Guest Blogger: Stephanie Austin M.A. is
a full time astrologer specializing in life purpose, career, and
relationship readings since 1986. She also teaches astrology and writes
the New and Full Moon column for the Mountain Astrologer magazine. Her
background includes a bachelor's degree in Psychology, a master's in
Consciousness Studies, and a lifelong involvement with meditation,
Nature, and healing. For more information on her astrology readings,
eBooks, tutorials, and forecasts, visit www.EcoAstrology.com.
EcoAstrology: Aries New Moon Plus
Important Dates:
March 30: New Moon 11:45 AM PDT (10º Aries)
April 1: Sun square Jupiter (12º Aries-Cancer)
April 2: Sun conjunct Uranus (13º Aries)
April 3: Sun square Pluto (14º Aries-Capricorn)
April 8: Sun opposite Mars (19º Libra)
April 15: Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon 12:42 AM PDT (25º Libra-Aries)
April 20-23: Grand Cardinal Cross (Pluto-Uranus-Jupiter-Mars, all at 14º)
April 29: Solar Eclipse/New Moon 11:14 PM PDT (9º Taurus)
March 28, 2014
Dear Friends,
We
have reached a major tipping point. Beginning with the next new moon,
which forms on March 30 at 10º Aries, the following four weeks provide
almost nonstop opportunities for pivotal revelations, shifts, and
breakthroughs. A precise grand cross involving Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter,
and Mars, combined with two eclipses, signals that we have reached a
critical crossroads, both personally and collectively. To harness this
huge wave of energy, rather than being buffeted by it, it is vital to
stay centered, grounded, and in touch with our inner guidance. Beware
of impulsiveness and impatience; respond rather than react. Hold
‘Beginner’s Mind;' remain curious, open, and willing to be surprized.
Choose and move from love rather than fear. Remember what Gandhi said when asked what he did when he was too busy to meditate; he said: “I meditate twice as much.”
It has never been more important to frequently take time out, or more
precisely, time in, to check our spiritual compass and align with our
higher self, so that we can use these transformative tailwinds to move
us forward, rather than feel blown sideways. Where in your life are you ready for a quantum leap?
New
moons are times to inhale, to tune into the core of our being. Aries is
the first sign of the zodiac, the energy of initiation, of breaking new
ground and birthing new forms. It takes courage to grow. It takes
willpower to overcome the pull of the past. It takes resolve to endure
discomfort or disapproval. It’s not easy to leave the familiar, to step
into the unknown, to dive so deeply into density that we risk forgetting
from where we came. Astrology helps us to remember who we really are
and what we came to do on Earth. It reminds us that everything is
connected, that we are not alone, not separate, not adrift in a
meaningless universe; rather, that each of us is a unique spark of the
divine, endlessly exploring the frontiers of time and space. What do you want to create now? What needs to change for that to manifest?
Whenever
the Sun, Moon, or any faster-moving planet aligns with a slower
outer-planet configuration, the evolutionary pace picks up, increasing
tailwinds for transformation. This new moon conjuncts Uranus, amplifying
the ongoing alignment between Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto (see
below), advising us to get ready for the next big step on our path.
Uranus functions as the Awakener, liberating us from the slumber of
conformity; its archetypal energy may shatter and shock us into
radically new ways of seeing and being. Juno’s conjunction with this new
moon — along with the transiting North Node now in Libra (February 18,
2014 to November 11, 2015) — emphasizes the imperative for relationships
of all kinds to become more balanced, equal, and co-creative. Juno’s
mythic battles with Jupiter illustrate that, both the reconciliation of
inequities in power and status between genders and balancing our
internal masculine and feminine sides, are necessary for harmony in
partnerships and peace in the world.
Uranus
and Pluto are in the process of making seven exact squares between 2012
and 2015, pressuring us to manifest the visions seeded in the 1960s
during their last conjunction. Their fifth of seven squares forms on
April 21, at 14° Aries-Capricorn, and will be greatly intensified by
Mars at 14° Libra and Jupiter at 14° Cancer. This will be the second
time Mars has linked up with the Uranus–Pluto square; the first was
December 25–30, 2013 (8°–11°), and the third will be June 14–25
(13°–16°). This extraordinary combination requires that we balance and
integrate four major areas of our life -- individuality (Aries),
relationships (Libra), home (Cancer) and work (Capricorn), calling for
courage and collaboration, emotional intelligence and integrity. Uranus
in Aries galvanizes us to think out of the box. Mars in Libra advises us
to be both assertive and respectful. Jupiter in Cancer expands access
to our feelings, needs, and feminine side, while Pluto in Capricorn
reveals where we must face inconvenient truths and make profound
changes. Grand
crosses offer pivotal opportunities to resolve long standing issues and
conflicts, if we are able to transcend polarized thinking and move into
our heart. Those with natal planets or angles in the mid degrees of
cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) will feel the
developmental pressure of these grand squares most strongly, as well the
United States, with its natal Sun at 13º Cancer and Saturn at 15º
Libra.
Grand Cross survival tools:
1. Clarify your intentions. What are your primary goals now?
2. Question old beliefs; they may no longer be true, or never even true in the first place.
3. Notice what triggers you. What is the real issue? What needs are not being met?
4. When stressed, take slow, deep breaths and a few drops of Rescue Remedy.
5. Have compassion for yourself and others; we are all on the edge of a new frontier.
6. Be grateful for everything; our greatest challenges often become our greatest blessings.
7. Ask for help; your guides are always on standby.
8. Discover the power of silence; turn off your cell phone, TV, and Wifi whenever possible.
9. Simplify; clean out closets, cupboards, and clutter.
10. Move your body; walk, dance, do yoga or some kind of physical activity daily.
11. Spend as much time as possible in nature.
12. Do what brings you joy.
We
are in a huge transition, where much is falling away in order to make
room for something better. That doesn’t mean those people, places, jobs,
situations etc. were bad; only that they have served their purpose in
this phase of our life and learning. Be ready for very quick
developments; when we look back, we see that they have been in the works
for quite some time. Use this new moon to attune to the core of your
being, which is always in touch with the core of the Earth and the
Cosmos. Prepare for takeoff, and keep in mind: “…
it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight,
that we force our wings to unravel and begin our flight. And as we fly,
we still may not know where we are going. But the miracle is in the
unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you’re going, but you
know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.” (C. Joy Bell)
Resources
• April 1, 5:30 PM PDT: online
Upwising Event with Swami Beyondananda.
Register here.
• April 5, 6 PM PDT: Gregg Braden on
Creating Resilience in a Time of Extremes.
Register here.
•
18 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently by Carolyn Gregoire
available here.
•
Beyond Reason: 90 minute film on the perceptual limits of our five senses
available here.
•
The Art of Empathy with Karla McLaren; download two empowering talks here:
Part I and
Part2
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