Many people expected a shift of outlook and energies as a result of the recent end of the Mayan Calendar "baktun" (long term cycle). In ordinary "western" astrology, we say we've been waiting for the end of the Age of Pisces and the beginning of the new Age of Aquarius. The changing of the Ages is measured by the position in the zodiac constellations where the spring equinox occurs.

Astro-historian Don Cerow has studied the myths of ancient peoples in relation to astrology and the Great Ages. In his soon-to-be-released book (due out in May), When the Dragon Wore the Crown, he discusses his theory of the Bible's Book of Revelation as a time capsule for the Age of Pisces. He correlates the "Seven Seals" with the timing of the movement of the spring equinox point past stars along the rope between the two fish in Pisces. The first of those stars is Alpha Piscium and the last is Omega Piscium. Revelation quotes Jesus as saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega" (the beginning and the end), and Don speculates this means that the Christian religion and Jesus as its avatar relate to the Age of Pisces, which began with the spring equinox at the Alpha star of Pisces and ends with it at the Omega star. Don wrote an exclusive article for Janet's Plan-its on this topic (see p. 88).

Don's measurements pinpoint the timing of the spring equinox point reaching the Omega star to this month, in fact to the 11th-12th! So we could call this "Omega Day" and celebrate the end of the Age of Pisces, even though Great Ages (over 2000 years long) take many years to cross the border between signs. I do find it fascinating that the Pope announced yesterday that he is resigning instead of serving until he dies. No Pope has done that since 1415! This certainly is a major symbolic ending, and we can be pretty sure the Pope didn't use astrology to decide on the day, so we'll have to say it's synchronistic or at least, coincidental.

The transition to the New Age is the topic of the February episode of LOOKING UP, entitled "The Age of Aquarius - Are We There Yet." I hope you will take a few minutes to watch it. You will probably be able to figure out the couple instances when I use the term "decade" that I really mean "century." Other than that little error, it's a pretty good explanation of the transition and Don's theory.

If you're one of my Connecticut readers, you might be interested in attending this dinner lecture also about the shifting of the great ages. It takes place in a cool "speak easy"-stye bistro that caters special events, just off Route 8 and easy to get to. The fee of $25 includes a delicious gourmet meal. Advance reservations are required by Sunday, March 3. Contact the Ritz Crystal Room at Remember When. Come and bring a friend for a fascinating evening!

Ever wonder why Chinese New Year is on different dates each year? For the same reason that the Jewish and Islamic holidays jump around the western calendar. Their calendars are lunar, with their holidays based on timing from New Moons. Each year, the New Moon in Aquarius begins the Chinese New Year. That occurred over the weekend on Feb. 10 at 2:21 AM in the Eastern time zone, Feb. 9 11:51 PM on the west coast.

Although the sign of the New Moon is Aquarius, there is a quartet in Pisces (see above) that has a significant impact. Sandwiched between Pisces' ruler, Neptune, and Chiron in Pisces, the duo of Mercury and Mars occupy the degree where the Sun will be at the Full Moon in two weeks. Events and circumstances then will be a culmination of what is present around the time of the New Moon.

Mercury passed Mars on Feb. 8 and as it backtracks through Pisces (retrograde 2/23 to 3/17), it will join Mars again on 2/26, the day after the Full Moon. This means they are close enough at the Full Moon to bring a burst of their blend. And how does this combo operate?

Mars is at its least aggressive and most empathetic in Pisces. You could say Mars is being Mercury-ized, inclining any fights to be verbal rather than physical and filtering impulses through the frontal lobe. Or you could say Mercury is getting Mars-ized, speeding up synapses and easing a leap to conclusions. That could be problematic since Mercury is out of its element and the thinking process is steeped in emotions when Mercury is in Pisces (which is opposite Virgo, one of the two signs Mercury rules). If logic fails us, we will find that faith or having a vision is especially important and can help us make needed changes.

Pisces indicates actions done quietly without fanfare or in the background. With Mars and Mercury joining their forces in Pisces, it's time to talk about how to be more supportive of those most in need. Selfishness is nowhere in sight.

I always find correspondences between news and astrology to be very interesting. This current team-up of Mercury and Mars coincides with a lot of attention on the revelation of the Obama Administration's rationale for the secret use of force (killing by drones) and a softening of formerly hard positions on gun control laws. Mars is related to weapons, Pisces to secrets and softening, and Mercury to discussions and news.

The Year of the Snake is supposed to be a time of focusing on family and with the Age of Aquarius upon us, this should be beyond just our individual families, but also the family of mankind.

The year is underway but there is still a long haul to go, so if you don't have your 2013 Janet's Plan-its, order one today! You do not need to know astrology to easily see which days have the best energy for your important plans and avoid the pitfalls of precarious times. If you have your chart, there are tools to help you discover which planetary influences will impact your life the most. If the information in this calendar helps you in one valued situation or prevents you from one devastating misstep, it will be worth many times what you paid for it. Even if you already have a 2013 calendar or planner, this is an excellent resource to use alongside your favorite to give you information available nowhere else!