Apr

14

April 14, 2010 | 1 Comment

The Aries New Moon
April 14, 2010

Talk about new beginnings! Just like the beginning of Spring when life seems to reappear after another cold and barren winter, the Aries life force trumpets a very self-focused lunar cycle with a New Moon that offers the “I’m on fire and and rarin’ to go!” attitude. It’s a time to exercise self-discovery, and independence and to act courageously in every endeavor.

This April’s New Moon chart is replete with discrete conjunctions that spread its energy over half of the chart, while the other half of the chart awaits a dynamic confrontation between the two malefic bad boys of the planetary pantheon, Mars and Saturn. Just the kind of energy to kick start Spring. Have a look at the chart:

In last month’s blog, I encouraged you to find that within you which is not working and to target it for elimination. Once again, a New Moon is a time when the Lunar light is blocked by our (Earth’s) shadow and is thus turned inward. It offers us a regular and wonderful way to tap into what is happening in the dark shadows our emotional life. It is once again time to clean out the old self and seed that new, unencumbered you. Forceful, eager and head strong Aries would have us head butt that knot of will and emotions that metaphorically comes together within us now just as the Sun and Moon meet every month. For us today, we are interested in how does Aries approach this archetypal union?
Jungian astrologer Cathy Pagano has a nice take on Aries as:

“…the scout of the zodiac, the adventurous one who would rather just do something than think about it another moment…[whose] energy is good for the soul…the fire that moves through the soul, …creates new life, new experiences and new psychological patterns.”

Naturally enlivening Aries is a forceful energy to start anew, to burn away feelings of disquiet, to fearlessly reach for your true purpose and take that first step into the new Self that you would become. Yes, the energy of the Aries New Moon can be a much needed springboard into the days ahead.

Well, that’s all nice and encouraging info about Aries, but what about this particular chart? For starters, how about if I present the same chart as the one above only with a little of the peripheral data, the non-planetary “white noise,” taken out. Then the chart would look like this:

With one exception, that of Ceres, the largest of the Solar System’s asteroids, all of the symbols shown are planets. The salient point here is that ten of them are distributed within five sequential houses and come together in pairs to form five distinct and separate conjunctions. This is indeed a rare grouping. The only two non-conjunct planets, Mars and Saturn, are closing in on what is called a Septile aspect. (More about this later.)

One of the first interpretative tools taught in Astrology 101 is to look for the planetary distribution between the hemispheres, North and South, East and West. In the case of this chart, erected for California’s Southland, the emphasis is decidedly in the Eastern (Ascendant-sided) hemisphere. This heavy Eastern imbalance is said to be a sign of self-assertiveness and a drive to shape the environment.

However, that self-assertive drive might be considered a two edged sword when seen in context of an Aries New Moon. On the one hand, it would seem to support the basic characteristics of an Aries Lunar cycle, as suggested above: forceful, courageous, independent, but self-focused. Those same self-focused qualities can run amok and leave a scorched Earth in their wake. Remember, Aries is Fire: the forge in which our white hot mettle is hammered razor sharp. Aries likes to act. And when one is consciously on a path of self-discovery/actualization it is, after all, necessary to act on it. But take care of how you wield that sword that it is not unleashed on any innocent by-standers.

While we’re looking at the hemispheric distribution, we might also notice that, in terms of the Marc Edmund Jones (et.al.) planetary pattern school of thinking, none of the basic eight are applicable here. What is there is a pattern that is suggestive of a sextant.

For what is a sextant used? Why, it is an aid to vision for finding one’s location via the stars. An apt analog for the type of energy that is visionary, precise and broad based such as might be found in the chart of one of the 20th Century’s most realized visionary geniuses, Gene Roddenberry.

According to Sister Ray’s brilliant analysis of Roddenberry’s chart found in the May 2009 edition of Dell Horoscope:

An astrologer would expect an unusual person to have an unusual chart, and Gene Roddenberry does not disappoint. He has a remarkable chart. His eight planets and the two luminaries are arranged in five pairs in the shape of a sextant…

The point being that the same structure of the energy flow found in Roddenberry’s chart of genius is found in the energetic pattern in this Aries New Moon. Roddenberry was a Renaissance Man, a visionary who saw “beyond.” Look at the mythic world he created and the true science and technology that has arisen which reflects that vision. That is the flow that is in the Aries New Moon. This can be a moment that “births” a vision with the personal impact of a “Roddenberry Moment” of brilliance.

