This week, it’s important to make good use of time—yours and others’, personal or private. Mars is preparing for a nearly three month retrograde that begins on April 17 and ends on June 29 (although if you count the ten to fourteen days before and after the official dates, this retrograde phase is closer to four months). As Mars gets ready to downshift into ‘reverse’, the regular routines of daily life are plagued with time distortions, and as these disruptions grow increasingly frequent over the next couple of weeks, schedules literally fall through the cracks.
Days, hours, minutes, and seconds take on a life of their own and the ensuing lack of chronological cohesion throws more than a couple of monkey wrenches into…well…just about everything. Don’t be surprised if you, someone you love, or even those you don’t, start running around like Mad Hatters in search of Alice’s tea party. Just keep in mind, these distortions can also make you early, so don’t be impatient if you find yourself waiting because others are simply being on time.
Uranus exacerbates the already uneven pace of the week, turning it slightly more erratic, if only because that’s what Uranus does—it signifies surprises and instability. Uranus is currently conjunct Mercury, the planet that symbolizes communication and language. Uranus is in Aries as is Mercury, and their passionate alliance fosters mental might, coupled with the ability to conceptualize. Use this inspirational configuration for problem solving, especially when it involves problems in need of an innovative approach.
Uranus also continues to form a wide square to Pluto, in Capricorn. Remember, we’re still attempting to navigate the huge waves of social change generated by the last several years of Uranus/Pluto squares. Over the course of the next couple of days, as the Moon moves into a conjunction with Pluto and a square to Uranus, emotional reactions to those waves grow even stronger—if that’s even possible. As you monitor your reactions or others’, try to identify the issues highlighted by these squares, whether personal or collective, especially those issues that won’t be resolved easily or soon. I’m not being negative about the outcome—I’m just doin’ my best to keep it real.
A Sun/Saturn trine is the good news this week. Saturn just started its retrograde phase on March 25, which means this normally slow-moving planet is moving even slower. But despite that snail’s pace, Saturn’s trine to the Sun is a positive interaction that adds stability to this week and next. Don’t worry—even though Saturn symbolizes the tried and true, this particular Saturn/Sun trine is anything but standard. Both the Sun and Saturn are in Fire Signs—the Sun is in Aries and Saturn is in Sagittarius—two Signs that are always interested in adventure. This positive alliance provides enough grounded energy to hold steady on your course, even if that course is taking you into previously unexplored territory.
Just so we are clear, not everyone suffers under a Mars (or even a Mercury) Retrograde. Some actually flourish, because rather than fall apart at the slightest delay, detour or snafu, they just keep on going, finding solutions to whatever obstacles they encounter. Do your best to align with that creative perspective, and that mindset will help you manage the next several weeks and months skillfully. And as always, do your best to help your fellow travelers navigate the time distortions that lie ahead. A helping hand can transform difficulty into ease.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Be bold, but also be precise, especially when it comes to problem solving. You might be accurately assessing the big picture, but the details are still important. So while you are embracing a global perspective, concentrate your attention on local needs and events.
Taurus April 20-May 20
The challenge is figuring out how to contemplate your choices without falling into a brooding episode. Yes…there are some difficult decisions to make, but making the best decisions requires a positive mindset that is able to assess the difficulties without being overwhelmed by them.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Surprise social obligations could involve getting back in touch with old friends and even distant relatives. Rather than shy away from these connections, welcome them. It might require extra effort to stay in touch, but the contact could reveal positive results.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Be prepared for partners, personal as well as professional, to suggest unusual solutions to ongoing difficult situations. I’m not advising you to act on those ideas, but it might be worthwhile to at least consider applying some of those ideas to several persistent problems.
Leo July 23-August 22
Keep your eye on the financial prize, but don’t spend all the money before you understand the entire commitment. Take your time, even if those you love ask you to hurry. Honor your own pace, and you’ll be pleased with the tangible results, as well as pleased with yourself.
Virgo August 23-September 22
You’re in the midst of several important transitions, some that can be articulated and some that you can’t yet name. There’s no need to hurry the process of personal growth. Stay present for these changes and you’ll discover valuable information that will help clarify your feelings.
Libra September 23-October 22
I can hear you asking: Isn’t it always a relationship issue? As long as Uranus is in your Solar House of relating, it is always a relationship issue. But take heart: If you accepted this challenge when it started, hard as it’s been, you can now acknowledge just how much you’ve grown.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Pay attention to suggestions offered by co-workers and friends. You may not agree with all the possible solutions, but simply listening to a wide variety of ideas will help you gain a better perspective on how to handle a potentially difficult situation with skill and grace.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
You are in the leadership position, and although it might take a moment to get used to being so visible, it is a role that suits you. Mars and Saturn are in your Sign which means even if you aren’t accepting the mantle with great gusto, that’s how others see you. The solution? Enjoy the ride.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Take a deep breath, and as you exhale and the tension releases, try to realize that you can’t handle all the situations in need of attention unless you ask for help. Yes—you must ask. And if you do, you might be surprised at just how much sharing the load will help.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Try not to let provocative conversations with friends spur you into words or actions you might later regret. Take your time and even if it seems that you don’t have enough time, think about what the best solution would be for you as well as those you love.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Keep your wits about you and don’t invest in any get-quick-rich scheme that sounds too good to be true. Stay present for any money problems and look for steady, reliable solutions that will help you to make progress over time.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-212-222-3232, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2016 by Ralfee Finn