Pisces New Moon and Equinox: Renewal 101

"Again, the season of Spring has come
and a spring-source rises under everything,
a moon sliding from the shadows." 

Rumi, “Spring”

"One's life is not as fixed as one believes. Surprises may lie in store for you, the unexpected often tends to happen, sometimes bringing in its train the most delightful change in one's life or circumstances." Elizabeth Aston, The Darcy Connection, 2008

The Moon completes its 29.5 day cycle on March 15th as it catches up to the Sun at 25 degrees Pisces. Adding to this cosmic mix is a dynamic pairing of Mercury and Uranus at essentially the same degree (26 Pisces).

This cosmic quadsome (my word), or stellium (astrology word), points to a strong expansion of awareness about the rapidly shifting energies now underway between the Piscean and Aquarian ages, or vibrational states of awareness. However you choose to tune-in to higher frequencies (mediation, dream state, yoga, bodywork etc), this lunation offers a potent portal for getting the cosmic download loud and clear.

New Moon occurs at 11:02 am in Hawaii, 2:02 pm on the West Coast US; 5:02 pm in the East, and 6:02 pm in England. Note: except for Hawaii, times reflect Daylight Savings Time for US. It occurs on the 16th from Saudi Arabia, east to the International Date Line.

Here's the natal chart for this New Moon:

This dark moon follows a potent Virgo Full Moon, continuing the Pisces/Aquarius intensity evident in charts since the Leo Full Moon at the end of January.

Overall New Moon Theme:

With each of these recent lunar cycles, more depth, clarity, and direction has been added to the evolving script for this unfolding Pisces to Aquarius shift. With expansive Jupiter moving quickly in its first pass through Pisces, an uptick in optimism, humanitarianism and a desire for peaceful co-existence has been evident in recent world and cultural events.

Further, in this lunation, we have arrived at the end point of the zodiac year. Pisces, as the last sign of the Zodiac, represents the end point or accumulated wisdom and awareness of all before it. Metaphorically, we find ourselves at the end of  our inner season of winter, and simultaneously, as springtime nears, at the tipping point of something fresh and exciting (see below for Equinox information). Use this current spring-time initiative in spontaneous, creative ways. Given the intensity of this summer's building energy wave, the timing couldn't be better to employ fresh, up-to-date strategies for how you will move forward in 2010 and beyond.

The Details:

Planetary members of this New Moon lunation 

The Aquarius placed components of this shift are (top to bottom) Neptune and Chiron (1). Neptune, ruler of Pisces, now directs our attention to a new mythos of compassionate, sensitivity from a higher octave or vibration of light (Aquarius). Chiron represents the healing path necessary to attain this higher vibrational state.

In the Pisces realm (2) (top to bottom), Jupiter, Moon, Sun, Mercury and Uranus reside. This will be the last lunation for awhile with more than 2 aspects in Pisces. So expect a drop-off in the super-sensitivity meter. While Uranus and Jupiter remain there through early June, Sun and Mercury move on into Aries signaling new energy and information coming your way.

The potent "wild-card" in this Piscean mix is Uranus, ruler of Aquarius. Adding expansive Jupiter to the mix intensifies the quickness of surprises and shifts of energy over the next 10 months. This building crescendo peaks in June when Jupiter catches up and tracks with Uranus through January.

Mercury and Uranus share similar characteristics. Hence, Uranus is the "new Mercury", or higher octave of the winged messenger. Mercury's planetary speed is mirrored by the potent winds sweeping the Uranian atmosphere (fastest in the solar system). Mercury catching up to Uranus in this lunation adds a catalytic spark to the next round of change and surprises in store from the Uranian box of cosmic tricks.

Use the Uranian/Mercury energy of this lunation to explore new possibilities and opportunities. What attracts your attention? What feels old and done? Spring cleaning is an inner and outer journey of shedding, cleansing, rebirth and regeneration. The vernal green of spring reflects the essence of that purification.

