Astrological update for the week of March 20-27, 2023

This week we have three planetary bodies changing signs, including a zero degree Aries New Moon at the Equinox. This is a whirlwind of planetary motion, so hold onto your hats and prepare to let go.

There are times when we can create our own present and future, and times when we can exert power over the workings of the Universe. This is not one of them. This week in particular, with so many intense planetary energies blowing a new wind into the workings of the world, the very fabric of our experience is being altered and will change the way the future unfolds. This is a week for self-care: for calming our nervous system, for strengthening the bonds of our relationships, for taking care of the physical body through nutritional attention and physical activity. (This is because of several Ceres aspects I’ll discuss later in this article.)

Aries New Moon and Vernal Equinox

Whether we are in the northern or southern hemisphere, the March equinox marks an equal balance of light and dark midway between the Solstices. These are turning points at the zero degree point of the cardinal signs which mark the change of seasons. When one of these turning points occurs at a syzygy (new or full moon), the alteration effect is magnified and that is what we see here. We are at the edge of the first sign (Aries), ruled by Mars (action), at a time when the light begins to dominate over dark.

The chart for the New Moon is pretty potent: the Aries Sun and Moon are opposed by Ceres (integration of body, mind and spirit). Four planets are in Aries plus Chiron – a great deal of Mars-ruled energy which can, if not channeled consciously and properly, erupt into difficult situations. Jupiter (expansion) is conjunct Chiron (wounding and healing) which may bring out old wounds of resentment and abandonment. On top of this Mars, the New Moon ruler, is still separating from a square to Neptune which may confuse all kinds of issues and make it difficult to understand the energies swirling about. There is a dearth of water in the skies right now and water is the element which facilitates the flow of emotions and feelings. Right now it’s all Mars, which can lead to frustration and anger if we don’t focus on the real issues at hand.

Fortunately, Ceres is trine Pluto this week which can open some doors to transforming the way we look at how we take care of ourselves. The buzzword “self care” is so trite now, but that is really what Ceres is all about: Bringing harmony to the tender balance of the body, mind and spirit. We do this through rituals of the body: bathing, using scents and touch to calm the senses, stretching the muscles and massage. We do this through rituals of the mind: journaling, creativity, talking with friends. We do this through rituals of spirit: meditation, chanting, connection with nature. Pluto’s power is a great boon this week and I hope to remember to use it!

Pluto in Aquarius

You can read all about this 20-year cycle here. Big events like Pluto changing signs every 12-30 years don’t occur in one day – they take weeks and even months to unfold and the hints of what life will be like under Pluto in Aquarius have been slowly but surely becoming evident. Still, this is a major shift that happens at a time when the banking sector once again is under pressure and showing cracks. I like to think of Pluto as “creative destruction” rather than simply destruction, because there is a regenerative aspect to Pluto’s pressure to let go and allow change to occur. One thing I know is that we can’t put the genie back in the bottle in this brave new world and we will have to adapt.

Mars enters Cancer

After seven months of Mars in Gemini because of its long retrograde period, Mars moving into Cancer will be a bigger change than a Mars change of signs would normally be. Mars in Gemini was all about talking and ideas and difficulty settling into something. Mars in Cancer will bring the water element into the astrological energies, but Mars is not very happy in Cancer where it is too concerned about offending others to express its true nature of fire and self-orientation. Over the next few weeks as Mars aligns in squares to Mercury, Chiron and Jupiter we will want to be sure we find good outlets for any frustration that may occur so that we avoid more intense dust-ups.

That’s it for this week’s report.  Please let me know in the comments how the week goes for you!

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