April 24, 2006 | This Week's Astrology I REALIZE we've been going through one of those "What on Earth is next?" phases of astrology, and the action of the nodes, Mars and Mercury in the cardinal signs (Cancer and Aries) has been stirring the pot from the bottom up. Currently the Moon is sweeping through sensitive Pisces and has been making plenty of aspects to other planets in the water signs: Mars, Juno and Vesta in Cancer; Jupiter in Scorpio; and Uranus and Venus in Pisces. This is a lot of water, and that means that emotionally we may need to tread water. The important thing is to stay above your emotions and keep breathing. Mercury has just crossed the lunar node and the degree of the 3/29 solar eclipse; Mars has squared the node and is getting ready to square the degree of the eclipse. That is why everything feels so incredibly important, and why all decisions feel so life-altering. Is it true, or is it just a feeling? Ah well that is one of the mysteries of the nodes. They are there to guide us, but not to compel us. There is an extraordinary amount of individualistic energy in the air, and many people are finding this is tough on relationships. Will this help? Well, one of the things our relationships struggle from is a combination of overcooked individuality and undercooked insecurity. The lunar nodes in Aries and Libra are underscoring just this issue. Where is the line between I and We? How much investment can you expect people to have in your sense of safety? How much are you willing to do to make them feel safe? And the kicker of course -- is all of that really just a ruse? If nothing else, the nodes in Aries in Libra -- an 18 month transit that comes to a peak this spring -- are saying that we need to be fully conscious of our own security needs and our own identity as apart from any relationship we may be in. This does not preclude the possibility of love, and in fact it leaves our loved ones breathing easier because we send the message that we don't need them to feel safe. One of the most precious gifts we can offer another is our own sense of security.