Can you feel the sap rising? It’s finally spring here in the Northern Hemisphere – new life is bursting out all over! And there’s a gang of planets in feisty Aries urging us (especially women) to get moving and speak out.
Women’s stories have long been ignored and devalued, a practice that continues in modern film-making. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that in 2015, male characters received twice as much screen time as their female counterparts. And, a 2016 survey of over 2,000 Hollywood films revealed that 78 percent featured a male lead. And that’s just in America!
The situation is worse in India, a culture that traditionally shames women for expressing their power and sexuality. But Alankrita Shrivastava is determined to change that. The Indian director’s award-winning film, Lipstick Under My Burkha, follows the secret inner lives of four women, two Muslim and two Hindu, depicting their sexual desires and social challenges. The film has been praised for challenging gender-based norms and breaking stereotypes. But the Central Board for Film Certification has provoked public outrage by refusing to certify the film for theaters because it’s too “lady-oriented.” People have encouraged Shrivastava to circumvent the board’s decision and go straight to streaming, but she wants a theatrical release in India. So she’s filed an appeal with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal; the hearing will occur at the end of March.
When I read this story, I saw the defiant face of retrograde Venus. Venus in Aries is the Amazon Warrior, and particularly when in retrograde mode, she provokes women to action. But she also provokes those who are threatened by women’s strength. Aries demands courage and decisiveness. Now we are forced to dig deep to find inner fortitude, especially when contending with angry or unconscious forces.
Think about the last few weeks (Venus turned retrograde in early March; it goes direct mid-April). Has your frustration with someone or something gotten so extreme that you’ve been having dark – even devious – thoughts? Have you lashed out in anger, or been the recipient of heated words? If so, it’s the handiwork of Venus in Aries – who’s not that comfortable in Mars’ impulsive sign, and can sometimes react blindly when feeling restrained.
Yet the Aries energy is also invigorating – and it’s everywhere now. The Sun leaped into Aries at the March 20 Equinox to join changeable Mercury, who’s getting set to march with revolutionary Uranus in Aries within hours of the New Moon (March 27, 7:57 p.m. PDT). And, retrograde Venus joins hands with the Sun and Moon, reawakening feisty, sexy parts of us that may have been dormant for years. How you use this energy is up to you – it could be just the kick you need to move forward, or might lead to a setback. Use it consciously. Patience will be at a premium, and hasty words can provoke others – even to violence in extreme situations. Channel your fighting spirit in wise, heartfelt ways. Stand up for yourself (and others) to help break old patterns of bondage.
If you need help making the most of this New Moon, check out this Aries ritual to pump up your energy and career, from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life.
I agree with you, Sometine, it´so difficult to get out on a wise way….
never gige up..
Yes Maria, all we can do is try our best – and forgive ourselves when we slip up!