The Spring Equinox, March 20, 2013

The Spring Equinox occurs Wednesday, March 20 at 7:01:55 am EDT, Washington D.C.

The entrance of the Sun into one of the four cardinal signs - Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn - are the most important solar ingress charts of the year as they form the background for which various other astrological events of the season take place. The beginning of the astrological year is when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries.

The chart rulers and the Sun's placement in a solar ingress chart basically govern the energy of the chart, and the ingress charts furnish, what H.S. Green calls, "a framework or skeleton outline of the year." They have a heavy influence, but do not override the impact of eclipses and major outer planet transits.

In the chart above, the 2013 Aries ingress for Washington D.C., the Sun is well placed in the first house in Aries; Neptune, co-ruler with Jupiter of the Pisces rising chart, is well placed in the 12th house in Pisces, and Jupiter's energy in Gemini is happy in the 3rd house, but Saturn and Pluto add a bit of complicated energy.

The Uranus square Pluto aspect, the most influential outer planetary aspect of the year, though not exact on the Equinox, is set off by the Moon in Cancer squaring Uranus, which then moves on to square Pluto hours later at 2:01pm. (The Uranus square Pluto aspect remains an important influence up through 2015. Review the Fall Equinox article for more information on this aspect)

So, what we have for the beginning of the astrological year in the U.S. is a spring season greatly influenced by the planets Neptune and Jupiter, the rulers of Pisces, who have taken on the courageousness of an Aries.

The tension of the Uranus square Pluto is translated by the Moon in Cancer, and will be translated through various transits throughout this season; but Neptune and Jupiter's rulership of the Equinox chart will work fearlessly to keep the consequences brought on by the challenging aspect of Uranus square Pluto at bay during difficult transits. The most difficult challenge will come when Uranus squares Pluto EXACT on May 20, 2013.

Neptune energy bridges the corporeal and spiritual in the collective conscience. It works to dissolve boundaries between reality and what yet can be perceived or be revealed. It seeks to escape. Deeply connected to the unconscious, Neptune's captivating influence is dreamy, ethereal, and stimulates imagination, sensitivity and creativity.

When unafflicted, Neptune's nature is passive, but compassionate, having concern for all humanity – spiritual and mystical movements increase, charities benefit and democratic goodwill spreads. Serious concern comes when this same energy is challenged - resulting in chaos and instability.

Neptune is considered a representive for democratic political movements, and when challenged, Neptune's energy can cause collapse, uprisings, discontent, disillusionment and deception.

Jupiter, the ancient ruler, brings boundless idealism into the Pisces realm, adds a bit of luck, and watches over like a guardian angel. Without boundaries, Jupiter's faith and optimism is capable of pushing beyond imaginable limits - seeking, and exploring the unimaginable. When unafflicted, democratic ideas triumph, devotional study of religion increases, and peace and goodwill develops between nations. However when challenged, great confusion can occur and disturb peace and order.

With all that in mind, let us look at the chart as the framework in which the transiting planetary aspects of the season act.
Click For Chart Analysis with discussion of Astrological Events by Marlene Pfeifle,CAP