Planet Waves :: Planet Waves Monthly for April 2014, #991| By Eric Francis

Originally published March 21, 2014 | View All Sample Editions
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Taking a Ride on the Aries Point

Dear Friend and Reader:

The Sun ingressed Aries Thursday at 1:58:59 pm EDT -- that would be the equivalent of high noon standard time, with the Sun high in the sky. The Aries Point is the first degree of the tropical zodiac, that is, the orientation point from which all of Western astrology is reckoned. We are about to take a ride on the Aries Point for the next six or seven weeks, as the Sun passes through the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto configuration, and Mars gets ready to join the action (see article above).

My annotated chart for the spring equinox yesterday.

The Aries Point also has the property of an intersection between the collective realm and the individual; it covers all of the topics where matters that would seemingly be the abstract business of legislators show up in your living room, your kitchen or your bedroom. The truly interesting thing about "the news" is just how many events have called our attention to precisely this factor.

The Sun reaches the first point on the cardinal cross with the Sun square Jupiter on April 1. Then personal and world events really pick up and we will be treated to one of the most amazing, strange and perhaps tumultuous trips through the kaleidoscope. I believe there will be some scary moments as world leaders, many of them drunk on power and lacking common sense, pick up on the energy.

Personally, I foresee a time for big decisions and engaging with issues that have long been omitted from the discussion. I am especially intrigued by the placement of Mars in the sign Libra -- the one opposite its home sign Aries. This looks like an intriguing therapy project of unraveling this annoying thing called projection. But for that to work it will be necessary to tread lightly on yourself, on others and on the Earth.

Before the Sun reaches the grand cross, however, it makes a series of aspects to a cluster of minor planets that are grouped around the early degrees of the cardinal signs. I go through these in some detail in Thursday night's edition of Planet Waves FM, right at the top of the program.

I will go over a few selected highlights, however. One is Terpsichore opposite Apollo in early Aries/Libra. The Sun will pass through this today and over the weekend. Terpsichore is the muse of dance, the dance of life and with life and "dancing your way to God" and dancing between the raindrops.

Apollo is the one with the story about making the same errors over and over. So with this aspect we have the theme of how we dance with our own mistakes, and how we might find a way to dance our way out of them. I think everyone has experienced the frustration of Apollo at some time or another, many of us on a fairly regular basis. In the blend with Terpsichore is a clever way to say that life is not about perfection, it's about movement and flow.

Ophelia, illustrated in a photograph by Gregory Crewdson.

There's one more grouping that I think is really interesting -- Ophelia at 5+ Aries, Eros at 5+ Capricorn and Hidalgo at 8+ Capricorn. The Sun will pass through this configuration early next week, though there's plenty of heat and light shining on it right now.

Ophelia, named for a character in Hamlet, is a point of overreaction based on the sensation of not being valued. Usually when this kind of sensation starts to cascade, it's coming from a space of deep insecurity that is being projected into a relationship. The glyph for Ophelia is similar to that of Psyche and I believe there is a resonance. My take on Psyche is the sensation of an emotional injury that cannot be healed -- not the reality, the sensation.

Eros pumps a lot of heart energy through this, and it can become distorted -- especially when you run Eros through the "commitment is everything" filter of Capricorn. Yes, we are pulverized into thinking commitment is everything, but I would ask: commitment to whom and to what?

The last point is Hidalgo, one of my favorite asteroids. Hidalgo cautions against rebellion for its own sake. But mostly, Hidalgo cautions against going along with ridiculous social customs just because they are there. This would include mindlessly accepting, in any way, any pressure to be something or someone, or to do something, or to go along with something, that is not really about you; that you have not fully thought through.

With the way the planets are developing, you will most surely want to think, to feel and to reflect -- take the time while you have it.

