April 2nd ~ 9th
“Astarte” by Nicholas Kalmakoff
Now, as I reach the far shore and spring approaches, I look back over my shoulder, and I see the ice on which I have so lately, so confidently trod, shattering behind me into the thinnest of slivers, and the hungry water swallowing them. And I take a deep breath, turn my face to the shore, and hope I can climb the bank. ~ Jessica MacBeth
If we were to visualize the Winter Capricorn Solstice as the midnight hour, the start of the new day, then the Vernal Equinox would be like the dawn. And so Aries, the first sign of the astrological new year, brings the light of a new day. The Sol-Lunar holidays of Passover and Easter also once had their counterparts in the great goddesses Oestre, Ostara, and Astarte… she, with her great golden solar egg. And then there is Demeter welcoming her daughter Persephone back to the waking world of Spring. All of these were symbols and metaphors for the renewal of life, of hope, and of rebirth and resurrection.
In Russia, eggs, painted Aries Red, were traditionally placed on gravesites this time of year. They were also seen as a symbol of resurrection, like Christ arisen on Easter Day. The egg, as life-giver, is the symbol of fertility, birth and renewal. The tradition of the Easter Bunny bringing its basket of colorful eggs originated in Germany where the Hare was seen as an animal sacred to Oestre, a latter incarnation of Astarte, she who brought the Golden Egg of the Sun. And so with Aries, we welcome in the season of new beginnings.
Since 2018-19 when Chiron first entered the sign of tropical Aries, each year at the Vernal Equinox, as the Sun and the other inner planets re-enter Aries, they give a nod to Chiron. The Full Moon last week was shining a light on Chiron making its way through the sign of Aries. Both the Sun and Venus were both traveling in the same degree, briefly cavorting with our wounded healer. This coming week, Mercury will enter Aries, and then will cross paths with Chiron on the 8th-9th of April. The Full Moon was telling us: Look at this! Pay attention! Mercury follows up, asking us to take it even further: learn more, say more, make what you have learned and discovered, conscious, Own It.
Chiron is building a bridge between our unconscious and our conscious selves. That includes delving down into the underworld to reveal hidden wounds, fears, shame and self-consciousness. But as we build this bridge, it also helps us to connect with the most spiritual aspects of our consciousness, from which our highest gifts, awareness and understanding derives. We tend to ignore and avoid our Chiron, because of the lingering wounds that are keeping guard at the gates. Yet out of that same box, interlaced with all those wounds, are some of our greatest gifts, talents and insights. Chiron helps to pave the way to the very quick of our soul, to the very essence of Spirit. It takes strength, humility and courage to build this bridge. But once done, we will never see our lives quite the same way again.
On a practical level, if you are made aware of a health issue, use this period of time to attract, seek out, and find the best healer and healing methods possible, in order to restore your health and well-being.
Chiron was the wisest of all centaurs: a Teacher, a Guide, an Astrologer, Advisor and Healer. If you are needing or seeking advice, a teaching or counsel, use the window provided by this period to seek them out.
Chiron will often reveal talents or gifts that we take for granted. If these are being revealed now, you are being asked to own them, and use them in some way for the greater good: to help and heal and guide and serve.
Where there is conflict, where there is unrest, where there is turmoil, and violence, we are being asked to take whatever measures we can to restore the order, and make amends to those who are, or have been, injured.
Chiron in Aries reminds us that we matter. It will unveil the ways that we lie to ourselves, that society lies to us, that we undo ourselves. It also shows us how we can be made whole again.
Chiron in Aries also reminds us that if we wish to be of greater service to others, we also have to consider our own self-care. Therefore self-care, self-healing and self-protection are not selfish. For when you take care of yourself, then you will have enough to spare for others.
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: