COSMIC WEATHER
The beginning of something has significance, and what happens in the sky relates to what happens on Earth. The process of individuation involves working with the personal planets, moving through the asteroid belt, then on to the trends of the social planets, with Saturn as the first level of boundary. Balancing the benefits of these key ingredients, and moving through the acculturated limitations allows the crossing of the Centaur bridge where Chiron leads to the transpersonal planets; here, Pluto as the second level boundary. The transpersonal planets are challenging bodies, requiring awakening, flow, and presence before integration and groundedness push out to the new level boundary, Sedna. Understanding these dynamic energies, as demonstrated through the ever-changing cosmic weather, allows a greater ability to live connected to purpose and meaning.
The Sun is the Invincible Spirit. So great is this universal wonder that it must come in small doses, distributed as it travels around the 360 degrees of the Zodiac over the course of a year. The Sun's position symbolizes the active presence of the Divine. The Sun entered the sign of Aries (0 degrees) on Monday March 20, 2023. This Sun ushers in the Vernal Equinox, with day and night in balance. The energy touts the beginning of the astrological year, vibrating with new life and urgent growth.
The Moon is the Receiver, catching emotional attachments, hooks, and patterns. The Moon receives and moves through her angular relationship with the Sun over the course of the month, reflecting the Sun's invincible spirit through her silver light. The Moon delights in shape-shifting, and in the repetitive ebb and flow from night to day and from New to Full in predictable sequence. We see this dance every month, beginning at the New Moon, timed for the Moon's alignment with the Sun, where Soul is connected with Spirit. The Aries New Moon, with Sun and Moon aligned at 0+ Aries occurs on Tuesday March 21, 2023. This New Moon carries a message of emergence. The Sabian Symbol for this degree reads as follows: A woman has risen from the ocean; a seal embraces her.
HIGHLIGHTS 2023
Historic 2019, 20, 21, and 22 are now over. The transcendent foundations for the future have been built. Saturn has entered the sign of Pisces on March 7, and Pluto enters the sign of Aquarius on March 23, 2023. We are crossing the threshold of the new world order.
THE ECLIPSE SEASONS
Eclipses occur in pairs or trios. Though the visual effect occurs on the day of, the influence can be felt before, during, and after, covering an immediate period of 6-8 weeks (the eclipse season), and also up to 6 months. The energies can be touched off at various times, depending on the location of the Moon's nodal axis, the Sun, the Moon, or Mars. Solar eclipses occur at New Moons, when the Moon eclipses or blocks the Sun, so that there is an eerie shadow cast on the Earth's surface. Lunar eclipses occur at Full Moons, when the Earth passes between the opposing Sun and the Moon, creating a shadow across the Full Moon. The exactitude of the alignment defines the type (total, annular, partial, appulse). Eclipses resonate at different levels of consciousness. Solar eclipses suggest beginnings; Lunar eclipses suggest endings. Because eclipses involve the alignments of the Sun, the Moon, and the Nodal Axis, eclipses have a "destiny" quality to them. While there is a personal impact, with the position in the Zodiac determining focus, the mundane impact is obvious in the making of history. The trigger point date for sensitivity of the degree is often before or after the exact date. The dates when the 2022 eclipses are activated are listed below, followed by 2023 eclipse dates.
- REVERBERATING 2022 ECLIPSES
- March 15-April 4, 2023 Uranus activates the November 8, 2022 Lunar Eclipse at 16 TA 00.
- June 23, 2023 The Nodal Axis activates the Oct. 25, 2022 Solar Eclipse at 2 SC 00.
- UPCOMING 2023 ECLIPSES
- April 20, 2023 Solar Eclipse at 29 AR 50 Activates after (July 18, 2023)
- May 5, 2023 Lunar Eclipse at 14 SC 58 Activated before (September, 10, 2022)
- October 14, 2023 Solar Eclipse at 21 LI 08 Activates after (December 31, 2023)
- October 28, 2023 Lunar Eclipse at 5 TA 09 Activated before (March 6, 2023)
PLANETARY LOCATIONS
Mercury is the communicator. Mercury has 3-4 Retrograde (Rx) cycles every year, each lasting approximately 3 weeks, and each offering a period of reflection, recalibration, revision, and resolution, as Mercury and the Sun exchange the message of a particular degree of the Zodiac. Mercury aims to make connections and move on. Clever, agile, and appreciative of humor, Mercury will bring wisdom to the conversation with light and good will. At this New Moon, Mercury is at 5+ Aries, close to the Sun-Moon. Perigrine here, Mercury works through Mars and may be more impulsive than usual. Thinking before speaking would be a good rule of thumb. Mercury turns Rx on April 21 at 15 + TA.