Lovingly,

Planet Waves Monthly for April 2014, #991| By Eric Francis

Aries (March 20-April 19) -- You may be feeling confident, brassy and ambitious, though I suggest you monitor the world for your own reflection every time you turn around. You need feedback in realtime, and you need it from multiple sources. You have Uranus in your sign, which may be leading you to feel unstoppable. Jupiter in Cancer is offering a sense of safety while Pluto in Capricorn is suggesting that the sky is the limit. But your ruling planet Mars is in your opposite sign Libra. This suggests a more fragile and less easy-to-read situation than you may imagine, particularly as the energy heats up mid-month. Therefore, it's essential that you tune into your navigation and feedback systems as soon as you can, so that you begin to notice the ways that the echo of your environment comes back to you. You may not think, or want to think, that this is somehow an expression of your own energy. The purpose of this feedback is not to judge it but rather to evaluate it. So before getting caught in your own opinion, notice the ways that shifting your approach to people and circumstances and altering your energetic posture actually gets a result. The nice thing here is while there may be some subtlety to what you're perceiving and how you have to adapt, the feedback and the results should come quickly.

Looking for an in-depth astrology reading? Order THE MARS EFFECT, your 2014 annual readings, for a special rate of $79 for all twelve signs. It's a great package of audio and written readings that gives you access to your Sun, rising and Moon signs (and those of your loved ones). You may also order individual signs for $29.95 here.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- You are well-placed to experience this month's grand cross event in a supporting role, as an observer and voluntary participant. Your ruling planet Venus is in Pisces, happy, resourceful and a safe distance from the fireworks. Yet there is another dimension to this month's activity, which involves a solar eclipse in your birth sign on April 29. Eclipses in your sign are 'before and after' events, demarcation points that shift the way you think about yourself. The theme of this eclipse is your identity as a relationship partner. Among the reasons that might be challenging is that it's not easy for you to shift any facet of your identity; you tend to camp out in what you know. Yet most of what we know about 'being a partner' comes from two sources: our parents, most of whom struggled to have a single clue about this, and the rest from social conditioning such as fairy tales, movies, television and then a whole heap of peer pressure. The beauty of an eclipse is that it's a wildcard. Circumstances may seem to be operating outside of your control, yet in truth you have the full power of choice. Give yourself a break, observe what is right for you, and remember most people around you will be so invested in other matters they are unlikely to notice, much less judge, your conclusions.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- You must keep your wits about you at all times, and be realistic at every turn. That means making no assumptions, which is a miracle in a world where so few people even know when they are doing so. Therefore, the first step is being aware when your perceptions are supported by actual data rather than by something you would like to be true, or by something that someone is trying to convince you is true. We are about to enter one of those 'all is fair in love and war' phases of social history where for a while it may seem like all bets are off and none of yesterday's rules apply. As Graham Nash said, you who are on the road must have a code that you can live by. You need your own personal code, your way of life, that is distinct from anything that was ever imposed on you, and which depends on what you have learned from all your travels. Most of all your guide to living must be informed by the outcomes that you want, measured not so much in material things but rather in the form of ethics, cooperation, the value you place on your relationships and most of all, the value you place on the future. These are things that count, and the things I suggest you keep right at the front of your mind, every step you take.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Your sign has a unique position amongst the many unusual developments of this month. The two main events are a cardinal grand cross (see related article) and a water grand trine. Yours is the only cardinal water sign -- that is, the only sign directly involved in both configurations. The planet involved is Jupiter, currently in Cancer and very happy there. Jupiter indicates that you have plenty of resources to apply to what may feel like an increasingly demanding or complicated situation. You may be in a helping role -- this may or may not be directly about your personal existence (in other words, it may reach far beyond). Yet despite your state of abundance, you will need to allocate your resources thoughtfully. You'll need to take care of yourself before you take any responsibility for the many people who may be making demands on you. Be on the lookout for overreactions by others; stay away from drama queens and those who seem to exist without purpose. Focus on those who are being true to themselves and who are connected to the greater whole. Notice who is being self-serving, who is taking advantage of others and who is just taking up space. Notice, that is, so you can also identify who is in a supporting role. Help those who are making a difference.