by Teri Parsley Starnes

Teri’s interest with astrology lies with helping people see how following a practice of intention and self-awareness leads to a fuller relationship with Mystery. Astrology is a wonderful tool for this. Her weekly column orients readers to the seasonal energy of
each month’s Sun sign in order to set magical/mindful intention for the lunar month beginning at the New Moon.

Each week Teri will write about the unfolding energies that support and challenge our intentions. The ebb and flow of the lunar cycle resides deep in our souls. Through following the phases of the Moon, we remember the natural cycles that guide us.

Astrologers divide the lunar month into eight phases. These are:
New Moon: Dreaming
Crescent Moon: Beginning
First Quarter Moon: Manifesting
Gibbous Moon: Perfecting
Full Moon: Illuminating
Disseminating Moon: Sharing
Last Quarter Moon: Evaluating
Balsamic Moon: Surrendering

Come follow the Moon as we practice intentional awareness together.

Forecast for March 23, 2015—March 29

Bold ‘n shy meets the portal of change: or why I feel like hiding under the covers a bit longer. The “Piscariean” lunar cycle* that began right on the cusp between Pisces and Aries is shaping up to be a doozy. Last week’s Super Moon Solar Eclipse has indeed birthed us into a new world. But do we feel we ready? Aries, the inaugurating energy of this lunar cycle is about the seedling’s first bold push out of the warming earth to reach for the sky. But just as we begin to feel comfortable unfurling a leaf or two, a hard frost may come and take the wind right out of those sails. Aries is used to expanding and contracting. Feeling courageous and then immediately insecure. Spring weather is variable. So is Aries’ confidence. Did I really mean to make that irrevocable decision last week? Can I get out of it now? As the month goes on, surer footing will help us move out of this dance between emergence and retreat. But don’t be surprised if you feel super wobbly right now. I know I do. 

The week before us seems a little less dramatic than last one, which included the final Uranus/Pluto square (given extra zip by Mars in Aries), a Super Moon Solar Eclipse, and the Equinox. However, we are still feeling the fallout. Fire, earth, and water signs are tenanted by planets giving us better access to balancing, stabilizing energy, but we’ve been deficient in air signs since Mercury left Aquarius mid- March. Air gives us perspective, a chance at clarity. So, many of us may be longing for a chance to breathe and think. This week when the Moon is in Gemini, another air sign, we have the opportunity to get a detached look at emotion, instinct, and action. What has been going on in your world? Do you have all the information you need to take your next steps? Do you need to slow down a bit? The question may be how can air and earth help us to see beyond the immediate steps to look with long-vision into what we hope to accomplish.

The end of the week includes a square between Venus in Taurus and Jupiter in Leo. In three weeks, Jupiter will station direct to begin its final transit through this sign, to be completed in August. Jupiter’s transit of a sign provides the opportunity to see the value of that sign. We get to learn why Leo, in this instance, is important to all of us. This square by Venus is another chance to recognize what Leo means to us. Venus and Jupiter in a challenging aspect can encourage over-indulgence. With the signs of Taurus and Leo, we might experience an over-indulgence in spending or eating. The tension between Leo issues, like needing to be special, and Taurus issues, like security attachment, offer a chance to get more clarity and rebalance these affairs in our lives.

Mars has been in Aries since February 19. Next week, Mars leaves Aries, which it rules, to enter Taurus. During this last week of firey feelings, decisions, and actions, start to notice what this burst of energy has given you. This is the gift and the burden of what this Aries cycle also offers. Sometimes, in spite of knowing better, we have to take a leap. Mars and Aries are allies in moving us out of stale patterns to try the next thing. There will be successes and there will be failures. Without focusing too much on exterior/interior judgments, can you feel the life force moving through it all? Welcome, Spring. 

Forecast for March 23, 2015—March 29

Moon in Taurus
March 23—Crescent Moon: Beginning. Time to get our bearings. This lunar cycle began with a portal into the unknown. The opening, created by a Solar Eclipse at the last degree of Pisces, has given us a great opportunity to shed the things we no longer need as we begin the next cycle around the Sun. We have twelve months and twelve signs, beginning with Aries, to live our lives with intention, mindfullness, and participation in the world we are co-creating. The crescent phase of the Moon brings attention to the beginning of our beginnings. Where will you go next?

The Moon in Taurus is a great asset in finding our bearings. Every fire sign—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—is immediately followed by an earth sign—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earthy Taurus provides a welcome check to the previous two months (Pisces and Aries) of big feelings and big decisions. Taurus asks us to slow down, find the sustainable way to approach things, and to remember all the wisdom that our bodies and the Earth itself gives. We start the day under the influence of the Taurus Moon squaring Jupiter in Leo. We might be bristling a bit under the sudden braking of forward momentum. This is OK. Every expansive release is followed by contraction. The rest of the day feels supportive and productive with the Moon making favorable aspects to Pluto and Mercury.

