Aries' Moon:
Aries Solar Festival
Subtle Meanings of the Full Moon in Libra 2006

Malvin Artley, our regular esoteric commentator examines the subtle meaning of the Full Moon in Libra for 2006. This is Aries's Full Moon, as the Moon is Full in the sign opposing the Sun. The full moon of Aries (full moon in Libra) takes place on the 13th of April at 4:41 PM GMT. This is a short preliminary sketch of the influences, as Malvin is departing for the US. A fuller version of the interpretation of this Festival of the Risen Christ will be given in the near future on this site.

Greetings, my Friends!

I am sending out this short version early because I have to leave for the US in the morning. This is such an important time, though, that the short version is not going to be so short. There are a lot of ‘happenings’ in the heavens at the moment and, before we get into the dynamics of the full moon, we need to cover these extra items.

Firstly, there was a complete solar eclipse on Wednesday evening here in Australia (new moon) that traced a path over Africa, Turkey and on into western China. It is classed as a minor eclipse, although it will remain in effect for the next 4 years. It occurred on the 9th degree of Aries, the symbol for which reads: “A crystal gazer”.

This eclipse, though minor in the realm of events, will have profound implications on the subjective worlds, because it is going to bring about the most intense inner questioning. The trine of the eclipse to the retrograde Saturn will bring up all manner of insecurities in people. Retrograde Saturn trine or sextile the Sun can bring about edginess and a feeling of disconnection from the greater order of things, which is contrary to the meaning most astrologers would attribute to it. However, such a feeling does impel a person to restructure their thinking, so the aspect eventually brings about a better and more attuned sense of order. The ‘crystal gazer’ is, in fact, one’s own higher Self gazing down upon its creation and gauging its potency and effect upon the outer world. In short, we are all being measured and adjusted as to our fitness to serve and love under this eclipse.

The key thing besides the eclipse at the moment is the retrograde station of Saturn (Saturn sitting still in the sky) that has caused so much frustration for people over the last month, especially. The effect is that one has been put in a pressure cooker and everything in a person’s life feels stuck. There are many karmic scenarios being played out now. Saturn governs one’s life-path and the choices one makes. Clearly then, one’s travel on the life path feels stuck at the moment and we are unable to make proper choices around things until Saturn moves off its stationing point. This dynamic is particularly true if the station contacts or makes hard angles (square or opposition) to planets or angles in one’s chart—especially Saturn. The thing I have found, too, is that the aspect can be within a few degrees of exactitude and still be strongly felt. It does not have to be at 1 degree of orb, as is the usual case with a transit.

Get the picture? Well, it gets even better. Saturn goes direct on the 5th of April. It will stay within orb of its stationing degree until mid-May. At that time there is a direct station of Uranus at about 14 degrees of Pisces, so all the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) will be strongly affected. It will be within orb of its stationing point by mid-April. I will save the effects of the planetary contacts until the next letter. Mark this well: There will be lasting, exciting and life-changing events throughout May, but especially toward the end of May. Life will seem renewed and all will be right with the world then, as it would seem. Unless Uranus makes hard aspects to Venus, Chiron or Saturn, there will be a sense of brightness and excitement. Otherwise, expect sudden changes and/or reversals in relationships and one’s life path.

Pluto has been stationing and goes retrograde today (March 29), so there will be many changes in the way people subconsciously do things and react to the world. Look for very strong and/or strange reactions in people, especially if Pluto has stationed upon planets in one’s chart. Thankfully, Mercury is direct now, so it will be easier to communicate with people. You might even be able to get the car to start. So, there we have it – the undertone of the planetary energies in the lead-up to the full moon on the 14th of April. The symbol for the degree of the Sun sets the tone for the solar Festival – The Festival of the Risen Christ – and it reads thus:

“Blown inward by the wind, the curtains of an open window take the shape of a cornucopia.” – 24 Aries

There are supernatural forces at work on us in the world, and they are very powerful and life-changing at the moment. This symbol compliments the symbol for the eclipse that just occurred. Whereas the Soul as the Silent Watcher was gazing outward upon the life at the eclipse, now the onus is upon us to take the energy of the eclipse and to mold the mind into a more useful instrument. The inner must give shape to the outer, in terms of one’s life. That is the promise of this full moon – a life more fully suited to the Soul’s plans and much clearer in its presentation. The following planetary dynamics are in evidence:

• The Sun is trine to the retrograde Pluto. Inner strength, power and purpose is being unfolded. Obstacles are being beneficently removed. Aside from the full moon axis, it makes no other aspect. The symbol for the degree of the moon shows us what is being thrown into relief and awareness. It reads thus:
  
  “A butterfly with a third wing on its left side” – 24 Libra
  
  This symbol implies mutation and development of new powers/abilities, borne out of the retrograde Saturn station and the stationing of Uranus.


• There is a t-square with a base opposition of Mars/Pluto, both square to the apex Mercury. Communications will be fraught under this influence and people will be inclined to force their ideas upon others, to speak out of turn and there will be a great tendency to verbal conflicts on all sides. Count to 50 before you speak – if you can wait that long. Be careful around sharp objects and be careful not to fall, either. Sure-footedness, both in action and in speech is the order of the day.


• There will be sudden changes of heart because there is an applying conjunction of Venus to Uranus. There are possibilities of affairs and sudden new loves here as well. In addition, Jupiter is moving slowly in retrograde motion toward a trine with Uranus, which comes fully into effect in mid-May. Relationships begun now should be viewed very cautiously because of the t-square just mentioned. We still have the Jupiter/Neptune square in effect, so all things should be very carefully considered.

Being the full moon of Aries, this period marks sudden starts, but also a tendency to brashness and foolishness. All actions should be very carefully considered. I will flesh all this out more in the long version of the letter. Look after yourselves careful and be considerate – more than is usual – of those around you. This full moon will be a very powerful energy and bring much that is new and exciting with it. Enjoy!

Malvin Artley
March 31, 2006.

The Full version of this article will be placed on line in the near future