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- It is time to step up and take leadership whether or not you think you are ready. For this to work, your idea of leadership needs to evolve. It's not a supporting or coordinating role; those are the people that leaders need around them, and I suggest you get a few supporters and coordinators onto your team. Leadership is making sure the right thing happens at the right time. That will take cooperation, and so right up top of the concepts of leadership is the one who focuses a group effort. I know this is a quality more typically assigned to Aquarius, and I have noticed that many Leos have a heck of a time with the whole recruiting and delegating thing. However, putting that skill to work will be necessary if you want to use this extraordinary moment and achieve at least a few truly unusual things, even as the world seems to go mad. I recognize the extent to which this type of leadership may seem to involve a profound shift of orientation for you. Maybe it will seem more within reach if you think of it like how you want your family to run -- as a fully cooperative entity. Teach young people all the time. Shift your emphasis from doing things personally to making sure that others do them as well as, or better than, you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- Events of this month may seem like a huge spectacle, something that you're destined to witness rather than participate in. It's also possible that what you see will seem so close to home that you will fail to notice what is happening outside your immediate environment. I suggest you go beyond what seems to be directly personal and reach with your awareness into wider circles. Make contact with those who have a global perspective, those who are not caught in their own little reality bubble -- that will help take you beyond the limits of your own perception. You may be feeling a bit boxed into your reality, as if you're reluctant to change your mind about something. Yet everything you're seeing, hearing and experiencing is howling and cheering for you to do precisely that, to get in tune with the moment. If you are feeling like "I don't want to change my own mind; I would rather have it changed for me," that is what will happen, but it won't be the most pleasant or creative way to experience the current astrology. The more creative approach will include allowing others to gently lead you beyond what is familiar. Some of those experiences will come through your relationships and some will come as a result of them. Still, the idea is the same -- embrace others who are willing to take you beyond yourself.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Mars retrograde in your sign is about to take center stage. Mars represents a process that started long ago and over which you have little control; it seems to represent something that you must go through and experience at full intensity. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that would be the best course of action. Yet several factors describe the way you might be inclined to take this experience in an unconscious way, acting out the past, or that of your ancestors. For you, there are two keys to this astrology. One is to remain fully present in your experience of what is happening. Find people who are willing to help you stay grounded and give you honest feedback, and moreover, who are able to provide a sense of context. The other is to maintain your compassion at all times. The theme of Mars retrograde in Libra is a dangerously slippery form of inwardly directed anger. Venus, the actual planet that represents you, is placed in Pisces, where you are being invited to see your life from a whole other perspective. The time has arrived to devote yourself to healing as a full-time occupation. If you want to do your part in helping resolve the global crisis and guiding humanity through its raging adolescence, your own healing process is the place to begin -- and now is the time.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- It would be easier to deal with fear if we could recognize it when we see it. Yet the problem with fear, and its first cousins guilt and anger, is that most of the time, we don't recognize them when we see them, or feel them. They take so many forms, come wrapped in so many packages and dressed in so many disguises, we could be dealing with them all day and still not know it. And that is precisely what we do. Your job is to know when you're dealing with these emotions, and when they are driving you. It is only this awareness that will protect you from being manipulated and manipulating others. Only this awareness will allow you to connect with more loving motives. At the moment, it seems like the entire 'outer' world we are witnessing is being driven by dark emotions and self-serving motives. At the same time many things seem wrapped in a blend of ambivalence and ignorance that could lead otherwise intelligent people to support the cause of (for example) fracking or genetically modified foods. Yet neither your most wholesome survival instincts nor your most sublime creative guidance will be apparent when you're caught in the deceptive, slippery haze of fear, or guilt, or anger. And that is what you must now focus every skill and grain of wit into transcending. If there is a road to truth, it is surely the same one away from lies.