New Moon in Aries- Challenge Accepted!

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is officially Aries!! Happy (Astrological) New Year!! That's what, the third time this year ive said that? (im going for a record). I hope you're all enjoying it, because we're only going up from here, and is going to be one hell of a ride!

With the New Moon in Aries, you have to go outside your comfort zone and just blast out on a brand new adventure (even if its just a day trip to a neighboring city). Its time to shake off the blegch of winter and get out and into the sunshine! Speaking of, it is nothing short of criminal to keep me cooped up in here while it is 82 and sunny on the first day of Spring (and in a polyester sweater vest no less!!) but i digress. You guys came here for Astro!

The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus- Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Universe has smiled on my Laziness and is allowing me to knock out all four of these in one go. So we have a powderkeg of mental and emotional energy sitting there, waiting to be set off with a slight challenge or slight to the ego. Tread carefully, but use the opportunity to propel yourself into the next chapter of your life. An opposition to Minerva tells you to be mindful, and not to act rashly (not an easy task when you're talking about Aries!). A square to Hera puts the strain back on your relationships, both of you are fighting to acheive your own goals, and are in hyper-focus mode. Don't allow that to spill out into the home front, because first and foremost, you are aliies. A conjunction to Atropos highlights that this is a time to bring certain things to their proper end, but an opposition to Klotho shows that this is just to make a place for something new, so for the love of all that is holy just let it go already. A square to Dionysius shows that this is not a great time to drown your sorrows in the substance of your choice, but instead its a great time to carve out some time to devote to getting your six pack back. Exercise is a great way to release endorphins, and its a lot better for you than any of those body-wrecking nasty drinks or drugs (and with Jupiter and Mars in Earth signs, it is all about your bod. Be good to it). A sextile to Karma shows that you have worked really hard lately, and now its time to reap the benefits from all that work. Of course, If you've been slacking, well... A square to Cyllarus tells you to avoid rushing headfirst into anything, take your time, dont let anyone pressure you into anything and heed wise counsel. A sextile to Altjira shows that you might have to risk offending people or being a little rough in order to break away and do your own thing. An opposition to Pandora shows that this could be a knee-jerk reaction, but go with your gut if it feels like the right thing to do. A conjunction to Tantalus gives you hope of something brand new and awesome just on the horizon, but its just a bit out of reach. A little bit of Courage is necessary to win the day. Finally, a conjunction to Hermes arms you with that little bit of charm and wit that you will need to cinch those amazing opportunities.

Venus- Our girl is very quiet, with a conjunction to Hephaistos indicating dissatisfaction with your current love situation, but remember that you will pay the price if you run off with that dangerous, sexy badass that you see across the bar. A trine to Ascelpius indicates that you really, really need to watch your health, especially when it comes to what you eat. No cheating on your diet!!

Mars- Where Venus is quiet, Mars is bellowing out to the sky. Okay, so we're still a ways out from Mars Direct, but the Sun going into exaltation in Aries is still a pretty big release from all the crap that Mars in Virgo brings up, as well as helping you put out the fires from a small, seemingly insignificant little detail that goes horribly awry. A square to the Nodes challenges you to put the past behind you and strike out boldy onto a new course. An opposition to Chiron demands that you put your ego behind you if you want to get anywhere; be careful of those acting out old wounds and dramas. A conjunction to Elatus brings high energy and high spirits, capitalize on it to win the day. An opposition to Teharonhiawako wants you to put some of that towards creative pursuits, and whatever you do is welll starred. A square to Juno highlights the same relationship issues talked about earlier, but with the added twist of power struggles and powerful egos. A square to Diana shows that you may feel as though your freedom is being threatened in some way. A square to Terpsichore shows that its hard for you to just sit back and relax, but your efforts are well placed in going after your bliss. Finally, an opposition to Itokawa shows that there is a sleeping giant being awakened within you, use the new strength that you are finding.