But the “sextant” of this New Moon chart is specifically zeroed in on the mid-point of the aforementioned applying Septile between Saturn and Mars, exactly at 03° Virgo 00’. If I might go to yet another “show and tell:”

Now why is that significant? Well, as you can see from it’s placement, 03 Virgo falls in the chart’s seventh house. While Aries is largely a “go it alone” energy, nevertheless, that position in the chart suggests that in order to actualize the highest potential for this New Moon we must remember the important role played by relationships in our own self-actualization. As a matter of fact, the whole chart may be seen to be “dangling” from this rather inconspicuous but significant degree.

And not for nothing, but in light of my particular brand of astrology[i] I happen to be partial to its Sabian Symbol:

TWO GUARDIAN ANGELS BRINGING PROTECTION

You will notice that I have not employed the almost standard procedure of advancing the Symbol to the next highest degree, a practice which I whole hardheartedly support. My great Aussie mate, Lynda Hill, is a rather vocal supporter of this application. Yet there are other voices. Dr. Jones, himself, indicated that if the degree was exactly XX° and 00’ that the symbol of that exact degree should be applied. It is also my understanding that the Sabian Assembly, founded by Jones, remains just as adamant: use the symbol of the exact degree. So I’ll compromise and also give you the symbol for 04° Virgo, as presented by Diana E. Roche, and as taken from MEJ’s hand written note:

A CHOCOLATE CHILD PLAYING WITH WHITES ^[ii]

In either case, the implication is that the outcome of this moment promises to provide a significant opportunity for an Arian journey into self-discovery.

But before we leave the Sabians, let’s have a brief look at what, according to Diana, Elsie Wheeler saw when MEJ held up the index card for 25 Aries, the degree of this New Moon:

A DOUBLE PROMISE

Lynda would add, “…reveals its inner and outer meanings,” while Dane Rudhyar saw: “The possibility for man to gain experience at two levels of being.” Thus this Aries New Moon offers the “double promise” of the two Lights (Sun/Moon) focusing within so that they might illuminate our individualized inner meaning, that we may manifest an outer life on two levels of consciousness, one devoted to our service to others, the other to service of our own self-actualization.

And we haven’t even looked at what the Planets have to say about this New Moon yet.

The Aries New Moon Planets

By now you should be familiar with the general distribution of the planets for the New Moon this Wednesday, April 14th. As has been noted, there are five pair and two “aspecting singletons:”

The Sun and Moon conjunction, of course has been discussed in Part I in the comments on the Aries New Moon. In brief, while every New Moon is the start of a new cycle and a time to set new intentions and begin new habits, the New Moon in Aries is especially strong. It’s a time to exercise self-discovery, independence, and to act courageously in every endeavor you take on. The I Ching calls it the reunification of the two primal powers for the sake of a great creative endeavor. It is a very powerful time. We’ll come back to this pair brief mention when the Septile is up for discussion.

The Mercury and Venus conjunction, however, is different story altogether. Tucked away in the Southland’s Taurus ruled third house, they each have something to be happy about and something that makes them somewhat uncomfortable here. As the house’s natural ruler, Mercury really feels at ease there. From that base he usually exhibits his facile and curious mind and is open to communication on all levels. However, at this moment his speed is slowing, preparing to turn retrograde on the 18th, a mere four days after the New Moon. He will be in that state for virtually this full Lunar cycle. Add to that the fact the entire retrograde will be in slow moving, grounded, stubborn and introspective Taurus, all qualities that are one or two sizes too small for Mercury’s restless and fast paced nature.
His house mate, Venus, on the other hand loves being in Taurus, one of the signs of her rulerships. At home here, she can feel free to gather friends to her side, put out a delicious looking and tasty spread for them, and indulge her appetite for the finer things in life. But for one snag; she’s not particularly fond of a trip to the third house, ruled as it is by the non-emotional, and somewhat asexual Mercury and the Airy Gemini, which always cool her normally hot blood. So the pair are comfortable, but not; eager to please, but restrained. All in all, I’d say that the energies for Mercury and Venus during this Moon cycle are at least somewhat muted. IOW, not the best time to be hooking up with Mr./Ms. Right.

