COURAGE From CONSOLATIONS: "The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning "of Everyday Words" 2015 David Whyte and Many Rivers Press
Aries: The Sign of Beginnings
Aries is the unbridled fire of life. Aries is two rams butting heads. Aries is our scout and our leader.
We begin the zodiac with Aries the Ram, the exuberant and joyous energy of Spring. Aries embodies the fire of life that returns with the Sun every Spring--along with new energy, new hope, new possibilities. In Spring we luxuriate in the warmth and the light after living in the cold darkness of Winter.
Aries cardinal fire wants to discover himself through action. This dynamic fire isn't satisfied with Leo's bonfires, or Sagittarius' candle flames. Aries fire wants to move towards its goal. Like a wild fire, Aries can burn through life. Like a sacred fire, Aries can shape destinies. Aries seeks a vision that is worthy of its energy. Leading the way for others, Aries is off again on a new adventure once everyone else arrives, always seeking the frontiers of life.
The Age of Aries introduced us to the archetypal masculine story of the warrior kings who swept in on their horses and conquered the old goddess cultures. They brought with them their solar belief in order and domination as opposed to matriarchy's more lunar consciousness. What began as youthful adventure and seeking (Aries) of purpose became the domination of the Patriarchy (Capricorn).
We have a chance to change this story. With Pluto in Capricorn's ruthless exposure of the decay in our society coupled with Uranus in Aries' wake up call to make each of us aware of our responsibility to the world, we can re-birth the true meaning of Aries. Aries no longer symbolizes the warrior king who brings death and destruction to the world, but rather is a spiritual warrior who is courageous enough 'to stay close to the way we are made'. ~David Whyte~
Mars is the planetary ruler of Aries. The warrior god can be protective, courageous and strong as well as vicious, angry and uncaring. Mars has passion and initiative and is always ready to grapple with life and see who comes out on top. At this New Moon, Mars is in Taurus, Venus' domain of gardens and sweet breezes, steadying this energy and grounding it so we can build that new vision.
On the day before this new Moon, Mars squares Jupiter in Leo, giving us more confidence to move forward. And on April 22, Mars will join Mercury for the first of three meetings in the sky, clearing our minds to let our instincts have their say. It's time to listen to your gut and get practical. Use your common sense.
The fact that Mars meets up with Venus three times this year indicates that the noble side of Mars will be more evident to us. Let's hope that diplomacy works, because war is not the answer--especially with the South Node of the Moon in Aries. The old Aries has to go, tempered and rebirth by the North Node in Libra--Venus (the ruler of Libra) is in charge of our destiny now.
![[ W ] Frans Wouters - Venus and Mars (1545)](https://www.opednews.com/populum/visuals/2015/04/2015-04-331-300-Images-populum_uploadphotos_s_300_farm8_static_flickr_com_331_7099893967_5830fe2544_n_873.gif "[ W ] Frans Wouters - Venus and Mars (1545)")
Venus is in Gemini at this new Moon, helping us connect to new people and new experiences. Venus is squared by Neptune in Pisces, giving this Goddess' 'love and connection' energy a compassion and imagination that can open doors. With Venus opposing Saturn retrograde in Sagittarius, we'll be challenged to stand up for our beliefs in the midst of these changes. If Saturn can give this dreamy T-square (Saturn opposite Venus, both square Neptune) some discipline and focus, your creativity, communication skills and ability to see new possibilities will be helpful to you and those around you.
Pluto begins his yearly retrograde on April 16th, journeying into his Underworld realm until September 24th. Pluto retrograde once again goes underground to weed out the dead and decayed beliefs, values and visions that no longer serve us individually or collectively. Pluto is hammering away at the rules and beliefs of patriarchy that just won't fit in a world of equality, fairness and creative vision. So turn your vision within, work with and transform what needs rebirthing. When the harvest comes in September, Pluto will once again look around to see how the harvest is going. Then he'll set his wrecking ball to work on more shaky structures that need to go.
The Sabian Symbol for Pluto at 16* Capricorn is: An earthen cave crowded by uniformed men~ Steve Eardley. Caves are the wombs of the Earth. Wearing a uniform indicates people who share a purpose. These might be men--and women--who will be warriors of the Earth. It's true that a small group of people can bring about mass changes. That's what Pluto is going to explore! Who will become Earth's warriors, especially this Earth Day.
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