~ The Ram Looks Back ~

First a few notes on the week. While we can think optimistically in the face of difficulty Monday and Tuesday, the rest of the week is just plain hard. Sorry folks, have to call them as I see them. Early Saturday we have Mars opposite Pluto, rightfully deserving of its reputation as one of the most difficult aspects in all of astrology. Why? Mr. Mafia Pluto, already a rough sort you'd rather avoid, gets violent. Warrior Mars, usually up for a fight but who at times can get gumption going in a good direction, gets out of hand. Not a pleasant combo. What this aspect is good for: *vigorous* physical activity, *loud* music, various other cathartic experiences, driving oneself beyond limits and exploring the taboo (but save the serious mind expansion for another weekend, really). For women this aspect can  possibly be the 'end' of a man. And stay away from Iraq.

The rest will depend on your special Mars and your particular Pluto. Baby booming Pluto in Leos can rock out, productive P-Virgo Gen Xers can research and work their little hearts away, relationship bound P-Libra Gen Y can analyze separation all they want, and Pluto in Scorpios can play a lot of absurdly violent video games.

The good news is that after this we're mostly kinda on the upswing (what's a little Sun square Saturn after Mars-Pluto?) Venus even goes in Pisces this very week on Wednesday, finally getting out from many months of signs of effort laden Saturn. Loving everyone and everything will be much easier. Mercury is already direct and soon enough (on 4/16) will be in Aries when we can all get back to our snappily thinking selves. And Mars in Cancer on 4/13 will actually be an improvement thanks to Jupiter's helping hand.

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Funny thing about the Ram of Aries - the sign is known for adventures, yet the head looks backwards. In Aries we do rush off on new tracks, but we also return to our origins in many ways. What is the origin of astrology? The oldest natal chart on record was done by the Babylonians around 410 BC. And yet people looked to the skies long before this; there were written observations of planets and their effects going back to to 2300 BC. And the oldest example of human writing is a Moon calendar dating from 27,000 BC.

Coming back just a little closer to the present day is a tale from about 700 BC than many of us read in high school and college. A story of a warrior's return home, a wild adventure of gods and monsters, backstabbers and friends, lovers and wives, the living and the dead, and most important, a tale of a voyage from suffering to peace.

Perhaps my most prized contribution to astrology is this: Homer's Odyssey is an astrological story, all around the zodiac. And if you don't know the circle of animals, you just don't get it. The structure is simple enough: 24 chapters, around the zodiac twice. This month we'll start with #1 and Aries. Perhaps the first installment might not convince you, but keep reading and you'll find one Star Pearls a month devoted to the wiliest astrology text ever written.

What happens in Chapter 1? We first find out that the great warrior Odysseus is far from home and missing his wife and son. The gods finally decree: it is time for his return. Yet before we meet Odysseus or anyone else, we hear a rather strange tale of a woman betraying her husband with another man, who was then killed by the son. The gods say,  "And mortals blame us for their troubles? They bring it on themselves, just like Agisthos did when he stole Agamemnon's wife." Keep this in mind; I'll return in a short bit.

Athena reminds to Zeus "But what about Odysseus?" The god of all consents to a plan, and Hermes the messenger is sent to to deliver it. Meanwhile, the first mortal we actually meet is not Odysseus but the young man (our very first hint) Telemachus, the warrior's son. Athena, disguised as a ship's captain, appears at their estate and Telemachus acts graciously as host. He tells her of trouble - that without the protective father around, suitors of his mother Penelope are eating away his livestock. The goddess inspires him with a plan to go in search of his father. If he finds news that Odysseus is alive, then hold out one more year; if he is dead for sure, then perform funeral rites and let Penelope marry again.

Telemachus now stands tall with confidence and speaks out with a new bravery to his mother and suitors. He even chastises Penelope when she gets weepy as the bard sings a song of Odysseus.

If for now you are willing to accept my premise that the Odyssey takes us around the zodiac, then according to Homer in Aries:

* We are inspired towards a new direction.

* We find our courage.

* We stand up and speak truth. We may offend others in doing this, no matter.

* The boy becomes a man.

* Women may be brushed aside, and it's not a time for being sentimental.

* If we act in a way conducive to our destiny, we get divine assistance. And yet we are warned from the start - blind self interest is punished not by the gods but by life itself (remember the very first part).

Tune in next month for Taurus and chapter #2!

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Rush ahead in Aries with even more juice. Ideas here.

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 some early evenings. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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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 6 - 12 with First Quarter on Wednesday. 

Monday 4/3 * Moon in Gemini, into Cancer 11:45 pm. We are feeling the face off today, men and communication and research at best and violence and brutality at worst. Our minds find the good in the evening and in spite of the worst of everything we find faith.

Tuesday 4/4 * Moon in Cancer. Moon in feeling Cancer will be a bit more unnerved by tomorrow's Saturn station and gloominess and pending Mars-Pluto intensity. Whatever you can do to cheer up and chill. By the afternoon we turn to relationships to sort out our feelings.

Wednesday 4/5 * First Quarter Moon in Cancer, Saturn direct, Venus into Pisces. Sun in Aries insists we rush ahead; Moon in Cancer wants to make sure everything is safe and so holds on to the known. We perhaps sense Saturn changing direction with extra pessimism, but really it is cause for rejoicing, especially for anyone with planets at 3-5 fixed signs! Whatever Saturn connects to in your chart moves ahead, slowly. Venus in Pisces is a month long love fest for all astro fans!

Thursday 4/6 * Moon in Cancer, into Leo 9:25 am. This will feel like a long day - the whole morning Moon moves to meet up with a still painfully slow Saturn at 6:10 pm, then things lighten. The best of Moon Saturn: enjoyment of anything old, communication with an elder, inspired by tradition.

Friday 4/7 * Moon in Leo. The gangsta boys are out; stay away from the boys. Take the high road: evolved souls can go rave and dance and sweat and move and groove until you are smiling at everyone and all is OK. If you don't have the energy or opportunity for this, find your most potent chill medicine and take a double dose. Avoid all dangerous places and driving situations. In spite of Mars-Pluto, our actions today have special power and dignity. Time for Sun praises (Sun on exaltation degree today) or maybe for Bay Area folks a Sun dance!

Saturday 4/8 * Moon in Leo, into Virgo 9:55 pm, Mars opposite Pluto exact at 1:20 am. The intensity peaked, this will feel like a more happy day. Moon in Virgo usually gets people in to-do mode, but Sun connecting to Neptune early Sunday blesses art, music and alcohol.

Sunday 4/9 * Moon in Virgo. A more quiet detox day. Connect to the earth, sooth yourself near the ocean.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Pisces, now direct! 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. 

Venus * in Aquarius, into Pisces. Venus in Pisces is love of the all - people, animals, the world. Our love grows, and a little chocolate and red wine might just help even more! For real, Venus has been in signs of hard-working Saturn since last November. Enjoy love again. Venus in Pisces through May 3.

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. Turning direct this week, so developments in some long term structures in life get moving again. 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.