All times and dates are given out in
GMT for universal convenience.

printable version

From the astrological perspective the Spring Equinox at 0º Aries on March 20th marks the beginning of the zodiacal year. Symbolically we can see this very first degree of the zodiac as the emergence of the potential creative force of consciousness. In essence, the cosmos is giving us another chance to become our Self and in the act of that becoming, to BE.

This is a very special Aries month for us all—and especially for those brothers and sisters who are born under the sign of the Heavenly Ram. During the month of Aries 2011, at one time or another six planets will be present in this fiery part of the heaves: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and perhaps most significantly, Uranus. Uranus is known as the “Father of Archetypes” as his purpose in your natal horoscope is to individualize any area in the map that it touches. It thus indicates that part of your life that makes you different from most other people.

At the end of January, Jupiter leaves Pisces as does Uranus in the middle of March when both of these planets will be in Aries. Although in the same sign, they will not be conjoined, and thus thunder (Jupiter) separates from lightening (Uranus) in the sign of the oceans and seas (Pisces) and my sincere hope is that the current acceleration of the rains and floods will cease by the Ides of March. It is rather obvious however to any conscious person, that the global weather patterns are indeed changing and Jupiter and Uranus notwithstanding, there are other natural and unnatural forces at work that will challenge humanity for many years to come. We live in very difficult times, social upheaval and violent religious conflicts will continue. We can only do our Part in the One Work of serving the cause of Right Human Relations, ever being mindful of a primary rule of the Path, to live as a vehicle of the Self and not as prisoners of instinct.

But Uranus is not alone in Aries, he is also with Jupiter and Mars. This only happens once in approximately every 505 years, the last time was in 1595. Uranus and Jupiter together in the Ram signify important events in international relations but since Mars, the god of war is also present, such relations point to violence and upset. These three planets together also point to intense religious conflicts. If you are interested in doing a little research, just “google” the year 1595 and see what you come up with, I promise you it will be very interesting. Also examine the period from 1927 to 1934 when Uranus was last in Aries and you will see that this was the time of the Great Depression and the rise of nationalistic fascism. History repeats itself because the great astrological cycles also repeat themselves and that ancient dictum “As Above, So Below” is indeed true. As England is a nation ruled by Aries, I would expect a lot of turbulence to take place now and over the course of the next few years in that nation, joyous royal wedding notwithstanding.

I believe that the month of Aries will be a very violent one for the world as the urge for personal freedom (Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars in Aries) meets up with strong resistance from the established order (Saturn in Libra opposing and Pluto in Capricorn). In terms of our personal lives, it is important for us to look at where we are holding on to old patterns that no longer serve a greater vision of ourselves. If these transits in the cardinal signs are especially strong in your chart (affecting people with prominent positions in Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn), the questions I would be asking at this time are:

1. What is the difference between my true social and personal responsibilities and the psychological impediments I put in my own way to block my life´s progress?

2. Where are the areas of my life where society has imposed certain rules and regulations but which I feel are entrapping my real creativity and urge to be?

3. How may I create a “point of resolution” both within myself and in my outer life to resolve these issues?

4. What are my real motivations for either activity or resistance to activity?

As I was writing the words in the above paragraph “I believe that the month of Aries will be a very violent one for the world….” I received an SMS from a friend directing me to go to the TV and see what was taking place in Japan. At around 2am that morning I was awakened by an earthquake here in Bali. Fortunately there was no damage other than my electricity going down for a few hours. “Our” quake was one that measured “only” 6.6 and was centered off the north coast of Java which is part of the Ring of Fire that includes Japan. As I have been writing in these monthly astrological happenings over the past year, the world has been, is, and will be facing a long period of extreme social and natural violence. I do not see this ending anytime soon. Our job is to remain centered and to serve. If indeed we have not found that stable center of consciousness within ourselves as of yet, now is certainly the time to go forth into our inner Journey with increased determination and fortitude. Consciousness is needed more than fear; Love is required over political and religious extremism; Wisdom is being called for rather than intellectual argument. May the Will-to-Good prevail in the hearts and minds of all men and women.

Personally as many of you know, Jean Redman and I are returning to the USA on April 1st, where we feel our lives may be put to better service than here on this magical and beautiful island where we have learned so much.

I am posting the horoscope for the great earthquake as many of you will be interested in having it. The chart could point to a widely publicized sea disaster as Neptune rules the oceans and is square the Moon in the communicative air signs. But what is to me highly significant is the fact that the quake took place just hours before Uranus entered Aries. Uranus rules uranium and as we have heard, two nuclear power plants have either had explosions or under danger of greater disasters. Please also see my comments under March 28th.

The Great Japanese Earthquake — March 11, 2011, 02:46pm, East Coast of Honshu, 38ºN32´and 142ºW36´

Let us take a look at this month now in greater detail: (Please note that all dates and times are being given in GMT)

March 20: The Sun enters Aries at 11:22pm.

