Month of Aries 20 Mar - 19 Apr
The 20th of March marks the beginning of the astrological year, the time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its annual journey. The autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere and the spring equinox in the north, it is the Aries point (zero degrees Aries), the start of a new cycle and the sounding of a note whose vibration will resonate and unfold during the coming year.
Spring (in the northern hemisphere where astrology and much of our genetic/cultural heritage originates) has been celebrated since antiquity as a time of birth; a time when buds and first fruits appear and the natural world abounds with new life. The innocence and purity of the lamb, as a universal symbol of the possibility that this new life contains, is also intrinsically part of the symbolism of Aries, the sign of beginnings.
In a personal horoscope the Solar Return marks the moment when the Sun returns to its exact natal position. And a chart for this moment will indicate energies and themes for the coming year, as revealed by the planetary picture/aspect pattern, and especially by the house position of the Sun. On a much bigger scale the Sun’s entry into Aries each year suggests something of Planet Earth’s, and thus our collective, Solar Return.
So how does the year ahead look?
The 20th of March marks the beginning of the astrological year, the time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its annual journey. The autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere and the spring equinox in the north, it is the Aries point (zero degrees Aries), the start of a new cycle and the sounding of a note whose vibration will resonate and unfold during the coming year.
Spring (in the northern hemisphere where astrology and much of our genetic/cultural heritage originates) has been celebrated since antiquity as a time of birth; a time when buds and first fruits appear and the natural world abounds with new life. The innocence and purity of the lamb, as a universal symbol of the possibility that this new life contains, is also intrinsically part of the symbolism of Aries, the sign of beginnings.
In a personal horoscope the Solar Return marks the moment when the Sun returns to its exact natal position. And a chart for this moment will indicate energies and themes for the coming year, as revealed by the planetary picture/aspect pattern, and especially by the house position of the Sun. On a much bigger scale the Sun’s entry into Aries each year suggests something of Planet Earth’s, and thus our collective, Solar Return.
So how does the year ahead look?
Aries Ingress
20 March 2012
4:33 pm
Sydney
March 20, 2012 sees the Sun join Mercury and Uranus at the beginning of Aries – a most potent placement. The Sun is of course exalted in Aries, reinforcing the significance of this annual placement. In esoteric astrology Mercury is referred to as the soul ruler of Aries, meaning that it acts as a conduit for the Aries ray, influencing the soul or finer nature (as distinct from the mundane, personality nature); via the mind (Mercury). Aries we know governs the head. Mercury in Aries in this context conveys mental clarity, perception and direction.
At a still higher level (higher than the individual Soul) Uranus is designated the hierarchical or spiritual rulership of Aries. This alludes to the higher, intuitional mind via which communication takes place directly with the realms of spirit - the akasha of the Sanskrit teachings. It is at this level that angelic guides are said to work and interact with our world, through the medium of the zodiacal rays.
In other branches of astrology Uranus is referred to as the higher octave of Mercury, reinforcing the notion of 2 levels of mind.
The Sun and Mercury joined to Uranus are thus linked to that planet’s square to Pluto (in Capricorn). I have covered this relationship in previous posts but it is worth reiterating that this is the major pattern of the period (and is especially ‘active’ till 2015). In the coming year mental (ideas) and communication themes will be fuelled by the intense, revolutionary and unpredictable qualities of Uranus/Pluto. The capacity for misunderstanding, disconnection, discovery and spiritual breakthrough will be equally poised; dependant on whether old attitudes, mob mentality or a more centred quality of consciousness prevails.
Pluto is in turn linked into the very positive and harmonious grand trine in Earth (Pluto in Capricorn, Venus and Jupiter in Taurus, Mars in Virgo). This planetary relationship shows Pluto functioning in 2 spheres and suggests something of a hiatus, or pause, in much of the volatility that has characterised the past year and more. This is a period of relative stability (Earth) before whatever other storms may lay ahead.
Mars (retrograde) in Virgo is in turn opposite the triple conjunction of Moon, Chiron and Neptune. These 3, as detailed in last month’s post, constitute a feminine, receptive and potentially transcendent energy, impacting the emotional, creative and astral dimensions of life.
Lastly Saturn, who is in a friendly trine to the Moon/Chiron/Neptune alignment, completes a picture in which all eleven members of the planetary family are ultimately connected. This perhaps says much about the potential for the coming year – the power of connection and what working together, making allowance for each other and aspiring toward clear goals can achieve. Potential is of course just that, embryonic possibility requiring activation through the agency of choice and free will - something humanity is still trying to get the hang of!
The attached chart for Sydney (and the eastern seaboard) sees the Sun in the 8th house. So an emphasis on transformation, secrets and the resources of others (income from the mining tax or the State Governments announcement today that it will seek to actively increase skilled migration to boost the local economy?) is suggested.
A good omen, perhaps, is Leo rising at the time the Sun crossed into Aries. The Sun rules Leo and is exalted in Aries, so purity of spirit and courage (and not solar flares) will hopefully define the coming year. And finally the New Moon in Aries on 22 March extends the sense and symbolism of beginnings.
Happy New Year!
Cheers
Bob
At a still higher level (higher than the individual Soul) Uranus is designated the hierarchical or spiritual rulership of Aries. This alludes to the higher, intuitional mind via which communication takes place directly with the realms of spirit - the akasha of the Sanskrit teachings. It is at this level that angelic guides are said to work and interact with our world, through the medium of the zodiacal rays.
In other branches of astrology Uranus is referred to as the higher octave of Mercury, reinforcing the notion of 2 levels of mind.
The Sun and Mercury joined to Uranus are thus linked to that planet’s square to Pluto (in Capricorn). I have covered this relationship in previous posts but it is worth reiterating that this is the major pattern of the period (and is especially ‘active’ till 2015). In the coming year mental (ideas) and communication themes will be fuelled by the intense, revolutionary and unpredictable qualities of Uranus/Pluto. The capacity for misunderstanding, disconnection, discovery and spiritual breakthrough will be equally poised; dependant on whether old attitudes, mob mentality or a more centred quality of consciousness prevails.
Pluto is in turn linked into the very positive and harmonious grand trine in Earth (Pluto in Capricorn, Venus and Jupiter in Taurus, Mars in Virgo). This planetary relationship shows Pluto functioning in 2 spheres and suggests something of a hiatus, or pause, in much of the volatility that has characterised the past year and more. This is a period of relative stability (Earth) before whatever other storms may lay ahead.
Mars (retrograde) in Virgo is in turn opposite the triple conjunction of Moon, Chiron and Neptune. These 3, as detailed in last month’s post, constitute a feminine, receptive and potentially transcendent energy, impacting the emotional, creative and astral dimensions of life.
Lastly Saturn, who is in a friendly trine to the Moon/Chiron/Neptune alignment, completes a picture in which all eleven members of the planetary family are ultimately connected. This perhaps says much about the potential for the coming year – the power of connection and what working together, making allowance for each other and aspiring toward clear goals can achieve. Potential is of course just that, embryonic possibility requiring activation through the agency of choice and free will - something humanity is still trying to get the hang of!
The attached chart for Sydney (and the eastern seaboard) sees the Sun in the 8th house. So an emphasis on transformation, secrets and the resources of others (income from the mining tax or the State Governments announcement today that it will seek to actively increase skilled migration to boost the local economy?) is suggested.
A good omen, perhaps, is Leo rising at the time the Sun crossed into Aries. The Sun rules Leo and is exalted in Aries, so purity of spirit and courage (and not solar flares) will hopefully define the coming year. And finally the New Moon in Aries on 22 March extends the sense and symbolism of beginnings.
Happy New Year!
Cheers
Bob
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