AstroForecast March 2002

by Lance Rodriguez

The Sun is transiting the sign of Pisces as we enter the month of March. The angel of March is Machidiel and the angel associated with the sign of Pisces is Varchiel. Pisces is the sign of the zodiac that orients itself to compassion, selflessness, understanding, empathy, philanthropy, psychic impressionability, desire for unity, completion and integration, artistic inclinations, maritime affairs, cinema, and the collective unconscious. Negative expressions of Pisces can be disillusionment, depression, martyr/victim syndrome, abandonment/neglect issues, the savior/redeemer/rescue syndrome, unrealistic expectations and negative escapism, co-dependency/addictions problems and rose-tinted glasses perspectives.

March roars in like a lion with several celestial activities on the first day. This first Friday begins with an ecliptic shift of the Moon that can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Adjustments are necessary in relationship matters that require objectivity and impartiality as well as forgiveness of trespasses and forgiveness especially with harsh judgements on the very same trespasses.

On the 1st at 9:05am is the ingress of fiery Mars in earthy Taurus for the approximately next 45-day period. The arousal of sensual desires and earthly delights will be ignited. Whatever initiatives were begun over the last 45-days when Mars was in Aries will now be consolidated and given concrete form. This is a follow-up time period to put into action personal resources and finances to gain productive profitability. William James made an appropriate quote that plugs into this earthy action energy "The great use of a life is to spend it for something that outlasts it". The drawback to this astrological passage of Mars in Taurus is a childish temperamentality of possessiveness that reflects the "It's MINE!" syndrome. Be patient and considerate of other individuals' "territoriality".

Jupiter (Mr. Expansion, himself) reaches its station direct position on the 1st at 9:15am ending its retrograde period that began last November 2, 2001. Jupiter is now poised to conclude its passage of watery Cancer so that it can enter Leo later in August 2002. Jupiter on this March date has returned to the degree position it held last August 8, 2002. The following is a quote from the August AstroForecast: "Keywords associated with this degree of Jupiter are utilize resources to an unlimited level as long as an orientation to natural rhythms exists. Focus intelligence and skills to optimize positive experiences for self-service. You are now ready to look forward to new visions, ideals, and aspirations when you have been able to face the inner darkness allowing it to be a source of illumination".

An important astrological note for everyone concerned is that from March 1st to March 20th all the planets will be in direct motion! This is the only 3-week time period of the entire 2002 year that all planets are direct. This is the best time to make hay and work on those projects that can have productive results. "Here today and gone tomorrow!" Ovid.

Venus has an inharmonious aspect involving the Solar Eclipse chart of December 14, 2001 on March 2nd. Issues of diplomacy, financial quandaries and values differences come to the fore. The following geographic areas are highly sensitized: the Horn of Africa especially Somalia, eastern Yemen and southeastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and quite significantly Tehran, Iran. Complacency and procrastination are behaviors that will be questioned in all relationships.

The Sun makes an inharmonious aspect on March 3rd to the Saturn - Pluto opposition charts of last November and August 2001 that had great relevance with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This can be symbolic of flushing out the main leaders of all/some terrorist groups perhaps including Osama bin Laden or the mullah leader of the ex-Taliban government of Afghanistan. The testing of wills between competing leaders can play dangerously with lives of innocent people.

Thursday the 7th at 7:42pm is the ingress of peace-loving Venus into the dynamic sign of Aries for an approximate 28-day journey. Venus is the planet symbolic of relationships, finances and values. This journey of Venus in Aries represents strong desires to bring freshness and newness to the above-mentioned areas of life. "Men voluntarily believe in what they desire" Julius Caesar. Old hat will no longer suffice. Aries symbolizes assertive force and aggressive action to clear out the old so the new can burst forth. Aries is also representative of pent up frustrations, annoyances and aggravations that require a healthy outlet. Aries can also stir conflicts and at its extreme can tend towards violence or violations. Competitive individuals or situations can arise whether positive or negative. Ego issues can also be problematic.

