The Spring Equinox occurs on March 20th. It is the first day of spring, the season of renewal and is when the Sun moves into the cardinal (action-orientated) sign of Aries. Ruled by Mars, this masculine (outwardly motivated) fire (active) sign is the first sign of the Zodiac and begins the new astrological cycle. Aries turns ideas into action, is spontaneous, competitive and enthusiastic.
March has always been an unpredictable month. The bridge between winter and spring, the weather is always questionable, chilly one day – warm the next. We can see small bits of green pushing upward toward the Sun, the promise of spring and more daylight ahead. But as soon as we think about putting away our Parkas, along comes a late snowstorm, reminding us that it’s not quite over yet.
On February 15th, the Chinese New Year began. In Chinese astrology each zodiac year is not just associated with an animal sign, but also one of five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. If you are born in one of these years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and presently 2018, you are born in a Dog year.
The new moon in Aquarius coincides with a solar eclipse the day after Valentine's Day, this Thursday, February 15th. For millions of people around the planet, it is also Chinese New Year. Watch for another blog post about the Year of the Earth Dog later this week. This is a time for introspection, for reflecting on what needs to shift or change internally, before making what could be some sweeping external changes in March when the sun enters Aries and the whole cycle begins again.
