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Mars enters Pisces
On March 4th Mars enters the sign of Pisces and takes a leap into the cosmic ocean . It is a very different experience for Mars, which represents our action-orientated nature and the amount of energy we have; than it has been for it in the previous signs of Capricorn and Aquarius. Mars was in Saturn's signs since the end of 2012 and, on the one hand, enjoyed the exaltation of Saturn and a more disciplined approach, but on the other hand, felt the restriction of Saturn's influence. This restriction increased from the end of February as Saturn began its retrograde period. Now that Mars dives into the formless realm of Pisces there are a couple of things to note: 1. The planet Mars, which represents fire, is not so comfortable in the water! Pisces represents the natural 12th house of the zodiac which relates to letting to and surrendering to life. Mars does not like to surrender and those strongly influenced by Mars are no different. However, surrendering is the best way to make the most of this transit. Jump in and let go. Trust in life and it will take you where you need to get to. This may not be where you think you should be. 2. Jupiter rules Pisces and is a better situation for Mars which represents a part of our being that does not like to think things through. This is because Mars and Jupiter (our actions and resulting wisdom from these actions) work well together. It is also a more beneficial transit for Mars, as Jupiter, unlike Saturn, is moving direct - (the direction Mars likes to head in). So jump in and allow your actions be the fertile soil for your wisdom to grow. A good analogy for this transit is that of swimming. Anyone who swims knows the balance which needs to occur between the effort of the stroke versus flowing with the currents. There is always some give and take. If you try too hard you end up wasting a lot of energy and tiring yourself out. If you let go a little more you go with the flow and get to where you need to get to a lot faster, and with enough energy left to pull yourself out of the water after. That energy is coming hard and fast in April as Mars enters its own sign Aries. Explosive events and life circumstances are on the way in April and May as Mars and the Sun move in Aries opposite to Saturn and Rahu in Libra. Mars has been in a state of combustion (in close proximity to the Sun) since the beginning of February, but it will come into exact combustion by the middle of April, transiting in such close proximity to the Sun for most of that month. This burning and purifying effect on Mars will build in March. For now enjoy the sense of letting to with the flow of life, as there is a lot of emphasis on trusting in the flow of existence, with the Sun and Venus joining Mars in the waters of Pisces later in the month. New Moon in Aquarius The Moon joins the Sun in Aquarius on March 11th at 19.51 GMT. This occurs at 27 degrees of Saturn's air sign and in the lunar sign known as Purva Bhadrapada. This lunar sign is ruled by Jupiter and the deity is known as Aja Ekapat, a type of one-legged sea creature. This brings up things from the deep! Hidden, occult knowledge is observed under the influence of this lunar sign and there are principles at stake when the Lord Jupiter is taken into account. The new Moon is a day to pay attention to Supreme Soul as it expresses itself through the embodied soul i.e. you. A time is needed for reflection on what the Mercury retrograde cycle has brought about and what the Saturn retrograde period is slowly bringing about. Contemplation as opposed to action is a better use of the new Moon day on the 11th, as this lunar sign bridges the sign Aquarius, and one of cultural concerns, with that of universal concerns in Pisces. Sun in Pisces March 14th - April 13th Your ability to let to and trust in life is expressed through the area of your life you experience the sign Pisces. This is represented by the house position of the sign Pisces in your horoscope. The Sun enters Pisces on March 14th and brings and added emphasis to this area of your life (house), as well as the theme of surrendering to life as it happens. For some that is a challenge, but for others their is no choice left but to let go. Sometimes the natural flow of life has to beat us up pretty bad before we can come to that place of surrender. The month of March is asking us to do just that. Look to the sign Pisces in your chart, if you have had your Vedic horoscope drawn up, to see where you can access this. If, for example, you have the sign Virgo rising in your horoscope, then the area to let go in is relationships (7th house). Always count inclusively from your rising sign to the sign Pisces. You can also do this from your Moon sign or Sun sign if the rising sign is not known. To access this ability to let go with the flow of life, it may be worth tuning into this area of your life more in March and into April, as the Sun, Mars, Venus and Mercury, all