I’ve been a subscriber to this treasure of a magazine for 22 years, and have kept some of the vintage copies. The current issue (find the link to their website on my Contacts page) has a printed copy of my mandala “Sextuplets” on its cover. The mandala, which I painted in July 2005, represents my Light Body page on this website. The Editor has written on the editorial page of Breathe: “The cover image is from ANON? I know someone will recognize it and say ‘Hey, that’s my design’. DO let me know. It happened like this: an email arrived with an image or a link to images; I made a copy, stored it in a folder for the next issue of Breathe then a few months later realized I didn’t make a link to the person who sent the email; now I can’t remember who sent it.” Breathe magazine began in the early 1980s growing out of the Rebirthing Breathwork movement that formed around the ideas of Leonard Orr. In the last 10 years Breathe has focussed on varieties of breathing techniques used for healing and self-development, including Holotropic, Buteyko and others. The current issue has some very worthwhile articles as always: Healing Post-Traumatic Stress and Life Mastery and Quantum Reality shift among them. I look forward to being properly credited in the next issue.

Hope you didn’t see any flying buddhas last week…and that’s all I’m going to say about the weather in this blog. Venus is trine Mars today, and the Moon is trine with the Sun, which promises at least a balance between the sexes, and romantic trysts for some…and that’s all I’m going to say about male-female relations in this blog. Tomorrow (17th) Mercury is opposite Saturn, cutting short communications… and that’s – a stuck record. Tuesday (18th) is more dynamic, with Mercury trine Mars, the energy is beginning to flow more readily, people will be more inclined to open up and warm to their themes, take action and walk their talk. Trains will be punctual, signatures will appear on dotted lines, information no longer withheld. That’ll bring a sense of relief, as we let go of the winter in preparation for the Spring Equinox. For the entry of the Sun into Aries occurs at 5.48 a.m. (UK time) on Thursday (20th), and perhaps Mother Nature will wave a magic wand. So it’s bring on your Spring wardrobe, pack away the Winter woollies, and wear a smile. You’ll need some sort of chocolate fortifications for Easter Friday (21st), which brings a square between Sun and Pluto, and a Full Moon in Libra. To be fair, Easter always brings an emotional crisis because it’s calculated on the Full Moon, as it was in biblical times. So we should be quite practised now in its symbolisms and outworkings in our lives and charts (think back to all the Easters you’ve known: is there a pattern or theme?) If you are a traditionalist, you will need look no further than your local church or synagogue. But if you are looking for a new paradigm, try the latest book by Chris Griscom “The Evolution of God”. I’ve only just got my copy, and it’s hardly unwrapped, but I’m hoping to find time to read it over Easter. Happy Easter, and happy reading, gardening and/or worshipping to you!

Uranus in Pisces is currently exactly conjunct the Sun in the chart of Tibet, if we take the chart of 10 March 1959 at 6 a.m. If ever there was an indication of rebellion, from a literal cri de coeur, that would be it. The transit of Uranus to the Tibetan Moon will happen in April 2009, bringing more emotional and patriotic stirrings, but in the meantime, if the birth time is correct, then this week also sees the transit of Uranus to the Part of Fortune in this chart. I would interpret that as an expression of the spirituality of Tibet. Will that come from a statement by the Dalai Lama himself perhaps, who has asked that the Tibetan restrain themselves from resorting to violence? A more heavyweight transit comes in February, May and December 2009 with transiting Pluto trining the natal Pluto for Tibet. In an individual’s chart this would mean a process of empowerment. It is difficult to picture a material victory at this time for Tibetans, but a moral victory may be on the cards, and a symbol of the spiritual power of Tibetan Buddhism.

