March 2004 Alignments Newsletter http://ezezine.com March 2004 Alignments Newsletter The monthly Alignments Newsletter features information about star alignments, personal and planetary transformation, metaphysics, personal mastery, ancient wisdom, spiritual prophecy and more. Information on ordering the newsletter is provided below. In this issue... 1) 2004: A Year of Transition 2) March Planetary Alignments Update 3) Change of Season 4) Voices in Alignment 5) Resources for Lightworkers and Starseeds 6) Channeled Soul Readings --------------------------------------------------- 2004: A Year of Transition by Allison Rae --------------------------------------------------- "Understand the voice within, and feel a change, a right beginning." - The Moody Blues, The Voice We’re reminded that 2004 is a year of transition. It began during Mercury Retrograde, and the energies of retreat, review, re-evaluation and revision seem to be in effect all year. Just when a project seems to get the green light, the momentum stalls or we find out we need to start over, think things through again. This will be typical throughout the year. Meanwhile, along comes Venus to teach us about receptivity and divine timing. Her transit across the disk of the Sun on June 9 is the astronomical/astrological event of the year, a rare occurrence that comes in tandem with a second transit in June 2012. Masculine and Feminine The goddess of love and finances, Venus represents the divine feminine as Mars represents the masculine. Mars is about doing. Venus is about being. On our path of evolution, we learn to balance the masculine and feminine principles within ourselves. Mars and Venus are two of our teachers. Last year, Mars reached perihelion -- his closest pass with the Sun -- in late August, around the same time he reached perigree -- his closest pass with the Earth in tens of thousands of years. Mars shone in the night sky for months, igniting our passion and possibly our aggressive tendencies. Mars invited us to spiritualize the warrior within. Right now, images from the Red Planet are beamed back to us as scientists remotely explore Mars’ surface. Pluto will transit over “natal Mars” in the U.S. horoscope three times this year, provoking aggressive, warrior energy and also inciting passion. We are also entering the month of March, named for Mars, the Roman god of war. Our consciousness continues to receive information and energy from this influential teacher. How will we channel this energy? How will we integrate the balancing energy of Venus? Masculine and Feminine, Part II The Sun and the Moon also represent the masculine and feminine principles. Sun-Moon-Earth alignments influence us monthly on the New and Full Moons, and also at the Solstices and Equinoxes. Eclipses are super-charged New and Full Moon alignments that bring into focus the issues we’re integrating at a soul level. They offer opportunities for quantum growth. This year we have two pairs of eclipses: A Solar Eclipse on April 19 and a Lunar Eclipse on May 4, followed by a Solar Eclipse on October 13 and a Lunar Eclipse on October 27. That’s a lot of transformation, learning and growth packed into one year. What is our strategy for working consciously with these energies? Take It In Stride Mercury Retrograde sets the tone this year and offers some answers. We can’t escape sluggishness, false starts and redirects. We may as well work with them. Basically, this is a good year to chill out and let the love flow. Become receptive to subtle cues from the divine inner self. Follow energy patterns to understand best timing. Don’t push. Flow. Sit out under the stars. Be (meditate) before doing (acting). Now is the perfect time to master the art of knowing when to repose and when to act. Receptivity is embodied in the practice of meditation. The masculine is expressed in any outward activity. Yoga, t’ai chi and other forms of sacred movement blend both principles. If we don’t already, this would be a good year to make time for these practices in our lives. Where Is This Headed? Many forecasters have long predicted that 2005 will be the turning point when we will begin to reap the benefits of the intense transformation we’ve been experiencing the past few years -- back to the Grand Fixed Cross Solar Eclipse on August 11, 1999. During this period, we’ve experienced massive change both individually and collectively. This shift is timed with the ending of vast cycles now coming to a close as new chapters of Earth history are about to be written. From 1999 to 2003, we felt propelled into the unknown. The changes were swift and furious. Since the Harmonic Concordance Lunar Eclipse on November 9, 2003, that energy has turned inward. Through the Mercury Retrograde mood of 2004, we’re being given a chance to slow down, re-examine ourselves from the inside out, make some changes and get ready for forward movement as 2005 approaches. So here we are in a crease period, looking closely at our lives, our choices, our relationships, our work and our journey. The next Mercury Retrograde period will last most of April (April 6-30), so it might be a good idea to channel the masculine energies of March to make progress on selected projects before the next retreat phase begins. And be ready to redirect when needed. Above all, it’s important to give thanks for the lessons and the infinite blessings pouring into our lives during these times of