There's been much talk of the shifting of energy from Pisces to Aries, intermixed with Mars finally going direct.  This has brought some much needed relief and action in some quarters but what has struck me is how much of a raw deal the sign Pisces seems to have got in all of this.  With Pisces, the beautiful gift is imagination and dreaming dreams - wonderful works of art, literature and music would not be here had it not been for Piscean individuals.  Perhaps the bad press is because we only look for forms, structures - it's difficult to understand something that doesn't really seem to have much of a shape.

Think back to last year and the Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron triple conjunction - an alignment not seen since the 1940's.  This was in Aquarius, but with Jupiter and Neptune (rulers of Pisces) and a mutual reception to Uranus in Pisces, the quality of the alignment was very much of a Piscean nature.  Much of what will happen this year perhaps had its seed in the dreams and motivations taking amorphous form then.  With Uranus moving into Aries this year these dreams get set to turn into some form of reality.

The part that Chiron has to play in the events that unfold is interesting.  Chiron was a centaur, an immortal who taught the healing craft, the warrior arts (the picture is of him teaching Achilles) and philosophy amongst other things - some say he was the first astrologer.  His story is that he received a wound but could not heal himself and was therefore destined to live forever with it, always in pain.  He eventually sacrificed himself by taking the place of Prometheus and was allowed to die - ascending into the constellation Sagittarius for his selfless altruism.  There are many messages to his story - the source of our pain being our greatest strength, we teach best what we need to learn the most and that problems are a solution in disguise.

What has this story got to do with me I hear you ask?  Well, the route into Chironic healing journeys is through Saturn (form and structure) and Uranus (divine inspiration).  These two planets have been drifting in and out of opposition (full awareness) since 4th November 2008, and make two more exact alignments - on 26th April (Virgo/Pisces) and finally on 26th July (Aries/Libra).  There is therefore an opportunity to bring full awareness of healing journeys into our lives through personal and interpersonal development.  The mid points of Saturn/Uranus in Aries/Libra is the Cancer/Capricorn axis.  Pluto, planet of transformation sits here and it is also the place where the lunar and solar eclipses took place in the New Year and will again on 26th June (partial lunar) and 11th July (total solar).

So, we've had a period since Spring 2009 of wanting a different way of being which is proving difficult to bring to realisation (Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron), messages to honour and balance our emotional condition and its outer form (the lunar and solar eclipses) and now we move into the challenges inherent in honouring and working with the past, present and future (the cardinal grand cross).

There are enormous opportunities here.  Great things never come to us easily - if it were easy then the level of positive transformation would be lessened.  As things begin to heat up through the coming months it might be an idea to think about the mythology of Chiron, the dreams we yearned for and how best to realise them.

This then is the beginning of a shift from Pisces to Aries - old to new.  A sky that is becoming realistic and driven to action.  Mercury in Aries is the archetypal direct and quick communicator, who thinks on their feet and acts.  There can be bluntness with this position, a buzzing flirtatiousness that borders on over excitement and a sharp tongue.

The beauty here though lies in Mercury's role as the transmitter of the solar message.  Mercury is capable of travelling to all sorts of places - through the deepest oceans, the highest skies and tip toeing along in dangerous and dark places.  This 'buzzing' from one place to another makes him somewhat scattered and it is here that Mars lends a hand.  Mercury in Aries has the ability to consider all possibilities and act on that information.  All that needs to happen is that Mars lets Mercury do his scouting work first and not act prematurely through an obsession with 'doing something'.

Of course, it is worth remembering that the Sun is still in Pisces.  Mercury has jumped ahead with a message that is behind him.  Moving carefully or perhaps information gathering is the order of the day.  The US Astrologers Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer discuss the difficulty planets face as they move into cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn) at the moment in their brilliant monthly videos on StarIQ.  Saturn, Pluto and soon Uranus are hanging out here making up the current cardinal grand cross.  It is rather like having the brakes applied yet again just as we're about to jump (or have the energy to).  This is true for anything entering Aries as it finds itself immediately in opposition to Saturn in Libra.

