March 27/28: The New Moon in opposition to M102, the Draco Spindle Galaxy, invites us to work creatively on our limitations, turning them into an engine for our development

    The beginning of every astronomical cycle constitutes its most important moment in astrological terms, since it represents the seed that will be developed throughout the whole cycle. It is an energy reset, which modifies the direction in which the collective unconscious moves as well as nature in general. Therefore, the New Moon has always been considered the key moment of the month, in which trends are programmed, while the Full Moon, fifteen days later, symbolizes the completion of these same trends. The lunar cycle, which is one of the shortest astronomically speaking, is an indicator of our everyday life, ever fleeting but actually the basis of our general development.

     The solar-lunar cycle of March 2017 begins with the New Moon in ecliptic opposition to the Draco Spindle Galaxy or M102. This lenticular galaxy (similar in shape to a freesbee or flying saucer) is in the constellation Draco, the Dragon, located around the North Pole. From Earth, we see M102 from its equatorial plane, which is outlined by a dense layer of dark clouds and dust. Hence its nickname " Spindle Galaxy ", because its appearance is that of a sewing needle, very different from the one of spectacular galaxies like Andromeda (M31), the Sunflower Galaxy (M63) or the Bode Galaxy (M81).

    This modest appearance has obviously an astrological significance, even more so when the dense clouds block the light from its nucleus. Dark clouds represent obstacles to overcome, and limitations imposed by external factors. To see the reflection of this on Earth, one simply has to see the city over which M102 transits every day: Moscow, accustomed historically to great limitations imposed by a ruthless winter, cruel besiegement in times of war and extremely harsh political regimes and rulers. Galaxies of lenticular form, disc-shaped but without defined arms as do spirals, usually do not have this type of dense clouds, and because of this, M102 is considered an exception: the obstacles it represents are not common. It has been discovered that these clouds have their origin in a galaxy that M102 devoured in the past, as its remains have been found in the form of scattered stars in a faint halo around it.

    And although these dense clouds represent blockages, constraints, difficulties, it is precisely in this area of M102 in which new generations of stars are forming, though not as intensely as in other, much more creative, galaxies. That is, the same elements that coincide with constraints or cause blockages, are those that contain creativity, forcing them somehow to be productive. Lenticular galaxies are characterized by being quite sterile in terms of star production, so that in this sense, M102 is also an exception. It represents without doubt a personality with great limitations but that uses them in a creative way. As the saying goes: "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

     And that is precisely the lesson indicated by the March 2017 New Moon: finding a creative use to any limitations we may have, instead of suffering from them. The fact that the New Moon falls exactly in ecliptic opposition to the Draco Spindle Galaxy implies a balance, going exactly to the other side of the blockages in order to compensate for them. And this is done with energy and initiative, since the New Moon is in the zodiacal sign of Aries, dynamic and impulsive by nature. For this reason, during this lunar month, it is very important to identify the limits imposed by reality and to seek creative outlets within the constraints that they may imply. If we analyze it more closely, without limits there is no perceptible form and there is no differentiation between one thing and another. Sometimes the limits are necessary as a measure of protection, and we have to respect them to avoid falling into danger. Without limits, there are no challenges, and the will might be neglected, much as a muscle that is not excercised and then atrophies. And while limits are sometimes painful and unpleasant, they can also, as in the case of M102, be a wake-up call to train our character and mobilize our resources in an attempt to surpass them.

   Thus, this lunar month we will have the opportunity to exercise extensively in the management of our current limitations. It is possible that we must respect the limits as a precautionary measure and avoid great risks, in which case it will be important to work from the inside and bring into action resources and talents that otherwise we would never use. In other less dangerous cases, it will be important to train ourselves to jump over obstacles, which will require a great will effort of, but that will make us grow and stretch instead of cornering us in a disappointing and defeatist manner. And if we do not succeed, the effort to surpass any obstacles will be worthy, because it will mobilize our energy to prevent it from becoming stiff.

     With this New Moon, it is essential to be aware of this and try ... the experience will be enriching, for sure!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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