Jupiter- An opposition to Deucalion shows that you are taking on a lot of responsibility, and you will be noticed for it. Another opposition, to Ceto, shows that there is some danger lurking in the shadows, but its nothing that you can't handle. Another opposition, to Poseidon, tells you that there is some discord between what you know you should be doing and what you're actually doing. Quit making excuses and just DO IT!! Yet another opposition (jeez, what is going on here?) to Aphrodite echoes this, adding in the added fun of heightened emotional drama. A sextile to Magdalena forces you to question whether you are going down the right path. Trust that what you are doing is right.

Saturn- Well, what about Saturn? There is an opposition to 1992 QB1, so you may be feeling like you are stuck in a remake of Groundhog Day, just doing the same thing, over and over. Keep in mind that even though it doesn't feel like it, you are making progress. A trine to Eurydike highlights the drama that you are in, possibly with a distant partner, whether that is emotionally or physically. A square to Persephone also plays on this, adding in a bit of the old victim mentality. Stand up for yourself and break free

Neptune- Not a whole lot happening here. There's an opposition to Orcus, so make sure to take things at your own pace, and don't rush into anything. Above all else, don't make any promises that you can't keep. A square to Karma highlights this as well, and warns you of the consequences of breaking your word.

Pluto- A sextile to Poseidon has you lusting after some bold new venture that will launch you out into a brand new world of success, but don't do anything until Mercury goes direct if you can help it. A trine to Psyche shows that there may be something that your partner isnt telling you. Be patient and dont go into stalker mode. A conjunction to Ophelia heightens the drama and plays off any ego battles that you find yourself in. Avoid them at all costs. A trine to Arachne shows that you need to be mindful of your words right now, make sure that you aren't being to proud or someone will definitely come in to knock you off your throne, trust me! A trine to Eros tells you that right now you need to be doing what you love, and don't worry about the haters or anyone that tries to stop you.

All in all, great astro this time, but not so well starred for bold new actions, save that for April. Use this time to psych yourself up, and get stoqued for what's coming up.

And go check out the Fabulous Starzina Starfish-Brown (who is, of course, an Aries![Not that AstroGeek's Skywatch would ever show any bias, mind you!])  in Starzina Starfish-Brown's Time of the Month Horoscope for Aries!

Your Songs of the Zeitgeist-

Mercury Retrograde in Aries- The Loony Bin

Alright guys, here we go again: Mercury Retrograde! Get stoqued  (YaaAAAyy!!), because it is going to be off the hook. Forgive me if I ramble a bit, but this is muy importante!

The scene is set in Aries, on some bloodstained battlefield, with some generic dragon overhead. Cue our hero (aka you) armed with your wits and some quasi-mystical sword of sketchy origin. Cue dragon bellowing fire above your head. Cue you dropping your sword and getting the f&@! outta dodge.

Heroes: They just dont make them like they used to...

Anyway, here's the deal. Mercury is in Retro, and so is Mars (well, so is Saturn, but we'll get to him). Mercury is transiting a sign ruled by Mars, and Mars is transiting one ruled by Mercury. This is called mutual reception, and it ramps up the intensity of this retrograde, adding fuel to the fire of the doomsdayers who show up everytime Merc does this. Tip: he does this three times a year, and so far we've managed to get through every single one without fail. And it keeps us Astro-Twerps in business, so just go with it.

There is an escape clause however....

The very aspects that make it so intense are your way out in this case. Now you know how you always hear tons of crap about Merc Retro and avoid taking any action/making any decisions during this time? Well throw all that out the window, because we're about to get downright dangerous. Think of Mercury as the Gladius that cuts through all of Mars current crap, and Mars as the caution whispered into impetuous Mercury's ear. The two work together to ensure success this time around, with Saturn providing just enough of each to keep the balance for maximum effect.

Cool, no? I havent even got to the best part yet!

During this period, we're going to see the resugence of the Grand Earth Trine, but with a brand new twist- Miss Thang (aka Venus) is now in the mix, in a sexy conjunction to Jupiter, and these two will be dancing partners for some time now, culminating in the epic Transit of the Sun on 6/4 (spoilers!), but we'll talk about that in its proper time.

