When I looked at the astrological doings for March, I was struck by the fact that it begins with six planets in Pisces (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Chiron and Neptune) and ends with four planets in Aries (Sun, Venus, Mars and Uranus).  The first planet to move into Aries is Mars on the 12^th; then the Sun on the 20^th; and Venus on the 22^nd.  Uranus, of course, has been in Aries for a while.  This is a significant shift of energies, and so I believe that we will see in the middle of March a significant shift in direction, both personally and globally.  For those of us, myself included, who have experienced a winter of deep hibernation and withdrawal, this influx of fiery energy may signify the end of the hibernation and the beginning of the coming forth of our renewed and regenerated selves.  Also contributing to this shift is Mercury, which ends its three-week retrograde on March 17^th.

The first half of the month (as it was in the last half of February), we all will be working with the watery energy of Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac.  Attention all who have planets from 12-30 degrees in the watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, and the other mutable signs, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius.)  Like all signs, Piscean energy can be used on many different levels, the highest of which is the fusion of the higher and lower selves into one God-centered self.  This is not an easy task!  And Pisces frequently flops around between the two. (Its symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions.)  Also part of the higher use of Piscean energy is the recognition on an emotional level that we are all one, and that we are all swimming in the same waters.  So as we approach the middle of March, this is a time to breakdown any barriers to the flow of spiritual truth within ourselves, most particularly.  None of need reminding, I don’t think, of the power of water to breakdown things.

However, Pisces needs some direction (think of floods) and Aries has plenty of that!  Aries is a fire sign and does not really understand the Piscean worldview.  Signs next to each other are not compatible, and that is certainly true of these two!  Pisces is a mutable (think changeable, frequently multi-talented but not necessarily focused) and Aries is a cardinal sign (initiating without finishing; bull in the china shop, etc.)  However, used in its highest expression, Aries can arouse, inspire, and generate ideas and structures that transform the lower to the higher.  Aries is the urge to move forward, to create new things, to bring forth new ideas.  Attention to all those with planets in early degrees (0 -8) of the other fiery signs, Leo and Sagittarius, and in the other cardinal signs, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.  When the Sun enters Aries, of course, it is the vernal equinox, the first day of spring and the astrological new year.  So with this significant shift in energy, March is a good time to finish up projects, identify and dissolve old attitudes and ways of being that no longer work for you, and get ready to begin anew.

Of course, all this Aries energy is strengthening the challenging relationship between Pluto (in Capricorn) and Uranus (in Aries), which continues to challenge the US (Sibly) chart.  We are a sun sign Cancer country, and our values and ways of being are being brought into the light by the uncomfortable, something-needs-to-change transits of the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto).  The current gridlock in Washington is a good example of the power struggles (Pluto) of the current structure (Capricorn), which needs to be substantially changed (Uranus), so that it will function for the highest good of the individuals (Aries) that it is supposed to be serving.  Neptune (dreams, fog, illusion, redemption, compassion) and Chiron (wounds, mentor, guide, healer) are in an easy relationship with the US sun, providing an opportunity for all of us to make changes with compassion for those most in need (not most in wealth) and doing no harm on any level.  The energies are there; what is done with them remains to be seen.  What we can all do, I believe, is surround our country, our government and our beloved planet, in the pink light of peace and love and focus our intent that in peace, decisions and compromises can be reached between the differing views that are for the highest and best of all concerned, with harm to done.

Have a good March.  Happy Spring and happy New Year!

Abundant peace and blessings,

Margaret