The next two weeks—actually until the Ides of March on March 15—are quite tricky and navigating them peacefully requires great skill combined with consistent presence, mixed with a healthy dose of goodwill, and as long as I’m at it: humility, kindness and a commitment to do no harm. The sky portends a righteous strength that could easily manifest as an even more combative air than the one we are already breathing—as if that’s possible. But the difference between the current strident signature and others we’ve experienced is its potential to positively support efforts for freedom and independence, both individual and collective. It is not a miracle cure for the soul sickness our planet is currently working through, but it does provide a potent potential to make what the I-Ching calls energetic progress in the good.
The source of this powerful planetary pattern is a Mars/Uranus trine. Mars is in Sagittarius and Uranus is in Aries, both Fire Signs, and as noted in last week’s column, this is the last trine between Mars and Uranus in a Fire Sign for the next 22 years. To be sure, there will be other positive Mars/Uranus interactions between now and then, but not filtered through the tempestuous and passionate Element of Fire, and certainly not through Aries, which Mars rules, until 2094.
This current trine is significant for two reasons: (1) It is the last time we will be under the influence of this signature for at least three generations. (2) Uranus is at the end of its transit through Aries, a journey that began on May 28, 2010 and fully established itself on March 11, 2011, but also a journey that was punctuated by three years of seven exact Uranus/Pluto squares between June 2012 and March 2015—or what I lovingly refer to as the seven squares that shook the world and upended so many assumptions as they simultaneously fomented so many issues of injustice in so many places around the world, most of which have yet to be resolved.
On March 11 2010, as Uranus moved out of Pisces, a Water Sign, and into Aries, a Fire Sign, a tidal wave set off a nuclear fire that is still burning. Yes, this is a physical manifestation of an astrological event, but it also has tremendous symbolic meaning because the cultural ‘fires’ started by Uranus during its journey through Aries—the fight for social justice where it is most needed—also cannot be extinguished. The issues of race, gender and poverty (to name just three) are part of our daily lives now, especially where the fight for social justice encounters its resistance through the mendacious policies of Mr. Trump and his Gang of Hungry Ghosts.
The next eleven weeks of Uranus, in Aries—now through May 15, when it enters Taurus—are an existential pop-quiz on what we’ve learned these last seven years about the power of personal fire and collective fire to facilitate change. We’re in the wisdom-gathering stage of Uranus’ transit through Aires, and the next several weeks illuminate what has shifted and what hasn’t.
But even though we are gathering wisdom, both Mars and Uranus are action planets and their current trine expresses their combined need to move. Mars symbolizes muscle and might. Uranus represents the revolutionary. And as they join forces, the urge for freedom burns like a fire in the belly of all those who feel oppressed. Their trine is exact and separating on March 11, which means for the next 12 days the intensity of daily life builds and then releases after March 11 with an equally intense charge. This is why it is essential to navigate your way through these weeks carefully.
In the context of the current battle for gun safety in America, both sides of the argument feel oppressed. The proponents for gun control are tyrannized by the lack of safety—and not just from guns, but from the vitriolic cyber-bullying by the far right. (And who knows where the hatred is coming from.) The opponents of gun control are terrified that their guns will be taken away, leaving them vulnerable, stripped of what they believe is their constitutional right of self-defense.
I am not sure oppression is relative, but I am willing to stand in the shoes of those who are afraid of losing their guns, even if their fear is unconscious and unexamined, so that I can better understand what drives their anxiety. But my problem is just how much harm is caused by unexamined fear, especially when there is such easy access to guns and such resistance to recalibrating that access. It’s even harder to tolerate being oppressed by the threat of violence by people who are armed and so easily manipulated by cynical forces who only profit from their ignorance and anxiety.
What I am also concerned about is just how often Mr. Trump incites riot. He feeds hate groups as if they are precious pets, empowering their position and giving them a spotlight they’ve only previously dreamed of. I am concerned that his praise is solidifying their positions and exacerbating the already too polarized atmosphere.
