March
Changes—
March 7
Saturn direct
March 24
Pluto retro
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M A R C H 2 0 0 4 R E T R O G R A D E W A T C H  by Maya del Mar There are only two planetary changes in March, but they are big ones. Saturn turns direct on March 7, and Pluto turns retrograde on March 24. Whatever we are building, or rebuilding, whether it be psychological, spiritual, physical, social, or cultural, is under the governance of Saturn. Saturn is the Builder, as well as the Teacher. Saturn’s job is to teach us to build correctly, so that our foundations are firm and our structures are lasting. This is why it seems to put obstacles in our path—to show us what isn’t working, and to warn us to be cautious. At the same time, we are rewarded when we build well—especially if that structure is our own inner authority. When Saturn travels direct, we can proceed with building our lives. We have the green light on whatever projects we have going. Social institutions, too, can move ahead, e.g. business and government. As obvious cases, the reconstruction of both Afghanistan and Iraq should pick up speed. At the same time, errors in the building process come to light, so that we can correct course. Saturn is like a gyroscope, which helps to guide us and keep us on course. Retrograde Saturn gives us an opportunity to make needed corrections, to go back to the drawing board and rethink and replan our actions. Saturn is happy to teach and to help us. If we don’t listen, we just repeat the same errors over again. Like any good teacher, Saturn doesn’t let up. Saturn is in the midst of its two and one-half year journey through Cancer, the sign of nurturing, family and security. Saturn turned retrograde last October 25, right on the U.S. Sun, and opposite Chiron in the sky. This gave the nation an unparalleled opportunity to plan changes. The robust Democratic campaign during this time is giving us new information and ideas which we can now put into action. Saturn turns direct on March 7, during Pisces time. This is a few days after Super-Tuesday, and in the orb of the Full Moon in Virgo. Pisces-Virgo means that service is the universal theme now. Saturn trines Uranus in Pisces, to indicate that that service will be new and fresh, a change from old ways of doing things. In Pisces, compassion is the motivator. Saturn will continue traveling direct until November 7-8, just after the presidential election. It will be back to the drawing board for the incoming Administration. Pluto is deep power. It relates to birth, death, taxes, crises, and all peak experiences. It is an energy of evolution, ruthless in its drive to acquire power, and willing to destroy whatever stands in its way. In the U.S. chart, Pluto is in Capricorn, the sign of business and government—Saturn’s sign. Pluto turned direct last August 28, along with the New Moon in Virgo. Virgo is a time of analysis, and there has been in-depth analysis of the U.S. power structure during these months. Not only the Democratic contenders, but others who have helped guide the establishment are speaking up—e.g., retired military brass and workers, retired CIA people, other one-time bureau heads, such as ex-Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, disgruntled Republicans who are disturbed about much that is happening with this Administration, and many others. For example, Republican ex-Ambassador to Iraq Joseph Wilson publicly called Bush on his lie about Nigerian uranium. And it became public knowledge that in revenge the White House outed Wilson’s CIA wife, making her not only unemployable but endangering her and people associated with her. This is a felony. When direct, Pluto expresses its power freely. Birth and death are part of the public arena. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed while Pluto was traveling direct. When it travels retrograde, Pluto’s power plays are much more apt to be undercover. Pluto does like secrecy. We will all be nurturing our power within us, waiting until Pluto turns direct next August 30, again in Virgo time. Pluto turns direct just as the Republican convention begins, and we can expect explosive events to occur in New York then. Retrograde is review time, and we have the next five months to ask ourselves, and the community, questions about power. What is power? What are the deepest roots of our personal, and national, power? How do we use power? In what areas do we apply power? When do we delegate power? In what circumstances? And to whom? There are many more questions. Make a list for yourselves of questions which you can ponder during this retrograde time. Handling and expressing power is a big responsibility, and very frequently we find it easier to pass off that responsibility to some "authority" who has "power." We disempower ourselves by doing this. In fact, we each have power. We are all born and die. We all have Pluto somewhere in our charts. We can use this retrograde time to explore our own power, and begin to learn to express it. If, during these retrograde months, you have contemplated power, and developed your ideas about it, you will be able to express your power more wisely when Pluto turns direct next summer. Want to know the planetary retrogrades for the year, in advance? Maya's extremely handy 2004 Retrograde Guide shows you at a glance the upcoming retrogrades, and how to best apply your energies during each period. Available exclusively as a Premium Subscriber bonus. |