NorthPoint Astrology Journal - 3/23 - 3/29/09

NorthPoint Astrology Journal

For March 23 to 29, 2009

By Pam Younghans



Note: If you are unable to read or copy the text below, please visit the "Journal" page of my website at www.northpointastrology.com.

We are challenged this week to shift our perspective, to look forward instead of continuing to relive history, to harness our innate wisdom and courage and release the patterns and beliefs that have undermined our ability to begin anew... These are the imperatives before us now, and the intentions of the Pluto-Sun square that begins our week.

A square is a turning point, when we meet a wall and must find out whether the encounter means our road has ended, or if it actually means it's time to think in new ways about the wall itself. A wall may be an ending point, but it may also be our opportunity to find solutions that we hadn't seen before.

Technically, if the road continues on the other side of the wall, we have several options: we can go around, go over, or even go under the wall if we have the right tools and the energy needed. Or maybe there's even a hidden passageway that we don't notice at first, that suddenly becomes apparent if we just shift our vision enough to see it...

But does the road continue? In truth, the road always continues, but it may look different once we're on the other side of the wall. Or, we may find that the road doesn't take up again where we expected it would, but rather begins again from another point, or else veers off unexpectedly in ways that we couldn't see from our original vantage point.

Still, we may decide that this particular road is no longer of our choosing, and that is also an option. Only the individual heart knows whether the current path holds the highest potential for growth and fulfillment, and whether continuing on or finding a new path is most in alignment with the soul's journey.

As the Sun in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn square off on Monday, we may come face-to-face with the ways we have been using the energies of assertiveness and anger, how we've been taking or abdicating leadership, ignoring or overly catering to the needs of others, or initiating projects without clear goals in mind.

Pluto wants to make sure that before we go any further on our path, we've seen what patterns have been interfering with our success to this point, so that we can begin this new season and any new endeavors with greater clarity and a stronger sense of personal empowerment.

Mercury joins the Sun and Venus in Aries on Wednesday, in time for all three planets to align with the New Moon on Thursday (9:07am PDT). This is the first New Moon of the new astrological year that began with the Equinox last Friday (March 20), so it not only gives us hints as to how the coming year may unfold, but also offers opportunities for us to focus now on what we want to manifest over the next 12 months.

It appears the the cleansing process will continue, at least for a while, since Pluto squares the Sun-Moon-Mercury-Venus stellium in the New Moon chart. We will begin many new endeavors over the next few months, and will be continually challenged to make sure they are in alignment with our highest purpose and greatest integrity. As our projects pass each test, they will strengthen and gain momentum.

The group of planets in Aries also favorably aspects the Nodes at the time of the New Moon. This indicates we'll have a lot of cosmic support in releasing the negative traits associated with the South Node in Leo: stubbornness, melodramatics and reactionism, a reliance on the approval or appreciation of others, and doing what is expected instead of following the heart.

In place of those tendencies, we'll be supported in developing the positive traits associated with the North Node in Aquarius: an ability to see the bigger picture and think outside of the box, a willingness to share and participate with others, a knowing of our own truth, and a growing level of consciousness.

Our job is to become increasingly aware of when we have stepped forward energetically, and when we have reverted to the "old ways" of handling the challenges and opportunities that arise. There is a sense that reality is splitting somehow, and that we are bouncing back and forth between the old and the new -- feeling quite uncomfortable, anxious and depressed when handling things from the old perspective, and feeling more energized and even hopeful when embracing the new way of being.

As the energies reaching the planet become of increasingly higher vibration, the contrast between the old way and the new way widens. This is the polarity of the ongoing Uranus-Saturn opposition, which challenges us to responsibly make the changes that will help us become more fully spiritual human beings, rather than fearfully accepting the limitations seen by humans who only dream of being spiritual.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon at 7 degrees Aries reads:

"A man succeeds in expressing himself simultaneously in two realms: The first realization of the dual nature of man and of the possibilities it implies."

It's interesting to read that symbol right after having written about the feeling that "reality is splitting." The interpretive description of the symbol continues:

"A situation which has become characterized by this symbol can be successfully faced if its spiritual and material implications are understood and actualized."