You may already have made a complicated start to the day. I have been fiddling around, looking at different charts before settling to blog. Venus is conjunct the North Node, and Mercury is conjunct Neptune. Venus and the North Node up close and personal force us to examine our close relationships and how they are currently working, as well as looking at older relationships and how we are travelling together with the people in our lives. Are we on the same path, or have our paths diverged? You need to know what path you are on and if it is the right path for you, honour it and stay focussed. Relationships come into our lives at different times for different purposes and cannot always maintain the same intensity or closeness in other times, places or circumstances. But it’s the Mercury conjunct Neptune which has me all in a tiswas this morning, and has steamed up my glasses. How far do we take the warnings about “an intense area of low pressure” forecast across the UK this week? Mercury does rule weather, and Neptune does rule complications. Should we be battening down the hatches? One fellow commuter told me at the end of the last week she will be buying a special screw to fix her bins to the wall, so that she won’t have to run around the garden. So can Astrology tell us whether this would be necessary? There are some pertinent aspects to Mercury, planet of weather, this week especially for Wednesday when another storm is apparently brewing. So we’ll come back to that…but in the meantime, you’ll just have to use your own instincts about your own locality…There may be Astrologers who can pinpoint where the disruptive weather is going to land, but my own efforts are embryonic. I hope that Monday’s predicted weather patterns do not catch you running around your garden picking up rubbish, and Tuesday (11th) looks a quiet day Astrologically and weather-wise (famous last words), which brings us to Wednesday (12th). There is a lot going on on Wednesday: Mercury conjunct Chiron and squaring the UK Venus and conjunct the Mars in the UK chart, plus Venus entering Pisces. The Mercury contacts to the UK chart could be significant meterologically, but may also highlight the more social and even sexual issues within society. Globally, Mercury’s alliance with Chiron directs us to look at the consequences of our actions in relation to health and healing, so the world healing organizations may have statements to make on that day. Venus entering Pisces cold also touch upon health issues too, but may also bring new initiatives in the Arts. On a more personal level, you may move from a focus on friendship, to experiencing a deeper level of sensitivity and emotion in your closest relationships. On Thursday (13th) Venus sextiles Pluto and this theme deepens even further. You can experience the very essence of your relationships, and this means also experiencing more deeply who you are. That could be wonderful, or it could be scary! The week continues apace with Mars sextile Saturn on Friday (14th) and Mercury joining Venus in Pisces. The Mars-Saturn configuration favours planned activities, with in-built caution, and careful timing and pace. Mercury’s arrival in Pisces may enable us to analyse and express our feelings about art, or about wider humanitarian issues such as the plight of Darfur. It would be a good day for charities to make impassioned pleas to our hearts and pockets. The week ends on Saturday (15th) with another mixed combination: Mercury sextile Pluto and Venus opposite Saturn. Venus in Pisces opposite Saturn in Virgo is waving a tearful goodbye, but Mercury sextile Pluto is travelling with a spirit of mission accomplished, message understood and “I’ll be back…”

For those of you still trying to catch up on sleep after the English Earthquake, the conjunction between Venus and Chiron over the next couple of days may help toward healing. Whether or not the earthquake woke you up, you may still be affected by it on some level, and may need to reassess your relationship with the earth and make it whole. That may include honouring your mother, and self-mothering. Chiron then segues nicely into a conjunction with Mercury on Tuesday (4th), enabling us to make sense rationally of what we felt about healing when Venus was conjunct Chiron. Of course, Chiron brings healing crises, so mini-emotional and mental storms may come as part of the package, but healing is the potential, and you may envision the answers to your problems almost as soon as the questions have been set. Also on Tuesday Mars is entering the sign of Cancer, which normally would make us all protective and stir up our parental instincts and again re-emphasize the role of the mother in our lives. But at the same time, Mars is limbering up for an opposition with Pluto, and so is in no mood for outside interference. Be aware of what your passions are leading you into, where they are focussed, so that your own Mars-Pluto process becomes a constructive one. I am getting ahead of myself here, but some preparing of the ground may be worthwhile. Don’t let the prospect of this forthcoming opposition spoil your unalloyed enjoyment of Sun sextile Jupiter on Thursday (6th). Really go for the pleasures life has to offer on that day (provided you have attended to your subconscious simmerings first and taken note of where they are likely to land up for Friday). Just take the day off work and celebrate life. If it’s not a public holiday where you live, then employ Zen and the Art of the Workplace. Friday (7th) starts with Venus conjunct Neptune, the afterglow from the more rumbustious pleasures of Thursday. Perhaps you really did reach some high spiritual states in connecting with your inner joy on Thursday, because you may find yourself starting Friday in total serenity over breakfast. That first fine careless croissant will be blissful. But you know what is lurking soon after, the opposition between Mars and Pluto. Perhaps someone tries to shatter the inner peace, and you will need to put into practice your highest ideals in order to show that you are not going to rise to the bait. Or perhaps you are on the other side of the fence, determined to be brutally frank, at the expense of the delicate flower on the opposite side of the breakfast table. Yes, we are still at the breakfast table, hiding our true feelings behind two different newspapers. Verbal sparring at dawn? Who will leave the table first, throwing down the napkin? Can there be any winners when discussing politics? Can you sort out the conflict in the Middle East or the rights and wrongs of the Obama-Clinton contest over the breakfast table? Don’t go to work on a cross word, or a crossword, agree to disagree if you must, but know that there is a new start at tea-time in the form of a New Moon in Pisces. During the course of the day and by the evening you will have sorted things out in your own mind, and be able to make that New Moon wish or pledge for a new start. With fresh learnings about our subconscious drives, the Pisces New Moon will favour new beginnings in psychotherapy, and in ecology efforts to improve marine life, and on higher levels spiritual unity. This puts us in a position to enjoy the last treat of the week, Sun conjunct Uranus on Saturday (8th) which favours the new, the unconventional, and surprises. It favours telepathy and astrological insights, as well as new group initiatives. It doesn’t favour doing things the way you’ve always done them and the way they have always been done. Emulate Emily, that young Masterchef finalist, and be truly creative and original next Saturday.