Moon enters Gemini 8:22 am CDT
Tuesday, March 24. For the next two days, the Moon in Gemini provides air, the only air. Gemini gives perspective through the pursuit of information, diverse conversations, or appreciating polar opposites. Gemini is also a very busy sign and hates to be bored. Couple this instinct with two other influences today: Venus sextile Pluto—giving power to our desires for sustainable security, and Mercury in conjunction with Chiron—opening our hearts to the vulnerabilities within and around us. We may be inpatient to bring healing and solutions to our problems. Later the Moon opposes Saturn in Sagittarius and squares Neptune in Pisces, emphasizing the important influence of this ongoing transit. Truth is relative but doesn’t feel that way. With all the passions floating about recently, be careful of your certainties.

Moon in Gemini
Wednesday, March 25. I love that curiosity is one of the qualities of enlightenment. Today’s transits encourage this state of mind. The Moon in Gemini makes favorable contacts to Jupiter in Leo and Uranus in Aries. Revolutionary fervor is rekindled but from the perspective of wondering, “What would happen if I … .” Let’s see where that takes us today. Be on the lookout for random bits of information that offer a new perspective. Synchronicity is a game. The Sun in Aries is trine to Saturn in Sagittarius. This connection really boosts new projects, goals, and intentions for the month and perhaps the year. Look for support. Towards the end of the day there could be misunderstandings around emotion and intellect. It isn’t either/or.

Moon enters Cancer 2:45 pm CDT
Thursday, March 26. Overstimulation may have made last night’s sleep less than restful. A supportive but agitating aspect between the Moon and Mars this morning contributes to impatience. Then the Moon goes into “rest mode” for the day. This could be a relief if the Gemini energy of the last two days was too much. Think back over these days anyway. What new ideas or contacts came your way? Did you delight in synchronicity? Do you see your problems in a new way? Thank the air Moon. For the next three days we drop down into Cancer nesting. Bubbling up from the depths, emotions inform our moods and desires.

Moon in Cancer
March 27—First Quarter Moon: Manifesting. So, we’ve emerged into Spring, ready to take on discovering who we are and what our next steps should be. Like a rocket fired from a cannon, much of the impetus for change has taken over and done lots of the work for us so far, but we didn’t think everything would be a piece of cake from here on out, did we? Resolves will be tested at this phase of the Moon. Doubts arise from the emotion-based realm of memories and insecurities. Though it can hurt, this is good. The Cancer Moon gives a good challenge to Aries bravado. Needs go deep and should not be ignored for the sake of forward momentum. When we stop to consider not only our own feelings, but those of others, we gain compassion and wisdom, necessary ingredients to our beginnings this year.

The Cancer Moon opens our receptivity to emotion and compassion through a trine aspect with Neptune in the morning (CDT). A favorable contact between the Moon and Venus builds upon this compassion with the understanding that everyone needs support and security. Under this umbrella of empathy, the Moon also triggers the Uranus/Pluto square that is still influential. Security needs meet the shadow side of power and revolution. Rather than try to tell you what this means, I have a question for us: How do we change the systems of corruption while acknowledging how terribly vulnerable we all feel? Small actions can bring healing. Honor your home, whatever that means to you.

The square between Venus in Taurus and Jupiter in Leo gives us a chance to rebalance security needs with self-expression needs. Taurus provides a container for Leo’s exuberance. The checks and balances between earth and fire help us create sustainably.

Moon in Cancer
Saturday, March 28. It may be hard to find the words to express anger, but we have ample resource to how we are feeling. Work out the differences around independence and interdependence. Mars in Aries is taking a stand for self-reliance. The Cancer Moon needs reassurance that we are connected and supportive of each other.

Moon enters Leo 12:48 am CDT
Sunday, March 29. This day is marked by a grand fire trine of Moon in Leo, Sun in Aries, and Saturn in Sagittarius. This trio encourages a trust in our gut instincts, a desire to express our individuality, and energetic renewal. Life force is flowing; tap into it and let it recharge your batteries. What do you need to infuse with joy, creativity, and passion? Take this fire into those places. Saturn offers commitment, integrity, and grounding, even in a fire sign. Let this bolster the ways you may be pushing yourself into the unknown.

 

*Read about the beginning of the Pisces/Aries cusp lunar cycle on my blog

 

Contact Teri at teri@starsdanceastrology.com and visit her website at www.starsdanceastrology.com to learn about booking a reading of your chart.