This is a time of many celestial events of import. Feb. 17 began a new Lunar New Year. More on that later. The last night of February and the dawn of March 1st were lit by bombs as the U.S. attacked Iran, an illegal war without congressional approval, clear reason or objective, never mind an exit strategy. One hundred and seventy-five young girls and their teachers were obliterated in a missile strike on a school.
On March 3 we saw the huge blood moon, casting its red hues and eerie light reflecting all the bloodshed being caused by Russia in Ukraine, by Israel in Gaza, and by Israel and the U.S. in Iran. Ordinarily this moon phase is called the worm moon indicating the reappearance of some creatures as the season turns. This year, with our landscape fully snowbound at that time, the eclipse that caused the blood moon to appear was more apt.
Daylight savings time began again with the usual disruptions to sleep, routine and perceptions — at 4 p.m. our senses tell us the usual afternoon light patterns are not quite right. In other sky-high events, gaggles of geese are flying north now, sometimes in razor-sharp formations, sometimes in a disorganized array.
Mercury has been in retrograde much of March, wrecking communications, disrupting agreements, causing confusion, although it seems this administration’s confusion has been caused by colossal ignorance, arrogance and poor judgement rather than the planets. So we get the total destabilization of the Middle East, skyrocketing oil, gas and natural gas prices, and storm clouds of secondary impacts on industry (especially electronics ), farming, financial markets, and human health. Iran and surrounding countries dragged into the war suffer from black rain caused by bombs on petroleum products; destruction of drinking water supplies; pollution of the Gulf and Strait; to say nothing of American soldiers killed (at least 13) and wounded (200). Thousands of Americans remain stranded in Middle Eastern countries as our embassies become targets and airports close; tens of thousands of Iranians and Lebanese, among others, blasted out of their homes. For what? Gulf oil profits? Distraction from ever-more-disturbing Epstein files? An excuse to loosen sanctions on Russian oil to finance Putin’s war on Ukraine?
We already feel the rise in gas and diesel prices soon to impact transport of all sorts of goods. Our farmers need fertilizers bottled up in the Strait of Hormuz, electronics industries using natural gas will be curtailed, and myriad other daily products will be costlier for everyone. Meanwhile our government admits to spending 1.6 billion dollars a day of taxpayer funds for a debacle putting all our former allies into “wait and see” mode.
Other notable March moments include the Ides, or 15th, of the month — a day associated with betrayal and disaster. “Beware the Ides of March,” said the soothsayer to Julius Ceasar, warning of his impending assassination that marked the final phase of the disintegration of the Roman Republic. In this case, our would-be emperor is attempting to assassinate our democracy and has betrayed every standard of decency and humanity as he blunders ahead despite warnings and ignored advice.
Named for Mars, the god of war, March is also known for unpredictable weather (lamb-like or lion-fierce?). Nevertheless, the third week of March brings the vernal equinox, the beginning of astronomical spring. It remains to be seen just how spring-like we will be feeling as March fades. Often viewed as a time of hope, increasing light, perhaps milder temperatures, and slow signs of growth and regeneration, the turning point of the equinox usually brings some reassurance. Dare we allow ourselves to hope, despite the mayhem and destruction all around?
Here’s where we loop back to the Lunar New Year. This is the year of the “Fire Horse.” It’s a rare combination — the freedom, speed, endurance and adventurousness of the horse united with the transformative passion, illumination and intensity of fire — that only happens every 60 years. The last time was 1966. Many different sources declare the Year of the Fire Horse to be a time of passionate energy, bold and intense transitions, strength, confidence, momentum and societal transformation. A time of life-altering changes and courageous choices.
How about it? Let’s ride the Fire Horse March 28 to the third No Kings Day — whether you go to Greenfield, Keene, Brattleboro, Northampton, Amherst or anywhere else, take a friend and join your neighbors to declare our passion for democracy and our determination to launch a time of transformation.
Judy Wagner lives in Northfield.