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- You seem to be central to many events and activities around you. Actually, this appears to be so true that the most significant thing you can avoid is losing yourself in the midst of all the excitement, the drama and the goings-on. Whether you recognize it or not, the resources that are being drawn on are your emotional resources. You might think it's your creative talent, your money or your ideas; you might have those moments when you think it's your sexual energy (and you would be getting closer). The thing you have, that which others want and think they need or are just drawn to without understanding at all, is your emotional pool. You might be saying, "The Only Astrology Book You Ever Need said Sagittarians aren't so emotional," though astrology books don't really point to this quality about you. Yet it's as real as you are, and it's present right now, and I suggest you insulate yourself a bit and keep a meter on what you share with others, so that you have sufficient reserves of your own. In addition, it's imperative that you set your own course in life without being distracted by those with whom you're sexually involved or with whom you may share a bank account. This is a time when you must be absolutely free to make your own decisions, and make them without hesitation.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- Of the many messages I could deliver at the time of the grand cross, at the top of the list is to protect your reputation. Like a bookstore, reputations take years to build and can burn in minutes. There is no indication in your chart that this will happen, but many factors conspire to raise the probability level. Therefore I suggest you temper your ambitions for the moment and focus on maintaining what you've currently got going on. You have plenty of responsibility, and some of what you're being required to do is sufficiently ambiguous as to require considerable thought. One potential risk is ending up taking responsibility for the actions of someone else, so I suggest you refrain, for the moment, from doing anyone else's bidding, no matter how politically expedient it may be. There are also likely to be a few matters from the past that are coming up for closure, especially involving your professional activities. Take care of them. The planets in their courses are, as you know, holding out a vision of success, yet it's vital that you allow this to unfold in due time, and that you skip no steps on the way to getting there. Soon enough, once you've passed unscathed through your current adventure thanks to your persistent vigilance, you will once again be able to throw caution to the four winds.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Despite the considerable fuss and turmoil of the world, you seem intent on grounding yourself in your home, with your partner, with your family or in your community (these, in some combination). That looks like the right idea at the right time. You are in a position to build your life from the center outward, similar to how a tree grows. You would have to be pretty tuned into nature to look at a tree and say, "Gee, I see it growing right now." (Such is possible.) But you would have to be pretty out of it to look at the tree year after year and not notice that it's filling out and becoming taller and stronger. Your professional activities are in a similar pattern of nearly imperceptible growth, but increasingly solid rooting. Your ruling planet Saturn is in your solar 10th house -- perhaps its most functional place. The work of the 10th house is the slow building of one's professional purpose, identity and image. Keep that process slow, and continue to make sure that your reputation is built on absolutely solid ground, making sure that every career-oriented contact you make has an actual emotional -- that is to say, human -- basis to the relationship. Take the time to slowly and meticulously orient around the goals that you hold the most dear to your heart. Then, work that blend of 'make it happen' and 'let it happen'.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Whatever may be going on around you, the waters deep within the Pisces sea can be clear and calm. They will be, if you remember to leave any trouble and turmoil at the surface. The spiritual reservoir of your sign is full right now, in part because the water trine that's holding out a veil of protection over the world involves all three of the planets associated with your sign -- Venus, Jupiter and Neptune. Yet this is also hinting that you will be in a vital supporting role to certain people around you, maybe to many people. It's essential that you keep yourself nourished, rested and organized. Take the 'self sacrificing' thing about Pisces and set it aside -- whoever invented that did a service to nobody. Your charts are about the pleasure you can experience, the creative expansion, the art and the music that you can experience, even amidst any strange and chaotic developments of the world. The thing to remember is that you don't owe anyone anything, and that your life is a gift to yourself. If you live sincerely and in balance, you will be available to support others in unusual ways that sidestep many of the typical notions of what community or world service is about. The direct and rather bold message of your chart is that what serves you will serve others -- a happy state of affairs.

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