accelerated change. Enjoy the journey. --------------------------------------------------- Planetary Alignments Update --------------------------------------------------- March is a month of completion and new beginnings. The Sun completes its transit of the zodiac as it moves through Pisces, then begins the next cycle in Aries at the equinox. The theme this month is endings and letting go as we prepare for the next zodiacal year. It’s time for spring cleaning, including the body. Health practices might include purification such as fasting or a supported cleanse. Putting our spiritual house in order might mean taking an inventory of our progress toward long-term goals, making adjustments as necessary, and planning new projects and creative activities for the coming year. Venus into Taurus -- March 5 When Venus transits her home sign of Taurus, we embody earthiness and sensuality, and indulge physical pleasures. Relationships move forward without games or manipulation. Love and finances flow. Pay attention to cues from the body about what it needs to grow and thrive on this Earthwalk. Enjoy this pleasurable transit through April 3 when Venus moves into Gemini. Full Moon in Virgo -- March 6 6:14 p.m. EST This Full Moon grounds us in the Earth energy of Virgo while calling us to the spiritual aspirations of Pisces. The Sun in Pisces opposes the Moon in Virgo, illuminating shadow material from the unconscious. Amplifying this effect is Pluto, agent of transformation through annihilation, squaring the Sun and Moon. Pluto is in Sagittarius, so our innermost ideals and beliefs may surface and surprise us. Jupiter in Virgo conjuncts the Full Moon, reminding us to expand our view and not get lost in the details. The Sun in Pisces, twelfth sign of the zodiac, signals completion of another cycle and the promise of new beginnings at the Vernal Equinox and New Moon on March 20. Saturn Stations Direct -- March 7 Saturn completes retrograde motion and turns direct on March 7, drawing the ideas and plans we’ve been considering into workable form. In Cancer, Saturn supports nurturing, care-giving and life-affirming projects. Spring/Fall Equinox -- March 20 1:49 a.m. EST At the Vernal Equinox, the Sun enters Aries and everything begins anew. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries signals fresh starts and new beginnings. In the northern hemisphere, we open to spring and plant our seeds for the year. In the southern hemisphere, the equinox brings fall harvest and the sunset of the solar year. Living in the now, going with the flow and venturing into the unknown are hallmarks of Aries. At this start of a new season, try letting go and living in anticipation of an uncharted future. Aries sees through the eyes of a child and relishes the possibilities of an untouched world. New Moon in Aries -- March 20 5:41 p.m. EST The Aries New Moon comes just after the gateway of Spring Equinox this year, adding even more energy for our new beginnings. Aries corresponds to the Fool in the Tarot, and this New Moon is all about stepping off into the unknown. It’s time for change, change, change in this next turn of the zodiacal wheel. Opening to possibilities is crucial. Saturn in Cancer squares this New Moon, helping to channel Aries’ exuberant energy into meaningful forms. Moving forward means releasing the past, and Pluto’s retrograde station in just four days will help us discover where we need to let go. Mars into Gemini -- March 20 Shortly after the New Moon, Mars ambles into a light-hearted transit of Gemini. The planet of passion in the communicative sign of Gemini may reveal new insights, catalyze friendship and conversation, and help us lighten up through humor as spring begins. Pluto Stations Retrograde -- March 24 Master of death and rebirth, Pluto moves retrograde from March 24 through August 30. This change of direction may seem subtle, but Pluto’s energy is hardly understated. We may need to tune in closely to understand what is to be purged so we may shine more brightly with Divine Light. One way or the other, Pluto will let us know what no longer serves us. Working consciously with this energy and allowing the transformation during this period will allow us to move gracefully forward when Pluto turns direct later this year. Mercury into Taurus -- March 31 The month ends with the messenger Mercury slowing down into the earthy realms of Taurus. Our thoughts may seem bogged down, but this is an ideal time to become grounded and focused. This energy helps us pare down to the essentials in communication, travel and technology. --------------------------------------------------- Change of Season --------------------------------------------------- This month we celebrate the Spring/Fall Equinox. In addition to their agricultural importance since ancient times, Solstices and Equinoxes are gateway alignments that allow us, through focused intention, to align with Divine Will. The veils between realms are thinner than usual. We are more able to grasp the multidimensional nature of our being and the Universe. This could mean we feel more psychic, or aware of other dimensions through clairvoyance, dreams or visions. Through prayer and meditation, we are able at these gateway alignments to send our signature frequency of love and light throughout all dimensions of the cosmos, including our "selves" existing in other realms. Because of the powerful nature of these portals, they