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Venus Squares Pluto;
Mercury and Uranus Rock the Pisces New Moon;
Mercury Enters Aries;
Daily Savings Time Begins
By Shelley L. Ackerman © 2010
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
From the novel to the unexpected and dramatic, celestially speaking, this week has it all as we (the collective), are being presented with a colorful smorgasbord of planetary activity.
As is usually the case, some of what transpires will have a fated quality to it, but plenty of it comes under the heading of “multiple choice”, where we get to choose what to respond to and how:
The ‘square’ (a tense 90 degree aspect) between Venus and Pluto (which clicks in at least twice a year) usually arrives with some cloak and dagger aspect to our love life, or it places in our path, a highly magnetic inappropriate someone who is beyond tempting but who invariably is completely unavailable and inappropriate.
Where love and sex is concerned, it always fascinates me how much the ‘introductory offer’ from someone who can’t possibly deliver in the long run (and who will mess you up big time in the short run), never resembles what actually ends up being the case.
‘Interested parties’ routinely neglect to mention their wives, girlfriends, husbands, liens against them, psychiatric histories, etc., when in the process of luring their next victim, and Venus/Pluto aspects in the natal chart, by transit, or progression, seem to efficiently enhance and empower seductions of this nature. With Venus in Aries, the tendency is to act rashly and quickly and to deal with the consequences later. All that this and any astrologer worth their salt can lovingly say is: “Enjoy, but proceed with caution and at your own risk.”
The Collector
Samantha Eggar
As an aside, I watched a 1965 cult film this week that showed on my favorite channel, TCM (Turner Classic Movies). “The Collector”, a “Beauty and the Beast”-variation on a theme starring Terence Stamp and Samatha Eggar, Is undoubtedly THE precursor to 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs. The horrific-Venus-Pluto thriller also employed the symbolism of butterflies. Directed by William Wyler (who two years later, went on to direct Barbra Streisand in 1967’s “Funny Girl”), masterfully scared the living daylights out of this viewer and left me stunned by the range of his directorial talent. Wyler, who was born on July 1, 1902 in France, had Scorpio rising and the Moon in Taurus, also directed “The Best Years of Our Lives”, “Roman Holiday”, “Mrs. Miniver” and “Ben Hur”, to name a few.
Terence Stamp: Now
Terence Stamp : Then
Stamp, born on July 22, 1939, has his 29 degree Cancer Sun in close/hard aspects to Pluto, Mars, and Saturn. He is by far one of the truly great villains in cinematic history. His chart is a prime example of a life that could have easily gone to the dark side and instead he channeled out that energy in a creative way on stage and in films. It serves as such a fine example for those of us that work with folks with trying charts. For the record, Eggar, who was born on March 5, 1939, has the Sun conjunct Jupiter in Pisces and a tight Venus/Pluto opposition.
The New Moon on the Ides of March is conjoined by both Mercury and Uranus, the planets of communication, freedom, and whimsy. Aptly, the Sabian Symbol for the degree of the lunation, 26 degrees of Pisces, is:
"Watching the very thin moon crescent appearing at sunset, different people realize that the time has come to go ahead with their different projects. A keen appreciation of the value of individualized responses to any challenges of life."
I can’t remember ever seeing a symbol that so clearly emphasized the importance of individuality. It’s time for each and every one of us to listen to our heartbeat and to follow its directions.
Fertile Minds: How Green is YOUR Valley?
National Association of Catholic Hospitals Give Health Reform the Nod
Color-wise, green is not only the color of money, but it is said to be the color of the heart chakra. The implication that the exchange of dollars and of wealth on this earthly plane is symbolic of “heart energy” flowing from one individual to another warms me. We think of `Green` now in terms of being in sync with environment and in terms of fertility. To me, the most meaningful fertility is the fertility of the mind.
This past week there were several important pieces published regarding the future of education, the Internet, and one encouraging development in the Health Reform debate: It seems that the argument of the availability of abortions under proposed health reform has been refuted by The National Associations of Catholic Hospitals. In a statement released on Friday, Sister Carol Keehan said:
“…any qualms about abortion language in the Senate version can be resolved, and in any event are not enough to justify opposition to what Catholic leaders say is a pro-life issue and a "human right" -- universal and affordable health care.” She went on to say, "We said there could not be any federal funding for abortions, and there had to be strong funding for maternity care, especially for vulnerable women. The bill now being considered allows people buying insurance through the exchange to use federal dollars in the form of tax credits and their own dollars to buy a policy that covers their health care. If they choose a policy with abortion coverage, then they must write a separate personal check for the cost of that coverage.”
Sister Keenan’s clarity of thought and the ability to distinguish between nuances is to be commended. And if the following proposed changes in academic standards is adopted, we can look forward to the next generation of Americans being able to do the same (think creatively and rationally).