March 3rd is the First Anniversary of Moonpod, which was created as a result of the eclipse on that date last year. A big thankyou to all who have taken part in the research, and put their pens to the questionnaires (actually, virtual pens). It would be neat to report that there was a uniform response easily turned into graphs and pie charts. But the reality is that the experiences have been diverse and individual, and I think it is true to say that the value has been in the individual observations, each person understanding their own experience, and in the sharing. In that spirit, please let me know if you (the future Moonpodders) would like to take part.

There are two contrasting aspects today, and you may need skill to get them working together. Not sure which to give top billing to, but we’ll go for the conventional one first: Sun opposite Saturn. You may be hard-pressed to find inspiration for your creativity, especially if you are reading the newspapers and watching the news. There’s a real sense of sadness about much of what is happening. For admittedly there is a sense of loss with this aspect, and with it the loss of some of our self-expression, or perhaps having to let go of old ways of being. A constructive way of dealing with it is to recognize that some old clutter or habits need to be shed, and just get on with the shedding, knowing that the clearer the space the more quickly you will get where you need to be: a place of creativity, liberation or whatever feels good to you. The contrasting aspect is Mars trine the North Node, and that supports those who help themselves and supports right karmic action. Those of you aiming for the eternal now can get there, especially if you have done your filing first. Yes it was right to give top billing to the conventional aspect. When you do the work, you get the rewards. As soon as I have blogged, I will be right on that mountain of paper filing. By Tuesday, you will be ready to share your experiences, the joys of filing, with Venus conjunct Mercury. That aspect, when found natally, can produce great writers. But on Tuesday you’ll find that people are more open to communication, and more lyrical with it. People born with this aspect can charm the birds from the trees, but on Tuesday we’ll all be able to do it. It’s also a good aspect for diplomats and mediation, or any societies negotiating for peace and harmony. That’s actually it for the week, so it’s 2 days of filing followed by 5 days of peace-mongering. Bored? You can prepare in advance for next Sunday’s Venus conjunct Chiron, by gathering art materials or culinary ingredients. Be inspired by the finals of Masterchef this week, and the three fabulous styles of the finalists as they balance their flavours and hone their skills. Or by Bruce Forsyth, who has just turned 80 and can still tap dance…I am poring over his chart for the secret of eternal youth…

The biggest event of the day, around tea-time in the U.K., is Venus entering Aquarius. You may have had a sense of tying up loose ends in relationships this last week, because relationships are making a new start today. Venus is set for a short stay (just over 3 weeks) so we will be trying out new modes of being with each other and looking at people with new eyes. Venus transits Aquarius once a year, so if you are meeting up with people at tea-time, look at the changes in yourselves over the last year, how that has brought you forward, and how that can bring your relationships forward. If you’re having a tea ceremony on your own, focus on your relationship with yourself, and have a second cuppa for absent friends. The second event of the week takes place Tuesday (19th) and pause for fanfare while Mercury does a twirl turning direct after 3 weeks of havoc on the railways and other modes of transport and communication. In the last 3 weeks I’ve seen grown men and women, hardened long-term commuters, turn back at the Station and give up and go home. Mercury turning direct will be slow progress at first but it’ll be a relief if you’ve been waiting for important documents in the post, such as your rail compensation claim, or if you have been trying to clear confusion in negotiations. Blocked e-mails may suddenly appear, days after they have been sent, for instance. Tuesday seems to be the big day this week, because the Sun also arrives in Pisces and sextiles Pluto. With the Sun entering Pisces, you may be able to let go of the fog in communications and on the mental level, only to reveal another deeper layer of unravelling work to be undertaken on the spiritual plane. If it’s all too much, or you have gone down with a heavy cold, or are still in the grip of winter depression, you can always pass on this round. Otherwise, if you are ready to take the next step, you may be able to see your own emotions and those around you with compassion and see beyond the illusions created on the wider screen by politicians and celebrities. Still with Tuesday (if you’ve got the stamina) and now focussing on Sun sextile Pluto at the end of the day, give yourself a pat on the back for the psychological shifts you have made since Pluto entered Capricorn 3 weeks ago, and set your compass according to what you now know. Then cast your mind back to nearly 2 weeks ago and what the eclipsed New Moon brought up (e.g a proposed office move). The Full Moon on Thursday (21st) is also eclipsed, and will bring forward the theme started at the New Moon and intensify the the emotions around it. Bear in mind that the effects of eclipses can take 6 months to work out (e.g that office move could take place in the summer). The Moon will be in Virgo, opposing the Sun in Pisces, and so the issues will have moved on from the relationship of the individual to the group and will be more concerned with issues of purity, especially in connection with the environment. In the workplace this will bring up health and safety issues, e.g. the correct way to pack the ornaments on your desk without damaging them – that collection of souvenirs brought back from staff holidays wants to be preserved intact. Focus on the Virgoan details and the bigger Piscean ocean of office equipment will take care of itself in the move. But it’s all contingent on whether the bid for office space has been accepted, and whether the collective vision has been true. Sorry, I seem to have slipped into an episode of “The Quiet Office”…these things can happen while the Sun is in Pisces.

