Celestial Notebook Overview March 2009

‘Enlightenment is not imagining figures of light but making the darkness conscious.’ C. G. Jung

For most of March the Sun, indicator of our essence, is in Pisces (). Pisces is the zodiac’s twelfth and final sign. A common misconception is to think of Pisces only as representing the end. This is because our conditioning has taught us to think in linear terms – probably as a result of our over-identification with materiality.

Esoterically, Pisces – although indeed the end – is also the beginning. The growth of consciousness is cyclic and best symbolised by the spiral: the culmination of each level leads inevitably to the beginning of the next level.

In Pisces we come to the phase of evolution which has as its goal our ultimate withdrawal from materiality. We are reminded that matter is only a means for expression, growth and creativity. When the credit crunch bites deeply, we are all be reminded that our soul is being prepared for higher levels of expression and development.

Pisces is ruled by Neptune () on the physical level and by Pluto () on the spiritual level. Neptune’s force dissolves in the individual’s consciousness the illusions of the material plane. Those who have always been goal-oriented will feel completely disoriented by our vastly changing world and could lose their sense of purpose and direction for a while. The best course of action this month is to go where the clarity is: the issues in which you are enmeshed may be unresolvable at the present moment; the more you focus on it, the more entangled you become. Do things you enjoy; as a result you will be more open and invite in exactly the energy you need.

Pluto also represents the destruction of form and the liberation of the soul. Pluto is forging ahead in the first degrees of Capricorn (). Capricorn is a cardinal sign and is thus associated with new impulses and new beginnings. What needs to be transformed must first be exposed. What we’re seeing at the moment is the dredging up of some unpalatable facts and damaging patterns concerning the management (Capricorn) of resources and people.

What you need to explore is how you have been managing your personal resources – be it your finances, your health or your support systems? It is time to assess whether you have been investing your energy in that which makes your heart feel light: where are you in your life, where do you want to go and who is heading your way?

Saturn (), the ruler of Capricorn, is retrograde, traversing 18°, 17° and 16° Virgo () – the same degrees he negotiated during October last year. Saturn transits correspond with the crumbling of whatever structures that have outlived their purpose – what do you need to let go of now that in actual fact you already knew then? Saturn in Virgo calls to us to work smarter rather than harder; are you in service or in servitude?

Venus (), the planet of valuing our self in relationship to others and the world, turns retrograde on 6 March at 15° 26’ Aries (). She turns direct again on 17 April at 29° 15’ Pisces (the degree where she was during the first three days in February). Venus’ retrograde passage encourages us to reassess how much our life reflects our values.

Since July 2008, Venus has been rising as Hesperus, the Evening Star. She reached her highest position in the sky on 14 January after which she has been gradually descending to the horizon, and will be disappearing from view on 24 March. Venus retrograde (seemingly reversing against the backdrop of the stars) supports our descent into our own underworld – a process necessary for our healing and wholeness.

While Venus is retrograde we will be made aware of any unfinished business that needs completing; we will be confronted by ancient grudges and pains and introduced to what needs healing and purifying within our self. An important theme will be forgiveness – not only in our relationships but, more importantly, in our relationship with our self. The degree of discord we experience during this time signals the distance we are from our core values and higher creative inspirations. It is a time to explore our true needs for love and nourishment and to examine our capacity to receive. (See the Daily Guide for more information about the Venus cycle.)

We are coming to the end of a cycle and we are setting new intentions; for Pisces these come from the heart not the head – from the soul not the ego. This month we need to focus on having the faith to revalue our life’s experiences, to create the space for a fresh vision – to see the bigger picture more openly.

Allow a deep inner peace to arise: the peace of deeply understanding the cyclic nature of matter. This too shall pass..........