President Obama called for sweeping changes to the failed “No Child Left Behind Act” of the Bush years. The President’s plan would reward schools for their achievements and would aim to prepare students for college and a career.
In contrast, conservative factions in the State of Texas have won a battle to put their skewed view of history in social studies curriculums in school textbooks. Yes, the “Texas Freedom Network” has succeeded in removing Thomas Jefferson from a world history section devoted to great political thinkers. Lordy, lordy!
UPDATE & CORRECTION:
From a local re: The TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK:
This Organization been fighting for years AGAINST the conservative factions in Texas education. They have made some significant strides but are very disappointed in the outcome of the latest textbook debacle.
Luck of the Irish? Mercury trines Mars on Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick
In the mood for an earful? If you’re in an adventurous mood and crazy enough to be out celebrating on Saint Patrick’s Day, try to be aware of who you choose to hang with at a parade or in a bar, as you’re bound to hear a lot of whatever that person has on his or her mind:
On the 17th, Mercury, the planet of communication, transits that “have I got a tale to tell” last degree of Pisces in the AM, and goes into Aries at 12:12 pm EDT. As Mercury approaches the trine to energetic Mars that evening, folks will be chatting one another up with gusto and with no holds barred. Positively, if you have any writing or connecting that needs to get done, there’s no better day for it than that afternoon. The same is true for travel, trips embarked upon after lunch will tend to go very smoothly.
Book of the Week:
Sacred Water: The Spiritual Source of Life
by Nathaniel Altman
Click to check it out!
Chart: Pisces New Moon
Click for larger view
March 11: Moon in Aquarius @ 12:42 am, Venus square Pluto @ 12:35 pm
March 13: Moon V/C @ 5:57 am, in Pisces @ 1:43 pm
March 14: Daylight Savings Time @ 2 AM; Sun conjunct Mercury @ 9:17 am
March 15: New Moon @ 5:01 pm, Mercury conj Uranus @ 5:41 pm,
Moon V/C @ 8:01 pm
March 16: Moon enters Aries @ 2:32 am
March 17: Sun conj Uranus @ 2:51 am, Mercury enters Aries @ 12:12 pm
Mercury trine Mars @ 7:33 pm
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, Best for spiritual not earthly pursuits
Bonus: 2010 Astro Crib Sheet
Mercury: Begins @ 18 Cap 28 Retro, ends 2010 @ 19 Sag 44
Mercury Retrogrades: Dec 26 ‘09- Jan 15 ‘10, April 17-May 11, Aug 20-Sept 12, Dec 10-30
Venus: Begins @ 8 Cap 29, ends 2010 @ 23 Scorpio 05
Venus Retrograde: Oct 8 – Nov 18
Mars: Begins @ 18 Leo 44 Retro, ends 2010 @ 17 Cap 59
Mars Retrograde: Dec 20, 2009 - March 10, 2010
Jupiter: Begins @ 26 Aquarius 28, ends 2010 @ 26 Pisces 29
(Jupiter in Aries from June 6-Sept 9)
Jupiter Retrograde: July 23-Nov 18
Saturn: Begins @ 4 Libra 31, ends 2010 @ 16 Libra 38
(Saturn in Virgo from April 7- July 21)
Saturn Retrograde: January 13- May 30)
Uranus: Begins @ 23 Pisces 06, ends 2010 @ 26 Pisces 57
(Uranus in Aries May 27- Aug 13)
Uranus Retrograde: July 5- Dec 5
Neptune: Begins @ 24 Aquar 36, ends 2010 @ 26 Aquar 44
Neptune Retrograde: May 31- Nov 7
Pluto: Begins @ 3 Cap 19, ends 2010 @ 5 Cap 19
Pluto Retrograde: April 6 – Sep 14
Eclipses: Jan 15-Solar @ 25 Cap 01, June 26-Lunar @ 4 Can 46, July 11- Solar @ 19 Can 24, Dec 21-Lunar @ 29 Gemini 21
ARIES: There’s much to be said about bravado (when appropriate) and spontaneity (when called for) but neither will be met unobstructed on and a few days following the 11th, so if you must make a move, be prepared to deal with flack from the higher ups. On the other hand, overtures made after noon on the 17th will be applauded and supported and will yield a heck of a lot more than anything attempted before then. And besides, why shouldn’t your ships ride in on that glorious Saint Paddy’s Day wave?
TAURUS: Not that your love-life is in nearly as extreme a crisis as that of Tiger Woods, but on whatever scale your libido is operating, if an indiscretion is being contemplated (or has already taken place), the tension between Venus and Pluto is giving you plenty of second thoughts and good reason to hit the ‘pause’ button. A change of focus to the more impersonal side of life balances things out and the New Moon in your communal 11th house brings fresh blood and fresh ideas to your sphere- and not a moment too soon.