Venus refines, evaluates, and strives to make ideals real. Her cycle is complex and mysterious, beginning while Retrograde as an Evening Star, moving through conjunctions with the Sun, and shifting from Evening Star to Morning Star, and back. This cycle recalibrates Venus' relationship to the Sun. As an Evening Star--calm, mature, settled, and knowing her brilliance (as Venus is best seen outside of the clutch of the Sun), she began the current cycle on December 19, 2021 at 26 + Capricorn. She is now in the last stage of that cycle, visible and shining brilliantly until the next Rx period, which will occur on July 23, 2023 at 28 + Leo. She is currently Direct, and so comfortable at 5 + Taurus.
Mars is the warrior on a mission, with energy that can pierce and penetrate in swift motion. At this New Moon, Mars is Direct at 28 + Gemini, sharing a mutual reception with Mercury. Mars is working through Mercury, working through Mars in this placement. Make the effort to communicate well. Mars' haste can create problems, so think it through carefully and bring some humor to the task. Mars will move into Cancer on Saturday March 25, 2023.
Ah, Jupiter! Jupiter is the wise guru, the planet of expansion. Jupiter has the big picture, and functions best as a problem solver, planner, project manager. Jupiter has the vision and wants to take the leaps needed to create something big and wonderful. Jupiter is Direct, full throttle, at 16 + Aries , strengthening and expanding the influence of the New Moon. Commit!
Saturn is the planet that sets limitations and boundaries, while insisting on karmic payback. Saturn relates to time, records, the destiny of earth experience. Often presenting the difficult lessons, Saturn's gift brings essence and structural solidity. At this New Moon, Saturn is Direct at 1+ Pisces. We will be challenged to open our hearts in compassion and empathy for the next 2.5 years.
CHIRON, URANUS, NEPTUNE, PLUTO
Referred to as The Wounded Healer, Chiron is a minor planet/comet/dwarf planet located between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. Sometimes representing audacious attempts, pushing forward despite the wounds, it forms a bridge between the Chaldean limits represented by Saturn and the transpersonal realm represented by Uranus. Chiron has a 50 year eccentric orbit and is currently Direct at 14+ Aries, linked with Jupiter, creating an exaggeration of woundedness and great potential for healing.
The outer planets push us toward the transpersonal and provide a collective container for the development of consciousness. The twists and turns of these bodies facilitate our evolution, sometimes disturbing peace of mind. Uranus, the Awakener, transforms. Uranus entered the sign of Taurus in March, 2019, and will remain there for the next 7 years, clarifying security, practicality, resources, and values. Uranus provides energy to break traditions and calibrate revolutionary ideas. Technology continues to amaze, and is becoming more practical, and therefore seen as necessary, as potential brilliance is being grounded and brought to Earth. At this New Moon, Uranus is Direct at 16+ Taurus.
Nebulous Neptune transcends, bringing the vicissitudes of the tides forward to be dissolved. Neptune is diving further into the oceanic fog where the gems of spiritual truths can surface. Neptune's ethereal nature continues to deliver the surreal dreamlike kaleidoscope of the shifting reality. At this New Moon, slow moving Neptune is now Direct at 25 + Pisces. Disarmed confusion starts to abate.
Unequivocal Pluto aligns with the principle of metamorphosis. Small but mighty, this Dwarf Planet has been steamrolling the reality we once knew. Pluto has made three contacts with the US Pluto in 2022: February 20 (the situation): the Russian attack on Ukraine; July 11 (how it develops): economic stress; and Dec. 28, 2022 (how it is left): need for an end. At this New Moon, Pluto is located at 29 + Capricorn. Pluto makes its initial ingress into Aquarius on March 23, 2023. It will turn Retrograde in May, swing back into Capricorn, then turn Direct again in October, passing the last 3 degrees of Capricorn for a final entrance into Aquarius on Jan. 22, 2024. It will remain in Aquarius until the year 2044. We are in for a whole new vibe.
THE LUNAR NODES
The transiting Lunar Nodes travel backwards through the Zodiac, and function in polarity. Rudhyar described the nodal line as a fateful, destined space. At this New Moon, the Nodal Axis is at 4+ Taurus (NNode)-Scorpio (SNode). The focus remains on practicality as well as elements of survival. What are the values? What are the traps? What is needed? The Nodes will move into the Aries-Libra polarity on July 18, 2023, to square Pluto.
OTHER DWARF PLANETS
Ceres, associated with fertility and agriculture, is located in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. With an orbit of 4.6 years, Ceres is currently Retrograde at o + Libra. Lying in the Kuiper Belt as a TransNeptunian Object, Eris, with her 559 year orbit around the Sun, is associated with the strife and discord that emerges in the quest for justice, activating the sentiment of resistance to exclusion. Eris is currently Direct at 24+ Aries. Eris will move into Taurus in 2044. Another TransNeptunian Object, Sedna orbits the Sun in 11,408 years, and is associated with evolutionary consciousness. Sedna is currently Direct at 28+ Taurus, in the vicinity of the Pleiades/Seven Weeping Sisters fixed star cluster. Sedna moves into Gemini on June 16, 2023, and will Retrograde back into Taurus in November.