Other planetary cohorts:

Mars has finally reached its direct motion point at 0 Leo (March 10th). Although now moving in a useful, productive fashion, it is slow to get going, reaching only 3 Leo by month-end.  This "cosmic crawl" adds more critical tension to the mix. If you are attempting to start something new, use this additional fuel to clarify, ground and prepare for spring-time energy come early April.

In the meantime, use physical exercise (really give it a good workout) to utilize this pent-up force. Recent examples of physical rage in parts of the world underscore the importance of channeling this energy in safe and productive ways.

This current zero-point position now occupies the same vibrational space as the major total solar eclipse of last July. Lessons learned in the interim period about compassionate nurturing of self and others become more evident and accessible on the external. Creating a sextile (easy energy) with retrograding Saturn at 1 Libra (1) creates a conduit for adding this awareness to the form and essence of your intimate and personal relationships. What new energy form of connection do you desire for yourself and those close to you? Are these connections heart-felt, or in need of closer reflection and resolution? The advent of springtime energy makes this an ideal time to create clarity in this realm.

Meanwhile, Venus has moved from its Pisces position to Aries (2), initiating spontaneous, creative urges and initiatives. Venus in Aries is fearless and ready to step into new ground. And the energy field is certainly ripe for it.

For most of the northern hemisphere, the intensity of winter has locked up a lot of creative life force. Now is the time to tap into these desires in conscious, healthy ways. Again, physical exercise, or dancing (good Venus characteristic) would be another productive arena.

Also, because Venus is slowly moving away from its March 11th square with Pluto (2), expect some dissolving of old forms to continue as you embrace new attractions, initiatives and relationships.

Vernal Equinox

Re-grounding the Planetary Vision - making it real 

Short: A time to ground your creative vision for how you want to move forward this spring season. What needs to change to support this flow? Are you in alignment with your inner authority and direction? The combination of 2 challenging aspects underscores the importance of clarity, integrity and practicality.

The Details:
The Sun positions at 0 degrees Aries on March 20th at 7:32 am in Hawaii, 10:32 am and 1:32 pm on the East and West coasts (DST), respectively, and at 5:32 pm in England. Equinox occurs on the 21st from India east to the International Date Line.

The Equinox is a time of rebalancing the field. The shift from one season to the next requires new strategies for matching the evolving Earth vibrational field. Magnetic poles are shifting; the Earth vibration is heating up. Discover what wants to be birthed within your being. Let it emerge.

I view the astrological charts for significant events as templates for what is emerging. Here's the template chart for this Equinox and the coming spring season:

Two challenging energy forms appear on this chart

The first is a classic T-Square (red arrows) involving the opposition (1) between the Sun/Mercury in Aries and Saturn in Libra. In turn, both square Pluto (2) creating the T-square (think of a see-saw with Pluto at the fulcrum).

The second (chart on left) involves the Taurus Moon (1) creating a challenging square with Neptune/Chiron (2) in Aquarius, and an easy sextile with Uranus (3) in Pisces. This is a sort of a start/stop energy dynamic.

I consider both of these energy forms prime indicators for the spring season and catalysts for the summer months; one where integrity (Aries) of purpose, direction and initiative is paramount (T-square); and spontaneous (Uranus) creations of your life vision (Neptune/Chiron) come from a grounded, 3D reality (Taurus Moon).

Further, the T-square creates a potent set-point for any planetary aspects passing through these early cardinal degrees over the next two years. The field has been sown with triggers for a potent wave of rapid transformation and creative brilliance. Whatever passes through this realm will become amped.

The keys here are the archetypes of Pluto and the Moon.

Since, early 2008, Pluto in Capricorn has been quite the task-master at dissolving (Pluto's job) old thought forms in the Capricorn realm of finance, rules, structure and politics. The old ways simply are not going to work anymore. Related news from around the world underscores this notion on a daily basis. Further, Pluto-energy is an excellent barometer of whether your creative energy meets the criteria of the evolving new mythos of co-creative and, grounded realities.

