Assessing America at the Spring / Vernal Equinox
The spring (or vernal) equinox represents the beginning of the astrological year. The equinox is when the path of the Sun crosses the celestial equator and enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. Most of us know the equinox as the time of year when day and night are of the same length. Astrologers like to look at the chart for the vernal equinox to forecast the natural year as it is a time of renewal. I have chosen to assess the chart cast for Washington DC, our capital, to look for developments in our country.
Note to readers: items in parentheses are the astrological factors on which the interpretations are based. Feel free to skip over that information if you are not interested in getting the details, or if you find the read easier without the astrological language.
Vernal Equinox 2007
This year, I am feeling relief and optimism looking at the equinox chart for Washington. Venus, which represents women and children and the Moon, representing the common public, are side by side fiercely defending and meeting their needs (trine Pluto). Rulers of the Ascendant and MC (Medium Coeli, or mid-heaven) respectively they influence the course of this year until the next equinox. The public is powerful and ready for a complete transformation (moon trine Pluto) and Congress (Saturn) is now aligned with public opinion (Saturn trine the moon). In addition to the general public, women are driven to lead the dialogue (sextile Mercury) to achieve a diplomatic resolve to reach peace (Moon & Venus in 7th house of foreign affairs).
The president (Sun) in the equinox chart looks isolated and has nothing to offer other than destruction (Sun square Pluto). Besides, the prospect of success through violence and military actions (Mars) is very bleak. Sacrifice, deception, loss and deceit are qualifiers that applies to our current military (Mars conjunct Neptune). This unfortunate and tragic time brings a dramatic lesson to a large segment of society (Mars opposed Saturn). Let us hope that this crisis becomes an opportunity for healing our tendency of aggression toward others (Mars conjunct Chiron).
Meanwhile, our governing body—Congress—is starting to learn, to expand and to set its philosophical approach so as to govern with long-term goals in mind. (Saturn in Leo trine Jupiter in Sagittarius). This configuration is a very beneficial and will hopefully be used to bring much needed improvements to our government. Another interpretation of this Saturn/Jupiter trine in the fire signs is the creative education and learning opportunity that is currently made available through films, documentaries, radio and the entertainment community.
The Situation
The lunar eclipse of March 3rd and the solar eclipse of March 18th influence the interpretation for this year—eclipses bring influence for 6 months and 12 months respectively. As if to mark history, the eclipses highlight a significant period in time. The proximity of eclipses to the spring equinox happened last year as well, and typically occurs roughly twice per decade. At the end of this article, I’ve enclosed a list of these highlights across the past 50 years.
The solar eclipse chart brings our attention once again to our military—its losses and its limitations. The same attributes I discussed above relating to Mars are being featured in the solar eclipse chart making the problems more apparent. The fighting may happen on home turf in some way (Mars on IC—Imum Coeli or bottom of chart). Astrologers have been aware that since last summer, war and military endeavors are no longer going forward as usual in this country. (The USA natal Mars turned retrograde by progression in July 2006). The country has now entered a long phase where it has the opportunity to review its purpose of action and use of force (progressed retrograde for the next 80 years).
Another area of tension from the eclipse could come from the power struggle caused by gambling of the national wealth. (Sun in 5th house square Pluto in 2nd house) It could be that the underground financial activities (Pluto in 2nd) are being challenged by the country’s people and its leaders (Moon & Sun in 5th). Some of the issues are now being talked about even if they are not new (Mercury of the Eclipse and Equinox chart conjunct USA’s progressed Sun)..
When applying the eclipse chart over the USA Sibly chart, we get confirmation that the disruption is a domestic one (the eclipse falls into USA Sibly 4th house with Uranus on IC).
We will probably look back at 2006-2007 as a turning point in history.
Affirmation for This Year’s Equinox
The opportunity for change is presenting itself this year. The president has less support than ever because the tension surrounding the administration is ready to burst. The common people and women in particular are now taking charge and can use their power to affect long lasting change. The public is tapping into the wisdom and wealth of information available, and is now transforming the dialogue to reach peace in foreign affairs. At home, the spiritual warrior in all of us has a chance to reflect on how we can assert our bravery and act responsibly to heal our nation.
Below is a list of eclipse pairs that occurred close to the vernal equinox during the past 50 years. (Note the “S” next to the date stands for “Solar” and identifies the solar eclipse in the pair) The events referenced are just a brief excerpt and are not meant to be lunar and solar eclipse pairs close to the Equinox.
1941
*3/13 & 3/27 S
Pearl Harbor + Britain re-takes control of Iraq
1942
*3/3 & 3/16 S
Pacific War and WWII
1950
*3/18 S & 4/2
Korean War started
1951
*3/7 S & 3/23
Korean War + first nuclear test in Nevada
1959
*3/24 & 4/8 S
Fidel Castro in Cuba
1960
*3/13 & 3/27 S
OPEC was formed +John F Kennedy wins election
1961
*2/15 S & 3/2
JFK inauguration + CIA plan to invade Cuba
1968
*3/28 S & 4/13
Anti -Vietnam war protest + French universities protests
1969
*3/18 S & 4/2
Vietnam and Cambodia – start withdrawal
1970
*2/21 & 3/7 S
Further protests – resolution to challenge Nixon’s authority
1979
*2/26 S & 3/13
Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran – The shah comes to US – US hostages taken at embassy in Teheran + beginning of Soviet /Afghanistan fighting + Egypt / Israel peace treaty + Saddham Hussein comes to power in Iraq
1987
*3/29 S & 4/14
Iran Contra scandal becomes public
1988
*3/3 & 3/18 S
Soviets leave Afghanistan + Cease fire between Iran & Iraq + George H.W. Bush won elections
1989
*2/20 & 3/7 S
Fall of the Berlin Wall + SF Earthquake
1997
*3/9 S & 3/24
Investigation of President Clinton’s fundraising
1998
*2/26 S & 3/13
Start of impeachment process of Clinton
2006
*3/4 & 3/29 S
Domestic Spying + Guantanamo abuses + loss of habeas corpus + change of political power in Congress
2007
*3/3 & 3/18 S
Scooter Libby conviction + Walter Reed scandal
