Certain planets continue to strike a dissonant chord this week, and that lack of celestial harmony turns daily interactions harsh, unpleasant, and hard to handle. For those of you who wish I would tell a different story about the stars, I wish I had a different story too, but unfortunately, this week is even more intense than last week. Tempers flare and grudges turn vocal, as emotional stress over issues of survival becomes overwhelming. What’s more, a persistent urge for personal freedom drives the intensity as it simultaneously pushes against patience, and the combination makes the meekest of us mighty over matters big and small. The antidote to the edginess is an expansive, optimistic outlook. I’m not advising denial, I’m simply suggesting an attitude and approach that will help you to navigate through the maze of irritated emotional bodies, including your own.
The origin of difficulty is the ongoing Mars/Pluto opposition, which is exact and separating on March 7. We’ve been experiencing the buildup of tension from this opposition for a couple of weeks, but it’s when these hard interactions separate that we really feel the impact. Mars symbolizes physical energy that needs to move. Pluto signifies power. And when these two stand off, our earthly issues of control, manipulation, and supremacy feel as if they are the only game. Authority figures of all sorts — bosses, supervisors, or managers — who regularly abuse their position become intolerable. And underlings everywhere feel the urge to rise up and take a stand against injustice.
Stirring that urge this week and for the next several weeks, several planets are promoting revolution, personal and collective. This week, a Sun/Uranus conjunction feeds the need to break free from whatever enslaves, whether those bonds are physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. The Sun is the primary creative force, Uranus runs a close second, and when they work together, they stimulate originality and challenge the status quo. Jupiter sextiles this Sun/Uranus conjunction, creating the possibility of great and surprising joy. But given the difficult undertow of the Mars/Pluto opposition, it may not be possible to readily access and experience that joy until the beginning of next week, when the stress of that opposition is receding.
This week, do your best to avoid getting embroiled in harmful activity of any kind. Harsh judgments and punishing diatribes will only fall on deaf ears, even and especially if the person you are berating is yourself.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.
Aries March 21-April l9
Personal peace needs to be created internally before it can be established externally. Devote yourself to rooting your mind in compassion, and you’ll ground your life in a fertile and fulfilling environment.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Build a bridge between your material aspirations and your spiritual practice. But don’t confuse this with spiritual materialism. Integrating your values into the fabric of daily life will create patterns that support a joyous attitude.
Gemini May 21-June 21
No matter how busy you are, take good care of yourself by replenishing your inner reserves. If you make time for quiet contemplation, you’ll build the internal strength to support a multitude of external activities.
Cancer June 22-July 22
On one hand, the devil is in the details, but on the other, what’s small sometimes carries a significant weight. Pay attention to every necessary aspect of your plan, and you’ll be pleased with your success.
Leo July 23-August 22
You are not limited to one role — you can be anyone you choose, as long as you are willing to embody that role fully. If you commit with your whole heart for as long as necessary, you will learn volumes about what it means to be you.
Virgo August 23-September 22
While this sounds like a cliché, you are more than the sum of your parts, and all that you do, thoughts, words, and deeds, contribute to the whole of you. Live as if each moment matters, and the totality of your creation will be satisfying and rewarding.
Libra September 23-October 22
This is an “all you, all the time” phase of life, but given the current “air,” your actions could be construed as narcissistic. The best way to prevent being misunderstood would be to encourage others to be equally focused on personal expression.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
You can spend your time being angry about your situation, or you can figure out what you’re going to do about it. Sounds simple, but understanding how to take responsibility without dissolving in blame will take time and practice.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
If you depend on others for your joy, you’re likely to feel like a leaf blowing in the wind. Rely on yourself to create a happy life, and even if it takes time and lots and lots and lots of practice, you’ll create a strong center built on true and lasting values.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Commit to your wisdom by taking responsibility, but don’t confuse this with blame. What you’re facing is not about punishment, it’s about distilling wisdom from experience, and then allowing yourself to grow.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Sometimes it is actually all about perception — how you see the world, as well as how the world sees you. Notice where you are trapped in an illusion and you will begin to solve the riddle of why others don’t quite see you as you see yourself.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Your dreams will inspire a greater understanding of the just how big a role unconscious intention plays in daily life. All you have to do is attune even more deeply to your internal experience through intuition, meditation, and contemplation, and you will begin to connect the dots with greater clarity.