Fortunately, the young people opposing gun violence are illuminated by the beauty of their innocence, an innocence that holds up a mirror to those less courageous and asks what they are going to do to ensure safety for every child. These smart kids and the power of their combined hearts is shifting the paradigm, sometimes with a shift of many changes of heart and sometimes one person at a time.
For example: www.marchforourlives.com/
And edition.cnn.com/2018/02/18/politics/gop-donor-ban-assault-weapons/index.html
Hexagram 43 in the I-Ching is entitled Breakthrough, and it speaks to the idea of long accumulated tension letting go as well as the struggle of good and evil. It warns against using evil against evil, something all the agents of enduring change caution about. Getting entangled by hatred only strengthens hatred. The I-Ching is always worth a read, but for the next couple of weeks, its advice to refuse becoming involved in hatred is completely apropos. It advises that the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Handle the power of this time wisely—spend your energy on what matters and don’t squander the potency of Mars/Uranus on self-righteous stands that ultimately will not convince anyone that you are right. Simply devote yourself to creative endeavors and trust that the process works even if you can’t see immediate results.
Taurus April 20-May 20
The intensity of the week provokes deep internal turmoil, especially if you dwell on what should have been. Sometimes it’s not easy to make peace with choices gone bad—when we don’t like the outcome, we just regret. But regret doesn’t serve the present moment, so rather than stew in old juices, use the potency of this phase to be determined to learn, move on and create something new.
Gemini May 21-June 21
You’re still in a letting go phase, and as is so often the case, completing something with the same enthusiasm and passion that you began it with isn’t all that easy—but it is definitely worth the effort if only because there may still be things to learn. And you might miss those important bits if you aren’t paying attention.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Your willingness to meet the challenge of the time and put your energy into specific projects is admirable—use this energy to go forth and conquer. And don’t despair should you encounter obstacles. I’m not suggesting you plow through every hurdle, but I am advising that the strength you need is available to you should you decide to tackle the big issues.
Leo July 23-August 22
In the Once and Future King Merlin changes a young King Arthur into a wide variety of different species so that Arthur could benefit from a wide range of perspectives. You would benefit from that kind of shamanic work because it would allow you to break free from old habits and attitudes. Use the power of the week to shift your perspective, and you’ll be inspired to grow.
Virgo August 23-September 22
There is a large part of you that would like to get under the covers and spend the next two weeks comfortable and cozy—and if you want to spend your time that way, that’s cool. But should you decide to venture forth, be aware you have a lot of energy, so much energy that you can probably tackle any task and still have time to spend a couple of extra hours in bed.
Libra September 23-October 22
Once again you’re dealing with the power of words to cut through the superfluous so that your discussions can get to the heart of the matter. And while it’s good to be direct and clear, it’s also wise to understand that words can also be used as weapons, so choose yours carefully, and you will be pleased with the results.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Seize the energy of the coming weeks to strengthen your financial foundation, and don’t worry—this isn’t a warning of any kind, although if your money matters are a mess, cleaning up the mess should be a priority. This is simply an opportunity to take care of various financial tasks that you may have been putting off because you just could find the energy to deal—and now you can.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Take a moment to really feel the power of the moment and let yourself memorize the feeling. It’s not often we get to delight in such a pure sense of heavenly power. Just remember to use it wisely by empowering those around you to feel just as strong within their own domain. I’m not suggesting you give the power away. I’m simply advising you to be generous of spirit.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
If you make it a point to stay flexible and adaptable throughout the next couple of weeks, you will find that you’re able to make good use of the power and potency of the Mars/Uranus trine. Figure out what you want to accomplish and be determined to do whatever it takes to accomplish those goals, and you won’t be disappointed in yourself or the outcome.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
That old rule of magic still applies: whatever your focus your attention on becomes your reality. And because it would be a little too easy to whine about how hard it’s been, it would be wise to focus on what’s right. It’s easy to devolve into complaining about what’s wrong—and I wouldn’t blame you. But focusing on what’s right will shift the energy.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Contemplate what you would like to accomplish—and you don’t have to limit yourself to material goals. The potent energy of the week can be aimed at external situations or internal ones—it’s up to you to figure out how and where you would like to spend your efforts. And there is no right answer—there is just what feels right for you.
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