WHERE WE BEGIN this week, energetically, is a far different place than where we will find ourselves at the end of this seven-day period. Yesterday, we experienced a strongly Piscean New Moon, which may have untethered us slightly from reality. As a result, we may be feeling either expansive or withdrawn, either trusting or wobbly-legged, depending perhaps on our ability to maintain some sense of being grounded while working with such other-worldly energies.

While the fast-moving Moon is no longer in Pisces, we're still feeling the effects of yesterday's lunation, and will work with its energies for several days. And, the Sun, Venus, Neptune, and the asteroid Pallas Athene are still in the twelfth sign, carrying that Piscean influence forward. Adding another layer to this several-tiered cake of Fishes, Mercury enters Pisces on Monday to begin a three-week transit of the sign.

MERCURY IN PISCES can inspire the poet within us to emerge, and encourages us to imagine, to dream, to intuit, and to meditate. At the same time, Mercury in Pisces can cloud our ability to think concretely or to reason logically. It can be harder to concentrate for very long, since our minds can tend to drift off and we can find ourselves daydreaming instead of focusing on the task at hand. The word "deadline" is not commonly used Mercury-in-Pisces' native language.

We are entering a very creative period – but we can also feel some frustration at not being able to find exactly the right words to express ourselves, since ideas are sensed rather than conceptualized. Our awareness may reach further into the heavens than usual, but bringing our perceptions back to earth in a way that makes sense to others can be challenging. If you have ever had a heightened experience in meditation and then tried to explain it, you perhaps will understand this conundrum.

Mercury in Pisces is a wonderful time to use images – instead of words – to communicate. We might draw or paint our thoughts rather than trying to speak them. Or, since Pisces rules photography, we might wander in the garden or the woods and capture images that speak to us nonverbally, or that seem to convey our thoughts more accurately than words ever could. This creative impulse will be especially strong on Wednesday and Thursday, when Mercury conjoins inspirational Pallas Athene.

IT'S NOT ALL FLOWERS and fairytales this week, however. As we begin the week, the Sun and Venus are at the midpoint of Saturn and Uranus, and in hard aspect (semisquare) to both outer planets. We can feel uncertain about our ability to handle even minor problems with these aspects, or we may question the solidity of a relationship or our financial situation.

We can use these semisquares to look more objectively (Saturn) at these areas of our lives, and to pay attention to any urge for change (Uranus) that may be trying to express itself. We can also realize that while it may be easy to fall into fear about "what might be," we actually are much more competent and flexible than we may have realized.

WE FIND CONFIDENCE as needed to face any adversity as we move further into the week, with several sextiles standing by to support us. The Sun sextiles Pluto to increase resourcefulness (Tuesday), Mars sextiles Chiron to help heal insecurities (Wednesday), Venus sextiles Pluto to inspire greater intimacy and understanding (Thursday), and Saturn sextiles Ceres to strengthen social support systems (Friday).

Amidst the opportunities represented by these sextiles, we may be caught off-guard by an anger that arises from deep within the shadows. A resentful Mars-Eris semisquare that perfects on Thursday reveals those places where there is still unrest. With Mars in expressive Gemini and Eris in assertive Aries, those who feel ignored or disrespected find their voice and demand to be heard.

A SHIFT OF ENERGIES becomes even more noticeable as we move into next weekend, especially once we pass through the gateway of the Equinox. The Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, early on Saturday (2:37 a.m. PDT), an event that represents the start of a new astrological year.

The Equinox is a powerful time to connect with Earth energies and to honor the cycle of the seasons. Just like nature, we each go through different stages in life, each of them necessary in the process of growth. The Pisces phase, which we are completing this week, symbolizes a time for letting go of what has been, and trusting in what will be, even if we cannot yet discern its form. As the Sun enters Aries next Saturday, we may also start anew, having the courage to take risks in new ways and symbolically planting seeds for the future.

THE EQUINOX can also have a profound effect on both spiritual and energetic levels. The aurora borealis is usually more visible around the time of the Equinox, due to the angle of the Earth's axis to the Sun. This specific angle allows charged particles in the solar wind to more directly impact the Earth's magnetosphere. This means that humanity is working more directly with those energies as well.

And, consider this spiritual insight from author and channel Melanie Beckler: "With each passing Equinox, a new wave of balance, light and an opportunity to transcend illusion and step into more of our authentic truth and soul light emerges." Each Equinox is not merely "another" such event, but rather it builds on all the previous ones, offering us ever-increasing levels of access to our soul's light and our spiritual source.

ROUNDING OUT the shift in the energetic landscape, Venus enters Aries next Sunday. This ingress adds to our sense that we are entering a new phase of growth, especially in the realms of relationship and values. Also on that day, Mercury sextiles Uranus, making insights, intuition, and "aha" moments more available. 

A very supportive Mars-Saturn trine is also in effect next weekend, exact at 7:34 p.m. PDT on Sunday. With both planets in air (mental) signs, and with the Mercury-Uranus sextile in effect, Sunday could be a great day to brainstorm practical solutions to current problems. With a Mercury-Eris semisquare perfecting late on Sunday, not everyone will be in agreement as to the best course of action – but it will be important to really listen to dissenting arguments from those we could tend to overlook.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Relationships, creativity, and values are a major focus for your coming year. Partners and friends will play an important role in the coming months, as you realize more fully what your heart wants and who you resonate with. This can be a good time to deepen an existing relationship or create a new one, as you are more willing to reveal your true essence. You may also begin a new artistic endeavor or find your passion re-ignited for a creative project that you once loved. You are getting clearer on what you truly value, which may also affect how you earn your living. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, sextile Pluto)

In Gratitude and Light,

Pam

Aspects of Note This Week:

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.

• MON: Sun semisquare Saturn, Mercury enters Pisces, Venus semisquare Uranus
• TUE: Sun sextile Pluto
• WED: Venus semisquare Saturn, Mars sextile Chiron
• THU: Mercury conjunct Pallas Athene, Venus sextile Pluto, Mars semisquare Eris
• FRI: Saturn sextile Ceres
• SAT: Sun enters Aries/Equinox 2:37 a.m. PDT
• SUN: Venus enters Aries, Mercury sextile Uranus, Mars trine Saturn, Mercury semisquare Eris