posted March 27, 2010 10:30 AM         

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. Edward Gibbon

I said here's the river I want to flow on, here's the direction I want to go, and put my boat in. I was ready for the river to take unexpected turns and present obstacles. Nancy Woodhull

The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it. Woodrow Wilson

In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it. George Bernard Shaw

I am driven into a desperate strait and cannot steer a middle course. Philip Massinger

God promises a safe landing but not a calm passage. Bulgarian proverb

March's Libra full Moon, occurring on March 29 in the United States and March 30 in Australia, is an interesting one that brings the promise of things easing up, calming down, and, it also holds out the possibility of finding a pathway to where you want to go or be.

The Sabian Symbol is Libra 10: A Canoe Is Approaching Safety Through Dangerous Waters. This speaks of the calm after the storm, navigating difficult straits and coming out okay, whitewater rafting, risky activities, rough waters vs. plain sailing, recovery, remission, light at the end of the tunnel, personal initiations, trials of test and defeat, being stoic, retaining dignity and graciousness, exercising care and restraint, avoiding over exaggerated enthusiasm, deliverance on many levels, salvation and staying on track.

The cautions include: Neglecting to take time to rest, taking foolhardy risks, believing that all will be okay, pre-empting situations without completing things in the present, thinking that "lightning never strikes in the same place twice", shooting more rapids, freezing up and not moving.

Here, the "Canoe Is Approaching Safety," however, it is not quite there yet, and it may be that the hard times are not completely through. Many may not be quite where they'd like to be just yet, but the difficulties are lessening as one "Is Approaching Safety Through Dangerous Waters". The coming calm is an opportunity to review what has passed, and prepare for whatever is yet to come. Before long we can realize that we've come through difficult straits and the worst of it is over.

So, are you in the "Canoe" or are you body surfing the straits without a life jacket? Have you had the necessary navigational equipment or are you going by instincts? Do you feel things coming together or are you afraid you may still land on the rocks? As the Indian proverb says Call on God, but row away from the rocks.

The Moon's north node holds an interesting back-up to this image. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 18: The Union Jack Flies From A New British Warship. Talk about sailing through difficult straits! This Symbol is about the need to defend our ideals, lifestyle or culture from outside influences. It is important to show one's power, but also to continually renew strength. This can be a show put on for others, but also an affirmation of safety for yourself and those who are in your circle of influence or protection. If there is a threat from outside your boundaries, or from within, there needs to be a swift response to snuff it out. If anarchy erupts within the ranks, political ploys may be used, such as the concept of "divide and rule" - the political rule that government is more easily maintained if factions (or people) are set against each other and not allowed to unite against the ruler. Disrespect or distrust of "authority" can lead to problems with people branded traitors. Having confidence in your ability to hold, maintain and protect your own "turf" will ensure others do as well. The trick with this degree can be to protect your borders but not to fire your guns at others as you yourself could be taken out by "friendly fire".

The Sun degree shows how we can make this journey through the straits easier. Basically, it's asking that we rewrite the book. The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is Aries 10: A Teacher Gives New Symbolic Forms To Traditional Images. This shows a need to analyze and perhaps rewrite what has been observed and learned in the traditional roles we've been living out. Things may need a new interpretation to bring them up to speed with today's thinking. You may have truly original ideas, but there's a possibility of holding these back, feeling it has all been done before. The message is to allow yourself to be creative and look for modern answers, seeing things in a different light or from a different angle. This may lead to realizations you have never considered or imagined. It can bring new understandings about people and the way things work. There could be a re-visioning of how one sees something like marriage, or work, relationships, education, systems of thought, etc.

The keywords include; new dimensions breaking old thought forms or behavior, quantum science, innovation and re-creation, working with educational tools, finding new inspiration, being ahead of one's time, new-age consciousness, ideas out of the past for the future, sticking one's neck out.

The Karmic condition (the degree before) the Sun is Aries 9: A Seer Gazes Intently Into A Crystal Ball Before Him. This speaks of flashes of inspiration, tuning in and looking within for answers, creative visualizations, aura readings, cutting through irrelevant messages, looking carefully at the structure of things, seeking perfection, clairvoyance, illumination and deep insights, looking ahead to see the signs.

One may well need to look deeper and to reassess what is and what isn't possible as Venus is on Aries 28: A Large Disappointed Audience. This shows the need for adjustments of expectations bringing realizations about what is really possible, walking out during a performance, not listening to something through a lack of interest, anticipating a different result from what is delivered, relying on feedback, lines and queues of people, criticism, the need to inspire and enthuse. This degree is interesting in that it can show you being disappointed in someone, or, disappointed with yourself. Of course, others could be disappointed in you, or you could be imaging things and being your own worst critic. Looking into that "Crystal Ball" may help sort things out.

A good way to reconnect with what is possible and rewarding in your life is through music. This is because Venus quickly flips onto the next degree at the time of the full Moon. The Sabian Symbol is Aries 29: The Music Of The Spheres. This speaks of music, singing and musical ability, voices bringing messages, attuning to the messages inherent in astrology, numerology, sound healing, numbers, it's about circadian rhythms and the timing of things, the beauty of the planets, the measurement of time, the humming of bees, days of the week, sending love, harmonies, chords, keys, octaves, tones and things heard.

Pluto is making some hard demands as it stands square to the Sun and square to the Moon, forming a t-cross that can bring stress, opposition, challenges, demands and the need to get straight about what's really going on. This aspect can bring stand-offs between people who need to get their relationship sorted out or separate and go their own ways. Pluto is on an interesting degree that speaks of not being sure where one's headed. The Sabian Symbol of Pluto is Capricorn 6: Ten Logs Lie Under An Archway Leading To Darker Woods. This brings journeys into the unknown, getting past the past, tenacity, stamina and energy preservation, things to consider before moving deeper, thresholds, archways, delving into the subconscious, memories that lead into deep or strange places, gateways, fallen trees... it seems that journey that we're on sure could use that "Canoe Approaching Safety". The trick with Pluto is to trust the process; to allow what's going on to unfold while removing obstacles (the "Ten Logs") and getting past the past.

Mars will have many wanting to show their independence, to shrug off social constraints (and their age) and there can be a desire to get rid of the evidence or remnants of the past. The Sabian Symbol is Leo 3: A Mature Woman, Keeping Up With The Times, Having Her Hair Bobbed. When the Sabian Symbols were given birth in the twenties, it was customary for women to cut their hair to show their independence. The thing to be aware of is that merely changing one's appearance doesn't necessarily alter (or fix) what's happening inside. However, feeling good about one's self on an external level can lead to greater self respect and confidence and a feeling of reeling back the years that one may feel have been lost.

There is a promise of redemption and renewal inherent in Jupiter's message on Pisces 17: An Easter Promenade. This can show renewed faith in one's life circumstances, rising up from doubt, fear and loss, rebirth, forgiveness and joy, spiritual unity, renewal and transformation. This is one of the "rising from the ashes" degrees - like the Phoenix, we can attach ourselves to others who feel the same way as ourselves and connect ourselves to the journey that is surely bringing us through "Dangerous Waters".

May your journey steer you away from the rocks and take you down the pathway that feels rewarding, safe and secure.