Venus this same day is in an inharmonious aspect with the June 2001 Solar Eclipse chart that can symbolize security issues involving the police or the defense department. Other areas to pay attention to will be home insurance, insurance fraud, excesses in the financial securities industries and fire damages. Excessive national debt can also arise with the context of absolute security at any cost (when the problem can really be the lining of financial pockets). "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance" Derek Bok.

The Sun has an inharmonious aspect involving Pluto on Friday the 8th that can symbolize power plays, mind games, coercion, bribery, sabotage, intense psychological issues, deep-seated rage and deep-rooted anger associated with repressed emotions linked to past traumas that violently explode to the conscious surface. The financial markets can teeter-totter with underlying fear factors. Deviously hidden motivations or ulterior motives can surprisingly surface without warning.

Saturday the 9th is the conjunction of swift Mercury with electric Uranus. This union of these two planets symbolizes the access of the "knowingness intuition" instead of the "gut-level intuition". New paradigms of technological discovery and applications come to the fore. This is also the "seeding" energy of these two planets with what really wants to come to the conscious surface being fully illumined when Mercury and Uranus oppose one another later August 4, 2002. The following geographic areas are strongly sensitized to this conjunction: all of Middle Europe especially Prague and Berlin, Tripoli Libya, Lima Peru, Quito Ecuador, Port-au-Prince Haiti, Bangkok Thailand, Jakarta Indonesia, Singapore, Mandalay & Rangoon Myanmar, and Perth Australia. These can also be revolutionary and radical movements that later can explode on the scene.

This same Saturday is a harmonious aspect involving Mars and Jupiter. Many times when these two planets are harmonious with one another a "fortunate action" phase is engaged that symbolizes bold and confident action taken renders fortunate consequences. The luck of the draw can occur with foreign military campaigns. A soldier becomes a great hero through valiant and courageous actions. "If I am worth anything, it is because of the confidence that I have been given by other men" Emiliano Zapata.

Venus crosses the celestial ecliptic on Sunday the 10th indicating shifts and changes with all relationships, financial affairs and personal values. Venus is a financial planet so the markets will be important to observe with this ecliptic change and considerations can be made at least 3 days before and after. Currency exchanges will also be important to watch.

The Sun and the Lunar Nodes are very active with one another and separately from March 11th - 13th. The North Node opposes the Solar Eclipse chart of December 14, 2001 on the 11th of March. Individuals chafe under the false testimony and cover-ups from officials in very public offices whether elected or corporate. The bottom line: what are the true priorities of these officials, their well being or that of the public they are meant to serve? Geographic areas sensitized to this Nodal chart are the Northwest USA especially San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, Edmonton Canada, Edinburgh Scotland, London, Paris, and especially the following cities Rome, Nairobi Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

March 13th the Sun is exactly in an inharmonious aspect to the Lunar Nodes. A major film industry or media celebrity can be caught up in a scandal that involves a suicide/murder. Key health professionals may decide to go on strike. Psychiatric institutions and psychiatric methodology undergo reforms.

This same day the Sun makes an inharmonious aspect to the Solar Eclipse chart of December 14, 2001. The petrochemical industries, pharmaceuticals, maritime activities, earthquakes, floods, illegal drug trades and turf wars, as well as the arts are highlighted with this aspect. A beloved elder held in great esteem by the public succumbs to illness and soon passes away. The following geographic areas are sensitized to this Solar aspect: Montreal, especially Boston, New York City, Port-au-Prince Haiti, Santiago Chile, Buenos Aires, La Paz Bolivia, Medellin Colombia, Panama City Panama, Havana Cuba, New Orleans, Little Rock, Memphis, Kansas City, Omaha, Bismarck North Dakota, Fairbanks Alaska, Seoul Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Jakarta Indonesia.

The annual Pisces New Moon occurs on Wednesday the 13th at 8:03pm symbolizing the new beginnings/new initiatives phase of the Moon. Themes of integration, unity, spiritual retreat and pilgrimage, philanthropy, inspiration, compassion, dream casting and dream weaving, artistic inclinations, volunteerism and selflessness are tied to this New Moon. Amnixiel is the angel associated with this lunation if you want to invoke this one for angelic assistance. Here are the Pisces New Moon keywords: no matter how vast the hot desert appears before one there is an innate knowing that an oasis exists. Nurture a downtrodden least potential that has intrinsic value, as it will bring a harvest later. Ancient knowledge and wisdom cuts a frenzied edge into new worlds. An Apogee Moon (farthest distance of the Moon to Earth) occurs just before this New Moon symbolizing healthy emotional detachment with whatever is being held in sacred space.