transit through the sign Pisces. By letting the events which are unfolding be your access point, you gain an advantage in allowing the events to unfold more naturally and spontaneously. Venus Exalted and in Combustion Venus enters the sign Pisces on March 17th, just as Mercury stations direct, leaving us with an interesting time in how we relate to one another for a few days around the 17th. A more profound change in how we interact with one another is taking place in this overall time-period. Venus has just transited Saturn's two signs, where it was in a mutual exchange with Saturn. Saturn is now in a retrograde period in Libra and Mercury in a retrograde period in Saturn's sign Aquarius. This brings up old patterns to be observed in relationships. Have you noticed these repeating patterns in your interpersonal affairs? The transit of Venus in its exaltation sign is one where we can access the strength of Venus. That strength is one of love and happiness, without the need for certain conditions to be in place for such feelings to arise. That is the domain of the opposite sign Virgo which is all about the details of life. Venus is a part of us which does not like to deal with the details. This month shows the possibility of being content with whatever we have going on, as Venus slips into the sign Pisces. We can enjoy the spring with an added sense of oneness with all of existence. Everything is as it should be...well almost! There is one thing to know about Venus' transit in its place of exaltation this spring. Venus is not visible during this transit, as it is too close to the Sun to be seen. This is known as combustion and changes Venus' manner. On the one hand, we can access a higher love, or at the very least, have a yearning for such an expression of love. On the other hand, some of Venus' significations will be burnt to a cinder. If you have a love, a relationship, an agreement or an inkling for any of the above, with anyone which is not really up to the standard of such an exalted Venus, it may not last the burning fires of the Sun this spring. It is also mixing it up with the Sun and Mars, creating a lot of passion for such purity. Will you get all hot and bothered or will you simply feel the burn? If you have a relationship which survives this burning affect and lives up to the demands of such a pure Venus, then you know that this higher love is one which satisfies something more pure in you. This is a yearning to meet with an unconditional love, a love which is not limited in any way, shape or form. Here we are out of the shapes and forms Venus has had to mold itself into in Saturn's signs and is now in its more formless expression of Pisces. Together with Jupiter which is transiting Venus' sign Taurus, we can access a greater quality and expression of love if we are open to the more feminine (water and earth) qualities in our being. Give a little more. Expect a little more in return. Mercury Stations Direct March 17th On the same day Venus enters its sign of exaltation, Mercury stations direct in Aquarius; the sign just transited by Venus, the Sun and Mars. Mercury is now left to its own devices in Saturn's air sign. There is still the issue of Saturn's retrograde phase keeping Mercury a little pulled back and our minds and planning equally so. The ideas and reworking of this area of your life should begin to make more logical sense at this point, albeit slowly at first. Be patient with the stationary period which lasts a few days before and after this date. Mercury begins to move forward through the sign Aquarius for the second half of March and into the beginning of April, where it will join the Sun, Mars and Venus once again. This time it will be in the sign Pisces. Make the most of the quick-wit and precision of Mercury in Aquarius because when it moves into Pisces it will be in a more challenging situation. Though the Sun, Mars and Venus do well in Pisces, Mercury is at a loss in this and feels things are too emotional and illogical for its liking. Mercury represents our intellect which likes to keep things more emotionally detached. This is possible in Aquarius which is ruled by the two most detached energies of Saturn and Rahu. Saturn is exalted and retrograde at the moment, making for a more disciplined, tense environment, and Rahu is exaggerating the experience. Our intellects may find this a little tough going, but at least with Mercury moving forward again, we can start making sense of the restructuring which is taking place in our lives. Use the transit of Mercury in Aquarius and this area of your life, to be clear about things for now, especially for the latter part of March. Take advantage of the ability to communicate this to someone if this is needed or simply allow the insights, which have come to the surface in the last few weeks, to settle and mingle into your being. Spring Equinox March 20th at 11.02 UTC The hero has risen to his feet and can look the villain square in the eye. Light will have