For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s first post.

The Spring Equinox occurs on March 19/20 (the exact day depends on where you live)—when the Sun enters the constellation Aries, the fiery first sign of the zodiac-- making this a great time for the Spirited Woman to remember exactly what makes her spirited!

In astrology, the element of fire is synonymous with spirit. The fire sign Aries--ruled by the planet Mars, and associated with the warrior, soldier, athlete, hunter, conqueror, and leader--represents the capability to act independently and concerns taking action based on one’s motivation, ambition, and assertion.

Despite its general association with male energy, it’s abundantly clear that this predominantly male archetype is present also in females, as certainly a Spirited Woman may be born under the sign of the ram. And, despite its male orientation, Aries is synonymous with spring, and symbolizes a time of new birth. Seeds planted now will be harvested during summer and fall months.

The main thrust of Aries energy is that it’s about expression of one’s personal will and the ability to shout to the world: “I am!” Anytime a Spirited Woman chooses to move, dance, paint, sing, write, play, work, or otherwise express herself, it is Mars/Aries action that she takes.

Likewise, if she yells at her children, blows up at her boss, or honks her horn to warn the senior citizen crossing against the light, she is acting upon her Aries-influenced instinctual impulses. Archetypal Aries more negative manifestations can include aggression, anger, uber-sexuality, and violence.

Psychologist Carl Jung coined the terms “anima” and “animus” to describe the feminine and masculine qualities inherent in each individual’s psyche, or energetic make up, regardless of gender. Every Spirited Woman possesses a slightly different combination of the two.

Personal Will & The Feminine Divine

I got to wondering while drafting this piece, however, why the Mars/Aries archetype encompasses so much male energy without any mention in astrology of its feminine qualities, such as the strength it takes to give birth or, say, to endure a certain kind of monthly pain.

So where’s our female archetypal warrior, athlete, hunter role model here?

After all, the right to move freely, and to express one’s self and one’s personal will free from restraint--be that will physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual--is a universal one.

Images of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, as she was known in ancient Greece (the Romans called her Diana) kept coming to mind. Often she was depicted holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by a stag.

As I refreshed my memory about this archetype, I remembered that more than 5,000 years ago—before the rise of the patriarchy—Artemis and other goddesses were even more highly revered than any of their male counterparts.

There existed then “an understanding of the connection between death and rebirth…and the cyclically renewing Moon Goddess, who was worshiped by ancient peoples,” writes astrologer and classics scholar Demetra George in Mysteries Of The Dark Moon.

“The Goddess’s teachings held that death was but the precursor to rebirth, and that sex can be used not only for procreation, but also for ecstasy, healing, regeneration, and spiritual illumination.”

The Astrological Moon

Western astrologers agree that the Moon represents one’s roots, home, family, security, tradition, mother, and the past. The Moon has to do with memory because it is in our memories that we store our emotions.

When the world was matriarchal in nature, it revered natural cycles--a woman’s cycles. It stood in awe of a female’s capability to give birth just as it stood in awe of Mother Earth’s capability to bring forth plants and foods that fed and nourished the body and kept one from living in more than simply survival mode.

So why has Mars/Aries become the dominant symbol of our will and our drive, and what happened to Artemis?

“When humanity shifted its allegiance to the worship of solar gods, the symbols of the Goddess began to disappear from culture and her teachings became forgotten, repressed, and distorted,” George explains.

Ha, but as every Spirited Woman knows, the matriarchy of yore may be gone—but it is not forgotten! Stay tuned for Part Two of this blog series when we’ll talk more about the divine feminine and your personal Moon, including how to identify the Moon sign under which you were born!

Amazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!
 

For spirited women everywhere, the Spring Equinox is a big deal - it is an annual turning point in our lives and reflects many changes. But why does it affect us so? I invited Sheri Horn Hasan, an expert in Karmic Evolution Astrology back as our guest blogger to give us some answers - since her posts on Mercury in Retrograde were such a big hit. This time she has written a three-part series on the Spring Equinox and how it really influences the divine feminine in us all. This is Sheri’s first post.

The Spring Equinox occurs on March 19/20 (the exact day depends on where you live)—when the Sun enters the constellation Aries, the fiery first sign of the zodiac-- making this a great time for the Spirited Woman to remember exactly what makes her spirited!

In astrology, the element of fire is synonymous with spirit. The fire sign Aries--ruled by the planet Mars, and associated with the warrior, soldier, athlete, hunter, conqueror, and leader--represents the capability to act independently and concerns taking action based on one’s motivation, ambition, and assertion.

Despite its general association with male energy, it’s abundantly clear that this predominantly male archetype is present also in females, as certainly a Spirited Woman may be born under the sign of the ram. And, despite its male orientation, Aries is synonymous with spring, and symbolizes a time of new birth. Seeds planted now will be harvested during summer and fall months.

The main thrust of Aries energy is that it’s about expression of one’s personal will and the ability to shout to the world: “I am!” Anytime a Spirited Woman chooses to move, dance, paint, sing, write, play, work, or otherwise express herself, it is Mars/Aries action that she takes.

Likewise, if she yells at her children, blows up at her boss, or honks her horn to warn the senior citizen crossing against the light, she is acting upon her Aries-influenced instinctual impulses. Archetypal Aries more negative manifestations can include aggression, anger, uber-sexuality, and violence.

Psychologist Carl Jung coined the terms “anima” and “animus” to describe the feminine and masculine qualities inherent in each individual’s psyche, or energetic make up, regardless of gender. Every Spirited Woman possesses a slightly different combination of the two.

Personal Will & The Feminine Divine

I got to wondering while drafting this piece, however, why the Mars/Aries archetype encompasses so much male energy without any mention in astrology of its feminine qualities, such as the strength it takes to give birth or, say, to endure a certain kind of monthly pain.

So where’s our female archetypal warrior, athlete, hunter role model here?

After all, the right to move freely, and to express one’s self and one’s personal will free from restraint--be that will physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual--is a universal one.

Images of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, as she was known in ancient Greece (the Romans called her Diana) kept coming to mind. Often she was depicted holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by a stag.

As I refreshed my memory about this archetype, I remembered that more than 5,000 years ago—before the rise of the patriarchy—Artemis and other goddesses were even more highly revered than any of their male counterparts.

There existed then “an understanding of the connection between death and rebirth…and the cyclically renewing Moon Goddess, who was worshiped by ancient peoples,” writes astrologer and classics scholar Demetra George in Mysteries Of The Dark Moon.

“The Goddess’s teachings held that death was but the precursor to rebirth, and that sex can be used not only for procreation, but also for ecstasy, healing, regeneration, and spiritual illumination.”

The Astrological Moon

Western astrologers agree that the Moon represents one’s roots, home, family, security, tradition, mother, and the past. The Moon has to do with memory because it is in our memories that we store our emotions.

When the world was matriarchal in nature, it revered natural cycles--a woman’s cycles. It stood in awe of a female’s capability to give birth just as it stood in awe of Mother Earth’s capability to bring forth plants and foods that fed and nourished the body and kept one from living in more than simply survival mode.

So why has Mars/Aries become the dominant symbol of our will and our drive, and what happened to Artemis?

“When humanity shifted its allegiance to the worship of solar gods, the symbols of the Goddess began to disappear from culture and her teachings became forgotten, repressed, and distorted,” George explains.

Ha, but as every Spirited Woman knows, the matriarchy of yore may be gone—but it is not forgotten! Stay tuned for Part Two of this blog series when we’ll talk more about the divine feminine and your personal Moon, including how to identify the Moon sign under which you were born!

Amazon #1 Bestseller & professional intuitive psychological/archetypal/evolutionary astrologer at Karmic Evolution Astrology, Sheri Horn Hasan analyzes natal horoscopes as the blueprint that can help one’s soul to recognize & reach its highest destiny in this lifetime. Her mission is to assist others to move from chaos to clarity and co-create their own future through astrology! Read Sheri’s story about her astrological awakening!