The Taurus Moon, especially at a high vibrational late degree position, points to the importance of grounded, solid alignment with Earth energies (Taurus theme) for any new creative initiatives on Planet Earth. "Think Green", or softening our human foot print on the planet's resources are examples of this alignment. In association with this past year's Aquarian activation of your dreams/vision, desires and path of healing, "making it real" in a eco-friendly consciousness fashion is inherently critical to the Equinox energy dynamics.

Pluto and Moon remind us to allow out-of-date (albeit safe/secure) energy forms to dissolve. This apparent vacuum is ripe for new-grounded, heartfelt initiatives to emerge. At the center of this birthing is the power and synergy of co-creative and inter-dependent participation with others (strong Aquarian theme).

Conclusion:

There have been so many events in the news of late underscoring the above information. As such, I find it rather challenging to articulate or list them without creating a 20 page blog!

Suffice it to say the sensitivity factor is quite high right now throughout the world, e.g. cultural and geophysical events in Africa, Chile, Haiti, Middle East, etc. etc.  This feeling permeates the world consciousness, regardless of one's location.

Jupiter in Pisces is amping this energetic field in a strong way. Add a barely moving Mars energy to the mix and the intensity barometer pushes the needle into the red zone. This has the potential to trigger irritation, impatience, frustration and latent sadness. Children certainly feel it and may mirror it in their behavior.

In the western sky after sunset blazes Venus. On the 16th, look for the lovely pairing of a very early waxing crescent Moon and Venus within 30 minutes after sunset. This pairing will be easier to see the following evening as the crescent Moon is about 10 degrees higher than Venus (width of a fist held at arms-length). Breathe their essence into your being. Allow yourself to experientially connect with the sacred mysteries that grace the heavens.

The next Moon cycle is the Libra Full Moon on March 29/30th. The 3rd of 5 Super Full Moons creates a potent square with Pluto in Capricorn. This will accelerate the dissolving of old structures. 3 days later, Mercury moves into its retrograde shadow in Taurus preparing us for a 3 week retrograde starting April 17th (more in the next blog). In preparation for this lunation and the building cycles of the spring/summer, the following suggestions may prove helpful:  

-Create quiet time for reflection and inner journeying
-Engage with others in creative, productive projects
-Physical exercise,
-Drink a lot of water
-Take a short ( 6 - 8 minutes) salt bath using Epsom Salts in comfortably hot water before going to sleep
-Minimize over stimulating foods such as chocolate, caffeine, hot, spicy seasonings and sugar -Be selective where and with whom you choose to expend your energy
-Receive bodycare to keep your sensitivity channels clear, and body dynamics in harmony with a rapidly, shifting Earth vibration.

Starman Travels: I travel to Denver in late March to attend the AWE Wise World Seminar Healing Retreat facilitated by Donald Epstein, DC. While in the Denver area, I am offering individual astrology sessions. This time of seasonal change and renewal is a time of emergence and rebalancing. What are you ready to birth in this new season? What new aspects of your being are ready to emerge? Discover the planetary transits having the most impact in your natal chart over the next few months.

Contact us if you wish to have an in-person session in Denver. Also, Kathryn or I are available for recorded telephone sessions. Wonderful gift to give yourself in this season of the evolving light.

Aloha from Big Island, Hawaii
Starman, Joseph Mina
March 11, 2010
©Gemini Awakening 2010 all rights reserved

Note: in this blog,I had intended to focus on the chart of Korean Figure Skater and Olympic Gold winner Yu-Na Kim - a dream come true for this Piscean Swan. That didn't happen as I seemingly got lost in a Pisces fog. Perhaps (still in Pisces non-commital/indecisive mode), in a future blog I'll include her chart dynamics, along with others, who strongly mirror the current vibration in their creative endeavors.

One other suggestion - leave a comment below. Let's get some Aries mojo going here!!!! 

Images used in this Blog
Pisces Astroactivator by Kathryn Andren
Stellar Sky Trails by Alexandre Santerne
Venus & Moon Western Sky view - Sky & Telescope 

Astrology Chart Illustrations
Chart generating software - Time Cycles Research
Chart annotations - ScreenSteps