During March 2025, Neptune entered Aries, where it will remain for 14 years. On the same exact day—and not by coincidence, but by synchronicity, and where there is synchronicity, there is truth—I was in Taiwan, and I released Chinese lanterns on the Jade Mountain in prayer for this new cycle. That day, my prayers extended to the Longshan Taoist and Buddhist Temple in Taipei, under the sublime gaze of the Goddess Kuan Yin, of Compassion and Mercy. We all need those so deeply!

Not only did the Sun enter Aries, but so did Neptune (again, after about 165 years). Let's look at this archetype in Theo-Astrology.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. Sin is represented by darkness... Every year, at the winter solstice, the sun appears to stop as it reaches its furthest point in the southern hemisphere. This is where it CROSSES the fixed stars of the Southern Cross for three days: December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. The ancients said that the SUN/Spirit, if submitted to the CROSS, dies for 3 days and is reborn on December 25th. Then, heading north, the daylight increases. "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

And when the “Sun touches the Lamb of God—Aries,” the darkness/sin is removed, and the Light/Life/Spring is reborn. The Sun must submit to the Cross so that the Light can remove sin on its path to the Paschal Lamb—Aries. The Solar Fire unites and consumes, in a sacrificial consummation, the Lamb. There is no need to sacrifice little lambs; just receive these mysteries and meditate… and the light of new life is lit from within… Inside, as outside… above, as below. Aries rules the head… The Fire of the Lamb ignites in the forehead, the Fire of the 3rd Vision, through the rising of the Light/Consciousness/Kundalini. Of course it is also a physical process, as it is spiritual. Therefore, the body also needs to prepare itself to receive the Light in this conversion of the 5 senses (the "5 wounds"): all traditions teach how—through prayers, meditations, fasting, mantras, yogas, etc.

What extraordinary times to live in! And for the first time in about 165 years, Neptune, the planet of universal love, returns to the sign of the Lamb… at Easter! So much synchronicity, meanings revealed, illuminating our journey. Let us not leave our “lamp without oil,” without light, without faith. Observation of our thoughts, working with discipline on the coherence of what we believe, say, and do; discipline comes from the root “disciple.” And it is one of the mottos of Saturn, which not only is in Pisces (spiritual discipline) but also in conjunction with the stellium of the recent New Moon in Aries. Aligned with and further reinforcing Heaven's indication for us to be spiritual warriors: Neptune in Aries!

The Warrior Archetype is one that is deeply linked to fulfilling the Mission, to Duty, to Readiness for the Calling. The astrological chart of this new moon in Aries and solar eclipse—of the spring equinox (Northern Hemisphere)—has very inspiring dynamics. Mars, the Ruler, has only good aspects , although it is in fall. We have opportunities to direct vital energy positively, with increasing clarity, inspiration, and constancy, towards the New Man/Woman that can flourish this Easter. The “flesh may be weak,” but this is a time of great sowing. Through the alchemy of matter with spirit, we can receive in our lives the truth that liberates. That frees us for what we still have to accomplish; that vivifies us to awaken what has been dormant. Before we know that we are all one, we have to know who we are... Neptune in Aries!

So be it. Amen, Om.

Part 2: Taiwan, the Formosa island

Taiwan was called Formosa by the Portuguese when they first sighted it from the sea in 1517 (or 1544 in other sources). Taiwan is very densely populated and very well managed by a municipal organization, with excellent roads, public transportation, bridges, and infrastructure. Another example of success, which shows that what is fundamental is vision, unity, and faith. It is human intelligence, open to new solutions, activating creativity and expansion, and projecting itself into the future with initiative and motivation for the common good. The Westernization of Taiwan was, of course, fundamental to its modernization and, in my view, also to its Confucian foundation.

It has more than 16 indigenous peoples and a lot of Japanese, Chinese, and some Spanish influence—they introduced Christianity and Western music—and also Dutch influence in agriculture, commerce, education, and health, and also some North American influence, especially after the Second World War. I visited it during a tense international period, with Chinese ships intensifying intimidation maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Yes, China wants Taiwan “back,” but I felt the people relaxed, and I heard them praying in Catholic churches for the maintenance of their autonomy and independence. Taiwan has its own government, democratically elected, independent institutions, national currency, armed forces… - In practice, it is a sovereign state, but despite this, it is not recognized by the UN and the main international organizations because the Chinese pressure is enormous…

I met the emblematic figure of President Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, who ruled China since 1927 and, in the wake of the conflict with Mao 's Communist Party, took refuge with his general staff and around 2 million Chinese in Taiwan (an autonomous government was formed with the support of the United States). But I was fascinated by his second (or some say third) wife, the beautiful Soong Mei-ling. A Chinese lady who studied in New York, Westernized, with a very important role in diplomatic relations at the time. Artistic, intelligent, cultured, glamorous, and talented, she was the “mother” of this prosperous, free nation, which has a history of fusion that enchants me. “Merging” is one of the great themes of the next 2,000 years with the Age of Aquarius. Fusion of populations (a difficult topic…), peaceful coexistence of religions, appreciation of difference as a priceless human heritage, and protection of the value of life above all things.

Chiang Kai-shek, with his Confucian influences and some of the Japanese mentality, arrived at an—to me interesting—notion of civicism ”where the search for individual freedom should not be so extreme as to promote selfish individualism, libertinism, laziness, vices/hedonism, anarchy, or lack of cooperative/corporate sense that seeks the good of the whole. Thus, he declared that the New Life Movement (from 1929-30) aimed at “promoting a regular life guided by the four virtues”—‘L”ǐ’ (proper rite), ‘Yì ’ (justice), lián (honesty and cleanliness), and chǐ (sense of right and wrong). Naturally, a Neo-Confucian social morality that he contrasted with (Maoist) communism. The eight virtues of Confucius are loyalty (忠), filial piety (孝), benevolence (仁), love (愛), honesty (信), justice (義), harmony (和), and peace (平).

I love temples, and one of my favorites is the Dragon Mountain Buddhist and Taoist Temple, Longshan, in Taiwan, dedicated mainly to the wonderful Goddess Kuan Yin, of Compassion and Mercy. There are interesting rituals where people, after making offerings, choose one of two halves, or red (wooden) segments, and, with a wish in mind, throw them on the ground to see if they will be granted or not. There are other rituals, ways of praying, songs, and precepts. There is the Taoist deity of Love, Yue Lao, where there are always (mostly) young women praying for intercession… We are all much more equal than different!

I loved the museums; they were truly remarkable—they are the repositories of the soul of a people, and it is important to visit them wherever we travel. There were so many children, young people, and adults in the museums—what a fantastic example. The pink cherry trees in bloom, the Chinese lanterns being launched into the sky on the Jade Mountain, the delicious food, the friendly people, the safety, the lively night markets, the religious ecumenism, the waterfalls, and the beautiful Queen's Head carved by the sea and the wind on the rock were some of the pearls of this blessed trip.

A young population, a very interesting work ethic, and a desire to thrive together—Taiwan can inspire us in many ways. We need to re-vivify each other and cherish good examples, honoring those who came before us—as the Easterners do so well. In troubled times, it is necessary to remember the wisdom of our ancestors, where we can quench the thirst for meaning that we have allowed to grow due to confusion, alienation, victimization, numbness, and ignorance. Having nourished the meaning, remembering the mission, we can update the purpose to fulfill ourselves and better contribute to the good of the whole.

Traveling consciously is like art: translating distant lives, receiving impressions, leaving footprints, and finding ourselves in what we seek.

Blessed journeys, external and above all internal!