Planet Waves :: For Our Next Act, an Eclipse on the Aries Point

New York, March 17, 2016 | View as Webpage | Order Your Vision Quest Reading
For Our Next Act, an Eclipse on the Aries Point

Dear Friend and Reader:

As you may recall, we experienced a total eclipse of the Sun in Pisces a week ago Tuesday. Eclipses usually come in little clusters, usually of two -- a solar and a lunar. In the current sequence, last week's solar eclipse is followed by what is called a penumbral eclipse of the Moon in Libra this coming Wednesday, right on the heels of the Aries equinox.

Detail from a photo capturing the Feb. 21, 2008, total lunar eclipse over the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Greece. Wednesday's eclipse will be penumbral, not total. Photo by Anthony Ayiomamitis.

It is this combination of the equinox and an eclipse that make this moment so rich. The eclipse happens in the early degrees of the cardinal signs Aries and Libra, which puts it right in the pocket of the Aries Point. This is the "personal is political" point.

When the Aries Point is active, events take on deeper meaning, they have personal impact and we have a greater investment in them. See if you notice this phenomenon over the next week or so.

Soon after the Sun ingresses Aries, the Moon will pass through the outer rim of the Earth's shadow (called a penumbral eclipse). Eclipses also have that personal-is-political quality, and with an eclipse so close to the equinox, the effect is multiplied. You don't need to look much past the political realm to see this effect in action.

As for the eclipse itself, you'll be able to see this anyplace the Moon is visible at about 8 am EDT (12:00 UTC) Wednesday, March 23.

That rules out the eastern United States, the UK and Europe (where it will already be light, and the Moon will have set), though in the U.S., points west of the Eastern time zone will be able to see the eclipse near the horizon. If there are clear skies in California and Hawaii, the view should be excellent. Penumbral eclipses are less dramatic because the Moon dims rather than darkens totally.

Given clear skies, some of the best views will be from Australia and New Zealand. Jupiter will be visible nearby, and the sense of perspective will be breathtaking. When you see Jupiter back there, gleaming its orange-yellow glow, remember it's really about 5,000 times the size of the Moon.

Eclipses are Threshold Moments

Eclipses represent turning points, or what you might think of as threshold moments -- where you may transition from one phase of your life to the next. You might be swept up in events, or you may consciously invoke changes. The idea is to keep making conscious decisions and to correct any errors you make as soon as you can.

The Donald certainly has more than a touch of the fantasy villain to him. "Jabba the Trump" illustration by Dave Phillips.

Eclipses come with moments of what used to be called quickening (in older New Age parlance), where the energy speeds up, the molecules of existence have a little more room between them, and there is the potential to mix, blend and balance the flavors of your life.

If you've been feeling stuck or as if you need to groove on something new, now is the moment to get your energy moving. We have been repeating the refrain "act on your intentions" -- this is the time to vote for yourself with what you do rather than what you think. I'm saying that the inherent difference between thought and action is more meaningful right now, and I'm also suggesting we've done plenty of thinking and it's time to shake it up. Full Moons of any variety are great tools for resolving situations that have come to an impasse, and we have an excellent one on its way.

There are a few meaningful events leading up to Wednesday's eclipse, which are all part of the same story.

Let's start with today's chart and I'll describe major occurrences through the eclipse one by one. Then in the next edition, one week from tonight, we will open up the new territory of Mars retrograde and the momentous conjunction of Uranus and Eris. For now let's keep our focus on the very exciting next few days.

Today there is a conjunction of Chiron, Mercury and the South Node. To me this is about remembering what we have learned in the past. We have all been through so much; so many challenges, so much healing crisis, and so much work at self-improvement. Now is the time to remember what you know and, moreover, to use what you know.

Ceres is about to join the alignment. That is another reminder to recognize how far you've come. Recollect each time you emerged to a new state of your life, claim those advances, put them behind you and move on into the next realm. Ceres also comes with the reminder that if you seek health and wellbeing, food is one of the most helpful things you can attend to.

Sun Completes its Cycle and Ingresses Aries

The Sun is crossing the final degrees of Pisces. Of course, this is a visual illusion -- it's the Earth that's moving around the Sun, but it's the Sun that we see moving in an astrological chart.

A Trump supporter (right) yells at a demonstrator after the Chicago Trump rally is cancelled. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski / Reuters.

