Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity. ~ Pema Chodron

Satellites circling the globe have noted the significant decrease in pollution in China. Whales are entertaining us by frolicking in the Messina Strait. And people living in cities are able to see stars for the first time in years! With humanity dealing with the scourge of the Covid virus, nature is bringing us small joys that are inadvertently related to humanity ceasing their daily activity. Throughout the globe countries are encouraging or enforcing social isolation, keeping humanity at bay and therapeutically away from one another. Interesting to note that this is occurring simultaneously with Saturn (isolation) entering the sign of Aquarius (society) (March 21-22nd). 

Aquarius on its own can be a sign associated with those who stand separate from, or are at the fringes of the crowd: the outlier, the exile, the town cryer, the iconoclast and those who resist the pressure to conform. Saturn is taking it up a notch and forcing us to act a bit like Aquarius: keeping a certain therapeutic distance from others and reenforcing our vulnerable boundaries. But for many, it has been deemed, that this will be ‘the only thing that will work’ to flatten the curve of exposure and contamination to the Neptunian Covid virus. Leave it to Saturn to attempt to create ‘boundaries’ around that which is boundary-less. 

One advantage to having pragmatic Saturn in the sign of invention and innovation? Working together towards the common good to come up with a vaccine, a cure, some sort of immediate solution and  remedy ASAP. Aquarius is a sign that is ingenious at finding solutions where others just see problems and obstacles. One of the ways to do this is by all of us working together towards a common cause. 

One other thing that has become apparent, as we retreat into our own proscribed confinements, is that we are all being required to slow down and recognize our interdependence with one another, and with the entire ecosystem of which we are a part. We are reminded again and again that we are not only responsible for our own health, but the health of everyone else. Mercury has returned to Pisces once again. And in this Neptunian diluvian realm we are once again being asked to be in stillness. To pause. To reflect. 

The last Full Moon in Virgo on March 9th exactly opposed Neptune in Pisces, and the spread of the virus reached pandemic levels. This is not something to ignore. The Nodes of the Moon are about to shift back into Gemini/Sagittarius, and as they do so, a few of the upcoming eclipses of 2020 will also square Neptune. We are not through yet with this pandemic. There is more to come. The squares to Neptune are something of a turning point in the evolutionary development of our society as a whole. And things will never be quite the same. And not just because of the strain on the economy. There will be that. But because we are being given a glimpse into the reality of what could  and will be, including recognizing ourselves as part of a much larger, much greater whole. 

The upcoming New Moon on the 24th (or 23rd) is conjunct Chiron, the wounded healer, in the sign of courageous and no-holds-barred Aries, also sextile Saturn, just having entered Aquarius. Through Chiron we are given the tools to heal ourselves of misconceptions and wounds inflicted not only recently, but perhaps even lifetimes ago, but are only now coming to fruition. Chiron is symbolic of the bridge that can be built between our lower rational conscious mind, and that much higher, more encompassing wisdom perspective. Chiron not only brings us the tools that we need to heal our wounds but also shows us the means towards the cessation of suffering. Chiron* is a centaur, not a planet, and can come to us embodied as a guide, a teacher, an advisor, therapist, healer, priest, initiator or elder. In Aries he can even wear the armor of the warrior fighting for a cause. 

Chiron in Aries is Chiron the truth sayer. Without filters. Chiron in Aries reminds us that self-care, self-healing and self-protection is not only recognizing that you have the right to take up space, that you matter too, but by doing so, you are also the better able to be of service to, and aid others. When you have no idea what waits for you on the other side, Aries is about having the courage to take that first step. To dare to not only tell the truth, but be your own truth, in a world that is constantly trying to get you to conform. 

As quoted by Zola, who was born on a New Moon (and stellium of many planets) in Aries: 

If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I an artist, I will answer you: I am here to live out loud. ~ Emile Zola

The ruling planet of Aries, Mars, has now joined the planets congregating in Capricorn. This could prove to be a challenging week as a result. Mars is a catalyst. It is fiery and inflammatory. And this coming week it will be conjunct Jupiter, and then Pluto. And since Saturn is now moving into the air sign Aquarius, Mars will then conjunct Saturn when it enters Aquarius as well. Pay special attention around the 23rd and the 31st. However, don’t count us out yet! Mars is a fighting planet! And when conjoined with Pluto there is a fierce determination to keep going even in the face of extraordinary challenges. By the 31st, when Mars joins Saturn, those who have not been practicing social distancing may now be compelled to. Capricorn is about following the rules. We have no choice right now. Be wise. Be prepared. And pay attention. 

If you must ‘do’ something, use the Martian energy to create order in your home. Create projects. Fix that thing you’ve been meaning to get to. Mars can be compelling. Figure out ways to exercise, and move. Mars wants us to move and do things. But do so wisely and industriously. Because that’s what Saturn will expect. 

Let’s not also forget that New Moons are times of initiative and new beginnings. May we use the righteous courage and power of this fiery New Moon to set positive intentions and sow good wishes for the healing of our communities, our society and our planet. And also ourselves. As someone once wisely said, if your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. And this is something that is so very much needed right now for each and every one of us.  

*A centaur is a small body (something betwixt an asteroid and a comet) that orbits our Sun between the planets Jupiter and Pluto, and crosses the orbits of one or more of these outer planets. Chiron travels between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. Scientists believe that Chiron came from outside of our solar system, from the Kuiper belt, and may some day leave again. 

For this week’s horoscopes, click below: 

HOROSCOPES