“Misty water-colored memories” is an incredible lyric from
the film The Way We Were. The lyric and film title may very well be
the theme for March 2019. It accurately
describes the emotions sifting through us now as we head into some key cosmic
gear shifts.
Watery Neptune rules Pisces.
Both the Sun, our will, and Messenger Mercury (communication) cycle
through this illusory sign as March opens.
In other words, we act, think and speak like a Pisces. So let’s take a good look at both planet and
sign. Neptune and Pisces govern distinct
polarities: the saintly/angelic realm
and conversely, the imprisoned, derelict and downtrodden. Think Mother Theresa or the homeless
beggar. So too are the distinctly
contrasting qualities of Pisces:
pristine clarity, divine intuition, dreams, OR, delusion, deception,
disillusionment. Crystal blue water vs.
thick fog. Neptune and Pisces rule
anything ephemeral, what you can’t quite touch or put your arms around: film, memories, glamor, fame, poetry, lyrics,
music, the entire subconscious realm, escapism, faith and fear.
This most mystical sign represents our soul and our shadow. Brilliant light or utter darkness. Because we cannot grasp hold of anything
Neptunian, the elusive and seductive lessons it teaches are often the most difficult
for humans to learn. Everyone knows
someone always chasing a shiny object just out of reach, a fantasy that keeps
slipping away. We also know people who
walk in the limelight, much sought after and emulated no matter what they do
or don’t do. This is Neptune and
Pisces. Otherworldly. Tantalizing.
Chiaroscuro, chimera and Film Noir come to mind. So do drugs, alcohol, con artists and spin
doctors.
And as we wind on down the road
Our Shadows Taller than our Souls
There walks a lady we all know
Who Shines white light and wants to show -- Led Zepplin
And as we wind on down the road
Our Shadows Taller than our Souls
There walks a lady we all know
Who Shines white light and wants to show -- Led Zepplin
As earthly beings living in a material world, how do we
navigate Neptune and Pisces? One
word: Faith. Faith in ourselves, our gut feelings, primal instincts
and intuition. That strong knowing that burbles up from our center
when a dilemma is posed.
As March 2019 opens, we face such a dilemma: do we keep the fantasy going, keep believing
in the spin charade we tell ourselves OR do we trust and act upon our inner
guidance of what we know and feel is actually true?
The good news is we have key cosmic help to discern illusion
vs. reality this month. On March 1st,
Venus shifts into inventive Aquarius.
Removed and detached in this air sign, we can assess relationships with
nearly scientific eyes. The planet of
love and money remains in Aquarius for the balance of March, helping us to sift
through events, situations, problems and conflicts with an observational,
hands-off approach. Aquarian Venus is
about ideas, innovation and solutions; keeps our emotional fingers from getting
dirty. Use this to your advantage if you
feel the clouds of fear start to descend inside your mind.
And the clouds will make a run at you for sure when a few
days later, Messenger Mercury turns retrograde at the final degree of Pisces,
sending a strong message: It is time,
high past time for reflection. Due to
its retrograde passage, Mercury will be in Pisces for an exceptionally long
time this year…from mid- February through mid-April, three times as long as its
normal cycle in a sign. This emphasizes
the need for reflection that much more. “I’m not
going anywhere til you review this thoroughly…” says Mercury in Pisces.
Working backwards into watery, emotional Pisces for the rest
of March, passing over Neptune as it goes, our mind, thoughts and words seek
clarity. Or escapism. Oh yes, there’s that pesky choice between our
soul and shadow. The caution here is a
FLOOD of fear-based thoughts and emotions or wild urge to escape reality. Without much effort you can slide down a
slippery slope into the shadow’s dark hollows. If you feel yourself sliding,
channel fear away from the abyss toward positive directions by practicing
grounding routines: walking in nature,
exercising, or being with animals.
Again, we are helped by the New Moon the very next day March
6th. All New Moons help us
clarify our goals and wishes for the coming month. However, tightly conjoined to Neptune, this
New Moon on the 6th especially affords pristine insight. Dial into your inner vision. Focus. Tune in to your intuition. Handwrite 3-5 goals you want to work on and manifest
over the next few weeks.
If you need guidance discerning your needs, ask, what do you
want your life to look like? Financial
freedom? New Job? Healthier
lifestyle? New partner? Yes we are each facing pressures and the urge
to escape ALL of it, to run
away. But the old adage rings truer than
ever before: “wherever you go, there you
are.” Sure sitting on a beach in Mexico sipping a cocktail or getting high
sounds appealing; but sooner or later reality comes a calling.
All the possible Mercury retrograde snafus will keep it real
enough: watch for technical ticks, avoid signing major
contracts, booking travel, buying big ticket items (appliances, cars, homes,
ANY technology), or launching new businesses.
Do practice the RE words:
research, rest, restore, renew, revisit, rekindle, recharge, refresh,
and so on. Given the time frame of this
passage, March 5-27th, it is excellent
for spring cleaning. Go completely
Marie Kondo and clean out all storage spaces, files, closets, attics,
garages. You will be amazed what
treasures you will find and how good you’ll feel afterward.
Urging our efforts onward, change agent Uranus shifts into
earthy Taurus, finding value in everything you uncover during Mercury
retrograde. Together, they are a one-two
punch wake-up call. The Great Awakener,
Uranus rules earthquakes, shocks, surprises and sudden events. Its shift into Taurus occurs on the New Moon. Awake yet? Pay attention and focus. Otherwise you are in for a proverbial rude
awakening. For the next 7, yes, seven,
years, Uranus cycles through Taurus questioning our values, worth, relationship
to money, evaluating and yes awakening our skills and talents.
With Motivating Mars already in Taurus, the money sign, our
desire to get real and be real keeps our feet on the ground. From March 11-23, Mars aligns helpfully with
heavyweights Saturn and Pluto in ambitious Capricorn and Mercury-Neptune in Pisces. This combination is amazing for
taking action on plans, to build and manifest your dreams.
By the Spring Equinox on March 20th, the Sun
pivots into warrior Aries joining Chiron the wounded healer. Feel the Spring Fever to get going already. Accentuated by the Full Moon on the exact
same day, you may want to bust down doors to push forward. Not so fast.
Plot and plan, do your research this third week March 21-27. You will find this week is a proverbial, “he
who takes his time” pays off in spades.
March 27th, Venus enters Pisces where she loves
most to be, giving selflessly to all, unifying us, believing all is possible,
the same day Messenger Mercury turns direct motion conjoined to Neptune. Proceed with contracts, major purchases and
signing documents. This planetary trio
says when you build it they will come, and they (insert customers, clients,
guests, partner, lover) are really thirsty for whatever you have to offer. We have waited for so long for this
moment. Make the deposit, invest in your
future, break free from the past, launch your business, take a chance. Now, now, now.
Of Special Note:
Please join me at the annual "Celebration of Reiki" conference on Sunday, April 28th. The conference will be held at the Marriott, in Newton, MA. I am thrilled to present my talk, "Trials and Triumphs of Reiki Volunteering: Why We Do It," from 3-4 pm. To register for this amazing event covering all facets of Reiki, please go to www.celebrationofreiki.org. SEE YOU THERE!