IN THE NOW, we are adjusting to the Sun's ingress into Aries and the impulse of energies that accompanied that event. As always occurs at the Equinox, the specific tilt of the Earth enabled cosmic winds to more directly interface with our planet's energy fields. This resulted in some spectacular auroras in the higher latitudes.

Since we are living within the Earth's energy field, these cosmic energies of course also affect each of us, and on many different levels. As a result, we may be feeling a little unsteady right now. That unsettled feeling also shows up in some of this week's planetary aspects, especially in the first part of the week.

THE PLANET MERCURY is currently about halfway into its three-week journey through Pisces. This is a time when we are encouraged to tune into our inner realms, to spend time in meditation and dream work, and to communicate with our creative muse. While the Messenger Planet is in the twelfth sign, our minds tend to be more intuitive, more imaginative, and more open to spiritual insights and experiences. Mercury in Pisces is about a flow of consciousness, as compared to logical, linear reasoning. While our thoughts can feel somewhat circular and our plans may be undecided under this influence, it is a wonderful time to consider all possibilities, to dream and envision.

Ninety degrees away from Mercury's position in Pisces, we find Mars in Gemini, right now about halfway through its seven-week transit of the sign. Mars in Gemini thrives on gathering information, on planning, and on strategizing. And, since Mars is the planet of action, it is typical under this influence to act on an idea quickly, rather than spending too much time thinking about the consequences.

MERCURY AND MARS are in square aspect to each other this week (exact on Tuesday), and both are also in hard aspect to Pluto. Just by itself, the Mercury-Mars square can be challenging. It represents what can happen when our minds are not really clear on what we're doing, but a part of us wants to take action anyway. The effect can be something like turning your head to look behind you even as you continue to run full speed down the trail.

Then there are the anger and confusion components of this square. Any planet in hard aspect to Mars can result in frustrations, irritations, and combativeness. With Mercury involved, all of those emotions are likely to come out verbally, and without much forethought or restraint. When we add hard aspects from Pluto to the mix this week, we may also see power struggles and attempts to dominate from a position of authority (Pluto in Capricorn).

THE BIG REVEAL actually comes later in the week, so we'll need to stay in observer mode as much as possible rather than engaging from a place of anger. This is because Mercury and Mars are forming a mutable T-square with the nodal axis, with Mercury exactly square the nodes on Wednesday and Mars exactly conjunct the North Node on Friday.

The nodal axis is said to represent our karmic past (the South Node) and our higher evolutionary future (the North Node). Currently, the South Node is in Sagittarius, and so humanity is coming face to face with its history of bigotry, self-righteousness, dogmatism, and fanaticism. With the North Node currently in Gemini, our task is to become more open-minded, more able to see both sides of an issue, and more able to dialogue with others who have differing viewpoints.

WITH THE NODAL AXIS being squared by Mercury this week, we can be pretty certain that words and opinions will be tossed about without much attention to where or how they will land. There's likely to be a fair amount of confusion or blame involved, that can interfere with our seeing the best way forward. We may also feel nervous or worried, perhaps without clearly knowing why or how to resolve it.

But Mars will be conjunct the North Node by the end of the week. This represents the amount of courage that is needed to really engage another person in conversation when we strongly disagree with them -- and it indicates that if we gather that courage, we can make major strides forward, both personally and collectively. This alignment may also manifest as a masculine figure (Mars) who leads the way with intelligence and insightful planning.

OUR FULL MOON for the month of March occurs next Sunday, March 28, at 11:48 a.m. PDT. At the time of the lunation, the Moon will be at 08°18´ Libra, opposing the Sun at the same degree of Aries. Highly significant is that the Sun will be tightly conjunct Chiron and Venus, which will be at 08°49´ and 08°56´ Aries, respectively.

This Full Moon is very strongly linked to relationship themes, and the need to heal rifts that have developed. Libra is the sign associated with partnership, cooperation, and harmony, while the planet Venus was named for the goddess of Love and Beauty. Chiron, called the Wounded Healer, is charged with the task of both revealing and resolving the recent wounds and long-term scars that inhibit our capacity for healthy relating.

WE CAN IMAGINE many ways that this healing influence could manifest, for it is certain that much repair is needed in our relationships with each other, and even with aspects of our own beings. A Full Moon is always an opportunity to bring something to the light so that it can be brought into balance.

With the amount of discord represented early in the week, and the strong push for us to get on track with our evolutionary growth, we hope that this Full Moon will both shed light on and help heal the wounds that are exposed. Opinions vary as to whether the Moon will be close enough to the Earth to be called a "supermoon" – but since all sources agree that it is the fourth-closest Full Moon in 2021, we can give it a bit more significance for that reason.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Relationships and personal healing are strong themes in your life this year, Aries. It will be important to pay attention to your "trigger points," and to make sure that you provide plenty of loving support to the angry/hurt aspect of your being. Ignoring the feelings, hoping they will go away, or even acting them out, will not get to the heart of the issue. Instead, the first step is acknowledging the fear behind the anger. Even so, this healing is not accomplished by blame, or by focusing on what others did or did not do. The healing is most successfully engaged when you sit with and lovingly cradle the wounded part of you, with no requirement that they be different, only that they feel loved and accepted. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Venus, conjunct Chiron)

In Gratitude and Light,

Pam

Aspects of Note This Week:

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

• TUE: Mars sesquiquadrate Pluto, Mercury semisquare Pluto, Mercury square Mars
• WED: Mercury square nodal axis 
• THU: Sun conjunct Venus 
• FRI: Mars conjunct North Node
• SAT: Venus semisquare Jupiter, Sun semisquare Jupiter
• SUN: Venus conjunct Chiron, Full Moon 11:48 a.m. PDT