This is the very end of the zodiacal year, as the Sun passes through the last mysterious and beautiful degrees of Pisces, which invoke this sign's connection to the Moon. In the Sabian symbol set of images for the 360 degrees of the wheel, this week we have the scene of a very thin crescent Moon, the harvest Moon, a fertile garden growing in the moonlight, and light passing through a prism.

All of these symbols represent seeing things truly and clearly -- perhaps as we are, perhaps as they are -- but carrying a vivid resonance with truth as confirmed by intuition. Moonlight is about inner illumination.

The Sun leaves Pisces and ingresses fire sign Aries at 12:30 am EDT (04:30 UTC) on Sunday, March 20. This is the mighty vernal equinox. The Sun enters the first degree of the first sign of the zodiac, and we have a few days where day and night are of equal length. It is a turning point of any year, though with added emphasis now.

The equinox chart includes many fun images, though my favorite is the conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Pisces. This is about as dreamy as it gets, offering a moment of faith in the power of love, escape from 'reality', immersion in your most creative dreams, and a great time to imbibe or make art, music and love.

Chart section for Wednesday's lunar eclipse. From top to bottom: Pallas in Aquarius; Nessus, Neptune, Venus, Ceres, Chiron and the South Node in Pisces; Mercury, the Sun, Uranus and Eris in Aries; Vesta in Taurus. Across the wheel (not shown) is the Moon in Libra, and Jupiter and the North Node in Virgo.

Pisces for its part has added emphasis as Jupiter, its ruling planet, is forming a square to Saturn. The Jupiter-Saturn square has fallen below the radar given all the other unusual activity happening now (for example, the Saturn-Neptune square seems to have overshadowed it). Yet any contact between Jupiter and Saturn (the two largest planets) is significant, useful and potentially productive.

You can think of Jupiter square Saturn as an opportunity to get something right even if that has proven elusive in the past. In a natal chart this can work on a multiple-lifetime basis.

In mundane astrology it can represent a leverage point where you can move some energy in the direction you need to. Remember the concept of a lever (an actual, mechanical one). You apply less force to get a result that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Meanwhile, Mercury is clipping along in Pisces, near peak speed (as we are halfway between retrograde phases). It's still in Pisces at equinox, and ingresses Aries at 8:19 pm EDT on March 21 (00:19 UTC March 22).

That in itself represents an Aries Point event of some kind. Remember that your words and ideas have more influence than you may recognize. Treat them that way. We live in times of unusual resonance due to the Internet having swallowed all of existence. You can actually say something that reaches other people, and be reached by their ideas as well. By this I don't mean Walter Cronkite. We now all possess some measure of that power.

The Lunar Eclipse in Libra

The Moon ingresses Libra at 1:23 am EDT (05:23 UTC) on Wednesday, March 23. This begins the actual eclipse from an astrological standpoint, as the Moon will be in the sign where it's being eclipsed, and is exactly opposite the Aries Point. The Moon is also opposite Mercury. This promises to be an exceedingly interesting week.

Moai set in the hillside at Rano Raraku, Easter Island. Photo by Aurbina.

Let's consider the symbolism of a lunar eclipse a little more closely. The Moon can represent an inner environment, and it can also serve as a veil over something else. You might think of the Moon as a projection screen (it shows us reflected light), or as a cover that makes a thin partition between two aspects of psychic reality.

When an eclipse of the Moon happens, that veil is drawn back. The bright light of the Full Moon is dimmed, and we can see something extra in the darkness. That something is aided by lower-contrast vision, or what you might think of as psychic night vision.

The Moon can represent feelings; and when the veil is drawn back, this calls attention to two slow-moving minor planets (in our solar system) that are right there: Logos and Makemake.

These planets would make the topic of an excellent book, though I can offer a few ideas here. Logos is the root of the word logic, closely associated with language. Yet when you look it up, you find yourself mired in one of the most controversial terms in all of philosophy. Nobody seems to know what it really means. I think of it as representing the dark and mysterious origins of reason and language. In the beginning there was the word.

'Logos' became a technical term in philosophy beginning with Heraclitus (ca. 535–475 BC), who used the term for a principle of order and knowledge. You might seek the origins of this principle in your own growth process. You might ask what knowledge means to you, and how far back you're willing to go in order to get to some useful version of the truth.