Neptune and Chiron have been hanging out for some time now, going back, really, to February a year ago, so their energetic and spiritual healing energy ought to be feeling familiar. As Jan (astrogrrl) says:

“Chiron now extends a helping hand in finally releasing fears, healing past hurts, letting go of mentally wounding thoughts/ideas, and giving up old ways or bad habits. At the same time, Neptune gives us her gift of hope and insight, showing us the truth and reality that go beyond what we can mentally process, visually witness and audibly experience.”

I know that I could use some of that blessed spiritual healing myself. Couldn’t we all?

Pluto and Ceres What is it about the the myth of the curious triangle between Pluto, Ceres and Persephone that continues to fascinate us? What do we feel about the primal pair and the object of their affections? the briefest of recounting: Persephone is a beautiful, lithe young woman. Pluto spots, wants and grabs her and carries her off to the depths of Hades. Ceres, the damsel’s mother, can’t find her and becomes distraught.

Now Ceres is a pretty powerful personage herself, being the Goddess of the Earth. She is the archetypal Mother figure and ranks first in stature among the asteroids. However, in spite of her status, she is helpless to recover her precious daughter. Crushed and angry, she withdraws and in so doing robs the Earth of all its warmth. The Earth froze and experienced its first winter. Long story short, Pluto agrees to let the lady go, but since she ate those seven pomegranate seeds Pluto had her hooked for half the year and thus the Seasons. But here they are, back in the news, so to speak. And this time we might expect some kind of ruckus between them.

In the first place, they have that bad blood between them, but most of the times they come together their rather infrequent meetings are brief. They only bump into one another every five or so years and when they do the parlay generally lasts for less than two weeks. But not this time. You’d have to bet on it during this dynamic astrological year. During the passage they retrograde past each other and stay within conjunction close rang of one another for an almost staggering 54 days, from April 6th until May 27th. Then on October 9th she catches up to him again for a two and a half week period, as if to say, “You better get it now, buster!”

But Pluto is a power broker himself and not one to back down easily. Remember, in your chart, where Pluto says you will go, you will go. And remember too Pluto lives in the depths of the earth, where the discomfiture of the Mother can cause him to shift things around and blow off a little steam himself. Given what just happened in Mexacali, I’d know where the nearest door jamb is, were I you. Or me. Oh and yes, in case you missed it, that is a Square that is being sent their way by our other “Earth” friend, Saturn, who is not feeling so comfortable right about now considering the face to face eye contact/challenge that he’s having with his father, Uranus, via the opposition between them. That generational confrontation has, as Jamie Funk notes, “…something…cranking into action for more confrontation between old style monotheism (Saturn) and progressive spirituality (Uranus).” Families. Sheesh. Go figure. Please see Jamie’s crackling good comments on the Asteroid confrontations going on during this New Moon cycle as well.

Along with the Mexacali bump which heralded the opening of the conjunction orb period on the 4th, we must add the shock and grief resulting from the loss of the upper echelons of the Polish government in the April 10th plane crash that took the lives of President Lech Kaczynski, his First Lady and dozens of others political and military leaders. Pain is an international donor. Under the December 1981 Pluto/Ceres conjunction a Yugoslavian airliner crashed into a mountain on Corsica, killing 178. In the July 1977 passage flooding in Johnstown, PA, caused by massive rainfall, killed over 75 people, costing billions of $ in damage. And in September of ‘72 there was the “Munich Massacre.” Nasty do, that. Just sayin.’

Jupiter and Uranus are in a wide, but applying conjunction that won’t be exact until early June, but as with most things associated with Jupiter, the “largeness” of the orb does not entirely rule out its effectiveness. This is particularly so when the orb is applying and to a planet that is currently in a face to face confrontation with Saturn. For a terrific take on this once every fourteen year conjunction, may I refer you to Anne Whitaker’s interview on this coming event in which, she tells us, among other things, to expect the unexpected during this turbulent and out of the ordinary planetary interlude. And taking a peek ahead, as this New Moon turns to Full, the confrontational elements of the Saturn/Uranus opposition increases exponentially with other stressors kicking in. That chart looks like this:

You will no doubt note the plethora of red and black lines crisscrossing the chart’s open center space. They are, of course, the aspect lines and show the energetic pathways over which the planets communicate with each other. Red and black generally indicate lines of stress and/or tension between the thus “connected dots.” Coming as they do at the Full Moon, which often sees the seeds that we have planted at the New come to fruition, we might better know to keep or New Moon promises simple lest they bare fruits of discord.