So you have bold action and energetic vigour, combined with Hyper-aware mindfulness bordering on psychopathic obsessive-compulsion to not f%^! up no matter what, add in your insane Pollyanna optimism and winning grin, while chucking everything that doesn't work out the window and shedding your old skin, fast and furious ALL WHILE making it look like its the easiest thing there is, like you don't have a care in the world (even though inside you're one step away from madness, trying to keep all your balls in the air)

Look, this is pure dead magic if you work it right. Its daunting, yes, but we all have our dragons, right? If you face them now, you get the princess (or prince) and half the kingdom after.

Worth it?   

Full Moon in Virgo- A Question of Faith

Well guys, consider this the cease-fire before we go marching into war. Yes, events are ramping up, but RIGHT NOW we have a second to take a breather. Capitalize on it, because we're going back to the loony bin quicker than you might think.

The Sun and Moon- We start out with a square to Amycus, making it hard for you to let your brilliance shine here, just stay serene and try not to let it get to you. Let those around you go crazy and dig their own graves. There is a conjunction/opposition to Kassandra, listen very closely to any insights you get now, even if its not what you want to hear. Dont jump into action just yet however, just jot it down and be mindful. Another conjunction/opposition is to Lachesis, so focus on your situation and think about what works, what doesn't, and what is long overdue. We also have a square to Nemesis, so watch your words, avoid being too brash and boastful. Bite your tongue and get done what you need to, so that when we start moving again, you'll be primed and ready to roll. A trine/sextile to Achilles gives you the indefatigable energy you need to succeed. Stick to your workout, or make time to get back into the gym. A conjunction/opposition to Sphinx has you feeling a little lost when it comes to how to proceed. No worries, take the moment to relax and avoid making any decisions just yet. A square to Hidalgo has you questioning your course of action, and whether the grass really is greener on the other side. Well, its not; stick to your guns and keep going. A sextile to Bacchus helps you actually relax a little, much needed after all we've done and been through lately. Stop, breathe, and reflect.

Mercury- Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my solemn duty to inform you that we are officially back in Mercury Retrograde territory. He hasn't actually turned back yet, but is in what we call "Shadow", which is a lead-in to the real-deal retrograde (which is why you're finding out about this here, and not in a fully fledged post [which is forthcoming]). But we'll deal with that when it comes. Right now, he is still conjunct Uranus right at the start of Aries, so prepare for lightning-fast clarity and mega-insights on what's next for you. There is also a square to Cyllarus, so try not to let anyone put you on the spot when asking for your opinion or input, but dont be afraid to speak your mind when asked. An opposition to Typhon makes it hard for you to perform at your peak, and there is a lot that stands in your way right now. Too damn bad; Rise to the challenge or be left behind. A square to Kronos may bring an unexpected opportunity your way. Move fast, but be wary because all that glitters is not gold here. A trine to Juno makes it easy for you to make your feelings heard, and should help you in your dealings with others. A conjunction to Vesta has your mind focused on furthering your own cause, and doing it with passion and panache. A trine to Terpsichore shows that you should be spending time and energy on what you want to do, what makes YOU happy, consequences be damned. An opposition to Klothto does not bode well for anything new started right now, but its brill for anything already in motion. Buckle down and focus. A square to Ophelia is a flare-up of old drama, avoid being sucked in at all cost, but not starting any new drama!

Venus- Our girl is back at home in Taurus, and that lends a lot to the calmer, easier vibe that is in the air. Dont rush yourself, and avoid stress wherever possible. If its impossible, take solace in the little rituals and special things that make you happy. Worse comes to worst, call off of work and go get a hot stone massage or something. A trine to Orcus shows that there are forces outside your control that are enroaching on your security and Zen, dont be rattled. Plan ahead, and deal with each situation as it comes! A conjunction to Circe tells you that its time to think outside the box. Explore new ideas and you just might find some magic at your fingertips. A sextile to Askalaphus throws you into the ring, and makes you defend yourself for speaking the unwelcome truth. Dont avoid it though, match your detractors hit for hit, and you will outlast them.

