Spring Equinox 2009 - The Promise of a New Beginning

This year the Vernal or Spring Equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20^th. As always, the Spring Equinox marks the halfway point between the depths of winter and the heights of summer. This is the day the sun crosses the equator moving northward, and is one of only two days a year when the daylight and the darkness are the most equal in length. In fact, the word we use for these moments - equinox - comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night) or "equal night."

Like the solstices, the equinoxes are a time of tremendous release. Energy that has been building for weeks finally has a place to go. In this case, it goes - or should go - to begin whatever your personal version of the harvest cycle is all over again. The thing I love the most about the Spring Equinox is it's place in the wheel of the year. In the seasons, it is the beginning of spring. Astrologically it is a temporary moment of equilibrium and balance. And as far as Shabbat days are concerned, the Spring Equinox is the great cosmic, karmic re-boot. It is a chance to start over.

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But you have to be smart about it. You cannot simply start over again in the same old place doing the same old things in the same old way. You have to have learned from your mistakes. You have to show up differently. Which can be risky. And it can feel at times more than a little freaky and intense. Like a trail that suddenly becomes rocky, a bit darker, and uphill.

This is where your faith, discipline and training comes in. And where it helps to the stars for guidance. As above, so below. Compared to some of the other Shabbat days, the equinoxes are always celebrated as the Sun moves from one sign to the other. With the Spring Equinox, the Sun moves from Pisces (the last sign of the western zodiac) into Aries (the first). In order to better understand and maximize the opportunities of this season, it is good to revisit the energies of these signs. And these two have energy to spare, believe me. And could not be more diverse.

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The Spirit of Pisces

Ruled by the planet Neptune, the God of the sea, the realm of Pisces is all things chaotic and mystical, watery and wild, frequently unpredictable and fairly uncontrollable. Like all signs, Pisces on a good day has the noblest of intentions. Like the sea, Pisces wants to dissolve our barriers and make us all one. Pisces has an almost insatiable need to be connected to others: other humans, other souls, other universal energies.

Where I see the Piscean drive and dilemma play out the most for people is in and around their emotions. Pisces rules the unmet emotional need that reside in all of us. Where Pisces is in your natal chart is where you absolutely cannot survive without love. Oh, that, and where you will go to any and all amazing lengths to get love, regardless of the consequences.

pisces heart

At the Spring Equinox, you are being asked to recognize where your unchecked emotions and neediness make you your own worst enemy. You are being asked to have compassion with yourself and others. You are being asked to come up with some better solutions - and then asked to at least try them - in order to get a better harvest, both emotionally and materially, in the coming harvest season.

Pisces also rules consciousness. And when the Sun is in Pisces you are given ample opportunity to become ever more so. But you don't have forever, in fact, you have about thirty days. So get as clear as you can while you can, because when the Sun moves into Aries, as it is right now, you gotta move. Con mucho gusto and with surgical precision.

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The Spirit of Aries

A fire sign, Aries is all about movement and action. Daring, decisive, and often forceful action. Because of this, one of the many symbols for Aries is that of the Charioteer. So when the Sun moves into Aries you get your first opportunities to test drive your theories and success strategies. Always exciting. And always revealing.

The tricky part for me about test driving anything is that it is so dang dual - such a mixed bag. The upside is you get confirmation of and on what is working and why. Yay! Love that part. Ever the competitor, Aries will always show you how to win.

But that compulsive quest for victory will also show you where your logic was thin and your strategy was ill-conceived and/or poorly executed. That part is usually a bit harder to love, though exceedingly necessary. But never fear, Aries - as the innovator, the inventor, the pioneer - will help you find solutions and build bridges from where you are to where you want to be.

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This spring, the realities of the international economic situation has made the stakes a lot higher and the margins for error a lot slimmer. Seriously. This spring, you absolutely have to demonstrate that you have learned from the mistakes of prior seasons. I am seeing a lot of people really freaking out over this. Specifically, it seems that many are now abundantly clear about what not to do. It is the healthier choices, the replacement behaviors, the "what do to instead" that has so many folks stymied.

And I am here to tell you it doesn't always have to. For most people in most moments, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You just have to pick up where you or others left off and carry the ball a little further down the field. Most all innovations and inventions are, after all, simply building on a body of pre-existing knowledge. Like the bold and intrepid Ram, sometimes blazing a new trail is simply a matter of picking a smart place to start and following your instinct and intuition.

separate ways

In closing, don't forget that the winter's eclipses and retrogrades have revealed much new information, on both macro and micro levels. And while new awarenesses can be painful, they are so necessary to the process. Take some time this equinox to review whatever your new insights are and what they do - or don't do - to your big picture, your vision for the coming year. And then make appropriate modifications.

In ancient times, the Spring Equinox was considered to be the time when you finished preparing the fields for planting and then began to sow the seeds for the season. A large part of the process has to be gratitude. Especially in times like these. Because so many have so much less this year, materially, gratitude can be pretty hard to come by. I am seeing a lot of people embroiled in epic efforts to reframe their experience of loss into one of grace. I want to thank you folks in particular. You do me a great honor by allowing me to be part of your processes. And I remain inspired by the leadership and heroism you display as you rise to these occasions. Keep watching the stars, and thanks for showing me the way!

Blessings,

Beth