Equinox Ahead; Saturn Entering Aquarius

"Keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again"

Events the next week will reveal the direction of events to come. The vernal equinox, that is, the Sun's arrival in Aries, takes place late Thursday in the United States and early Friday in the U.K., Europe and Asia.

As we move through the remainder of the year, the equinoxes and solstices are extraordinarily powerful -- even more so than usual -- owing to the events that happen concurrently with them. We reach a potential point of resolution, which is likely to manifest as some form of social transformation. This is depicted by Jupiter conjunct Saturn in the first degree of Aquarius.

	Painting by Lanvi Nguyen.

Meanwhile, plenty happens over the course of the next week or so, with another major peak coming on April 4 when Jupiter makes its first of three conjunctions to Pluto.

How Freaky This All Is

But first, a word about how freaky this all is. As of last week, much of American and European society is postponed indefinitely, closed or canceled. Some places, preparation is on the level of what you might expect for a civil defense event such as World War III, as Andrew McLuhan has observed.

People are panicked, and in some places fighting over toilet paper, while stocking up on junk food. (I guess they'll need the TP in that case.) Many have no concept how to prepare for time away from normal availability of provisions. They've never even gone camping. Heck, many people don't know how to pack a picnic. Or for that matter a bag lunch.

Other places, such as the Planet Waves research facility located in a barn in Tidewater, Oregon, are ready to live off the grid for weeks, because the power goes out for that long on a regular basis. Our bureau chief there is grinding cornmeal as I write.

However, many businesses around the world, large and small, are already feeling the impact of the panic, which is going to affect nearly everyone in some way. Many people are already living paycheck to paycheck (if they have one) and cannot afford to prep. If you are in a position to, please help at least one other person get ready for possible supply line interruptions.

Much of the legitimate fear about this problem is associated with the low capacity of our medical system in the United States. It's usually running at or close to maximum, and now we're talking about adding some unknown increase in demand, of potentially very sick patients. Meanwhile, the U.S. has not been friendly to scientists, and is not prepared for even regional emergencies, like a hurricane, which happen regularly.

So let's see: the National Guard has been sent into New Rochelle, NY, a town with more than half of the state's coronavirus cases. Are they all wearing biohazard gear?

What We Don't Know

There is a lot we don't know, including how this is going to play out, and whether the preparations being made most places will have an effect of flattening the epidemic's growth curve somewhat. We don't know if there was some extenuating factor in Wuhan. Was there some factor that was responsible for lowering immunity? Did this stuff escape from a lab, and have a concentrated impact?

	Workers inside the lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. That is Level 4 biohazard wear, from Abercrombie. Photo by Johannes Eisele / AFP.

There is in fact a virology laboratory in Wuhan that researches coronaviruses and SARS. I just read about that in The Wall Street Journal, my new favorite newspaper, in a March 5 article.

The institute "contributed to China's fast identification earlier this year of the outbreak's source as a novel, or previously unknown, coronavirus." It's called the Wuhan Institute of Virology. That sounds like a fun place to visit.

Now for the spin. Get ready. Ready?

The newspaper said in a March 5 article: "The institute's location at ground zero of the most infectious epidemic in China's modern history has also made it a target for peddlers of alternate theories that humans first contracted the virus as the result of an accident of some kind at the laboratory. Leading scientists in China and internationally have dismissed such views, saying that the virus likely originated in wildlife, perhaps bats, before spreading to humans, possibly through a food market in Wuhan."

Oh really. So, it was purely a coincidence.

There is a biohazard level 4 (the highest) SARS and coronavirus facility in Wuhan, where scientists handling glass vials full of plague pathogens waddle around trapped in body-shaped balloons with air hoses, but the virus exploded in that city first because someone ate a bat for lunch. Or maybe a bat, we don't know. Maybe it was a lizard who ate the wrong kind of caterpillar.

Peddlers of alternate theories? Are you effing kidding me? You mean nothing ever goes wrong at labs, or in nuclear power plants, or chemical manufacturing facilities? Thank you, I am SO reassured.

How about askers of perfectly obvious questions? If it did escape from the lab, that could have two positive benefits: maybe that's why it was so intense in Wuhan, and maybe they have the antidote. Of course they could not say they have the antidote because that would be a huge clue that it escaped from the lab. Or maybe it would be another coincidence.

Meanwhile, life continues as normal some places. My father just called me asking how to change the battery on his guitar tuner, which is all around a good thing. His wife Yael, who is Israeli, added that she got an email (in Hebrew) that said, "I haven't received an email about the virus in the past three minutes. I think everyone except me is dead."

