The New Moon of February 21, 2012, falls at 2° Pisces. The NM is conjoined with Neptune which recently moved into Pisces. Neptune is considered a higher octave of Venus; peace-seeking. NM and Neptune are trine Saturn and sextile Jupiter, aspects promoting peace, goodwill and reforms that prove favorable for people. This NM is trine USA Venus and Jupiter, suggesting some economic relief or benefits. This may also prove favorable for those in the publishing industry and for religion and the churches, which may gain support.

New Moon

Yet, the NM is square USA Uranus and this chart shows a measure of discontent in the country. In the chart cast for Washington D.C., attention is drawn to new developments in national and international relations with NM in the Seventh House. Neptune on the cusp of the Seventh cautions a time to be on the alert for the detection of enemies coming forth. The cusp of the Seventh represents things that contribute to or take away from public contentment. Neptune represents confusing elements or intrigue in foreign affairs. At worst, there could be double dealing, dependency issues, or actual schemes or plots carried out against the country.

A big giveaway that things are less than peaceful is Mars in the First House opposing the chart ruler, Mercury in the Seventh. Mars signifies an aggressive spirit at home and abroad. There is high excitement, with disputes, embittered discussions or bickering in politics; maybe even underhandedness or personal recriminations. A competitive spirit is growing.

Mars in the First House indicates that military matters attract attention. There are rumors of war or developments trending in that direction. Mars is retrograde and forms difficult aspects. Mars gives rise to aggression and crimes, when schemes could be in the planning stages. In a critical degree and ruling the Ninth House, Mars implicates long distance travel, shipping and foreign trade as being open for some critical issue to arise. Mars is in the degree it held in the Capricorn Ingress, where from the Twelfth House it showed concerns about danger from secret enemies.

Another disturbance is noted with Uranus in the Eighth House, associated with sudden unexpected deaths; from accidents, suicides, explosions, fire, or in strange and unusual ways. Venus in the Eighth is associated with the death of women. In Aries, this may be related to the controversial new guidelines for women serving in the military, bringing them closer to danger.

This NM opposes President Obama’s Pluto, suggesting the need to confront and find a remedy for an exposed problem or to eliminate a problem source.  The NM squares his Moon, which sometimes means misleading hunches and it opposes his progressed Venus, when tensions in relationships may come out into the open. NM Venus ruling the Tenth House of the president is involved in minor afflictions to the NM, Neptune and Ascendant, suggesting vulnerability.

Then, according to Venus/Neptune in a close semi-square, there is a focus on the importance of relationships, especially among partners, but with vulnerability to deceptions. There is also the exposure of scandals. Some of these are in high life or among important people. An important marriage may crumble; there is immorality in married life, or upsetting episodes in the courts.

In national finances, this is an area subject to conflicts and sharp practices. Mercury rules the Second in argumentative aspect to Mars, and NM Venus opposes USA Saturn in the NM Second.

There appears to be regeneration and growth in the entertainment area. There may be new theaters or amusements. With Pluto in the Fifth House trine Jupiter, this could bring fortunate changes involving the interests of children and benefits for those in the entertainment industry.

Saturn in the Third House combined with Mercury’s aspects shows traffic accidents or travel hazards, when things to do with locomotion go wrong. This could mean problematic times for those working in the transport and communications sectors.

In weather, it looks to be extreme and possibly freaky with Pluto and Neptune influencing. The midsection of the country may be a trouble spot for weather and land conditions. Saturn falls on the IC running through parts of TX, OK, KS, CO, NE, ND and SD. A Moon Wobble on February 28, 2012 may contribute to bad weather.

Things signified in the NM chart often start to bear fruit at the Full Moon. The FM falls March 8, 2012 at 18° Virgo, conjunct USA Neptune and square USA Mars, suggesting intrigue, danger or a disturbance of the peace within two weeks. During that time, retrograde Mars comes to square the nodes, associated with the use of excessive force. Mars and the nodes tie in to USA progressed Sun square Uranus as USA Uranus gets a transit from the South Node near the time Mars opposes USA progressed Sun. All together this is unsettling, suggesting sudden trouble or conflict. While much of this may be political, things to do with foreign affairs may start percolating. Disputes with other powers is a possibility.

There is more evidence in a similar direction. Transiting Pluto is opposing the Solar Eclipse of July 2011 for the first time in March 2012, where a Grand Cross suggested power struggles. And, I can’t help but notice that on March 14, there are four planets in the degree of the Mean nodes, suggesting potentially excitable developments.

The middle of March appears to be an active time, when progress can be made, especially taking care of old outstanding issues or problems. In the country there is evidence of organizing and taking control of situations. But, it may be a developing problem that necessitates a call to action.

In your own chart, check the house where the NM falls at 2° Pisces. The NM will draw your attention to the matters of this house and you may feel inspired and creative about making new beginnings. There is optimism, dreams and an urge to make big promises. Just be aware that you may be seeing things through idealistic eyes. Try to maintain your practical wits. If anything were to go wrong, it’d likely be due to self-deception. Remember that Mercury goes retrograde on March 11, 2012, while transiting Mars is also retrograde, so this isn’t a very favorable time to launch a new enterprise or business. It’s a better time to get organized and get your plans laid out. Learning new details will put you at greater cause to successfully implement plans later. For more help in determining how this NM will impact in your life and the wisest course of action to take in March, you might want to check out my article, Forecasting Personal Events Using the Moon Phases, now available as a PDF download in the Shop. All the best, Celeste Teal 2/17/2012

Actual Events: Afghanistan uprisings after U.S. troops burn old Qurans, Feb 21. Seven marines die in helicopter collision during training near the CA/AZ border, Feb 22. Iran tensions contribute to rising gas prices, Feb 23. Country under a severe winter weather system, Feb 23. Protesters and police clash at Occupy Louisville demonstration, Feb 25. Protests against Quran-burning rages on, with 6 killed, including 2 U.S. officers, Feb 26. Bond of trust broken between U.S. and Afghan troops over the burning of Qurans, a mistake Obama apologized for. Gunman shoots/kills students in OH school, Feb 27. Israel says it won’t warn the US if it plans a strike on Iran, Feb 28. Political comments get nasty; Santorum apologizes for remarking he wanted to throw up after reading JFK’s 1960 speech about the separation between church and state. Deadly twisters tear across KS, MO and the Midwest, Feb 28/29, killing 39 people. Coast Guard helicopter crash in Alabama leaves 1 dead; 3 missing, Feb 29. Obama meets with Israel PM, who cautiously agrees to resume nuclear talks with Iran, bringing a respite to a crisis that has driven up oil prices and threatened war, March 7. Yahoo sues Facebook.  A U.S. soldier in Afghanistan opens fire on civilians, killing 16, leading to threats of retaliation from the Taliban, March 10. Violence erupts after massacre; insurgents firing on investigators, the Taliban threatening to behead American soldiers, Sec of Defense Leon Panetta safe after security breach near his plane at Afghan base by truck that exploded in flames, Mar. 12-14. Dow closes highest since 2007. More Midwest twisters. U.S. beefs up military presence in Persian Gulf.