“Humanity faces…the deepest social upheaval and creative restructuring of all time. Without clearly recognizing it, we are engaged in building a remarkable new civilization from the ground up. This is the meaning of the Third Wave.”
Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock. (1931-2018)
“History doesn't repeat Itself, but It often rhymes” – Mark Twain
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| Creative Design by Joseph Mina |
Greetings Lovers of the Cosmos,
The Autumn vibe now builds in these South African parts while the northern hemisphere awakens to the warmth of spring and its vast potential.
This week, an “Astrological Trifecta” (my term) takes place featuring the Equinox today (20th), a very engaging/potent New Moon on the 21st, just 20 hours later at that, and the first of three ingresses of Pluto into progressive Aquarius, this one lasting 80 days.
Quite the lineup, each of which will be the primary focus of this blog. In my last (January) blog about the Cycles of 2023, I mentioned my next entry would feature some of my more recent photography. I’ll send out another blog soon doing just that. Given their historical and energetic implications, these cycles are first in line.
Astrological Trifecta:
Vernal Equinox - whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, the astrological significance of the March/Aries equinox is the same, i.e. creating/starting something new. Aries vibe exudes novelty. Highly creative. Boundless energy measured paradoxically in short measures. Fearless and courageous. Each quality exemplifies what makes Aries so individuated and unique.
At this solar alignment point, you can prepare for the coming 3-months by reinvigorating, realigning, and/or rebalancing priorities. That includes, if you haven't done so, setting in motion an intention for where you want to place your focus in the coming season. To help you in that regard, each Equinox or Solstice lays out a specific theme based on chart dynamics for the coming season. Such is described below.
Equinox occurs later today at 23:24 in South Africa, and to all points west, while it all be the 21st for Eastern Europe east to the International Date Line. For specific time zone conversion, Universal Time is 21:24.
Below is the astrology chart for the Equinox for those interested in its construction, or are drawn by its inherent mandala-like geometry. It is unusual, yet certainly indicative of these times, for such a strong compression of various archetypes to appear in one quadrant of the chart (lower right). Resembles an arrow ready to launch.
In that regard, imagine you are pulling back on a bow. Here, the direction of the arrow points towards 11 o'clock and the asteroid Ceres at 0° Libra. Ceres placement in your natal chart highlights the importance of nurturing yourself. In Libra, this feeling of being nurtured pertains to friends, co-workers, as well as how you value and nurture yourself. See my previous blog for a more comprehensive understanding of Ceres in 2023.
Equinox Theme - strong elements of completion (Pisces), beginnings (Aries), and grounding (Taurus), dominate this day’s vibration, along with a very strong transformational vibe courtesy of Pluto at 29 Capricorn, just about to enter Aquarius on the 23rd.
Mars still navigating unpredictable Gemini (3 o'clock on chart), now in its late degrees, imbues this theme with a strong sense of unpredictable, seemingly random, spontaneous events, including weather and geological influences.
Further, with a waning Moon in Pisces today, close to late degree Neptune, a soulful component is added to the overall seasonal theme ahead. This represents a time to sow new initiatives borne out of your life purpose (soul essence reflected in your natal chart), and further strengthen your desires for living a fruitful life in service to the human family’s evolution (so many possibilities in that realm). Acts of meaningful kindness, compassion and empathy will be integral to this seasonal expression.
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| Courtesy of Sky & Telescope |
Each year has an Aries New Moon, in either later March, or sometimes April. This particular New Moon happens to station at the 0° mark, which is a very strong exclamation point for something new. As I mentioned, this timing is just 20 hours after the equinox. An Aries New Moon further reinforces the previously described equinox theme.
As seen in the above illustration from a Northern Hemisphere perspective, on the 22nd, be sure to look westward for the thinest of waxing lunar crescents. It will be positioned about 10 degrees (a fist held at arm’s length) above the horizon point where the Sun disappeared, approximately 40 minutes or so earlier at sunset. You may need binoculars. You will definitely need a clear horizon. Jupiter will be immediately below the Moon. This is a great opportunity to reinforce and anchor the "as above, so below" experience. Some sort of related ritual adds even more meaning to the experience.
Given the astrological year begins at 0° Aries, a strong lunar placement at 0 degrees points to Aries raw emotional power of novelty, impulsive actions, creative juices flowing, and some sort of demonstrative action.
Having an Aries New Moon coinciding with the Vernal Equinox has only happened twice in the last hundred or so years (1909 and 1985). There have been six other near occurrences, but on the other side of the equinox fence at 29° Pisces in 1920, 1939, 1958,1977,1996, and 2015 for a very late degree Pisces New Moon. The 2015 event included a total solar eclipse over the north pole and northern Europe. How special, yet challenging too.
Eclipses, most especially those occurring at an equinox or solstice point, augur strong waves ahead in the coming months. For example, 2015's New Moon solar eclipse underscored the societal tumult that ultimately evolved into 2020's chaos and its ongoing globally-spread rippling effects.
Given this current lunation is only 20 hours after the Equinox, the aforementioned equinox theme continues, with the Moon, now in Aries, bringing a strong emotional "I'm ready" component into this quick changing and very fluid energetic landscape.
An active Sun translates into very active weather patterns and geophysical reactions, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There's been quite a few strong earthquakes of late around the Pacific ring of fire (strong one in northern Peru/southern Ecuador the other day) and the massive one in Turkey in early February..
The solar wind moves the atmosphere. It pulses its solar intensity in a variety of ways, further amplifying its interaction with everything in the solar system. And sometimes with much more strength than expected.
