HOWEVER THINGS SEEM...REMEMBER, IT'S A NEW YEAR!!!

(A Possible, B-RAE co-signing) Slow Start to the New Year
April 1st, 2009 by Jeff Jawer

On March 20 the Sun entered fiery Aries, marking the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the astrological year. This represents a fresh surge of energy filled with inventiveness and impulse that is meant to launch new projects.

However, there are a couple of significant astrological factors that may find this season of the Ram feeling more sluggish than usual. First, we still have loving Venus backtracking until April 17, which tends to slow the pace of social activities. Venus is also the planet of resources, so her retrograde cycle can find us scrambling to come up with the goods we need to maintain comfort. A loss of income and doubts about self-worth undermine personal economy, deflating the value of our talents and inhibiting the innovation typical of Aries.

The main factor, though, in delaying the dynamic Aries effect is the position of the sign’s assertive ruling planet Mars. This planet is the “agent” of Aries, a leading indicator to how the sign is expressing itself. It’s swimming through the emotional waters of Pisces until April 22, blunting Mars’ sharp sword with caution and sensitivity that make initiating new enterprises more difficult. Rather than blazing with the fire of fast-moving Aries, the sign’s instincts for action are tempered by a heightened concern for others’ feelings, uncertainty, and an idealism that makes it more difficult to take risks. Instead of blasting through obstacles now, we’re more likely to be tiptoeing around them to avoid the conflict that Mars normally enjoys but which becomes intolerable when it’s in gentle Pisces.

On April 22 Mars enters Aries—where it will stay until May 31—for the first time in two years, commencing a period of increased energy and activity that is excellent for taking a leap forward. Whether you start a new exercise program or seek a new job, the passion and courage to advance is strong enough to overcome almost any barrier. And if you do get stuck somewhere along the way, you should find the drive to head off in another direction. In these unsettled times it’s especially important to know when to wait and when to forge ahead. While it’s easy to feel overpowered now, Mars’ entry into Aries will provide the determination to fight for what we want and the capacity for all of us to create the future we desire.