Astral Meanders 6-13 March 2013

 

In general: There is a lot of emotional Pisces activity this week with a giant stellium of Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Neptune in dreamy Pisces on the weekend of March 10-11. Our outlooks and philosophies may become one-sided around March 8th with Mercury and Jupiter generating conflict. On March 12^th there is a Pisces New Moon.  This New Moon at best helps us to focus on our emotional needs and at worst can leave us feeling drained and a little unsure of our personal reality. Overall there is emotional intensity, unparalleled imagination and the possibility of strong insights at this time. If you have a birthday this week then expect the year ahead to be an emotionally intense one and be sure to set yourself an attitude of humour! On the world scene it’s not a good time for making decisions or signing contracts. These will inevitably be riddled with problems. Locally its best to avoid conflict as emotions will run very high.

Thought for the week: Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf. ~Jonatan Mårtensson

 

Aries

This is not an idyllic time for pushing headlong with fresh projects and plans. It is better to finish tasks and tie up loose ends now. The 8th-9^th however, is exceptional for financial or business strategies. It would be prudent to be especially clear when it comes to communicating anything.

Taurus

There can be some financial matters that require extra thought from you Taurus. The New Moon brings an innovative energy to friendships and long-term objectives. You are more enticed by that which is reformist or unconventional during this phase. You can be especially effective at encouraging others now.

Gemini

The New Moon brings fresh energy for career and character matters. It's also a time when creativeness comes suddenly, and you could pick up new and feasibly different, interests or aims at this time. You might have a chance to obtain acknowledgement or praise. It's a good time to increase your skills.

 Cancer

Your need to "get away from it all" is dominant at this time. Travel or educational plans have a better chance of coming together later this month however. It's an outstanding period for looking at your life from a changed perspective. Take care when it comes to presenting ideas, writing letters, and any detail work.

Leo

You are more intense, a little moody, and possibly even secretive, at this time. You seem to be more in touch with the profounder, primal elements of your personality, and more able to see this aspect of others. Mysteries intrigue you now and you look for others' motives behind what they are doing and saying.

Virgo

New beginnings in a partnership are stimulated after the New Moon. It’s a phase in which you are at your finest when you identify the need to form associations, to give back to others, and to compromise in order to find some equilibrium in your life. Physical energy is low however.

Libra

Energy and creativity in your work, health, and daily activities increase now. You seem more self-motivated than usual when it comes to these things. It's a good period for feeling motivated to starting a new health or fitness routine. Relationships are vibrant and energetic during this period too.

Scorpio

You are particularly companionable and open to new experiences this week, although perhaps a bit “head-in-the-clouds” at times. You will above all enjoy artistic, musical, or cultural events and activities now, especially if with a loved one. You know how to make a good impression on others.

Sagittarius

This is a period of rejuvenation, of getting in touch with your deepest emotions, connecting to your roots, and spending more time and energy on home and family. Relationships in general and the home environment tend to be specially harmonious and peaceful during this phase. Peace dominates.

Capricorn

This is a strong period for relationships and in particular with friends and close relations. Communications, short trips and errand-running, feature now. It's a strong time for placing your energy into academic projects or studies. You might miss important details in paperwork, however so double check!

Aquarius

This is a strong time for gathering information and for inspired money-making ideas, Aquarius. While you might want to wait before beginning your more important business or financial plans until the end of the month, pay singular attention to the ideas coming to you now.

Pisces

You are a tiny bit more self-focused than usual, and this is quite ok as long as you don't take it too far. You are more conclusive and forward-looking now, and you put more reliance in your own abilities. Physically, you are likely to be feeling strong now too. Personal projects that you begin now are likely to flourish.

 

Astral Peeks: The night sky in March 2013

Jupiter is easy to locate as soon as evening twilight ends. Just look above the North West horizon for the brightest star you can see. On 1 March, Saturn rises around 9.20 pm and rises around 7.20 pm at the end of March. Saturn appears as a pale yellow moderately bright star to the unaided eye above the Eastern horizon after the times given previously. Its rings are visible in even a small telescope. Neptune and Mercury rise shortly before the Sun at the start of March and gain altitude as the month progresses. Venus is effectively lost in the glare of the Sun until April when it reappears in the evening sky. Uranus and Mars are also lost in the glare of the Sun.

Meditation moments: What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness means:

•  paying attention
• not getting caught up in the past or worrying about the future
• focusing on the present

We spend so much time thinking over stuff that happens, or worrying about things that may be happening in future, that often we actually forget to appreciate or enjoy the moment. Mindfulness is a way of bringing us back to experience life as it happens. The first component of mindfulness involves the self-regulation of attention so that it is maintained on immediate experience, thereby allowing for increased recognition of mental events in the present moment. The second component involves adopting a particular orientation toward one’s experiences in the present moment, an orientation that is characterized by curiosity, openness, and acceptance. It is a spiritual or psychological faculty that, according to the teaching of the Buddha, is considered to be of great importance in the path to enlightenment. The Buddha advocated that one should establish mindfulness (satipatthana) in one's day-to-day life maintaining as much as possible a calm awareness of one's bodily functions, sensations (feelings), objects of consciousness (thoughts and perceptions), and consciousness itself. Modern clinical psychology and psychiatry have developed a number of therapeutic applications based on the concept of mindfulness.