victory over darkness after this day. Welcome the longer days with a new sense of what can grow in your life as old ways of being are let go of. Use this time, leading up to the full Moon on the 27th, to grow whatever serves you on your journey back into the light. Full Moon in Virgo The Moon reaches its fullest on March 27th at 09.28 GMT at 12 degrees of Virgo and the lunar sign Hasta. This lunar sign is represented by a hand and is ruled by the Moon itself and the deity is Surya (the Sun deity). This grants this sign great power and control if used correctly, as the hand is capable of great work if directed properly. This full Moon has Venus exactly opposite in Pisces, which means Venus is exactly combust (completely burnt up by the Sun) on the full Moon day. While we burn away the impurities of our relationships, we may need to spend some time dealing with the emotional fallout of such a process while the Moon is in Virgo. Here we have to deal with the details of our affairs. The ability to control and work with the energy of this new Moon is pronounced, depending on the intricacies of your natal horoscope. OM TAT SAT  Jupiter and Saturn Saturn's signs Capricorn and Aquarius are prominent at the moment, with the Sun, Mars, Mercury, Venus and the new Moon in February, all bringing their influence to these areas of life. This offers strength to these planets as Saturn is currently in its sign of exaltation, however, the strength of Saturn is one of detachment and boundaries, not of abundance and prosperity. Jupiter is aspecting Capricorn which does bring a sense of expansion into this area of our life. This will be felt more as Jupiter begins to move forward once again in the sign Taurus into the month of February. We can expect some mixed results from these transits. When both Jupiter and Saturn are influencing an area of life, there is a more balanced approach. The enthusiasm of Jupiter doesn't get carried away while the realistic approach of Saturn has anything to do with it. The more sober approach of Saturn will not be felt as oppressive when the benevolent Jupiter has a say. When both of these planets influence a sign there is the possibility of such a balanced approach. However, they have not been influencing the same signs in the last few months. Saturn has an influence on Libra, Sagittarius, Aries and Cancer - Jupiter has an influence on Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Capricorn. When only Saturn looks to a sign, it has the affect of drying that area of life up, slowing it down and making us feel all sorts of delays and obstructions in that area of life. When Jupiter looks to a sign, it has the affect of expanding it and brings an added depth of meaning to that area of our life. We grow up in both cases and learn to be more mature about these areas of life. When May 31st comes around we will see Jupiter move into the air sign Gemini and this will bring a more balanced life once again. Jupiter will influence the sign Libra in which Saturn is currently placed and Saturn's sign Aquarius. It will also influence the sign Sagittarius which has an influence from Saturn solely until then. The only signs which do not receive both aspects are Aries and Cancer which will be areas of our life through which we will have no choice but to face the hard tasks of Saturn on our own - without the grace of Jupiter. Mercury enters Aquarius Feb 2nd Mercury enters a friendly environment in Aquarius and one conducive to the workings of the mind. However, the planet Mars is primed for an argument and wants to get to the point a lot faster than Mercury would have it. Mercury is that part of us which loves a good debate without necessarily reaching a conclusion, and certainly not taking any action based on our musings. Action is the realm of Mars which is finding the going a bit too slow and frustrating in the sign Aquarius at the moment. Caution is advised in all of your communications and interactions with the area of life you experience the sign Aquarius. This is the case for the whole of February and into March, as Mercury will begin a retrograde period in Aquarius also, leading to all kinds of misunderstandings and frustrations when added to the energy of Mars in Aquarius. Be mindful of jumping before thinking, as well as arguing with those you have just stepped on in the process. Keep your wits about you and a good sense of humour to boot; without making a joke of what is a very real struggle with your truth and actions which need to be taken. Take others opinions into account if possible and test your ability to be flexible where others are involved. New Moon in Capricorn Feb 10th The new Moon occurs at 07.20 on Feb 10th at 27 degrees of Capricorn. Here the Moon is in the lunar sign Dhanista which is ruled by Mars. This is also very near the exaltation degree of Mars which is at 28 degrees. This Mars themed new Moon is also strongly influenced by Saturn which rules the Moon and Mars, as well as the Sun, Mercury and Venus, at this time. Saturn's influence on all of these planets and this new Moon is one of a necessary restraint and detachment. We will need to observe the current transits with an open and clear mind if we are to be at peace with the shifting sands. Sun in Aquarius Feb 13th - Mar 13th The Sun enters Saturn's air sign on February 13th in time to make sure we are paying ample attention to this sign which features prominently in February and March. As the Sun enters Aquarius Saturn is preparing to move retrograde in Libra, as is Mercury in the sign Aquarius itself. Aquarius represents our humanitarian concerns which are played against those in power, making all of the rules in Leo. This time of year highlights these issues, however, this year we have Mars, Mercury and Venus getting in on the act also. We may see an escalation in violence worldwide, as well as the area of life in which this sign sits for you personally.  Saturn Retrograde Feb 18th - Jul 8th When Saturn moves retrograde for four and a half months we can see that there is a general sense of frustration felt, as we are asked to restructure that area of our life. Libra generally represents the area of relationships and Saturn here represents our responsibilities in relation to one another. This will be the theme of this retrograde period which begins in February and continues well into the summer. Issues around our boundaries with one another, as well as being responsible for each other, will be prominent during this transit. Look to see the area of your life you experience the sign Libra and what is being affected by these apparent delays. For those that are experiencing a Saturn period, there is a more intense experience of this sense of delay in life and can be particularly acute during the stationary phases of Saturn around February 18th and July 8th. This is because Saturn will have crawled to a halt at these times and will result in life feeling like it is stuck. Be aware that this is the perception and not the reality on another level, as a planet moving retrograde only does so apparently from our perspective. The presence of Rahu will not allow things to get too stuck of course, as the changing winds of Rahu will whip Saturn up as we head further into the year. They are coming together in September, so the lead up to this conjuction once Saturn moves direct again in July, will be one to watch for. Venus enters Aquarius Feb 21st Not being one to be left out of a party, Venus will enter the sign Aquarius on Feb 21st and join the Sun, Mars and Mercury already transiting there. Though Venus is placed in a friendly environment in Aquarius and one which is conducive to humanitarian concerns, we cannot expect as much from the planet of love while it is with so much company and being combust i.e. too close to the Sun to be visible. Venus will no longer be the bright morning star from the end of February, as it moves out of sight and undergoes a transformation from which it will emerge as the evening star in May. The next few months are therefore a transformational time for our relationships when we add Saturn's retrograde motion in Libra into the mix.  Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius Feb 23rd - Mar 17th The end of February sees the more familiar retrograde period of the planet Mercury. It is doing so in Saturn's air sign Aquarius, which will itself, be retrograde in the air sign Libra. We can expect an added sense of delay and resulting frustration when it comes to the area of life you experience the sign Aquarius and with all that air quality, leading to over-active minds and the resulting tensions. The mind gets too far ahead of itself when it prepares to move back over recent events and this is expressed in a retrograde period. As a result the mind can become over worked and needs a break from time to time. This mental tension will be added to by the close proximity of the planet Mars in Aquarius. Patience and yet more patience will be required in the area of life Aquarius represents for you. A good way to alleviate some of the tension is to develop a sense of humour about the things which are unfolding in your life (or perhaps a lack of anything unfolding), knowing that they may also have to be unraveled in order to be put back together once the retrograde period ends in March. Full Moon in Leo Feb 25th
The month ends with the Moon reaching its fullest in the sign Leo. It occurs on Feb 25th at 20.26 GMT at 13 degrees of this solar sign and the lunar sign Purva Phalguni. This lunar sign is ruled by Venus which forms part of the Sun's sign Leo, adding a rather luxurious and, at times, an overindulgent nature to the mind. This is perhaps not such a negative thing when we consider the over-stimulated mind during a Mercury retrograde period in Aquarius and the retrograde period of Saturn. It may be worth tuning more into the heart and how you feel about what is happening by the end of February, instead of trying to work it all out in your mind. OM TAT SAT |