Friday the 15th (the "Ides of March" and Islamic New Year) has many astrological aspects involving several planets. Venus and Saturn together represent the ability of relationships strengthening due to mutual support that emphasizes discipline, providence, solid communications and financial solvency. Mercury and Jupiter create the atmosphere for intellectual exchanges that allow the big picture combined with intricate details to be weaved in a harmonious tapestry. Optimistic planning can be executed. Venus and Neptune are perfect for romantic interludes and sweet sensitivity that elevate the relationship to a new ideal level. "Follow the gleam" Alfred Lord Tennyson.

This same day is an inharmonious aspect of Mars with Neptune that can throw a proverbial monkey wrench to the above idyllic scenarios. Treachery, abandonment and neglect issues, codependent behaviors that undermine any individual's sense of autonomy, naval and maritime disasters, accidents, explosions or oil spills are some of the problems that can arise with this aspect. Assassination, attempted or completed, can surround a spiritual leader. Problems with blood supplies surface.

St. Patrick's Day witnesses an inharmonious aspect involving Mercury and Saturn that can symbolize communications difficulties or breakdowns between parents and teenagers. The classic restrictions/freedoms issues pop up. Some individuals are prone to being melancholic, sad, isolated or depressed. Narrow-mindedness can be an issue. "Just listen with the vastness of the world in mind. You can't fail to get the message" Pierre Boulez.

March 19th are two Mercury aspects occurring with the first one being an inharmonious aspect made to the Saturn opposition Pluto charts of August and November 2001. The surrender of key terrorist plotters and activists can bring about conditional peace plans. Positive leads and developments occur with the perpetrator(s) of the anthrax attacks from last year. The Philippines garners media focus. The second aspect involves a harmonious aspect of Mercury with Mars that is excellent for energizing information gathering for investigative purposes. Stand up for what you believe in without the necessity to compete or obliterate the opposing side. Hasty actions without forethought expose the individual to ridicule. "Dare to be wise" Horace.

Pluto reaches its station retrograde on Wednesday the 20th at 8:55am and will be retrograde until turning direct on August 26th. This date in March is also tied to December 14, 2002, as that will be the Post-Shadow Point of Pluto linking these two dates together, as they hold the same degree. Pluto will over the following months review, reevaluate, reassess and reintegrate all that it has acquired from mid-December 2001 to this date in March. Keywords associated with this degree Pluto holds are eliminate complications of life and focus attention on personal desires. Eschew polarization and remain single pointed. Fortunate and blessed souls establish contact with perhaps you being one of the true ones.

The majestic Sun enters the sign of Aries (Spring Equinox or Ostara, a Pagan holiday) on Wednesday the 20th at 1:16pm for its annual 30-day journey in this ardent sign. Strong identification with the positive Aries expressions of the can-do-attitude, healthy self-assertiveness and aggressiveness, entrepreneurial and enterprising spirit, self-motivation and pull yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps attitudes is emphasized. Aries loves impromptu and spontaneous activities that satisfy a desire for the new in life. Aries can also exemplify negative expressions of willfulness, confrontation that arouses anger, frustration and/or violation, jumping off the cliff without checking to see if there is a safety net down below, and living on the edge of danger as an adrenaline-driven compensation. Spugliguel is the head angel of spring with Milkiel as ruling angel of the spring months. Four other angels (Amatiel, Caracasa, Core and Commissoros) associate themselves with this season as guardians. Call on these angels to assist you through all spring months this year.

The Sun this same day makes an inharmonious aspect to the Solar Eclipse chart of June 2001 with very important ramifications for the automotive industries. Competition can be at an all time high with some auto manufacturers hemorrhaging financially. Efficiency, streamlining and hybridization will be buzzwords for some manufacturers.

