon.
There are nearly always harmonious and supportive energies to support us during challenging times, and here we see Venus and Saturn harmonizing with Jupiter and Uranus to help us to regain our equanimity and optimism.
On a personal level, the equinox is a useful time to rebalance elements of our lives and energetic expression that may be out of balance. This will be especially true later in the week as we approach the lunar eclipse at the Libra full moon! Bringing more fire into our lives is the perfect way to celebrate the entry of the Sun into Aries at the equinox. Light a candle, build a bonfire, and maybe most important, activate the fire of the solar plexus - the seat of the Will.
Our Will is our guiding principle; the force of desire which creates and assists in manifestation. Aries is itself the prime zodiacal representative of the Will, and under this influence we can most easily discover our own guiding force and how best to utilize it.
Mars enters Pisces March 22. Speaking of the Will, Mars is the planet that expresses the Will, and in Pisces that becomes more difficult. The planet of fire can be drowned in the water of Pisces, and while the compassion and intuitive attributes of Pisces are noble and good, we also need that fire to motivate and inspire. While Mars is in Pisces (until April 30) we are focused more on peace and cooperation, but it will be important to find ways to continue to stoke the fire of passion and inspiration
Lunar eclipse at the Libra Full Moon, March 25 at 3 am EDT. This spring’s eclipse season offers only two eclipses (one pair) instead of the typical four (two pairs). Eclipses can be somewhat revelatory - they sometimes act to bring something out into the open which has been concealed. The lunar eclipse this week is a partial eclipse because it is 10 degrees from the lunar nodes of fate.
The fact that the Aries Sun eclipses the Libra Moon at the time of the equinox, with the Sun newly in Aries, amplifies the focus on release of the Will discussed above. Aries can be seen as pure “id” - the unconscious drive of the personality towards satisfaction. But the Libra Moon teaches that all things require compromise, so we may find this dichotomy to be an issue at the time of this eclipse.
The shadow of Mercury retrograde and what we can expect. Mercury is currently in Aries and will turn retrograde April 1st. Mercury’s motion has already begun to slow down, as it always does when it prepares to turn retrograde. Mercury represents the transmission of information including thought, conversation, learning, equipment, short-distance travel - it is closest to Earth when retrograde and these times are extremely significant for any kind of communication or messaging.
I do not advise putting your life on hold when Mercury is retrograde. However, glitches do often occur (as they do during other times!) and paying closer attention to the words we use and the actions we take may be helpful. Through the entire retrograde period Mercury will be in Aries where it prefers to act impulsively and directly without second thinking everything, and we may find ourselves engaging in heated discussions or arguments before we’ve even noticed.
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