Dear friends,

On the island of Yerba Buena, Spring has sprung! Flowers are budding. Asparagus is in the marketplace. Our minds know the newness. It's true - Messenger Mercury came round to the origin point of 0 Aries last Friday evening. In a few weeks King Sun will come to this point and the season will be official.

But perhaps some of us aren't feeling so spring-like today. All weekend we were experiencing Mars opposite Saturn, which was exact this morning. This will continue influence the day, but tough aspects are always easier separating than applying. 'Frustration' would be a mildly optimistic interpretation. Really it feels like bomb sirens or terrorist attacks could go off any minute. Mars opposite Saturn is the energy of war.

While most of the residents of Yerba Buena are enjoying the month-long love fest of Venus in Pisces, some people are a bit mopey. But at least they have an idea why - all the islanders know exactly when there Saturn transits begin and end. Feeling stuck? It really might be Saturn. Saturn is now retrograde and moving more slowly than ever. Since the beginning of 2005, Saturn has been at just 4 degrees: 20-24 Cancer. This means anyone with key planets or angles from about 17 - 27 Cancer are dealing with the planet of delays, heaviness, stress and negative thinking. These same degrees of Capricorn are getting opposed by Saturn, which may be even more difficult than the conjunction. 17 - 27 Libra and Aries aren't off the hook either - they both get the square. Saturn stations at 20 Cancer, spending a whole 7 weeks right on this degree. So the closer to 20 Cancer the stronger the effects.

What might you have at 20 Cancer? If Venus is nearby, your love life might be on hold. If Mercury, you may be thinking more negatively than usual. If your Moon, you might be flat out depressed. And so on with general meanings of other planets. Whatever house everyone has 20 Cancer is also being affected. I find it helpful just to know what is happening with Saturn and how long it is lasting!

But it is not *all* negative. Saturn transits do produce positive developments. Just as the infamous Saturn return, these changes may not be the easiest times in life. If we keep to our truth, though, we come away not just older but a bit wiser too.

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Star*Pearls posted to the web usually on Tuesday. If you like what you read, have it delivered to your email on Monday. Send a note to info at star pearls dot com to sign up!

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Star*Watch
All times PDT. See below for comments on other visible planets. The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun provides our orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects influence the energy of the day, and tells us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet aspects influence the energies for several days (sometimes weeks) before and even after the aspect depending on the nature of the planets involved.

Sun * in Pisces. The light of our world is in the sign of the great ocean. We explore various ways of connecting to the all - music, art, spiritual life. We take time to find wisdom within.

Moon * days 29 - 4 (new Moon is day 1. We are into the Dark of the Moon this week, some of the best times to clean up and let go.

Monday 3/7 * Moon in Aquarius. Ah, the relief of frustration - Mars oppose Saturn was exact this morning and now separating. We feel better by the hour as a Moon trine to Jupiter makes this a happy evening.

Tuesday 3/8 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces in the afternoon. Sun and Moon both in Pisces, *the* sign of letting go. A day for cleaning up and an evening for hot tubs, baths, or a walk on the ocean.

Wednesday 3/9 * Dark of the Moon in Pisces. The day before New Moon is the time of endings. Our energy is low. Instead of launching new activities, clear your space and pass on anything that is getting in your way. Art, music and women may brings us some pleasure and soul satisfaction late afternoon. A day to do little but imagine much.

Thursday 3/10 * New Moon in Pisces, Moon into Aries, Sun trine Saturn. NOW we can get moving again! We have the Moon cycle with us, and fresh energy of Moon in Aries in the evening. Sun's trine to Saturn means we are willing to put in the effort.

Friday 3/11 * Moon in Aries. Need to communicate anything? New transactions, and business projects are happening easily this morning.

Saturday 3/12 * Moon in Aries, into Taurus late night. Moon in Aries loves exercise, especially midday. The Jupiter Neptune aspect (exact tomorrow but influencing the week) means movies, music, art teachers and our spiritual path have our highest esteem.

Sunday 3/13 * Moon in Taurus, Jupiter trine Neptune. Open your very best wine - have it for brooch and again for dinner. Moon in Taurus loves food and the outdoors - if the Sun is shining make it a picnic!

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl