On March 20th, at 2:37 a.m. on the West Coast, the Sun moves into Aries to begin a new zodiacal year. Planetary and cosmic energies align. We come into equilibrium with the Sun as day and night find balance. Recently I learned that the Equinoxes are even more significant because, at these times, cracks open up in our magnetosphere and the solar wind blows more ions, gamma rays and photons through the gap. Earth is literally bathed in light and the effect will last through the month of April. Sounds pretty woo-woo, but it’s true and science backs it up. One of the visible effects is the Aurora Borealis. Solar ions hit our ionosphere and cause a neon glow. Literally Northern Lights are excited ions. Aurora activity increases every year at the equinoxes:
“Whenever the accelerating solar wind comes in contact with the earth’s magnetic field and enters the poles, the particles interact with the atmosphere gases, thus we see the discharges as curtains of lights. Now, the Russell-McPherron phenomenon suggests an increase in geomagnetic activity or disturbance during the equinoxes because the Earth’s magnetic field in the poles momentarily cracks open.”
We should be excited too, because the Aries Ingress chart speaks of powerful change. The 00 degrees Aries point resets the solar clock and lays out the themes for the year ahead. Literally liberty and justice for all are the themes for the year leading up to the USA Pluto Return. The Heavens never cease to amaze!
Mutable Grand Cross
A Grand Cross, as you recall, occurs when two oppositions square one another. On the Equinox we have the Moon’s nodes conjunct the USA Ascendant/Descendant axis. The axis of destiny is aligned with the USA axis of identity! The Spring Equinox is a new beginning – a clean slate with the future ours to create. We have a chance to create a new national identity. The questions we need to ask ourselves are: who are we and who do we want to be in the world?
Squaring the Nodal axis are Vesta opposite Mercury and Pallas in the 3rd and 9th houses. Let’s assemble this puzzle.
The South Node
The South node of the Moon is about to cross over the USA Ascendant. The South Node is the past – our accumulated experience through multiple incarnations. Everything is there – the collective experience of our nation, all our actions and the conclusions we have drawn about reality. The Ascendant is the identity we have assumed, in this case collectively. You can already see the problem. Of which identity do we speak? Our national personality is split. We do not view our nation through the same eyes.
We think of ourselves as the richest nation on Earth, the most powerful world leaders with the biggest arsenal in history. In our adolescent stage of evolution, we believe we are better than everyone else and have the right to grab their resources and enslave them with crushing debt as we lift them up from their primitive existence into contemporary capitalist status. Our arrogance is astounding.
We have a history of treating the rest of the globe as our oyster out of a belief that it is our manifest destiny to rule the world. The American Dream of equality and justice has been subsumed by a consumer culture; our soul squeezed out of the socio-political-economic equation. Last year we were given a chance to reassess our lives and take a good look at what we have created. The majority chose change in November and the current administration has done an admirable job addressing the pandemic crisis, the poverty crisis, the unemployment crisis and the gross inequities in our society. Finally we have a Native American as steward of our sacred land instead of an entrepreneurial predator. We are on the right track and must take advantage of the momentum to push forward humanitarian ideals.
Republicans gripe about the “cancel culture,” while the vast majority of our population serve in an “invisible subculture.” We have taken our working class for granted, allowing them to struggle and suffer lack while we enjoy the benefits of their labor. That includes immigrant workers, health-care workers, emergency responders, teachers, clerks, domestic laborers. These people keep our nation going and feed off the discarded crumbs of the ruling class. We are in the iron grip of a class-based society founded on wealth and white privilege. It isn’t just and it isn’t sustainable.
We need to take a hard, long look at ourselves throughout the coming year. Who have we become? Who do we want to be? How do we atone for our collective sins? We have karma that begs attention before Pluto comes home. If he finds our house in disrepair, he might just sweep us aside. The three greatest sins we have committed as a nation are genocide of the Native Americans, enslavement of blacks and a runaway greed for wealth and power with no thought for the impact on humanity or the health of our planet. These issues must be exposed, discussed and redressed if our experiment in Democracy is to succeed.
The USA Ascendant is in Sagittarius. At heart we are dedicated to the truth. Our forefathers had a vision of a new society – liberty and justice for all, a fair playing field, an opportunity to live life on our own terms. We are deluding ourselves now, however, because this dream is not a reality if it doesn’t serve everyone. Democracy is not the freedom of the few to profit off the labors of the many. This year will be a battle for the Soul of America.
North Node
So what about the North Node on the Descendant? The North Node is the unknown future toward which we head. We could call it destiny. The Descendant is the threshold of the 7th house of relationship. Our future depends upon our ability to heal social inequality, to see and treat each other not just as equals, but as family trying to figure out together how to create a sustainable world. And we need to heal our relationship with other nations as well as with the other kingdoms in our natural world. We need to grow up and, like adults, consider what is best for the whole family.
The Moon is conjunct the North Node on the Equinox, both in Gemini. 2021 is about gathering facts, opening up to new ideas, weighing the pros and cons and making informed choices. At the South Node we question all of our beliefs and resolve unfinished business. At the North Node we choose, moment by moment, our future which unfolds along the path of collective decisions.