Instead of struggling, it might be best to see this as a gift.  The restrictions get applied in order to get it right, to point out obstacles we may miss, which left unattended could bite us at a later date.

Mercury hangs out in Aries until 2nd April and provides a nice fresh thinking realm to explore and play.  It may feel like being a kid in a sweet shop who doesn't have any cash.  Take your time and choose wisely - the cash is on its way!

Picture copyright Cecile K

Uranus is currently in Pisces and changes signs every 7 years.  It therefore does a full rotation of the zodiac every 84 years and its arrival in Aries is the beginning of a new cycle.  This is therefore a hugely significant event.  Transits of Uranus are quite often difficult to convey - the nature is unpredictable.  Therefore, forecasting what will happen is nigh on impossible but understanding how it might work isn't.  So..how might this transit affect us?  Well, any shift from Pisces into Aries is a dramatic one - it is a rebirth and sudden change - this could be pleasant or unpleasant.  We can therefore expect that in some area of our lives there will be a significant alteration and learning how to handle these new energies will be crucial to navigating the period and making the most from it.

Generally people are rather predictable - preferring comfort over chaos.   Being transported from one life scenario to another can produce shock.  Just as Uranus in Aries could be described as 'shocking' we might find ourselves like rabbits caught in the headlights of a car - frozen in time, as if the subtle Piscean nature cannot cope.  Anyone with particularly fixed charts or signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius and Leo) could be prone to this reaction.  So how might the rabbit deal with the headlights?  Preparation and movement. Knowing that the glare could come from any direction and be prepared to move.  Moving forward, possibly into unknown territory is preferable to staying where you are - you know what'll happen to the rabbit if it does.  An 'inner shock absorber' would be invaluable - developing the flexibility to move from A to B with speed whilst keeping some equilibrium.

Uranus in Aries has qualities which are both stress relieving and potentially stress inducing.  The shift from Pisces could bring situations out of the doldrums - to shake them up, release them and shine light where there once was darkness and ambiguity.  If we've been stuck with something for a long time then this could change - gaining effective tools to manage change then will be crucial - think of the rabbit story - he maybe has to walk into that copse he's never been before to escape the glare.  Anything we can develop now that is new and innovative (even attitudes) would serve us well as we then take ownership; some measure of control.  This lessens the shock of being put, against our will, into sudden unfamiliar territory.

The start of a new cycle brings an essence of the new and immature with it.  It is confrontational, cuts red tape, youthful and direct.  Therefore learning moderation will be important.  Blowing a fuse, going too far with extremist views of doing things differently and selfishness could lead to some catastrophic trips and falls from elevated positions if we're not careful.  Uranus in Aries puts the 'I' in collective but does it impersonally;  watch out for developing attitudes such as 'it's not me it's them' or 'I'm only doing what is right'.

It is perhaps fortunate that Uranus in Aries is opposed by Saturn in Libra.  As mentioned in the previous article, building relationship and relational bridges will provide the temperance needed to expose the positive personal insights that can come at this time.  No man is an island.



Other articles related to the Cardinal Grand Cross can be found here

Photo copyright Ruud de Jong

This New Moon is rather like a reflection on where we've been - one foot is in the past and one is in the future.  The planetary line up paints a condensed picture in Pisces - Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus- all in the final degrees of the sign. The Sabian symbols for all of these planets all point towards new beginnings - starting anew, new perspectives, having clarity and seeing the light - all very nice symbolism for the start of a new cycle, or rather the 'seed' point of a new cycle.

With so many planets coming to the end of their cycles we're likely experiencing the full range of Pisces energy - this could translate into heightened feelings of inclusiveness, compassion, feeling that things are coming to a close, perhaps breaking down and not working and feeling lost and disillusioned.  With Saturn in Libra loosely opposing all of this it's likely that it is in those areas where the conflict is occurring - a partner, boss, relationship - there is a desire to break away from one path and start on another, more fruitful one.  It is also possible that the reverse is true - we're looking ahead at what is coming and not liking what we see.

