Pisces New Moon:
March New Moon 2007
A New Moon Solar Eclipse in the Month of the Black Rabbit

The New Moon in Pisces happens in 2007 on March 19, at 02:44 hours UT. Malvin Artley, our regular esoteric commentator, has always taken a deep interest in Chinese Astrology and you can now obtain his Chinese Astrology Computer Program, published by Esoteric Technologies, the makers of Solar Fire. Malvin gives a beautiful insight into the nature of this lunation, the month of the Black Rabbit.

Chart Name: NEW MOON 19 MAR 2007
Date/Time: 19 Mar 2007, 1:44 pm (AEDT -11:00) (02:44 AM UT)
Solar Period (Fortnightly Festival Period): 3 Insects awaken (N); White Dew (S)

The Sun flies through the darkness. By its light all things are warmed. (Daytime¹)
or
The Wise One advances by patronage. Some support in the early stages is needed. (Nighttime²)

It is often best to get away from a busy life

The day started out like any other in the forest. It was a beautiful autumn morning and the resident creatures were busy going about their daily tasks. Forests can be noisy places in the morning as everyone sees to their feeding. Many of the birds that normally lived there had flown off to warmer climes as the winter approached, but the ones that were left were a vocal lot. There was never a moment's peace for a sensitive rabbit – at least not until after dark. This day was to be different, though. The Black Rabbit sensed something with the dawn's light on that day, and she had been apprehensive all morning. “What was wrong?” she thought? “Nothing seems amiss outwardly, but I sense something is about to happen.” Still, she went about her morning foraging, keeping a wary eye out for the local fox who had been frequenting her area of late. “Strange, though,” she thought as she nibbled on a tender shoot near a tall oak tree. “I don't even feel the fox around this morning.” The Black Rabbit was known throughout the wood for her ability to divine the future and distant worlds. The creatures of the forest always came to her when they wanted to know what was about to happen or where they could find certain things. She was a source of comfort to them and her insights were usually correct. Many of the other creatures sensed something was strange on that day as well and the Black Rabbit had little peace that morning, as she had been constantly consulted all morning about what was coming. All that she could tell her charges was “Wait. We are about to have a sign, and it will be made clear today. I cannot tell you any more than that.” Many who had sought her out left disappointed with such a tenuous answer, but there were a few who trusted her implicitly, and they were actually excited to see what was about to come.

The morning wore on and eventually noon came. The forest settled down once everyone's bellies were full from the morning's expeditions. Suddenly, shortly after noon the Black Rabbit was gripped by a strong foreboding, and she ran and hid in some thick undergrowth. Her neighbors had been watching her all morning, waiting to see what was about to happen. When they saw her suddenly disappear they began to worry and the forest grew silent as the denizens of the wood followed the Black Rabbit's lead. “Perhaps the fox is nearby” she thought to herself. “But the birds usually warn me. It can't be that. Why am I gripped by this premonition of coming calamity?” It was almost too much for a little rabbit to bear. And then, it happened. No sooner had the forest gone silent than the sky began to darken. “Odd!” the Black Rabbit thought to herself. “It is nowhere near dusk. The sky should be bright.” She looked up at her beloved Sun, only to recoil in terror because it was being blotted out by something. The Sun was disappearing! How could this be!? How could the world survive without light or warmth? The thought of never being able to bask in the glory of the Sun – especially in winter – was too terrifying for her and she shivered in fear in the undergrowth as the sky finally went dark except for a tiny sliver of light. Then, it came to her. She knew what to do in the blink of an eye. She would pray to the forest gods to deliver the Sun from its persecution and restore the forest to order (She could see the forest gods, you know?). She started to chant softly (you have to imagine a rabbit chanting) and she called to the other animals to follow suit. Sure enough, within minutes, the Sun began to reappear. Rabbits can be quite brave in the face of danger. Her prayers to the gods had been answered! The animals of the woods were ecstatic. When the full sunlight was restored the forest roared with the cheers of the animals – and many of them were cheering the Black Rabbit. She had come through for them once again.

In the days that followed the Black Rabbit was the talk of the woods. The other animals were in awe of her and she had little peace as a result because everyone came to her wanting solutions to their woes. It is difficult being a celebrity. “What was the other day a sign of?” Everyone wanted to know. They pressed her for an answer. Finally, after several days of that, the Black Rabbit had reached the end of her rope. In exasperation she came out into a clearing and announced “You will have to wait and see” That is all I can tell you. It will mean different things to each of you. For some it will bring joy, heartache for others, but for all it will bring lasting change. The gods tell me to be content with what comes, and that it is for the good of all.” The forest fell silent after that and everyone went away to contemplate what the Black Rabbit had said. They knew statements like that often meant unpleasant things were to come. Each creature just hoped it would mean good things for them. The last days were enough for the Black rabbit. She'd had enough of the forest. She wanted peace in her life so she could commune with the gods in her own good time without others pressing her all the time. She wanted to leave the woods and go to the country. She knew the countryside is conducive to a contemplative life. She also wanted to explore the healing arts, and Rabbits are well-known for their ability with potions and formulas. The healing arts are of benefit, she thought.

