February 20th ~ 27th
“Sir Galahad” by Arthur Hughes
The spiritual warrior hides from nothing. We jump into the fire, we dive into the ocean. We become the sea. ~ Charlotte Sophia Kasl
Eclipse seasons can be exhausting. Along with the eclipsed light of the Sun and Moon, all else seems to be fading as well, siphoning our energy like so much water down a drain. These eclipses contain such an abundance of energy, and yet without the bandwidth to hold it all. One thing that often becomes apparent at each Eclipse season, is that there are forces at hand that are so much larger than ourselves, and there’s no telling where we will land when all is said and done.
Just 3 days after the Solar Eclipse on February 17th Saturn and Neptune perfect their conjunction at 0º Aries 45’. At the very first degree of the first sign of the Tropical Zodiac, this conjunction of Saturn and Neptune speaks of potential. A new beginning is emerging out of the chaos that exists between the two eclipses. This is where the fates weave our destinies at the foot of the sacred Tree of Life. And also where and when the Gods speak to us in whispers, and challenge us to fulfill our destinies.
Saturn entering Aries is the General in command of the Army. We are being asked to take up that challenge, which may require us to let go of the familiar shore. So we stand here rather conflicted and yet inspired at the same time. We now know that the only way to reach the farther shore, is to release the bow lines, and take those first steps out into the unknown. Even if it is only baby steps at first. Even if it requires certain sacrifices, even in the face of utter chaos, Saturn is asking us to lean in, have courage, organize, prepare, be strategic, and proceed. We are being told to write our own song, the song that is to be sung for the heroes at the end of their lives. Be your own hero.
From the perspective of Saturn, the Aries world is a world in which dog eats dog, where we dominate or be dominated. Saturn enters Aries wearing a shield. We all feel a little defensive in Saturn in Aries weather. But we do so while also readying ourselves to meet the competition. Saturn in Aries is the general, gathering the forces and readying the troops for battle. So although there is some resistance to the New with Saturn, once he gets engaged in the new expectations, the new world, the new everything, there is no stopping him. Or us.
Before Neptune and Saturn entered Aries we were being asked to connect with Spirit, to our Ideals, to the Greater Good, to the things that matter most to us in our heart of hearts. To that which invests our lives with meaning. So ask: What are the things that really matter in the end? So much so that you would be willing to take a stand, and make certain sacrifices for it? It’s time to get serious, and it’s time to get tough. Aries is a sign of courage and initiative. And that is true even in the face of what might feel like despair and disenchantment.
Fear of the unknown can thrive in this weather. Saturn/Neptune transits can bring Loss, they can also bring the Fear of loss. The structures that we previously relied on are no longer available, and we struggle to maintain our footing in this weather. It is our job to battle the monsters that emerge out of the shadows at these times. It requires courage, strength and belief in ourselves. Thankfully, Pluto sitting in the wings (and sextile Saturn/Neptune) can bring us the strength and determination that is needed to build better structures and systems that will further support our vision for the future.
Neptune is idealistic. It is visionary and not of this world. Saturn is cold hard reality. This may appear at first to dash all your dreams to smithereens. To believe that all is hopeless. Know that this is not necessarily so. Actually, it is because you are being given something of a reality check, that you become aware of what is or is not possible. Because it is within the context of the way things actually are, and not what you hope them to be, or prefer them to be, that we can actually make progress. What Saturn/Neptune weather does do, is test our Faith. For this is when we are being asked to put our Ideals, and our Faith, into application.
We have the potential to manifest our dreams: Neptune is a planet that inspires. Saturn gathers the necessary facts and tools that can give that inspiration form. Neptune is visionary, vast and filled with potential. Saturn is methodical, paying attention to all the details that would otherwise be overlooked. Together they can bring the commitment and determination to do the work that is necessary in order to make those dreams a closer and more achievable reality, and see it through to its completion.
Sacrificing for an ideal: With both Saturn and Neptune in Aries and conjunct, we can see the birth of a new creative vision, purpose or ideal. And if we perceive this to be worthwhile, it can also inspire the willingness to make whatever sacrifices are necessary in order to see that happen. This can be for something that we perceive to be much higher than ourselves: an ideal, a cause, a spiritual or creative vision for the future, or some sort of compassionate service. Something that feels much greater than our mere mortal selves.
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. ~ C.S. Lewis
Much can be revealed in Eclipse weather. And it is all we can do to process it all, and make sense of it. So it may actually be something of a blessing that Mercury makes its retrograde station on February 25/26th in the contemplative sign of Pisces. We are closing out a cycle. Endings are making way for beginnings. There is so much to process.
When Mercury is in Pisces we are asked to speak from our heart center. Pisces is a sign that does not need words to do so. Words are not only unnecessary, sometimes they get in the way. They mislead. They obfuscate. They get lost in translation. They fail at conveying the essential meaning of things, which in Pisces are merely felt, heart to heart, and soul to soul.
When Mercury entered its shadow it also made an exact conjunction to the North Node, also in Pisces. Gathering, collaborating, reflecting on the previous cycle that is now closing… When Mercury makes its direct station at the Equinox, it will be conjunct the North Node once again. Like a transcendental road map, Mercury is trying to get us all on track. But in order to do this well we are going to have to listen for the voice in the silence, the whispers in the night, the messages without words. It takes trust, belief and insight to understand these messages. But doing so can do nothing less than show us the way forwards.
There will be distractions. There will be upsets and sudden shifts. All the more reason to make this important connection with our innermost selves. Meditate. Read poetry and scripture. Pray. Chant. Love. Write your Song. For it is this that will transcend the chaos and cast the tricksters aside. This is our homework and also our medicine for the week.
Listen to yourself, and in that quietude, you might hear the voice of God. ~ Maya Angelou
For this week’s horoscopes betwixt and between the eclipses, click below: