A fresh start

APRIL is the month that marks the start of the planting season. Astrology originated as an agricultural system, on which the ancients based their decisions to plant new seeds and to harvest the fruits of their labours. The ancients could recognise the advent of the spring equinox and the start of the planting season when the constellation of Aries was seen coming up over the eastern horizon at dawn. Conversely, six months later, when the constellation of Libra rose over the eastern horizon at dawn, the ancients knew that the fall equinox had arrived and that it was time to inaugurate the harvest season. Similarly, the ancients recognised that the ascension of the constellation of Capricorn at dawn signaled the arrival of the winter solstice, and the ascension of the constellation of Cancer at dawn signified the arrival of the summer solstice.

The ancients also created festivals to correspond with the seasonal changes, which marked the increase or decrease of solar light, and a commensurate change in weather, moods and feelings.

The most prevalent festivals in ancient times occurred at the time of the full moon since this celestial phenomenon was easily observable and predictable on a 28-day basis.

The first full moon of spring - coinciding with the beginning of the astrological calendar - occurs this year on Sunday, April 8. The advent of the spring's full moon, in which the sun is in Aries and the moon is in Libra, is a highly significant indicator of fresh starts and new beginnings across the planet. A freshness of purpose, a lightness of spirit, a sense of optimism, renewal, hope, and revival characterise the weeks before and after the spring full moon. For this reason, many religious festivals also are centred around the first full moon after the spring equinox (see weekly astrological predictions column).

What can you do to make the most of this highly energised time? The key to your success is your thoughts. No matter what your circumstances or what you may be feeling at this pivotal time of year, you still have the power to create your thoughts. This means that you have the power to imagine a better life for yourself, to visualise outcomes that you would prefer, and to see the present through a new lens.

Create a new lens in your mind's eye that shows you how everything in your life, even the difficulties, have served a positive purpose in teaching you lessons and in making you the person you are today.

Try this exercise: Imagine three of the "worst" events in your life and how they changed you. Then, imagine your life if those events had not happened. It's a pretty sure bet that you would not trade those "worst" events because those "worst" events were the sculptor that chiseled you into the person you are today.

These "worst" events also are the foundation from which you can build a new vision of your reality. If you can think of the "worst" thing that has ever happened to you, create images in your mind of the steps you would take to extricate yourself from or grow out of the "worst" situation.

Thoughts and visions are electromagnetic. When you have positive thoughts and visions of how to heal a situation, these thoughts magnetise positive people and circumstances that will help you heal and improve your circumstances. If your thoughts dwell upon the misfortune without focussing on solutions, then your thoughts will electromagnetically attract more of the misfortune. You are in control of which way you go.

The sun in Aries and full moon in Libra provide a fulcrum on which to balance your ideas for action (Aries) with eventual consequences (Libra). Just as the ancients knew the Sign of Aries indicated it was time to plant new seeds and the Sign of Libra indicated it was time to harvest, you too have the opportunity to move in a new direction or make new plans that will bear fruit in the fall harvest season.

Take this time of year seriously because there is a particular energy current emanating from the cosmos that supports the growth of new life. Those who carefully plant new seeds and water them will surely harvest positive results six months from now. Give it a try. Pursue one new possibility. Take one small risk. Reach out to one new person. See what happens. You only have six months to wait. With the positive support of your own thoughts, you are certain to witness change in your life.

LAURIE BAUM

Website: www.lauriebaum.com

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