Aquarium Age

The Aquarium Age: March 8-14

By Ralfee Finn

As with many of my fellow travelers, I am at a crossroads of concerns and I have to figure out how to handle the chaos and confusion of daily life. I am determined to keep my attention on resistance to the malignant intentions of the Trump regime, but I am also determined to maintain my spiritual and mental health, which means also keeping my attention on being joyous, inspired and grateful for what Buddhists call “the preciousness of life.” I feel as if I must choose between any of several well-traveled roads or a far less traveled road, a road that demands staying awake and alive on a path that paves its way as each day unfolds.

One of the conventional choices is to continue to contextualize events through a political/social/historical lens and link those patterns and events to astral cycles—not a bad choice, just not as creative as I would like. Another choice is to go into denial—although that’s not really a choice for me. And yet another choice is the normalization of the non-normal—also not a viable path to follow. I’m opting for the road less traveled because it is a path of co-creation, paved with a search for truth. The challenge is how to know what’s true, how to listen to the wisdom of my heart, and how to let that listening help me discern the true from the false. If I am to take the co-creative path, l need curiosity, consciousness and a commitment to being truthful with myself and others. There are no maps for this journey. There is only the power of the present moment, lived with as much awareness as possible. And even when there isn’t enough awareness to make the ‘right’ choice, the power of the now provides a strong enough intention to grow and to learn from those mistakes.

The planets are also at a crossroads of sorts. The Jupiter/Uranus opposition is moving out of the tight formation it’s held since mid-December. That formation brought us two exact oppositions which manifested as a seemingly endless seesaw cycle of extremes, providing an equally endless number of surprising plot twists. There are sure to be more reversals of fortune this week and next. But as the tension of the last few months actually starts to fade away, so will the extremes—although even as I write this I can’t imagine the Trump regime ever finding an even keel. And looking ahead we are also certain to see even more extremes during August and September as we build to the final Jupiter/Uranus opposition on September 28.

Venus Retrograde began on March 4 at 13 degrees Aries, the same degree Mars occupied the day Michael Flynn resigned, and as Venus retraces the path through Aries leading up to that resignation, more is likely to be revealed about the entire Russian affair. From a personal perspective, Venus retrograde is likely to manifest as a relationship review that focuses not so much on the role or behavior of a significant other as much as it focuses on how you maintain your individuality—how you assert yourself—in relationships of every denomination, not just romantic liaisons.

All week long, Saturn pulls away from its trine to Mars, lessening the militant atmosphere just a tad. But it’s important to note that as Saturn lets go of its positive alliance with Mars, Saturn moves right into a square with the Sun, turning the atmosphere stern and judgmental. It won’t be easy backing down or stepping away from intense situations, but it might be best to cool off or cool down before your make your move.

Choosing the powerful path of the present moment is not synonymous with indulging the emotions of the moment. Being present requires an alert consciousness and a strong commitment to walking the talk. Of course, your steps may not be intelligible to others—they may criticize or judge your actions. But that critical field only increases polarization. In times of chaos and confusion, remembering what matters most—the core values that guide decisions big and small—is some of most important work each of us can do. Being true to those principles results in a life well-lived, and the integrity of that life eventually benefits all our fellow travelers—even those we don’t like, understand or agree with.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
Venus is retrograde in the most visible sector of your solar chart, urging you to do whatever is necessary to refine your image. Whether that’s a haircut, a day at the salon, a makeover, a wardrobe update, or a new way of communicating with clients, loved-ones or strangers, you are ready, willing and able to take the plunge into something new. So be adventurous and commit to owning your desire for a new style—if you honor this urge, you won’t be disappointed.

Taurus April 20-May 20
You’re working with a split screen. On one side, Mars, archetype of the warrior, moves into your Solar House of personality on Friday and you are ready to do battle with almost anyone who crosses your path. On the other screen, Venus is reviewing recent decisions, a process that could make you quite hesitant to move into action. Taking a one-day-at-a-time attitude will help you find the clarity you need.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Venus is retrograde in your Solar House of community, which means you are likely to encounter old friends, associates or coworkers in places you might least expect to find them. Or conversely, you may find yourself reaching out to people from the past with the intention of mending fences or making amends of some kind. Be open to this process and you could be surprised by the many mutual benefits.

Cancer June 22-July 22
Venus Retrograde focuses on recognition for your accomplishments, and it makes no difference whether those achievements are professional or personal. Either way—or both—Venus is reviewing all the places where you make a contribution to your world. There’s no need to shy away from this process and there is also no need to minimize the impact of your presence. Big or little, you’re making a difference and that matters.

Leo July 23-August 22
Venus Retrograde reviews career possibilities, helping you assess how your creative energy is best spent. This can be a deceivingly difficult phase if you aren’t sure about what you want. My advice is simple: Avoid rash decisions. Spend as much time as you need contemplating what makes you happy. Your insights may surprise you and you might even come to the conclusion that you are already living your dream.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Venus is retrograde in your Solar House of transformation, making it quite likely that you’ll be going through a lot of changes during this review. Don’t worry; transformation, while difficult at times, is almost always beneficial. Facilitate the ease of this process by identifying habits, material and spiritual, that need to shift, and you’ll probably enjoy the entire phase much more than you anticipate.

Libra September 23-October 22
I am completely out of words of wisdom for you regarding relationships—I can only imagine how overwhelmed you must be, going through even more nuances about encounters with significant others. The good news is that Venus is a benign astral presence, which means this next set of changes doesn’t have to be so hard. The best news is that you will emerge from this process much more experienced than when it began.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
Just as your complement, Taurus, is working with a split screen, so are you, but with a slightly different focus. Mars, one of your Ruling Planets, moves into your House of partnership as Venus is retrograde in your House of work and health—it’s an interesting push/pull. On one hand, you’re drawn into relationship intensity—and liking it. On the other, you’re focused on taking better care of yourself. Expect an interesting ride.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Venus Retrograde takes you on a sentimental journey that is both romantic as well as creative. Sounds good to me, but don’t be surprised if you’re feeling slightly more sensitive than usual, especially if you dwell on remembrances of past affairs and regret their demise. Turn those longings into artistic endeavors and you might surprise yourself with the passion and intensity of your expression.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Venus Retrograde visits issues of security, both internal and external, stirring the desire to nestle in at home and feeding the longing to belong. Use this phase to appreciate the value of having a home you can rely on to be safe and cozy. Then see if it is possible to reach out to those who don’t have the luxury of that security, with an eye towards how you can help others find a similar sense of safety.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Venus is retrograde in your Solar House of communication and she’s got you having conversations with everyone about everything. Good…enjoy this convivial atmosphere. Just be aware that you might find yourself mulling over the details of various interactions, wondering if you gave away too much information or if you held too much back. Either way, you will be discussing every detail.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Venus Retrograde continues the emphasis on finances, so don’t be surprised if you are reviewing where every penny is spent. The focus on money has been a long process, and you’ve tried several approaches, including not using finances as a way of gauging your ultimate worth. So even though this phase might feel repetitive, don’t gloss over the details. There’s always more to learn, and if you stay present for the process, you’ll make good progress.

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This article was originally published on March 9, 2017.