The Aries Equinox of 2021

The delicate point of earthly balance where day is equal to night lands on March 20th this year, so that magical time is here, again: the Equinox! This special date also ushers in the astrological New Year for Western Astrology as it is the day when the Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the Tropical Zodiac. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day signals the turning of winter to spring, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the turning of summer into fall. Following the climactic Capricorn Solstice of last December 21st, the chart for this event marks another turning of the cosmic wheel. In the rhythm of the earthly cycles, the solstices and equinoxes offer us special opportunities to embrace the passage of time and tune into the natural wisdom of our planet in relation to the Sun. It represents a sense of balance, new beginnings, birth, and pure, vital life force energy. This year, specifically, the themes of death and rebirth, stillness and motion, connection and separateness–and paradox in general–are prominent in the astrological weather.

Each year the astrological chart of the Equinox moment will take on a different flavor and dimension depending on the planetary configurations. This year we have quite a mix! Venus is occupying 28º of the last sign of the Zodiac, Pisces. With the Sun freshly sprung in the fiery quickness of Aries, contrasted but co-present with Venus in the dreamy and watery realms of Pisces, it’s as if we are in two worlds. We have one foot in the urge to move onward into bright new potentials and the other foot still planted in the process of letting go and re-organizing unhealthy relational patterns we are carrying from the past. In addition, we can consider that both of these planets are exalted in their current sign positions, so that these configurations have precious gifts of insight to offer us, now.

This is also a very important time in the Synodic Cycle of Venus, where she is giving her life to the light of the Sun (when she makes her superior conjunction on March 26th). She then disappears from the morning sky under the horizon in a symbolic death and prepares to be re-birthed and rise again as the evening star in a few months time. The Venus cycle is so beautiful, complex, and deeply mystical, and you may wish to look more into its intricacies. Cayelin Castell, Gemini Brett, and Daniel Giamario are fantastic resources in this area.

What these mythical symbols of the sky could look like for us here on earth is that, just as we are experiencing the excitement and fresh energy of new life coming forth, we are simultaneously in a process of shedding, symbolic death, and being reborn. We may be discovering anew who we are in this world and how we relate to others from this place. There is a strong emphasis on “bothness” and adopting a perspective that expands and includes, rather than polarizes and excludes. Our ‘solar’ personalities–the more external, expressed, and intentional dimension of our lives–may be so pronounced that we have to really settle in stillness and listen for the voice of Venus–the tender expression of vulnerability, heart space, connection, and intuition–to be heard, felt, and processed. To be fair, the opposite may also be true, where one may get so lost in the internal process, it’s a challenge to function in society, in which case a turning toward and inclusion of the Solar principles would then be the suggestion; but I digress.

What is largely true in the modern Western world is that we live in a cultural context that tends to value outward accomplishment, tangibility, productivity, and action. Sometimes the demands of that cultural context can drown out other dimensions of being that are also precious and valuable. Perhaps this time is gently challenging and inviting us to tune into the dimensions of our internal, implicit landscape. Nudging us to be as intentional for our time of sleeping and dreaming as we are in our time of waking. To make space for rest and stillness in the way we make space for action and doing. To be present and loving with what’s hidden beneath the soil–the un-sprouted seeds, roots, mycelial networks, and decaying matter–in the same measure that we adore the foliage, flowers, and fruit. Above all, within this endeavor, how can we be gentle, loving, and accepting of ourselves in the process? How can we tend to the whole of our being-ness and tune into our true and innate soul level values?

Another important feature of this time is the trine forming between Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Aquarius. These two combined can tend to be frustrating as Mars says, “Let’s go, already!” and Saturn says, “No, no, we shall proceed with caution.” What may be of use in working with this energy is that, being a relatively positive and supportive trine, the aspect itself does help our inner Mars voice of impatience to become reconciled with the inner Saturn voices that are pumping the brakes. We may ask ourselves how we can be both active in advocating forward progress (Mars), while also getting our proverbial ducks in a row and being responsible (Saturn). It can help us realize that when we feel angry or resentful (Mars), it’s a memo to get updated with how we’re placing boundaries (Saturn). Brené Brown’s work breaks the concept of boundaries down beautifully; you may wish to check that out if you haven’t done so already.

Lastly, and certainly not least, we can’t forget that Uranus is still in Taurus making that intensely revolutionary square to Saturn, which will be true all year. This aspect challenges the existing structures to innovate and update, yet that innovation must somehow occur within the bounds of the existing structure. Tricky stuff! Mars coming into the mix with these two will certainly stir the pot and could potentially help get anything that’s stuck moving along.

During this time of transition into the coming season and great change in our world, may we all be met with support, connection, and new perspectives that allow us greater wellbeing in our Soul’s Path. Thank you for reading, and I encourage you to chime in with any thoughts, questions, or feedback in the comments below.