The newly direct Mars in Leo in Sesqui-Square to Jupiter could be an agitator here.  It is rebellious, crusading, irritated by a lack of progress which could surface in theatrical displays of energy and misdirected actions if it isn't reigned in.  The hand is hovering over the go button with desire and wanting.

The message of this time is to remain vigilant and patient - the foggy clouds are dissipating and light is appearing through them - momentum is building.  There is no need to pre-empt action.  In two weeks time at the Full Moon the energy will be very different when the Sun and Mercury join Venus in Aries; for now, let events play themselves out while we continue to take small steps forward.


Picture Copyright Robert Michie

For three months Mars in Leo has been retrograde, metaphorically straight jacketed - the image of a vibrant energetic toddler comes to mind, cornered and restricted in his playpen when all he wants to do is run around, explore and play.  It's been a drag - staring at the same old walls, seething frustration that turns to gloom or passive aggression as the winter season brought the collective into hibernation mode.  This little lion has been pacing his cage.

Retrograde cycles present opportunities to internalise the archetype - repairing, re-energising - action on an inner level.  There is no doubt however that inner journeys such as this bring chaos - repression and hidden feelings emerge on these pathways.  If you're lucky (and perhaps wise) you've used this time as a creative journey within.

The situation now is that the proverbial coin has been tossed from tails to heads - the toddler warrior has been released from his pen.  This is a moment to be cautious - if we're not careful the release could overwhelm producing a frenzy of misdirected actions.  Step forth, but take small considered steps.  Retrograde cycles are there for a reason - to regulate - to shift gears to accommodate the engine speed.  They are also a mechanism by which we realise that the archetype has a soul dimension and that personal and collective history needs honouring in our outer life.

Mars reaches the shadow degree (the point at which it went into retrograde motion) on 16th May not long before Jupiter and Uranus ingress into Aries (ruled by Mars).  The middle period of this year will prove to be turning points on our collective winter solstice broodings - this is when the real action begins.


Mars Attacks TM & Copyright Warner Bros

Saturn's transits denote a period of slowing down in some area.  The energy tests and restricts carefully that part of our lives under the microscope.  At its best he can solidify and crystallise resulting in increased authority and strength; at worst he can drag us down-exposing weaknesses and flaws.

In Libra Saturn has moved half way through the natural zodiac having weighed in on the more personal signs, and is now turning his attention to how we relate what we are and have accumulated.  This then is a test of partnership - the dichotomy of retaining a sense of self, allowing its expression, and sharing with others.

In relationships this is a period of examining commitment.  If we have bonds that serve us but are feeling run down then any hard work involved in making it work again is in order.  This could take many forms: Giving each other freedom to express individuality outside of the relationship, committing to share moments together that reaffirms the partnership, resolving to face your individual and joint pressures together or simply taking the heat out of other issues by being together and enjoying quality moments - there is a lot of strength to be gained with this approach.  If couples have been living with issues for some time and have perhaps been putting up a front then Saturn in Libra could well expose this.  For people in these scenarios relationship counselling would be an excellent way to work through it.

Whilst Saturn is in Libra Uranus moves into Aries - there is therefore a need to see both sides of the coin.  A partnership will not be successful if we're not personally invested in it - similarly if we're not investing in ourselves.  The whole period is strong for personal and inter-personal development and the challenge here is keeping the scales balanced by investing time and energy in both.  Some relationships will end at this time and letting go may not be easy.  If this happens to you then its worth keeping in mind that letting of something that doesn't support or sustain you will serve you well in the future.  For you, this might be a time to affirm yourself and recognise what you've projected onto partners - idealisms, dreams and fears that had no basis.  Working hard to be the person you want to attract might be fitting and productive now.

Saturn responds best when we put the effort in - he is a hard taskmaster but responds in kind with qualities of foundation, authority, stability and security - you somehow feel more grown up after his work - more authentic.  These gifts tend to last and the movements of Saturn in Libra should be seen in that light - a chance to build bridges and cross bridges.

More Saturn in Libra articles discussing the retrograde period into Virgo and other themes can be found here. Other articles related to the Cardinal Grand Cross can be found here.

Picture copyright Claudia Meyer