~ A brief tale of Mars and Venus ~

Some months ago, warrior Mars strolled into the domain of Taurus. Pumped up and hot-blooded from his conquests while in Aries, nevertheless he had grown a bit weary of battle. He arrived at a cottage with a garden. So quiet and peaceful, the landscaping artfully arranged, flowers and fruiting trees, ducks and cows. He sits down for a rest. Ought to be on best behavior, he thinks. No fighting here, let's just enjoy for a bit. Where's the lady of the house?

Venus, Queen of Taurus, was making her rounds through the zodiac: Libra in late August, Scorpio in September. She spied Mars across the way - and while not initially pleased that Mars was helping himself to all her fruits, nevertheless she felt the pull of attraction. But just when she wanted Mars to act, Mars inexplicably got cold feet in early October and turned back. She herself went on to Sagittarius. After 9 weeks of delay, Mars finally mustered his usual courage and went after the pleasures of Venus again.

Hmpf - she had long ago lost patience and herself was re-treading her path in Capricorn. None of this Mars business she thought - I want an older stable man. And land, more land. Mars left Taurus not quite getting what he thought he would, and went on to Gemini. Then in February Venus stopped looking backwards, got on with her life and with some new ideas about relationships in Aquarius. And now Venus approaches Mars with a friendly glance.

Astrologers comment: Though Mars (generally men) and Venus (generally women) have been in contact at various times since last fall, one or the other has been retrograde. Good experiences were possible, but the retrograde complicated or downright prevented new experiences. This is the first positive aspect with direct motion for both planets in many months. Get it on!

But with who? It is true that both Mars and Venus are direct, but their rulers are both retrograde. Mars in Gemini is getting his vitamins from Mercury, currently retrograde in Pisces; and Venus is getting her goddess variety red bull from Saturn, currently retrograde in Leo. What does this mean? Profound connections with new people and people from our past are both more possible than ever this week!

Who contacts who? While we typically grant boldness to Mars, the poor quality vitamins that Mercury is giving him these days have Mars downright addled. Venus has got the sure thing since Saturn in Leo can deliver the goods. Ladies, time to act.

And now a few words on Pluto. Those that remember their dreams may have noticed over the past few nights an intruder, a violent scene, a villain, a catastrophe. Pluto, the force of death and resurrection is about to go retrograde, and like the week before Mercury Rx amps up thinking, the week before Pluto's station means we are getting triple Pluto. Single Pluto is enough thank you very much. The Rx date is March 29 - and the week before everyone you know and perhaps even yourself may feel like therapy is in order, preferably 3x per week.

For very insightful commentary on Pluto, I highly recommend my colleague Bill Street's column here. A favorite new word for Pluto comes from Rick Tarnas' Cosmos and Psyche - the term he most frequently invokes for Pluto is "titanic." How appropriate, for not only is Pluto massive and unstoppable and intense, but yes at times can make you feel like you are on a sinking ship. Find your life raft - Pluto in Leo baby boomers through reinventing self expression, Pluto in Virgo Gen Xers by destroying and creating anew matters of work and health, Pluto in Libra Generation Ys by establishing new forms of relationship, Pluto in Scorpios by the most forceful will to power and manipulation of them all, Pluto in Sag young'uns by new forms of sport and later in life, belief.

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I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. Full readings are available on weekday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends! Also posted to the website on Tuesdays here.

Ideas to live more comfortably in ocean Pisces here.

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Star*Watch
All times Pacific Standard Time. Visit www.alabe.com for the view of the chart for your current location, and www.astro.com also gives planet positions. See below for comments on other visible planets.

The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun is our fundamental orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects are the energetic pulls of the day, and tell us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet aspects influence the energies for several days and sometimes weeks before and after the aspect depending on the planets involved.

Sun * in Aries. Happy Spring! Sun in Aries means new life, motion, raw energy. We are called to be brave, to stand up, speak out, get on with life. Our adventure begins! Hopefully you took some chill time while in Pisces so you know where you are headed. If you didn't, the Aries ram charges blindly. The trap of Aries - not caring (or even seeing) anyone else. With ruler Mars in Gemini and soon Cancer, our new adventures will focus first on learning and communication and then on feelings, family and the inner life.