We are, very much, both spiritual and human -- and the paradox is confusing at times. But understanding the purpose of it all, and how we are here, at this time in history, to meld the two roles, will help us do just that.

On Friday, Pluto and Jupiter form a semisquare -- not quite as powerful as a square, but a challenge to the old ways all the same. Astrologer Bil Tierney writes that the semisquare:

" ...serves as a psychological warning flag, indicating where we are congested in our attitudes and unwisely stubborn concerning the need for personal change. Our unconscious attachment to habit is being challenged here for the benefit of our own growth... We best utilize the semisquare by developing a willingness to make practical, minor adjustments. This allows us to turn this level of tension into a moblizing force necessary for useful activity."

Jupiter and Pluto are in their separation phase, having been conjunct in Sagittarius in December 2007. This means that events now are a subtle but important test of the shifts that occurred at that time, and the beliefs that came into being as a result. This is a time of refinement and, since Pluto is involved, a time for weeding out the vestiges of negative thinking and paranoia that may still remain in our energy fields, and therefore continue to color our interpretation of reality.

Mercury is closely involved in this Pluto-Jupiter interaction, being both semisquare Jupiter and square Pluto on Friday. It appears to be especially important that we monitor our conscious thoughts and our verbal interactions as a means to uncover the beliefs and thought patterns that have been creating our reality. And, if we find that what is beneath the surface is not to our liking, we have the power of Pluto and the exuberance of Jupiter to assist us in doing the release work needed.

If we're looking for a keyword for this week, I would choose "cleansing." This is supported both by the fact that Pluto, who is so active energetically now, is known for his ability to reveal and release the negative -- and because Frog has hopped into view more than once in the last couple of days.

My sister-in-law called earlier this week to tell us that there had been an unusual frog on her doorstep when she got home from work. The photo she sent us showed a beautiful green tree frog in her hands. And synchronistically last night, a life-long friend called from a walk she was taking, so that I could hear by phone the grand chorus of frogs she was listening to.

According to my well-worn "Medicine Cards" book:

"All water rites belong to Frog, including all initiations by water. Water prepares and cleanses the body for sacred ceremony... Frog sings the songs that bring the rain and make the road dirt more bearable. Frog teaches us to honor our tears, for they cleanse the soul. Like Frog, we are asked to know when it is time to refresh, purify, and refill the coffers of the soul."

So, this week, we are encouraged to do important work with Pluto and with Frog energy, by purposefully cleansing our energy fields of the dirt from the road, and preparing for the sacred journey ahead.

Blessings,

Pam

My three-part article on the Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter alignment of May 2009 is now posted at www.northpointastrology.com/articles.html. If you would like PDFs of the article, please e-mail pam@... with the subject line: May 2009 Alignment.

Highlighted planetary aspects for this week, March 23 to 29, 2009

Monday: Pluto square Sun; Tuesday: Neptune conjunct Juno, Chiron semisquare Venus; Wednesday: Mercury enters Aries; Thursday: New Moon 9:07am PDT, Sun sextile North Node; Friday: Jupiter semisquare Mercury, Pluto square Mercury, Pluto semisquare Jupiter, Venus conjunct Sun; Saturday: Venus conjunct Mercury; Sunday: Neptune square Vesta, Chiron semisquare Sun

About the Journal

Astrologer Pam Younghans writes the weekly NorthPoint Journal based on planetary influences, offering perspectives and insights to assist in the utilization of current energies. The information contained in the Journal is not intended as prediction. Insights into how these energies will work with you specifically can be gained through exploring how the planetary energies are affecting your astrological chart.




Thought for the Week
Acknowledging your feelings can lead to deeper self-realization because your feelings are always the key to figuring out your beliefs. Once you have identified the belief behind the feeling, acknowledge the role of the belief, then release it and replace it with a more empowered outlook.
Quoted from Path to Empowerment: Pleiadian Wisdom for a World in Chaos by Barbara Marciniak



http://www.northpointastrology.com