Mars and Saturn, on the other hand, although not in the same conjunctive aspect as the others, are intimately connected by a approaching an important, if little used Septile aspect. The Septile is based on the division of the 360° circle by 7, which gives the difficult to see 51°25’42.9” Septile / 102°51′25” BiSeptile / 154°17′08” TriSeptile aspects. The series expresses itself just as the number 7 does in numerology. It It is often associated with spirituality, mysticism, wisdom, studiousness and success. Australian astrologer Alice Portman has put up an excellent page on this often ignored aspect and of course our friend Rick Levine and his partner Jeff Jawer have been writing and speaking (in this great audio from 2005, for instance) about them for years.

As mentioned above, these two masculine archetypes are often referred to as the planetary “malefics.” Whenever trouble starts to rear its ugly head, we can usually spot one, or both, of them at the scene of the crime. Not that I dislike them. I am a big fan of Saturn’s never fatal, but always solid brick to the temple. A bit like a (pre do-do) Mike Tyson left hook, it’s difficult to see coming but very effective in getting us to make the necessary changes in service to our personal growth and self-actualization. Saturn’s lessons may be difficult to endure, but when we do we emerge on the other side in a better place. Yeah Saturn!

Mars is sort of like a “Mini Me” to Saturn in as much as he too kicks up dirt, but seldom does he throw a knock out punch. But he’s much quicker than Saturn. He makes the Zodiacal circle in a little over two years as compared to Saturn’s 29. He beats you into submission with repeated jabs. In boxing, it’s called the “stick and run.” In astrology, it called Mars. As the Septiles are acknowledged to be associated with spirituality, mysticism and esoteric wisdom Mars can is fully capable of donning the armor of the Spiritual Warrior that he can be.

Earlier I mentioned that I would be coming back to the Sun and Moon in connection to the Septiles. Now’s that time. You see, the Luminaries, by virtue of their conjunction are both BiSeptile to Mars and at the same time TriSeptile to Saturn. I’m calling it a Septile Grand Trine incorporating the whole family. Oh, I almost forgot, There’s another Septile there too, between Mercury and Jupiter. Get the picture?

That’s 6 [iv] of the ten planets, a clear majority you’ll notice, whose energies are open to the flow of Spirit, Wisdom and The Mystery among them. And it’s really good that the planets involved can really make things happen, Just look at how the Sun and Moon support Saturn and Mars. It’s actually a closed circuit loop of the Will and Power of the Sun, the emotional and psychic energy of the Moon, Saturn’s call to change and Mars’ urge to action flowing between them over the Septile circuits that open the interchange of Spirit, Wisdom and the Mystery beyond. And do remember that that same energy passes between Jupiter and Mercury. It’s like someone throwing the switch in the Big House in the sky.

[i] Which sees astrology as but one tool in our self-discovery/actualization tool boxes.

[ii] Roach, Diana E., The Sabian Symbols, A Screen of Prophecy, Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing, 1998, p. 184.

[iii] The number 6 has continued to be prominent for me astrologically since I discovered the 6 pointed star pattern of the Harmonic Concordance in 1998.

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. Internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance, he is a member of the San Diego chapter of NCGR and he has been accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California.

Comments

1 Comment so far

Anne Whitaker on April 14, 2010 11:18 am
Hi Johnny

thanks so much for the plug re my current writings about the upcoming Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. I thought I had worn out my excitement on that subject after writing a book about the last one, which took place in February 1997. But this is not the case! I do hope that some of those ‘plugged in’ ( as indeed I am myself) to the upcoming energies will tell me their stories so that I can publish them on my site, thereby adding to our body of empirical knowledge regarding the playing of the great music of the spheres….and thank you for this deep, thorough and thoughtful piece on the first New Moon of the solar year!

Let me know if you would like to trade links.

Best wishes
Anne