You can see how important it is now to stand up for democratic values. The North Node is midway between Mars at 9 Gemini and the Moon at 16 Gemini. We are on a fact-finding mission. Mars asks us to assert our will, to become crusaders for the future we desire. We must stay alert this year and realize that every choice we make is either one for love and unity or fear and separation. Mars brings the courage, the warrior’s heart, into our battle and actively cultivates change. There are no spectators here – we’re all players.
Transiting Mars is also conjunct the USA natal Uranus. That’s a lot of energy devoted to awakening. We are going to see big change this year and it will all be driven by our convictions. Uranus will surprise us continually throughout the year. Look for the good news. For instance, a few days ago the Pope declared that the church will not sanction same-sex marriage. Missouri passed a bill forbidding the legalization of it. On the other side of the world, however, Japan’s highest court ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban it. So here’s an issue that lies at the heart of our unity. Do we have any legal right to adjudicate one’s love life? Do we have the right to rob others of their rights?
At this moment there are 253 bills up for a vote in 43 state legislatures aimed at limiting the right to vote! This is an outrage and the very people who are attempting to usurp the power of the people are the ones who shout the loudest about patriotism and defending the Constitution. It is our constitutional right to vote – it is the heart of our power as a populace. The House has passed HR1 and it is now up to the Senate to pass it as well. This bill will put an end to all state legislation that defies our constitutional voting rights. It is imperative that we fight for our democracy now. We all can make our voices heard – call your senators and demand they pass S1.
I don’t know if you heard Freshman Senator Raphael Warnock’s maiden speech to the Senate on this bill. He actually got a standing ovation. If you haven’t heard it, go to C-Span and treat yourself to some patriotic inspiration. The one statement that grabbed my Soul was “Voting is the political enactment of a spiritual ideal.” That ideal lies at the heart of our original vision of Democracy.
We absolutely must work the system this year. What do I mean? We elected representatives to execute our will. We need to let them know what that is. Do we want to see the filibuster thrown out, or modified? Do we want our government to uphold the constitutional right of every citizen to vote? Do we want to see equal justice in our courts? We need to call the people we hired and tell them how we want them to do their jobs. We vote – not just once every two or four years. We vote weekly. We show the world that Democracy works because we work it.
Vesta/Mercury and Pallas
The second axis involves Vesta opposite the conjunction of Pallas and Mercury in Pisces. Vesta is standing guard at the top of the USA chart exerting her devotion to truth and justice. Opposite at the base of the chart are the Warrior Goddess of Wisdom, who also fights for justice, and Mercury, the Messenger, in the 3rd house in Pisces. These planets are transiting the USA natal Ceres. We have so many domestic issues to address, but we must not forget that the health of our planet is also at stake. Pisces is about our Union. Mercury is about information and communication. We need to stay informed, to speak up when we see injustice, to communicate our values and wishes to our representatives – not just federal, but state as well.
Chiron/Ceres
Speaking of Ceres she is currently conjunct Chiron in the USA 4th house. As we heal our relationships within our human family, we heal our Mother Earth as well. With Saturn and Jupiter in Aquarius, we can expect new technologies in energy and environmental protection. With Mars sextile Chiron, planetary healing is a key theme of the year ahead. Andrew Smith, Irish Astrologer, suggests that this is a year of healing the Soul of our Earth. Uranus at 8 Taurus is midway between Mars at 8 Gemini and Chiron at 8 Aries. Watch for wake-up calls. Taurus is associated with all things earthy including our physical bodies. This is a good year to get fit and double down on wellness.
Sun/Venus
The Sun reaches the Aries 0 degree point conjunct Venus at 28+ Pisces. We talked about Venus and Neptune in Pisces calling forth compassion in my last post. This theme will be featured at the Super Moon in Libra when Sun and Venus conjunct Chiron. Venus will catch up with the Sun in Aries on March 30th when she adds a new point to her Star. Another signification of the new world that is emerging.
Planets are all moving forward right now at a good clip. The first retrograde will happen toward the end of April when Pluto turns back just 45 seconds of arc from its natal position. We have a lot of ground to review before the big event next February. Pluto will continue to unearth the truth, reveal secrets that will shock and surprise us. Pallas, Mercury, Neptune, Venus and the Sun are all in the 3rd house of information – expect a lot of it. For instance, it was revealed a few days ago that William Barr blocked all investigation of Brett Kavanaugh at the behest of the former president. He was rammed through confirmation without a background check. His tears of outrage at the hearing were a performance. It will be interesting to see if this affects his position on the Supreme Court.
Remember, however, that our physical reality with all its drama and intrigue, is nothing more than the product of our collective consciousness. As our consciousness gathers more light, as we awaken and see reality with new eyes, our world will begin to reflect the massive change that is happening in our depths. This new zodiacal year holds much promise and the power lies with the people now. We have seen the power of our votes. We have seen the power of our protest. Uranus and Aquarius have kindled our independent spirit. The patriarchs are in decline and they are squawking loudly, but their time has passed. The future belongs to us. And on this Spring Equinox we are getting a giant boost from the Cosmos. Set your course and fill your sails with all the energy the solar wind blows your way.
This is my longest blog to date and I appreciate your reading through to the end. This is a pivotal year packed with potential. Next week we will look at the Super Moon in Libra. It’s powerful, too.
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