The statue of Aristotle near the entrance to The School of Aristotle (The Lyceum) in Greece. Photo by Carole Raddato.

In the words of historian Paul Rahe, "For Aristotle, logos is something more refined than the capacity to make private feelings public: it enables the human being to perform as no other animal can; it makes it possible for him to perceive and make clear to others through reasoned discourse the difference between what is advantageous and what is harmful, between what is just and what is unjust, and between what is good and what is evil."

Makemake is another idea that takes us way back -- to Easter Island, where there are lots of strange monoliths and tribal cults. Makemake is named for a god who arrives after the religions associated with the Easter Island monoliths. So Makemake follows this theme of veiling something deeper. You might trace your way back to something that seems solid and documented, and then figure out that there is a whole universe of mystery behind it.

At this point in the Moon's journey, the portal is open to the exchange of information in many directions. Tune in -- through meditation, art, writing or some interesting communication node on the Internet -- and you will learn all kinds of things that will be useful on your journey.

My horoscope directly about the eclipse will be distributed to subscribers Monday morning. I'll have more to say in Sunday night's blog post as well as Tuesday's edition of Planet Waves FM, which will be dedicated to the eclipse.

See you then and there.

With love,

Planet Waves (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday and Thursday evening in Kingston, New York, by Planet Waves, Inc. Core community membership: $197/year. Editor and Publisher: Eric Francis Coppolino. Web Developer: Anatoly Ryzhenko. Designer: Lizanne Webb. Astrology Editor: Amanda Painter. Astrology Fact Checker: Len Wallick. Copy Editor and Fact Checker: Jessica Keet. Client Services: Amy Elliott. Media Consultant: Andrew Marshall McLuhan. Research, Writing and Editing: In addition to those listed above, Planet Waves is produced by a team consisting of Fe Bongolan, Judith Gayle, Kelly Janes, Amanda Moreno, Carol van Strum, Len Wallick.

2016 Spring Reading by Eric Francis

Mars Retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio

Dear Friend and Reader:

I have an unusually exciting spring reading for you this year, something that feels like I've been waiting all my life to create.

Between April and June, Mars will be retrograde first in Sagittarius, and then in Scorpio. This brings together two signs that influence us all in profound ways. Mars represents desire, initiative, innovation and the drive to persist.

Valles Marineris on Mars, taken by Viking 1 in 1980.

Sagittarius describes our personal spiritual quest. It is the hunger to learn, to grow, to understand and to see the world from a perspective of meaning. Traveling in Sagittarius style is not tourism. It's about a journey to the holy land, the promised land, the sacred ground.

As any such traveler knows, no matter where one goes, the quest is really about traversing an inner landscape. That's the place in consciousness where we experiment with questions of faith, the higher self, and the quest for meaning and truth that is at the heart of any well-lived life.

It is fair to say that any conscious person has some true desire to experience Sagittarius in a real and direct way. It is the journey that we must take, no matter what. And with Mars, the most personal of planets, retrograde in that sign, this we will get to do -- as an inner quest.

Mars will then make its way into the very first degrees of Sagittarius, and then it will enter Scorpio. This is one of the home signs of Mars, in its watery nocturnal expression.

Scorpio is the realm of the deepest human exchange. It's the realm of bonding, of exchanging genetic material, of sexuality and of death and surrender. It's also fair to say that any conscious (or even unconscious) person experiences Scorpio as a profound inner urgency -- one that influences the most elemental aspects of life: relationships with others, with resources and with existence.

Put the two together and we will experience the fusion of where the spiritual quest meets the inner emotional quest. In a balanced person, both of these must be honored, and we're about to get some direct experience there.

It is challenging to bring the spirit of spiritual growth into sexual relationships, but that is what this astrology is describing. It's also about taking an enlightened approach to financial matters, as well as to questions of attachment. This astrology describes movement that can apply to your creativity, your work and your whole approach to living.

This is what I'll be covering in the Mars retrograde spring reading. The astrology reminds me of tantric practice, which calls for a whole new approach to living. I don't think there is a person reading who has failed to consider the relationship between their spiritual quest and their inner emotional and erotic reality. You would be amazed to know how this core meeting place influences every other aspect of your life.