GEMINI: Life isn’t necessarily easier but it does become sweeter with the knowledge that you’re not going through the doldrums alone. Though you don’t realize it, everyone close to you, including those that you depend on for emotional support are not withholding their love or comfort to be mean- they just don’t have extra available right now. This will change in due course. In the meantime, the excitement and action is at the top of your chart, in the career sector. This is where your undivided attention needs to be- don’t fritter way your time on nonsense, and learn to accept and love your GROWING PAINS
CANCER: Your enthusiasm and fresh ideas for your next career move are pretty darn wonderful, but sharing them with a partner, spouse, or BFF who may or may not understand what you mean at the first listen is probably not the best thing to do at this time. He (or she) is going through their own changes and is probably not listening with a full deck. They will be far more encouraging on or after the 17th when it becomes clear that you’re really on to something. St. Patrick’s Day should be one of extremely good luck- especially in the $$ department. Be open to what comes.
LEO: Ever feel like you’re in the spin cycle of a washing machine and you can’t do anything about it until after the rinse cycle is over? The tidal wave of ‘wild water’ and volatile emotional and psychic activity in your transformational 8th house is enough to fill three triple loader machines. But the good news is, after this sequence, on the 17th, you are positioned to make astounding headway in several key areas (all of your choosing). Think of the upfront churning as a bizarre appetizer to a first class gourmet meal, with satisfaction guaranteed.
VIRGO: Be extremely cautious (especially on and a few days after the 11th) regarding any group investment or shared financial dealings, there’s plenty of fine print and you may not have been apprised of all of the details. And besides, many of the players will change on or after the March 15th New Moon. That lunation, by the way, holds a great deal of excitement: a partner or very close friend is apt to change on a dime and sing a whole new song, one that’s music to your ears. Allow yourself to be inspired by the new ideas that come your way and know that you’ll have time to analyze what you think you must, later on.
LIBRA: Why is it that you often seem to find yourself in the unenviable position of needing to choose between your love-life, your professional goals and your family who just can’t get enough of you? You’d better reinforce those boundaries that have turned to mush of late, lest you miss a window of opportunity to make some miracles happen work wise. The 17th is a day of luck and inspired movement on the work front. If you’re moved to clean out everything in sight and begin anew- go for it: you have nothing to lose.
SCORPIO: See if you can be the voice of reason without knocking the wind out of a sweet someone’s sails. By that I mean, that there may be a young and inexperienced female at work who has the best of intentions but may not understand the whole picture. Be patient and try not to be too discouraging as you instruct her in this moment. She will be very useful to you once she learns the ropes. The New Moon on the 15tth brings an exciting rush of new energy in the creative and possibly the romantic departments. If you lose yourself, come back quickly. There’s fantastic work to
SAGITTARIUS: A romantic excursion that beckoned on the 11th, may turn out to be one that you cannot afford literally and figuratively. Focus instead on the New Moon energy of the 15th and use it to renew your environment. Be on notice that plumbing can go a little crazy on the ides of March so be careful around water and with any electrical equipment or wiring in baths or in kitchens. The 17th is a boon to you creatively, romantically, legally and spiritually. You just can’t miss.
CAPRICORN: The tension on the 11-14th can be sidestepped if you remove yourself from anything and anyone that looks like it can overheat too quickly. You’ll need your energy for the New Moon on the 15th which takes place in your 3rd house of neighbors, siblings, transportation, and ideas. Be open to a completely new way of looking at your life. This is a rare sequence in which the possibilities are endless. The world is your oyster if you are up for going with the flow. On the afternoon of the 17th, you may stumble upon an idea or an opportunity to refinance or purchase a new home. Though this was the last thing on your mind, it’s worth a look.
AQUARIUS: There may be a slightly annoying miscommunication with a female on and the days following the 11th, but it’s small potatoes next to the thrilling activity of the New Moon on the Ides of March. Despite the lousy economy, there’s a strong possibility of funding for a new venture that could turn things around. The water symbolism is strong so think in terms of ‘pooling’ resources. On the 17th, work with a charming and chivalrous partner (an attorney or agent type) who is experienced at closing the deal.
PISCES: While it’s of enormous importance to recognize and to honor your own values, it’s wise to consider the impact of your actions on the group. And though the community at large may not necessarily be a beacon of clarity, the majority does rule, at least on and in the aftermath of the 11th. Later in the week, your patience pays off when the New Moon in your 1st house (which will have an illuminating and a liberating effect on your being) ushers in a brand new dawn and a bright new day. Refreshed and revitalized, you’re encouraged to go forward and attempt something you’ve longed to do but never had the faith in. This time, it WILL work.