So, much to the disappointment of her charges, the Black Rabbit left the woods and lived in the country. Some weeks later as she sat in contemplation, one of the birds who lived in the woods came to her and sat close to her shoulder. “What brings you here, my little friend?” the Black Rabbit asked the bird. “You remember the fox that was such a trouble to us?” the bird said. “Of course” said she. “Well, you said that change was coming and that it would mean heartache for some, joy for others.” “Yes”, said the Rabbit. “Well, yesterday a pack of dogs came tearing through the woods. It was terrifying. They were big and vicious and we all scattered at the sight of them. They were up to no good. As it turns out, they were after the fox. They found the poor creature and tore him to shreds. It was an awful sight, but the woods have been very peaceful since. You could come back to live now. We would love to have you back. The forest is safe for you once again.” The creatures all thought she had left because of the fox. The Black rabbit smiled to herself. “No thank you, my dear friend. I will always be there if you need me, but my life is here now. I have finally found peace. Wish the others well for me. Come and visit any time you like.” The bird left disappointed, but happy that it knew where to find their beloved Rabbit. And the Black Rabbit lived in the country for the rest of her days, happy and contented.

—000—

Following the New Year's celebrations, we often find that we want to get back to a more normal schedule and pace of life. Holidays can be harrowing for some people and the period of the first few months of the Chinese year (from November through January) is generally a busy time in the West. As we are about to enter the fourth month of the year (always a Rabbit Month), we see the need now for repose and healing. The Rabbit in Chinese astrology is an interesting animal, for it has a somewhat different connotation that what we would normally expect in the West. The Rabbit is said to be the servant of a genie who pounds the remedies of the elixir of life in a mortar and pestle (often on the head of a three-legged frog). It is considered to be a 'genius animal', and for that reason the Chinese would not hunt it. It is a symbol of longevity. Rabbits are said to be able to see deeply into people. They are often gifted healers, both emotionally and physically. Given these descriptors of the Rabbit, then, we see that the coming month should be given over to contemplation, the healing arts and healing of past wounds, emotional and physical.

Actually, the legend of the Rabbit goes back to the time of the emperor Nasi Goreng, who commanded that the Great Wall be built to keep the rabbits out. You see, there were too many rabbits in China in those days. So, there you have it – the mystery of the Great Wall. It wasn't to keep out the Mongol hordes. It was to keep the rabbits out. ^**

OK. Jokes aside, the Black Rabbit is a Water Rabbit, as we can see from the Four Pillars, and water always inclines toward quietude, communion with other worlds and a contemplative existence. This also marks a period wherein profound insight and transformation can come if we have the courage to open ourselves to it. That leads us to an important consideration with this new moon. As we saw with the last full moon letter, this new moon is an eclipse. It will be an important eclipse through its actions over the next couple of years. As we saw in the last letter, it will be completed and strongly triggered by Saturn in 2009. For anyone who has prominent horoscope placements in the last few degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces), the eclipse will have a powerful effect, especially since it is conjunct the zero-Aries point. Its energies actually fit in quite well with the theme of the Rabbit – transformation and healing. The eclipse is square to Pluto, which is also eclipsing a small, red fixed star. This will enable astronomers to gain valuable information about Pluto and its atmosphere. In many ways, then – physically as well as psychically – this eclipse will be revelatory and, if properly handled, should give some insight into “the future and distant worlds” I and others have been feeling it coming for the past few days and it gives what you might call an abstracting energy. It will take us out of ourselves if we use it to good advantage. Otherwise, and on the more mundane side of things, it has the capacity to bring major and lasting change as well as accidents. Quietude is definitely needed for the full benefit of the next week or so following the new moon.

Finally, as for how individuals should best approach this month of the Black Rabbit, that is defined by the dynamic of the Black Rat in the Day Pillar – resourcefulness, contentment with the smallest of things, the satisfaction of doing things without thought of remuneration (volunteer work, in other words), and giving ourselves a chance to recover from misfortunes. This month will be about sitting quietly with ourselves and matters, trusting that the changes to be wrought by the eclipse will be for our greatest good and getting our lives back on track after what has been, for many, a long and hard year. With that in mind, enjoy the eclipse and the enlightenment it can bring. Pluto, even when it is in hard aspect to the Sun, is still the great Healer in the zodiac. It holds many keys to our transformation and, like a genie, can come along when we least expect it and bring changes that will move us into better places, spiritually considered. It is like the old saying: “Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.” Whatever you are cooking up in your life at the moment, if you have wished for obstacles to be cleared away in the pursuit of your aspirations, this new moon has the capacity to do so. Please seize upon the chances that come along for you. And, if you really want to cook something up for yourself, a bit of nasi goreng might go down a treat as well. Smile. Life is good. We just have to believe that we really are getting what we need and that we are well looked after – and we are.

Many blessings to you, my friends.
Malvin.
18 Mar 2007

^** Only Australians will get this. It is an 'inside joke' and is from one of the best television commercials to come along this year. It is from an advertisement for broadband internet. There is a little boy in the car with his dad and he asks his dad why they built the Great Wall of China. You know the rest. Broadband internet: 29.95 a month. The look on the little boy's face at the end of the commercial: priceless. Forgive me. I couldn't resist it. :-)

¹ Daytime=if the eclipse occurs between sunrise and sunset
² Nighttime=if the eclipse occurs between sunset and sunrise (your time)

Quotes and text are taken from the software The Imperial Astrologer, courtesy of Esoteric Technologies. www.esotech.com.au Graphics and koans courtesy of the same. All text in the program is by this author.

Go to The Pisces Solar Festival, 2007.