And this is what I'm here to tell you about, to explore and to take another personal step growing into. This teaching began in several signs of Vision Quest, the 2016 annual edition of Planet Waves, and the material came through like thunder -- and it's still pouring in.

The spring reading will cover all 12 signs and rising signs. All signs are included. The package will include the sign audios, introductory audio material, original music, magnificent artwork and also a special edition extended written horoscope that sums up the teaching for you in a succinct format.

I anticipate having it done before Mars stations retrograde on April 17, in time for you to put it to work in your personal inner quest, your relationships and your journey through life.

Here is how to pre-order. You may also call (877) 453-8265 -- or (206) 567-4455 toll-free internationally -- and speak to someone directly.

With love,
eric

Video still from "Zodiac -- Evolution," by Murat Sayginer, which incorporates a variety of symbols from Western and Eastern mythology and religion, modern-day life, astrology and more. If the scorpion with the birdcage means anything to you, let me know... Image: video still.

Evolution in the Eclipse Zone

By Amanda Painter

We're in 'The Eclipse Zone': that span of two weeks between eclipses that can feel a little…unusual. As in, maybe you experience things that shift your experience in subtly profound ways; or maybe a series of events takes on a Twilight Zone feel.

Then again, it could be that you're just rolling along, doing your thing like always. Although I've heard from a few people this week who feel like they're 'backsliding' in some way -- reverting to old habits, and noticing old patterns returning -- rather than feeling like they're able to set new patterns in motion.

It would seem that the ability to institute new patterns relies partly on releasing an old one first (and more fully) to create some space for the new. So if you're feeling that sensation of backsliding, perhaps it's just a reminder of where you've been so that you can more clearly focus on where you'd like to go? After all, planets are still aspecting last week's solar eclipse degree, and the Sun does not reach Aries until Sunday; could be that the equinox will offer the necessary boost of cardinal-sign energy to forge ahead with the new.

In any case, in honor of any disorienting Eclipse Zone energy you might be noticing, here's a short film by Murat Sayginer called Zodiac -- Evolution. Eric ran across it last week, and passed it along to me. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, but the more I watch it, the more I seem to be able to begin creating some narrative pattern from the symbols within it. I guess that's really what astrology (and life) is about, right?

Sisyphus or Hercules? Obama Announces SCOTUS Nominee

President Obama nominated Merrick Garland yesterday to replace deceased justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, after weeks of speculation and vows by Republicans -- including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- that any nomination by Obama will be blocked. Garland is currently the chief judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

President Obama makes sure nobody is confused that federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland (right) is the guy he's picked for the Supreme Court on Wednesday in the White House rose garden, Washington, D.C. Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP.

As Eric mentioned when Scalia died nearly five weeks ago [read PW coverage here, or listen here], this SCOTUS nomination may be the most crucial issue in the presidential election this November. Although Garland's record on progressive issues is unclear, he could move the Supreme Court left for the first time in decades if approved. Today's Democracy Now! broadcast discusses Garland's judicial experience.

The declared time for Obama's announcement was 11:00 am EDT on March 16, in Washington, D.C. This gives a chart with its ascendant at 13+ Gemini. The Sun is in Pisces, at 26+ degrees; the Moon is at 07+ Cancer. [View chart here.]

The Sun, along with all of the other current Pisces planets and points, occupies the 10th house of reputation, power, career aspiration and, notably, government -- with the Sun representing President Obama.

The Moon's immediate next aspect is a water trine to Neptune in Pisces. Does that represent an easier flow than anticipated for Garland into this new governmental appointment? Or an excess of emotional influence in the proceedings? Or simply that anyone would have to be delusional to think that this nomination will 'take care' of everything?

Tune into Eric's Planet Waves FM broadcast this coming Tuesday, when he'll take a closer look at the chart and the implications of Garland's nomination.

-- Amanda Painter

PWFM

Tuesday Edition of Planet Waves FM

Equinox Eclipse, Mars in Tantra and a Proposal

Dear Planet Waves Listener:

In this week's edition of Planet Waves FM [play episode here], I start with the astrology leading up to the eclipse of the Moon next week, which is an eclipse in Libra. Before then, the Sun enters Aries; that is followed by this lunar eclipse and then a Sun-Mercury conjunction -- an exciting way to start the season.

Angel Deradoorian.