Corporate and financial mergers will grab headlines Friday the 22nd when Venus and Mercury interact with Pluto, one harmonious and the other inharmonious. A dirty secret is let out of the hat and the scramble is on for either damage control or total suppression. Someone icily declines an interview. Couples make very important decisions about child reproductive services.

Monday the 26th Mercury makes an inharmonious aspect to the Solar Eclipse chart of December 2001. Major theft or fraud can occur with jewelry, precious metals, computer chip technologies and Internet scams. Beware temptations at auctions to purchase what are considered authentic articles when they are really fake ones.

Tuesday the 26th is an adjustment aspect between Mars and Pluto that represents making fine attunements with financial issues from the previous weeks especially with stocks, insurance and bonds. In any relationship one partner arouses suspicion, jealousy and possessiveness that requires a delicate balance of gnawing fears and wild exaggerations. A concluding remark is where are all the financial backing and material resources for grandiose ideas? "We spend and we spend billing the future. And the future goes bankrupt" Friedrich Hebbel.

The annual Libra Full Moon occurs on Thursday the 28th at 12:26pm launching the release/letting go/conclusions phase of the Moon. The following are excellent to release with this lunation: procrastination, passivity, complacency, vacillation, apathy, indifference, indulgence, and laziness. Angel Atliel is this lunation's celestial helper. This is the second of two very powerful Full Moons this year. The previous one was last month. A Perigee Moon (closest approach of the Moon to Earth) precedes this lunation that usually heightens emotional responses, reactions or volatility especially in regards to the lack of commitment, trust or loyalty. Also preceding the Full Moon is the ecliptic shift of the Moon that can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. This ecliptic shift also symbolizes a conscious need to take action and make decisions about personal possessions, personal income and the disposal of goods. Keywords of this lunation are two doors open before the individual. One is the easy route with glitter and gold, tantalizing and yet so destructive to spirit and soul. The other is buried in rubble and decay, yet beckons with its enigma of hope, renewal and resurrection. A fear descends that one is losing one's center and known paradigms. Behold! A miracle emerges from the madness and the soul is intimate with grace and love.

March 29th at 8:44am is the entrance of fleet-footed Mercury into enterprising Aries for an approximate 2-week journey. Rapid developments can occur in negotiations and bargaining tables. New ideas burst onto the scene with some being a quick panacea for long-term problems. Assertive and aggressive communications are usually highlighted with this transit of Mercury in Aries. "Actions are always the best interpreters of thoughts" T.H. Huxley.

Mercury also has an inharmonious aspect to the Solar Eclipse chart of June 2001 that can symbolize an important announcement made by a corporate or public executive that has impact on international relations. A scandal can also arise from the past to haunt individuals that haven't been forthcoming with full disclosure of real estate or accounting transactions. Scathing criticism awaits those who have been artful dodgers. "A clean mouth and an honest hand will take a man through any land" Midwestern American Quote.

March 30th is a rather interesting alignment occurring in Heliocentric Astrology (all charts using heliocentric coordinates observe spatial views of the planets in regards to the surface of the Sun). Never are there retrograde planets in Heliocentric Astrology! So what may be enlightening is that in Heliocentric Astrology the opposition of Saturn and Pluto happens only once and it so happens on this date in March 2002. Coupled with this planetary opposition is heliocentric Mars conjunct Saturn as well as opposing Pluto. The last two days of March require vigilance with extremists, terrorists, extortionists, manipulators and saboteurs. All transportation vehicles, crossroads and terminals are to be scrutinized thoroughly.

March 30th has harmonious aspects of the Sun with Saturn and Neptune that represent the ability to identify visions with a practical knack of applying grounded and sensible approaches. "The supreme faculty of man is not reason, but imagination" Edmund O'Gorman. Charitable aid can be given to those individuals who have experienced recent trauma. Meditation, contemplation, visualization, affirmation and prayer are techniques very well implemented on this day.

This last day of March, Mercury experiences an ecliptic shift that symbolizes robust activities with all markets, distributors and commodities. Paradoxical shifts occur with communications, reason and analysis. New channels of information open up. "Everything flows from Providence, and alongside it is Necessity, and whatever contributes to the entire universe of which you are a part" Marcus Aurelius.

"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"
Dom Perignon at the moment of discovering champagne