There’s a scene in an early episode of M*A*S*H that handily sums up the energy of this week. Cross-dressing Corporal Klinger shows up in line one morning with a flowery bonnet on his head.

COLONEL BLAKE: “Why the hat, Klinger?”

KLINGER: “It’s Spring, sir!”

In other words, this week we don’t need much of an excuse to feel good.

The Sun is in its last week in the fire sign Aries, which gives the world natural oomph and vitality. In case you hadn’t noticed, Aries energy is not laid-back and mellow. It’s about raw being and is self-oriented, so it helps if we think of others at this time because the natural emphasis is on ourselves.

The 30 degrees (approximately 30 days) of each sign are subdivided in astrology into three further divisions, each one given to its elemental counterpart. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the three fire signs, so the first 10 degrees of the current month of Aries (10 days or so) are given to Aries, the next 10 to Leo, and the last 10 to Sagittarius.

We are currently in the last decanate (10-degree division), which has the Sagittarian flavor of looking off to new horizons and being concerned about the big picture. If you are wondering why you suddenly want to pack your things and take off for Timbuktu, now you have the answer.

The Sun is also joined in Aries on Monday afternoon by Mercury, the I-Can’t-Stop-Communicating-Even-If-I-Wanted-To energy. Nobody is going to suffer from a deficit in impulsiveness for the next little while. In fact, it behooves us to think twice before we speak, lest we put our foot firmly in our own mouths.

This is one of those periods where acting-before-thinking causes concern. Unfortunately, rashness is in the wind for a while and while I don’t like it, I would expect news of war to perhaps dominate the headlines this week. Angry words come back to haunt us if we’re not careful. An outbreak of fires or a volcano erupting would also fit the planetary picture.

But Mercury in Aries is also inspirational and speedy in manifesting ideas in the world. John Lennon, who had Aries rising and liked to work fast, wrote “Instant Karma” and had it completely recorded in one day. So projects which may have taken longer to manifest at other times can come together quickly now. Fix that hyper-drive now! We are entering hyperspace! And as we’ve said, it’s not necessarily a smooth ride.

After light planetary activity on Tuesday, Wednesday’s energy may be wild. The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus are all in Aries, with the “Jump Off the Cliff” Moon-Uranus conjunction squaring Pluto occurring throughout most of the day and evening. Spontaneity now pays off if you can keep your feet under you. There’s no better time to just show up and present your brilliant idea for a dance-your-ass-off concert event, or whatever project twirls your pituitary gland around.

The Sun enters Taurus, associated with a more mellow vibe, on Thursday at 9:12 am PDT, 12:12 pm EDT. Ruled by Venus, Taurus the bull likes to slow things down and follow through, hence its reputation for stubbornness. With the Moon still in Aries, though, Thursday could still be all about crashing through that gateway into a new life. I’m picturing a greenlight for that film.

Friday seesaws between testiness and practicality, with reality-check Saturn in the mix opposing the Moon in late Aries. But then the Moon slides into Taurus and there’s a “Let’s Go to the Beach or Just Plant Flowers” vibe to the weekend. I’d do either if I were you, but take a notepad with you.

The New Moon in Taurus is an especially fertile time for planting (and reaping) creative energy. This occurs at 12:20 am on Saturday is part of a Grand Trine in earth signs, which means the Sun and Moon in Taurus, Mars in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn are all hanging out having a beer together.

It’s a harmonious time, especially to pull the last part of that funding deal together. Venus rules Taurus and the arts; Taurus rules money and possessions generally. If your bank/studio exec/business & creative partner doesn’t say yes now, they’re missing out on a lucrative thing.

Sunday’s a bit high-frequency and people might be a bit high-maintenance under the lightning bolt of Mercury conjoining Uranus. Take it easy and don’t take things personally. It’s just part of the package now.

While all this is going on, Mars in Virgo is slowly revving its motor and beginning to enjoy itself after being retrograde for several months. But just because it’s direct doesn’t mean it’s up to full capacity yet. Patience is still required, especially in light of the impulsiveness at work now. Mars is also in an awkward angle to Mercury, akin to dance partners who keep stepping on each other’s toes. Keep your wits about you and your voice calm.

And Mr. Pluto, Darth Vader himself, has just turned retrograde. He’s breathing through his mask and saying to you, “Your lack of faith disturbs me.” Watch your nerves. It’s just an intense time. Many things may come up to be dealt with because that’s just what the energy requires.

Throughout all this month, Uranus, the Revolution-come-To-Call, has been sitting in a harmonious angle to the transiting Nodes, or Life Destiny Points. Translated, that means that this can be a time of creative breakthroughs in whatever area of life needs attending to. It will not be a boring time. Sort of like Ed Sullivan introducing the Beatles.