Right now we have a lot of Pisces in the sky -- Venus has just joined the collection, and I think Pisces is one of her favorite places to be. But then I'm a Pisces so I would think that. I go over the interesting Venus-Mars-Nessus pattern that I think is about taking full responsibility for your gender identity and sexual power.

In the second segment I look ahead at Mars retrograde, from Sagittarius to Scorpio. This is deep, it's exciting and it's likely to deliver some gifts to all sincere seekers. I think that Mars is entering tantric mode -- going from what would appear to be a spiritual dimension (Sagittarius) to one that is inherently emotional and sexual.

Mars retrograde, seen one way, is about how we handle desire as an interior event: what it means to want, how you might feel wanting, and all the emotional implications of desire.

In the last section I offer a proposal for Women's History Month (which is March, named after Mars). It's about honoring what it is that makes female be female, and our relationship to that.

My musical guests are two women, one named Angel Deradoorian (Soundcloud | Facebook) and the other being Elle King (official site | Facebook).

Thanks for tuning in; and as ever, it's good to be with you.

Lovingly,

Miracle Hour Episode 6: The Illusion and the Reality of Love

In this week's edition of The Miracle Hour [play episode here], I look at Chapter 16 of ACIM, titled "The Forgiveness of Illusions." Part IV, The Illusion and the Reality of Love, discusses the differences between love and hate, and their relationship to reality.

Miracle Hour is distributed weekly to the Pacifica Radio Network and is a project of Planet Waves FM. Music, as ever, is by Vision Quest. The program is 59 minutes.

Pisces: Immersion in Vivid Potential

I absolutely love all of you at Planet Waves. Love the writing and information. Love how you make us think! Keep up the Great Work! Lifelong Fan & Customer! -- Lois Dovico, Galaxy Pass Holder and Pisces

Dear Friend and Reader:

There is so much happening in Pisces right now that I added an extra section to your birthday reading. This is a series of four recordings, which look intimately at the themes that are likely to be arising in your life.

The seemingly bottomless Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize. Photo by Eric Pheterson.

In the first section, I do a kind of guided meditation and overview of what makes this turning point so distinctive. This is likely to be a moment of culmination of many years of effort, crisis or delay. I take the territory gently.

Oooooooh Eric, this is brilliant. Like you are in the room with me talking about the goings on in my life and psyche. -- Ramona Thiessen

Then in the second section I cover the vast array of planets in Pisces. I give enough detail to make it interesting to those with astrological literacy, but never so much that someone not trained will lose the narrative. This covers personal and relational matters.

In the third section I focus on the 10th house -- Sagittarius, which represents your professional aspirations. Saturn is making its once-per-29-year visit to your career house. And Mars will soon be there. Finally, in the fourth section, I cover the Uranus-Eris conjunction -- and then I do a tarot reading for you.

I know many people have said this and it's a unique value and point of pride for Eric and Planet Waves, but I'll say it again myself: this reading feels astonishingly like it was written absolutely personally for me. To a pretty miraculous extent. -- Robyn Landis

Your reading is immediately available; you may sign up here for just $27.97. If you're curious, you can now listen to the whole first segment at this link.

With love,
eric

Forge photo by Kevin Wood.

Hey Aries -- with your birthday approaching fast, we have a superb 2016-17 reading to help you drive that wild, exciting eclipse energy in the direction of your choosing. I will also talk about the once-in-a-lifetime Uranus-Eris conjunction in your sign. You may pre-order your reading today.

Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscopes for March were published Thursday, Feb. 25. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for February on Thursday, Jan. 21. Your Pisces New Moon Moonshine horoscope by Len was published Thursday, March 10. Please note, we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Thursday after the Sun has entered a new sign.

Planet Waves Weekly Horoscope for March 17, 2016 #1092 | By Len Wallick

Aries (March 20-April 19) -- Of all the things it is possible for you to feel, there is nothing that compares to feeling like yourself. Indications are you indeed are at least on the way to feeling more like yourself, after a month or more of what might be called work. If you are not already doing so, consider applying your conscious intent to being yourself. Imagine fitting like a glove into a perfectly snug, yet comfortable seat of your own choosing and design. Then allow that feeling to guide you in the daily regimen of things you are obliged to do, so that you can recognize and engage with all that you need and want to do once again. You're back, and you're beautiful.-- By Len Wallick. For your Monday Morning horoscope by Eric this week, please see this link.