The Astrology Surrounding the Equinox

The season changes Thursday, March 19, at 11:49:33 pm EDT. The Sun enters Aries, making a conjunction to the Aries Point (the first degree of the zodiac). This is an amplification point, and an intersection of the individual and the collective (which gets busier every hour). This is likely to come with an escalation and acceleration of the virus issue.

	Alls you can say is like wow. Planetary positions at the time of the equinox, just before midnight EDT Thursday. Everything is in there -- look at all that Capricorn to the left. Note that Saturn (in mustard yellow) has the number 29 degrees and 51 minutes. It's about to enter Aquarius within a few hours. The Sun, the yellow circle with the dot, is about to make a conjunction to Chiron in Aries, and squares to everything in Capricorn. You can see Mars in red, conjunct Jupiter; both are about to be conjunct Pluto (also in red). This chart connects directly to at least two other future charts -- those on June 21 and Dec. 21. Seasonal changes are VERY powerful this year.

That is what the Aries Point does. Note that there will be an annular solar eclipse on June 21 in the first degree of Cancer, which is being activated by the Sun's entry into Aries on Thursday. The equinox also activates the Dec. 21 conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on the Capricorn solstice, so we may see a microcosm of the rest of the year played out this week.

The important thing about the Sun in Aries is that it lights up the nodal axis, now in early Cancer-Capricorn, which is itself loaded by Chiron, Salacia, Pholus and Quaoar. Put simply, a lot of energy is about to move.

The other major event connected with the equinox is Saturn entering Aquarius, its other sign of rulership, for the first time in about 29 years. I could go on about details of the astrology but I want to end with a commentary about this, in particular.

Aquarius is about to become the center of focus. Yes, for a long time it's been Aries and Capricorn, and we're still not done with that -- in fact we're about to see what it's all about as the Sun enters Aries. However, over the next three years, Aquarius will be increasingly the focus, and that begins this week, when Saturn enters it.

Aquarius is the sign of groups, of social patterns, of inventions and (correspondingly) of technology. As I suggested on Thursday, we must take current events as an opportunity to make a better world. That means getting together, forming useful social patterns, and using our technology in clever, positive and inventive ways.

We need to cooperate. We need to work together. We need to understand leadership, coordination, collaboration, and the sharing of vital information.

That is Saturn in Aquarius.

With love,

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Daily Birthday Readings from Planet Waves

Here are our Birthday Readings up to the end of Sun in Pisces; if it's your birthday this week, many happy returns to you. We'll be getting the first set of Aries ones out to you soon. By Eric Francis

Sunday, March 15, 2020 (The Day of the Heights) You have an unusual shapeshifting ability now, which grants you a kind of superpower. You can ultimately convince anyone that you're anything they want you to be. This is the potentially dangerous side of the ability, and the lesser. The greater, and the safer, is to use your power to change your mind. That really means allowing yourself to birth a new view of yourself, and to embrace an altogether different understanding of why people are in your life. Monday, March 16, 2020 (The Day of Realistic Inspiration) You must know your agenda, and be committed to it. Otherwise, you run the risk of going along with something just because it's popular, or because others pressure you to get involved. A good motto for you this year would be that of legendary Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin: "Don't go where the crowd is." And while you're at it, look for others who are interested in expressing their life force in their wholly original way. They most surely exist. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 (The Day of the Aerialist) Stay one step ahead of yourself, and three steps ahead of everyone else. Or perhaps recognize that's where you naturally are. You possess a viewpoint unlike any others, and though you may be a little 'out there' for some, you have a boundary, a kind of spiritual guardrail that is protecting you. So you can afford to ride the edge, including the edge of your own being. Stay there as much as you can. Near the border is the most interesting place in any country, including your own personal territory. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (The Day of Return) You are fortunate to be born so close to the end of the astrological year. This unusual zone of the zodiac is all about seeing both yourself and the world for what they are. Allow your true vision to transform you. Wake up every day and see the world for the new place that it is. Wake up and meet yourself as the new person who you are. The hazy, confusing dream of this world is that it never changes. If that ever seems to be the case, wake yourself up quickly. Thursday, March 19, 2020 (The Day of Dogged Persistence) Remember that you succeed only by playing the long game: by persisting over the years, and by working with goals that might seem too distant to be possible. Yet you also know that if you take this approach, there is no limit to what you can accomplish, because it is the way of nature. The best examples of who you want to be and become are generally not in the human world. Look for your spirit in the trees, the oceans and the mountains. Friday, March 20, 2020 (The Day of the Labyrinth) To understand who you are, search in the dark places in your psyche. There, you will discover aspects of yourself that you may have abandoned or forgotten. Take a bold and welcoming approach to anything you may discover about yourself. True bravery is not about any activity or challenge; it's about training your inner vision and sensitivity to accept yourself entirely and unconditionally. It is only from that delicate and daring space that you can make actual changes. Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscope for March was published on Saturday, Feb. 29. We published your extended monthly horoscope for February on Thursday, Jan. 30. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) — Set aside any notion of every man for himself, and remember your ethics. You also need to keep a lookout for people who are adopting that strategy. At the same time, there will be many opportunities for you to participate in a constructive and positive way, which will serve the purpose of easing your path through the world. The qualities to focus on now are cooperation and collaboration. We are so unaccustomed to doing this that our whole orientation as a society will need to shift. And before that, individual people will need to shift the fundamental ground of conflict we usually stand on, which is necessary to have our society that is based on competition. While you cannot do this yourself, you can decide where to invest your energy. That, in turn, determines the mode of leadership you embody. There will be relatively few people who are able to stay centered, take care of themselves, and set a positive example. It's up to you to be one of them. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.



The Journey of You and Chiron | A New Reading by Eric Francis

Anyone who has encountered it is curious about Chiron. Planet Waves provides one of the few dependable online sources of information on this unusual planet. For the 10th anniversary Astrology Studio reading, I will be covering Chiron in Aries — a momentous event for all those born under this sign, and of high interest to everyone else. Pre-order this reading here for the best price.

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Taurus (April 19-May 20) — While you're experiencing the desire for greater freedom to experiment, be conscious of any jealous feelings you may encounter. They have a way of taking over, and guiding one's evaluation of life, and one's decisions. The philosophy to practice is live and let live. Remember, if you choose to explore beyond your usual bounds, that implies allowing others to do so as well. This is not a tidy little equation, though. The bottom line is your self-esteem, which in this form means not having your identity threatened by the choices others make. This will challenge you to find the solid ground within yourself, and once you do that is the place to stand. If there is one advantage to the present condition of the world, it's that we are all living a little closer to the edge of existence. It's now plainly obvious that life does not always go on as usual. And in that truth are potentially great blessings. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Remember your most cherished goals, particularly in the midst of any negotiations. Do not allow anyone to push you back, distract you, or convince you that somehow you're being unfair. It would be unwise to fight or to push back too hard. Neither should you just cave in and give others what they want, if you feel it's not the right thing to do. The way to proceed is to be gently persistent. Keep your own interests in mind. This is a form of selfishness, though I don't mean in the ultimate sense of thinking others don't matter. In fact others do matter to you, and that's the thing you must be aware of. Your idea of the 'other' is so relevant to you that you can lose track of your own needs, desires and best interests. So, all you need to do is keep them in mind, by which I mean -- really in mind. No matter what may be going on in the world or in your life, remind yourself of what you want to do the very most. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Everyone is being called to leadership, though in many different senses of the word. With the Sun crossing the reputation and responsibility angle of your chart later this week -- the 10th house, which for you is Aries -- take the occasion to be at your very best. You have strength of character and a focused moral bearing that few possess. This exists for you as potential you know you can access, and in recent years you've been getting the message that there is no digressing from this particular calling. Now, you're actually needed. The thing you don't want to do is take a "save the world" position. Rather, begin taking note of your own state of being, your feelings and your basic needs. It's essential that you begin with yourself, because the thing you're teaching is for others to take care of themselves. From that perspective, you will see specific ways you may be of limited help. That is the idea. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — It is particularly important that you take steps to guard your health over the next few weeks, which means not taking any needless chances. Do all of the basic things you know about that have the effect of nourishing your body and your spirit. I say this knowing the same astrology calling for you to cool down a bit is also driving you to push a little harder -- hence, my recommendation. This may be a difficult balance to attain, though striving to do so will teach you how to keep your priorities in order. Food and rest are essential. Run through your agenda and cut back anything that consumes your energy needlessly. Be mindful of activities that require you to travel. Much of the shuttling around that people do is avoidable: not all of it but at least some of it. Notice how helpful removing even one thing from your agenda is, which is the thing to do when you get the feeling you cannot sustain your energy output. Then, focus on efficiency and economy. Those things exist, and are beautiful. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The past few weeks have probably been quite a ride for you. Yet if one thing has come into focus, it's your true need to see the world from other people's point of view. This is easy for some and difficult for others. One thing I can tell you from my long adventures both in journalism and as an astrologer is that people drop hints about their perspective. They don't just spill the beans and let it all out and reveal their cosmology. Yet those small clues can be genuinely meaningful and helpful, if you're listening, and you keep them in context. People reveal how much they think their existence is worth. They reveal what they think is possible. They reveal how they feel about others. They reveal their needs. Yet you must listen carefully, and take these things under advisement rather than acting on them in a lurch. It is, under the best conditions, difficult to get to know people, though at the moment, you have an advantage here. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You may somehow feel like you're at the epicenter of an earthquake as Mars moves through Capricorn and makes your world shake and vibrate. That's the best time to live in a tent, because if it falls down, you won't get hurt. You can just put it back up. The equivalent of a tent is keeping things light. Your inner emotional environment may be amplified, which means things may sound and feel louder than they really are. So you will need to bring modulation to your inner dialog, and turn down certain voices within yourself that are causing you anxiety. Don't shut them out; rather, keep them in proportion. There is a whole other inner reality that is speaking to you now, which I would describe as a deep and necessary calling. Some words from A Course in Miracles come to mind: "My happiness and my function are one." Remind yourself of that frequently and the idea will come into focus. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mars is on the move, which is significant to you as this is the planet that (actually) rules your sign. Yes, Pluto is important and is also in the picture, though Mars is the working end of the stick, and it's definitely working at the moment. The thing to do is to get control over your words. This holds true whatever they are about: you want to be their master and not let them master you. That means planning what you say; it means writing thoughtfully, and editing. It means delaying pushing "send" or "publish" for as long as possible. If your temper is hot, refrain from speaking, especially in meetings or in public. Work out any anger you may be feeling before expressing yourself. You're most certainly in a position to over-react. This will be all the more detrimental if you are right; your point will be lost. And here is the thing: your point is so strong, you don't even need to speak above a whisper. So you can afford to pause; you can afford to speak less. You might not need to say a word. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You're in a situation that you can make work for you, though this will be a conscious act, not an accident. There remains plenty that can go wrong, though the quality of your attention will be the single most important determining factor. You have many advantages in your situation, no matter how weird or difficult it may seem. And you may lack many of the disadvantages that are causing problems for others. In addition to having the deck stacked in your favor, and pretty much being the one in charge of your destiny, your influence is needed at this time, wherever you may be. Make sure you use your power in homeopathic doses. Let your presence alone have as much of an effect as possible. Your money may be influential. Living out your priorities will be especially so. There are many forms of influence and you have access to all of them at the moment. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The Sun changes signs this week as a new season begins. That is always a time of concentrating your energy and consciously shifting the story of your life. Until Friday when this happens, you will need to proceed gently, slowly and with extra awareness. These last few degrees of Pisces can be slippery, and there will be a series of seemingly sudden shifts once the equinox happens. If you look around now, you will notice what you need to change. Anything that may seem to emerge out of nowhere will have already been on your radar for quite some time, so take a moment and scan your feelings and your instruments. Notice the things you've said to yourself at least five times, and get ready to take action on those very items. When the time comes, you will need to act decisively and with confidence. Yet that also means acting minimally, to get the effect you are seeking. Small moves mean a lot. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Well, the world has become quite the adventure lately, hasn't it? You will have a much better sense of what's happening and where you fit in after Saturn enters your sign on March 21st. This will be like replacing a lens, or putting one where there was none before. You will see things you have never seen, and be able to distinguish new features in what you've been looking at for a long time. This has happened before: the "pyramid on Mars" was not really a pyramid. Yet some people still believe it is. Though you cannot always trust what your eyes tell you, you will benefit from taking it into account. More than anything, though, you are growing, changing and maturing, and this is the new lens through which you are looking at the world. Saturn's presence will present many blessings, and some appropriate challenges, which you are most surely ready for. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Astrology Studio for Pisces | A New Reading by Eric Francis

This is a momentous time in collective history, and a turning point in your life. As the year develops, most of the movement — including Pisces' ruling planet Jupiter, and the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction — will be pointing into Aquarius, the most sensitive and innermost angle of your chart. I will also cover the retrogrades of Venus and Mars, and the forthcoming Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in your friendship sign Capricorn. Mostly, I will help you orient on your profound journey, and offer guidance how to harmonize with the world at this unusual time. Get instant access to this reading here.

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Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There is room for you in this world. Not only that, you have a purpose and you have a calling. You're already aware of this, though the signal seems to be stronger at some times than at others. Over the next couple of weeks, you will be getting additional information about the nature of your new role. Listen to your inner voice carefully. Observe the world as silently as you can, standing back a little and appreciating what is going on. While there will be as many expressions of this astrology as there are Pisces in the world, the basic scenario is this: your signal is being increased, by which I mean the message that you broadcast to existence. And existence is going to respond as your thoughts ripple out. This may be on a microcosmic scale; it may be on some modest community scale; we may be talking about something on some mega scale, suited to your sign (which covers such things). Edit carefully; anyone may be reading. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

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