So without further ado: Ladies and gentlemen, the Be—, uh, 12 Signs! (HYSTERICAL SCREAMING)

ARIES (March 20-April 19): Normally you’re speedy; this week, you’re faster-than-light. In fact, the Millenium Falcon has nothing on you. You have the advantage of being on a planet that rewards assertiveness. So I would take advantage of that opening in the space/time continuum to get as much done as possible. Regrets? You’ve had a few. But not this week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 19): There’s something about an Aqua-Velva man, but there’s REALLY something about you right now. New Moon in your sign over the weekend is like you being enveloped in sweet-smelling scents that stimulate interest in everything you are and do. Practice saying yes to it all. You’re so lucky right now you should probably switch your cologne to Hai Karate. But then you’d have to learn Ju-jitsu just to fight them off.

GEMINI (May 20-June 19): If you don’t hang up your phone now and then, you’ll lose your voice. And you need it now, because everyone is calling. Or at least thinking about it. This week is a preview of how busy you’re going to get later in the year. Hire a green-eyeshade accountant to budget your time if you can’t do it yourself. They say butterflies are free. This week, they’re just like you.

CANCER (June 20-July 19): Those flames in your fireplace aren’t there because it’s cold. They’re there because they’re pushing you out of your comfort zone into the Big Bad World of What-If? And that’s not where you like to be. So what? Your life direction is up for grabs and the authorities in your life want more from you than you do. Time to change that. Jump off that cliff and build your wings on the way down.

LEO (July 20-August 19): The difference between mastery and accidental success is that one is conscious and the other is, well, unconscious. This week, you have the opportunity to dip your finger in the fire and come up with immortality. The energies give you the opening you need to push through your heart’s desire. It all depends on how well you can keep flaming when everyone’s freaking out from the heat. Don’t worry, be radiant!

VIRGO (August-20-September 19): This week for you is the equivalent of trying to sleep while the neighbors’ party degenerates into a police event. You might find you have to deal with loudmouths, sodden oafs and short tempers. That includes you. But at the end of the night, there you are back under the covers and quite relaxed. I envy your patience. And you need it now, so practice up.

LIBRA (September 20-October 19): It’s one thing to love others for who they are, it’s quite another to love them for being irritatingly exciting. This week is the chance for you to expand your repertoire. Like an amusement park ride, stuff comes at you quick and fast and causes more excitement, for good or ill, than your peaceful mind is comfortable with. That’s OK. It’s preparing you for the balloon ride of the latter part of 2012. Keep cool and it’s up, up and away!

SCORPIO (October 20-November 19): You’re on a speedway in a hot car and all you want to do is get off the track and grab a drink. Sorry, no pit stop right now. But you can focus on how much better you are at dealing with crises than most of those around you. This trait will come in handy, as the energies this week bring nuisances right up in your face. Best thing to do is smile a steely smile and not allow them any track space. You’ll win anyway.

SAGITTARIUS (November 20-December 19): Why is the Grecian Sphinx smiling your way? Because you know the answer to its riddle. The mysteries of life unveil themselves easily to you this week, and they have as much to do with right effort as clear thinking. So don’t focus on cleaning out the closet as much as sprinting toward the joyful horizon. Chances are you won’t want to go back to the same place anyway. You’re stuck in overdrive all week and that’s just the way you like it.

CAPRICORN (December 20-January 19): It’s not everyday that someone hands you a key to a hidden door and says to go find it. Wait, that was a recent movie. But your own drama right now is plenty dramatic. In fact, this week it’s so dramatic that your fabled fortitude and aloofness may be tested. Fireworks on the home front or in the office mean that you need to take it outside and settle it in the most feasible way—by lighting up the sky and seeing who can create the most beauty. Sometimes energy just has to move.

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 19): If you’d been thinking of joining the Revolution, the time is now. Except that instead of olive drab or camouflage, your uniform should be made of primary colors and fit attractively around your form. And that includes your brain. This week could see you standing vigorously up to be counted. It’s about time! See to it that your own role in the Greater Cause includes an inner revolution as well. Viva la difference!

PISCES (February 20-March 19): Why don’t you love firemen? They’re heroes, after all, and usually pretty hunky. This week is a good time to get close to them. Or at least to what they represent, which is bravery and assertiveness in a good cause. It’s like the floor is moving beneath you and you just found out it’s part of a benevolent earth change. The energy will carry you down the street and into a town marked “Happiness & Success” if you let it. But you have to be brave, because the fire will be intense.

Next week: Mercury, Uranus and Pluto get into the ring and duke it out for the title of “Champion of  Personal & Planetary Change”! Who will be champ and will the Revolution be televised?