The Equinoxes occur when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. This phenomenon results in the entire globe experiencing one day of roughly equal light and dark twice in a solar year. In the case of the Spring Equinox, the Sun is moving northward, creating longer periods of daytime until reaching the longest day on the Summer Solstice in June. In Astrology, the Spring Equinox corresponds with the Sun’s movement into Aries, commencing a new turning of the astrological wheel.
Like our Sun, our Moon, and the spherical planet on which we live, Astrology is not linear. From the darkness of winter, the initiating sign of Aries seems to spring forth as if from nothing. However, let’s look to the archetypal wheel, as everything is a product of that which precedes it. Aries is born of Pisces, the final sign in the zodiac, representing the boundless sea of consciousness from which material reality percolates. Aries is the individuated consciousness, the soul separated from this “Source” through birth into a unique human body. Aries is the beginning of duality, as shown in its glyph in which one stream splits into two diverging courses. This is an eternal “conflict” that spurs Aries forward into the unknown--the emergence into and need to evolve through a world of duality in which different individual needs (and different individuals in need) compete for satisfaction. Aries is the quality of bravery inherent in the birthright of liberty.
Symbolized by the Ram, Aries energy is raw vitality--headstrong, impulsive, and determined. Ruled by Mars, this archetype is denoted by the Warrior, and describes the courage necessary to boldly face whatever battles may arise. The status of the Warrior is elevated through conflict--not an easy destiny to fulfill, but one that speaks to the heart of our survival on Earth. In Aries, the Sun is exalted. The Sun represents the supreme expression of one’s being, and in Aries, we are gifted the courage and tenacity to overcomes the external obstacles and conquer the inner demons that prevent us from living our truth. These conflicts teach us what we are passionate enough to fight for, a necessary step to learning how and when to properly direct our will.
As the Sun initiates its cycle on March 20, Mercury, Venus, and Uranus will also be in Aries. While the actions of these planets will be influenced by these energies, we can look to the ruler of Aries for more insight. Mars is in Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, thus placing these two polar planets in a state of “mutual reception.” This means the two harmonize in a special way, informing each other’s movements. We are encouraged to re-evaluate our values (Venus) to see how they influence the direction of our actions (Mars). (For more on Venus retrograde cycle, see my blog Venus Retrograde: Rediscovering the Truth of Your Heart.)
Despite the preponderance of planets in fiery Aries, there is a significant showing of the earth element this Equinox. This brings a much needed stabilizing effect following the eclipse period and through the transition from winter to spring. The rambunctious energy of Mars in Taurus is constrained by the fixed rhythms of nature, yet it is here too that he finds fuel for endurance. The Moon is exactly conjunct Saturn, the “Taskmaster,” as the Sun passes the zero point of Aries. Polar archetypes, the changeable Moon and steady Saturn energies do not always blend well. Saturn asks that we get serious, and subdue our emotional whims to the duty at hand. Utilized properly, this meeting can have the positive effect of establishing firm boundaries ahead of the Moon’s movement into Capricorn forms a loose Grand Earth Trine with Mars in Taurus and the North Node in Virgo later the same day. Strong and stable in its geometry, this earthy influence tempers the fluctuations of the Moon and the impulses of Mars, giving them a clear channel of expression through the North Node.
The North Node indicates the general trajectory of the evolution of human consciousness at a given time. As the interacting movements of the celestial spheres reveals a complex solar circuitry, we look to the Nodes to understand the thematic purpose of the process as it develops. Looking to the Nodes, we find we are in a time of transition not just in our earthly cycle as we shift from winter to spring, but also in our nodal (karmic) cycle, as the eclipses shift from Virgo-Pisces to Leo-Aquarius. This configuration of the Grand Earth Trine allows us to seal the lessons of service and sacrifice that we have learned in the past two years, allowing us to find emotional security (Moon in Capricorn) by tuning our desires to the rhythms of nature (Mars in Taurus) to manifest the achievement of our mission on Earth (North Node in Virgo).
The Equinox is a time when the archetypal energies restore equanimity. Take time to re-establish a healthy balance in your life by adjusting your actions to match your intentions, as shaped by your values. The celestial mirror has been reflecting a time ripe for conscious change. Take the week after the Equinox to assess. The new moon in Aries on March 27 is the perfect time to seed new behaviors and endeavors. As we move towards the Summer Solstice, we will find that if we have taken the time to truly integrate the Virgo-Pisces lessons, we may shift into more confident, creative self-expression, which in turn will reveal the gifts we have to share with our community.