There are three major aspects this week, all of them involving the Sun, which is still in Aquarius. So the theme of the developing individuality and its relationship to the group is continuing on from last week. The first aspect evolving and reaching its peak on Monday (11th) is Sun conjunct Neptune: mystery building up and being highlighted on that day, for decoding. This may involve health issues or investigations in our personal lives (x-rays), scandals in public life (oily and slick politicians) or pollution in the environment (more literal oil slicks). For those who are limbering up for St. Valentine’s Day however it’s perfect for bringing out your poetic side. Write that poem now with Neptune as your muse, don’t wait until Thursday, when a different mood will prevail. For the Sun is trine Mars on Thursday (14th), Valentine’s Day, which unleashes passion and impatience. Girls, if you’re tempted to pop the question this leap year, you may not be able to wait until February 29th be warned. Be bold in presenting your poem to the object of your affections! If however you don’t receive a Valentine’s card, then write yourself a poem, or failing that read Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”. Authentic self-love is the order of the day, and Walt really knew how to express it: “I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” Don’t hold back, for Sun trine Mars is expression itself. The third aspect which comes at the end of the week on Saurday (16th) involves karma in the shape of Sun conjunct the North Node. O.K. maybe you should have held back, though it’s too late now, you do have to consider your karma – sorry to have misled you…It’s a great day, joking apart, for taking stock of your karma, perhaps meeting up with an old friend and visiting nostalgic places, tuning into your individual karmic mission, and keeping tabs on your Soul group as this conjunction takes place in Aquarius. Why not invite them all round for a reunion?

On Sunday morning Mercury is conjunct Neptune and journeys will still be complicated, communications fuzzy and weather unhelpful, so be prepared with your Sat Nav (or on second thoughts maybe not), flasks of hot tea, credit on your mobile phone and an extra jumper. Over the next couple of days, conversations could be cloudy and inconclusive, in an effort to achieve clarity. By Tuesday (5th) Chiron will be conjunct the Sun and bring you to the point of decision, something pressing for resolution, and the answer to the problem could lie right under your nose. It may be a healing or health issue, such as a weak ankle which stops you from going into work and facing yet another day of rail travel, or enables you to understand the underlying cause of the problem. The Sun conjoins Mercury on Wednesday (6th) and hopefully clears the fog, enables you to travel more smoothly, and brings light where there was confusion. These events all take place in the sign of Aquarius, so there’ll be an underlying “for the good of all” purpose behind any angst, and a Dunkirk spirit. Together and separately we are all working on our Aquarian issues, so if you run out of steam, have a look and see what your nearest Aquarian is up to as he or she may be at the centre of all the action, and may embody the group effort. Thursday (7th) brings a change of sign and scene: Venus from the sign of Capricorn woos Uranus in the sign of Pisces, and Uranus wows Venus in return. There could be a few raised eyebrows, here and there. Of course, the ubiquitous Aquarian will be claiming the right to be in on the act by virtue of having Uranus as their ruling planet. But a good time should be had by all. Right on top of that is an eclipsed New Moon in Aquarius, so O.K. Aquarians never really did go off stage, they just hid for a moment. It is totally their show, and totally a time for everyone to interact as if the Age of Aquarian has dawned. The eclipse factor could still hold a few fears for some, but with Pluto in Capricorn you might have noticed an intensification of effort to dissolve karma and deal with our shadows more courageously, and at this time we can allow the Universe to help us in this process. Mercury is also conjunct Chiron on that day, which will enable you to analyse things on the mental level and also apply insights to health matters – generally to join up the dots. And you can rest easy knowing that I won’t be doing another astro-quiz next week.