March 21-25: Hard aspects between the Sun, Uranus, and Pluto.

During these few days the Sun is conjunct Uranus and moving to the square of Pluto. These aspects increase social tensions and I would expect a lot of violence in the world and very intense pressures on societies to change.

March 26 between 10am and 6pm GMT.

During these hours the Moon will be at 5º -7º of Capricorn, conjunct Pluto and square the Sun. This can bode for a lot of social as well as natural upheavals. During the same period Venus is exactly conjoined Neptune at 29º of Aquarius. This indicates that a huge international charitable effort will be made.

March 27: Venus enters Pisces at 6:54am.

Venus will be in this, the sign of her exaltation until April 20th. This is a strong and beautiful placement for the Goddess of Love and can do much to help the world at this time of great human tragedy.

March 28: Jupiter is exactly opposing Saturn at 14º of Aries/Libra, while the Sun is exactly square Pluto at 7º of Capricorn.

Jupiter/Saturn oppositions point to economic conflicts as well as challenges between expansive and restrictive political and religious doctrines. This “cosmic accordion,” this push/pull dynamic indicated by the opposition of these two planets is evident in the horoscope of the recent great Japanese earthquake. I am referring to the basic cause of such an event, the fact of one giant tectonic plate expanding meeting resistance from another tectonic plate, forcing the former to move underneath the latter. The Sun in square to Pluto will augment such tensions. I expect this to be a very eventful day in terms of world conflicts. It also happens to be my 67th birthday giving yours truly quite an interesting Solar Return map. Well nothing like a few major challenges to keep this older Aries man youthful—or at least busy resolving them!

March 30: Mercury turns retrograde at 24º Aries and remains so until it turns direct at 13º Aries on April 23rd.

April 2: Mars enters Aries at 4:52am.

Mars in this sign certainly “heats things up” as if we needed more fire at this time! He remains in this, his own sign, until May 10th. This is good for new endeavors in the lives of the children of the Ram as well as for people with important positions in Leo and Sagittarius.

April 3: The New Moon is at 13º of Aries and falls on the opposition of Jupiter and Saturn; Mars conjoins Uranus at 1º of Aries.

This will not be a comfortable day for the world. Many conflicts will arise. There will be renewed efforts on the part of political leaders to bring resolution but personal agendas will be at odds with collective objectives and national egos will impede the expression of benefits to those in need. Six planets are now in Aries as they will also be on April 4th. The general feeling in the world will be “hurry, rush, rush, hurry.” The eruption of aggression and violence will be likely as the general temperament of people will lack patience.

April 4: Neptune enters Pisces at 1:52pm.

This is the beginning of a 14 years stay in Neptune´s own sign. He is there for just a few months now (April 4 to August 3) before retrograding back into the last degrees of Aquarius. When he returns on February 4, 2012 he will remain in Pisces until January 2026. Three general things may be said about Neptune in Pisces:

1. The increase of astral plane activity. This will lead to advances in cinema, cosmetic surgery, and all things glamorous. It will also stimulate religious fundamentalism (as if we needed that!) and the urge to martyrdom.
2. It will augment the quality of compassion and the need to be of service to others.
3. All things related to oil, the oceans, and fishing will be highly noted over the course of Neptune´s stay in his own sign.

April 6: The Sun conjoins Jupiter at 16º Aries.

This is a “jolly” day and Lord knows we need one of these! If you have important positions in your chart within a couple of degrees in any of the fire signs or in Gemini or Aquarius, you may receive benefits through adventure, travel, publishing, and education. If in Libra, compromises have to be made between the scope of aspirations and balance in relationships.

April 9: The Sun conjoins Mercury retrograde at 19º of Aries.

Miscommunications are likely and plans can be made that will incur delays. On a more positive note, information may come forth into a new setting but it is knowledge that has been already mastered. Nonetheless, its sharing could prove beneficial to others. All of the above is of course more accurate when this position falls into a prominent point in one´s natal chart.

April 10 to 19: Mercury retrograde is very actively involved with the Jupiter/Saturn opposition.

I need to take this entire period under discussion. We will be finding that world governmental bodies will be working towards solutions of very serious problems and challenges. They will find their solutions and resolutions delayed and thwarted. Much will be promised but there will be problems in transport and delivery on the physical plane. On the level of dialogue, there will be many promises but conflicting ideologies and philosophies will delay humanitarian efforts at relief. Struggles between people based on clashing belief systems and economic policies will prevail.

Within this period note:

April 13: Mercury retrograde conjoins Jupiter at 17º of Aries.

There may be many delays at airports and other places and means of travel and transport. Agreements made today on international levels (or even personal ones for that matter) will have to be renegotiated in the future.

April 18: The Full Moon occurs at 28º of Libra at 2:45am with Mercury opposing Saturn at 13º of Aries/Libra.

The “urge to merge” is strong and powerful but words get in the way.