are ideal dates for individual or group ritual focused on aligning with Divine Will. Pagan and indigenous traditions around the world have recognized the importance of these gateway alignments for both agricultural and spiritual reasons. Stone structures at sacred sites align with the Sun and Moon at equinoxes and solstices to assist in integrating the powerful solar, lunar and Earth energies available at these times. Organizing a full-scale equinox festival may not fit into our contemporary lives, but honoring the change of season in our external and internal worlds is still possible. We could gather with friends for a meal and group meditation or ceremony, or just light a candle in our home and hold sacred space for these alignment energies to reach us. Observing the alignment in these ways assists in the Earth’s transformation as well as our own. --------------------------------------------------- Voices in Alignment --------------------------------------------------- "Even if we can't prove God exists, we know love exists...and even if religion doesn't work, prayer still does. So pray it forward. Forget the idea that the messiah is going to come down and save the world. Did Jesus say, "Now don't do a thing till I return?" No! We have met the messiah, and he is US! Who needs a bail-out from above? This is supply-side spirituality." - Swami Beyondananda's 2004 State of the Universe Address "It is time to let go of the painful past. It is time to claim your mastery, to create your own version of paradise and then teach others to do the same. Help those who come to you to heal their emotional wounds and their physical bodies, and then they will be ready to listen to the nudgings of Spirit. “We all are in the times of great change that have been foretold for thousands of years. You carry within the refined vibrational frequencies of the future and you CAN make a difference. Draw the Love/Light of Creation from your Divine Self, use what you need to bring yourself into harmony and vibrant health, and then allow your gentle heart to radiate the beautiful glow of loving energy to others." - Archangel Michael through Ronna Herman “Hope is a look into eternity. It is an inner conviction that everything has not ended, but that there are coming possibilities, opportunities which can change the situation completely… “The moment that hope enters our hearts, the presence of time becomes weaker and weaker, and new energy begins to flow within us.” - H. Saraydarian, The Science of Becoming Oneself ------------------------------------------------------------- Resources for Lightworkers and Starseeds ------------------------------------------------------------- We’ve made some changes on our web site and invite you to stop by. While still focused on personal transformation and the Earth’s transition to the next Golden Age, we’ve refined the content to serve the interests and needs of those on a conscious path of soul evolution and divine service. In the Information Center, you’ll find articles and books about personal and planetary transformation, metaphysics and spirituality, plus an updated page of links to related web sites. We’ve also expanded the Star Path Series of weekend intensives and workshops. These are currently offered in the western U.S., and we’ll be happy to consider bringing them to additional locations if you’d like to host a gathering. To find out more, visit http://www.TheStarCenter.org --------------------------------------------------- Channeled Soul Readings --------------------------------------------------- All truth rests within us, and from time to time it's appropriate to seek assistance to confirm or illuminate our deepest knowing. Soul Readings bring higher truth into conscious awareness to facilitate forward movement on the soul's path. As part of my path, I channel message and healing energy from the soul level and highest spiritual realms for clients seeking confirmation of their own inner truth. These readings focus on identifying general issues in your life path and soul work for this lifetime, your strengths and resources as well as significant challenges or obstacles to soul growth. Soul Readings are interactive, and I channel message from your guides and teachers in areas of most interest to you. The session offers an overview of the soul’s path in this lifetime, and addresses specific questions you may have about relationships, career, geographic location, family and business matters. Phone sessions are available by appointment. For those who prefer, a reading may be recorded and mailed to you without using the phone. For more information, please visit our web site http://www.TheStarCenter.org And click on Soul Readings. In Love and Peace, Allison Rae allison@TheStarCenter.org Star Path Workshops Starseed Handbooks Soul Readings Alignments Newsletter http://www.TheStarCenter.org Resources for Lightworkers and Starseeds *** The monthly Alignments Newsletter features information about star alignments, personal and planetary transformation, metaphysics, personal mastery, ancient wisdom, spiritual prophecy and more. Subscriptions are $24 a year, which is pro-rated for the balance of the year when you subscribe. Please visit http://www.TheStarCenter.org and click on "Subscribe to Alignments" to join our global mailing list as a subscriber. Gift subscriptions are also available. Namaste. *** All Content Copyright 2004 TheStarCenter.org