Moon * days 22 - 28 with Last Quarter on Wednesday. 

Monday 3/20 * Moon in Sagittarius, Sun into Aries. Yesterday both lights were in emotional water signs; today both lights are in action fire signs. Let's move!

Tuesday 3/21 * Moon in Sagittarius. Sun in Aries calls us to new action; Moon in Sag helps out by giving us a dose of optimism. Yes, it can happen - from the perspective of the source of life, it's a new year!

Wednesday 3/22 * Last quarter Moon in Capricorn. Our enthusiasm chills a bit but we get serious about our long term plans. Sun in Aries is the rush to new adventures; Moon in Capricorn is the slow and steady approach. How to reconcile? Only when we are clear on our path to accomplishment. If we are stuck in responsibilities we no longer want, we'll feel the trap. The way out is perhaps through learning something new.

Thursday 3/23 * Moon in Capricorn. The Moon through the signs is one of the most useful parts of astrology. For beginners, here is an easy one. Almost everyone is more hard working with Moon in Capricorn. Get your tasks done today, tonight, even Friday is good for work; but this weekend is playtime.

Friday 3/24 * Moon in Aquarius, Sun trine Saturn. We feel the struggle up until 6:50, then we are more at ease with our commitments and efforts. Watch the shopping - we are easily attracted by over extending the budget and with Mercury still Rx it probably isn't the time to buy.

Saturday 3/25 * One of the astrologically loaded days of the year. You will feel like this is a huge weekend, especially in relationships. Here's the all-star list of major aspects all happening just today: Venus square Jupiter (overextension in love and shopping), Mercury direct (our brain changes gear, slowly), Mars trine Neptune (driven towards myth, dreams, music, alcohol, cosmos), Venus trine Neptune (love of same), and tomorrow Venus trine Mars (women and men). Whoa, this is not even counting the lovely Moon aspects we have to Venus and Neptune around 6:30 pm which will make for a most dreamy evening. Here are some ideas: Seafood dinner, a party with lots of liquids, go dancing, experience music, forget all tasks, drop all inhibitions and get yourself on to Cloud 9 by any way you can - because during the coming week of Triple Pluto you'll at least be able to reminisce.

Sunday 3/26 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces 12:33 pm, Venus trine Mars. A weekend for lovers. A trip up or down the coast to an oceanside b&b would be swell.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Pisces. Our mind is compassionate, intuitive and creative. We sense our connection with others and the all. We more easily recognize spiritual truth. And yet ... the details are dropped like an umbrella falling from your 4th frou-frou drink in the Bahamas. Go with the flow, but don't expect the same level of productivity. 

* * * ! Mercury Retrograde Alert ! * * *  

Mercury retrogrades on March 2 and turns direct on March 25th. Get used to thinking the Pisces way, like fish swimming in the ocean. The usual caveats: expect technological malfunction, avoid purchase of things you want to last more than 3 months, expect to hear from people out of your past, and know your mind is orienting backwards in time. Use it for what this is worth but don't make long term plans.

Venus * in Aquarius. Venus in Aquarius means innovative ways in romance like the couple married twenty years yet living in two different homes or the woman willing to be a single mom. The traditional structures of Capricorn get revised. Venus in Aquarius also loves connecting with people, learning and knowledge that benefits humanity. Venus in Aquarius through April 5.

Mars * in Gemini. We are driven by thinking, curiosity, words and wit. Even our arms and hands have more motion. The good: we can read more, learn more and flirt up a storm. The bad: them's fightin' words and an inflamed mind. Gemini delivers both the light and the dark. Mars in Gemini through April 16.  

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now retrograde, so some prosperity on hold while we pursue inner wisdom and riches. Jupiter in Scorpio blesses therapies, healing modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006.

Saturn * in Leo. Now retrograde, so developments in some long term structures in life are on hold. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much; we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007. 

Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are more prone to hostility. Ruler Mars in Gemini means an extra strong drive for learning.

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus in Aquarius means our past is informed by new takes on knowledge.