While Uranus continues its 8-year transit across Earth-like Taurus, these type of stronger weather events may persist through 2026. For example, the longer than expected la Nina weather pattern, that brought copious amounts of rain to Australia and eastern South Africa over the last 3 summers, recently abated, only to be replaced by enormous weather systems crossing the northern Pacific, bringing record levels of rainfall into what had been a very drought-stricken California.
Here in the Western Cape, a very changeable, turbulent weather system arrived overnight for this equinox, filling the morning with intense 30 minute or shorter showers, very gusty winds, and brilliant sunshine dancing in and out of the clouds. Quite the Aries start. i'll share more about the equinox magic here in my concluding remarks near the end of this blog. And now....
Pluto Ingress into Aquarius:
Pluto's first Aquarius ingress since 1778, when a fledgling United States battled England for its sovereign rights as a nation, will be just 80 days (March 23 - June 11) while remaining n at the 0° mark. This is the exact degree where Jupiter and Saturn positioned at the 2020 December solstice. Placements at the 0 or 29° of a sign, amplify all expressions of that sign. So expect a noticeable start to this epic change in sign and related elements (Earth to Air).
Further, this short 80-day period will create context for what to expect from Pluto during its 20-year transit in Aquarius. Children born during this transit will have a heightened desire to associate with others at a group level, especially as adults. Technology and the cosmos will excite and influence their social choices and engagements. And social justice/equality initiatives will be their fuel and power.
Pluto-cycle transitional years from one sign to the next have historically proven to be quite intense over the course of this transition, but transformative too. At a minimum, shifting from a Capricorn to an Aquarian vibration will signal the beginnings of a significant realignment of social, governmental and corporate power structures around the world. Already there's evidence of such a shift from recent mass protests in France, Peru, and a number of other countries, including the United States over the past two years.
Also, it will be a time where technology becomes a more integrated and influential aspect of our reality. For example, the now rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is proving a highly disruptive force to the older Capricorn structured ways of creating informational content. The sudden emergence of ChatGPT and other similar AI tools are forcing schools to reevaluate how pupils create content through their writing, as well as the structure of their learning processes. It's also being discussed in conversations across all aspects of society. Three years ago, discussion of such in most social circles was rare. No longer.
Other Aquarian effects will include producing more advanced/sophisticated technological products, designed to expand our awareness of each other and the Cosmos. The James Webb Space telescope (JWST) is a prime example. This image taken of a vast star nursery dubbed "Tarantula Nebula" for its spider like features, is found in a neighboring galaxy some 165,000 light years away. The level of detail here is far beyond anything previously seen.
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| James Webb Space Telescope Tarantula Nebula |
Back to this Pluto cycle, this transformative transit will also possibly evoke a more progressive approach toward societal challenges around the globe, which would include addressing and seeking resolution for issues such as homelessness, forced migrations, income disparity, and human trafficking.
The shadow element here is equally daunting, and one requiring heightened awareness as to its implications. Its extreme shadow includes efforts to effect dark governmental control (dystopia) over the masses. Books/movies such as The Hunger Games and The Handmaid's Tale are two of many media examples of a potential dark future; Aldous Huxley's renowned 1932 literary work Brave New World, is another."
Yet, an abrupt, massive change from Capricorn’s steadiness/reliability to Aquarius progressive initiatives will likely not take place during the first 80 days, but become more evident as this Pluto transition matures through November of next year. Akin to a pot of water being heated, the temperature will rise slowly at first, but by 2025, the more dynamic effects of this 20-year transit will be much more evident.
The fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will undergo a Plutonian transformation during this 20-year period. For now, any significant placements in your natal chart that fall in the 0 to 5 degree range of these fix signs will start to feel this building pressure on and off until late 2024. Thereafter with more intensity as Pluto remains in Aquarius.
And one more:
Action-oriented Mars, and ruler of Aries, and co-ruler of Scorpio, will finally enter the sign of Cancer on March 25th. This follows a rather protracted time in Gemini courtesy of the recent Mars retrograde, which commenced last October. Its transit in Cancer concludes May 20th.
In Cancer, Mars focus will be family/community oriented, perhaps offering a softer or more sensitive expression towards others struggling, or in need of support. Internally, a feeling of caution and safety may be prevalent during this time as family and community-related issues dominate. This is particularly true for anyone having strong natal placements in the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. More to come….
Reflections for this new season:
To what pursuits do I now feel drawn and why?
What is my current soul vision for this life path I walk?
How can I integrate/ground that vision in a meaningful way?
What steps are necessary to create a more meaningful connection to the natural world?
How can I strengthen and express my core values in an affirming, inclusive fashion?
Concluding Thoughts:
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| Whale Meditation Circle by Joseph Mina |
As I have shared in other blogs, this accelerated shift in consciousness, awareness, and humanitarian pursuits comes imbued with great responsibility, calling for meaningful, collaborative actions amongst people, regardless of national origin or societal status. At the same time, it is important to remember such progressive actions require accessing a higher frequency of energy to effectively function on all levels of consciousness.
Recent astrology consultations have each highlighted the importance of congruency, developing a stronger inner core, and employing greater self-awareness to navigate these profound cycles. We are moving across virgin ground here. One step at a time, yet full speed ahead too. Potent Aries would not have it any other way. A collective ignition has begun.
Comment section below is available for feedback and insights.
Next blog - my evolving photography.
Coming events this new season: Mercury Retrograde in Taurus - April 21; Solar eclipse at the very end degrees of Aries - April 20; Scorpio lunar eclipse May 5; and Jupiter enters Taurus May 16; Quite a lineup. The education continues.
Sat Nam
Starman, Joseph Mina
Stellenbosch, South Africa
March 20, 2023