Mars- At this point you are either counting down the seconds til Mars gets out of Virgo (7/3/12, 12:30 UTC - Just in case you were wondering) or you are tapping into it, working your ass off, and hustling more than you ever though possible. Either way, its not getting any easier im afraid. Just more of the same. For the next...five...weeks... Enjoy!! (you might as well, its not like he's going to care either way). A square to Chariklo has you stepping on the toes of those around you; be mindful of their boundaries and need for space at times. A trine to Crantor has you caught in the cross-fire between two opposing forces; try to withdraw gracefully. A sextile to Deucalion helps you keep going and gives you just enough energy to eek out a win when all you want to do is quit and go home. Don't give up yet. A sextile to Ceto tells you that when you see an opportunity come up, you need to seize it and not look back. A conjunction to Psyche puts your energy into romance and focusing on your love life; and another conjunction to Arachne gives you an outlet for the near-psychotic nervous energy you are subject to, put it to good use and do something creative. A square to Memoria can bring up old mistakes or pains that you are still holding onto, if they come up, ride it out and let them go for good.

Jupiter/Pluto- Alright, Big Papa is back in the Mega-Trine to Pluto, and you can read all about it here, as I could talk about that one for days. Expect big things coming up from these two. Another trine, to Elatus, has you feeling positively buoyant. Spread the good cheer, and watch the benefits of being positive come sweeping back into your life. A sextile to Pallas shows that its time to get your strategy put into place NOW if you want to capitalize on the awesome opportunity that you have presented to you. Bold is the way to go, anything too safe and you'll be left behind. It is Jupiter, after all! A trine to Toro gives you the abundant energy you need to put that plan into action, but its up to you to channel it appropriately.

Saturn- Meh. Who's ready for Saturn in Scorpio, show of hands? Oh, just me? Well alright then... More of the same here, nothing really new. Pretty sure almost nothing has changed. However, since I cant just leave this section blank, lets talk about Echoes. This Full Moon brings up all those fun issues from back in mid-09 when we were going through all that Mars-Saturn crap, er... growth as we were adjusting to Pluto in Cap. So expect a test regarding your progress since then. Take lots of time to asborb and de-stress immediately after the Full Moon. Trust me, it will save your life. Meditate, do yoga, parkour, climb a tree, what have you; just do what puts you into Zen mode.

Uranus- Holy mother of God, Uranus is super-charged at the moment. Right out of the gate we have a sextile to Altjira (which was somehow transiting my Sun without me knowing about it til just now. Honestly, somedays its not worth chewing through the sequined leather restraints in the morning...) which definitely ramps up the ability to define your own life and create it the way you want, but also leaves you very distant and isolated from those around you if you're not careful. Also in the mix is a sextile to Urania (think Uranus in drag [also, conjunct Altjira]), further influencing that, but also giving a huge boost to your intuition. There is an opposition to Minerva, so you will need to strike the right balance between the big dreams and goals you have and the stark reality of what is right in front of you. A square to Amor puts the strain on the love scopes, but if you work it right, it can be a catalyst to take that same relationship to the next level. A sextile to Icarus makes any kind of restriction or obstacle intolerable, so blast through them and suffer no fools. A square to Askalaphus makes it very hard to go with the crowd and keep your head down, so speak up and take the hit. Another sextile, to Apophis, brings in the forces of chaos and drops it in your lap to make something out of. Good luck.

Neptune- Not a lot to talk about here. An opposition to Apollo shows that you are having trouble balancing your inner and outer life, and stretching yourself too thin. Simplifying and deleverage wherever possible. A square to Sisyphus doesn't help much either, making you feel as though you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders as you work your ass off hustling to scrape by. It will get easier soon.

All in all, not the most dynamic Full Moon we've ever had, but never you fear, the insanity is coming back fast; We still have Uranus square Pluto, Saturn in Scorpio and the drama in Gemini to look forward to! So use this time to plan ahead, take a breather, and get set for the next round.

Since we're on the subject of the next round, go check out the scopes from the always Fabulous Starzina Starfish-Browne in Starzina Starfish-Browne's Time of the Month Horoscopes.

If my scope didnt satisfy your insane craving for more astrology (hah! like THAT is possible), the awesome people on the AstroDispatch are sure to sate your hunger. They even do relationship Astro (unlike me. I wouldnt touch it with a 5,280 foot pole [which would be very hard to lift {not to mention aim} but then there you go])

Til next time!
-The Astrogeek


Songs of the Zeitgeist: