Hi Everyone

March is a month of transitions and new beginnings.  We start with a New Moon at 10⁰ Pisces on the first and end with a New Moon at 9⁰ Aries on the 30^th.  Pisces is the last of the twelve signs of the zodiac, and there are currently four planets in this sign (Sun, Moon, Chiron and Neptune).  It rules the realm of all that is fluid, nebulous, spiritual, inner directed and heart centered.  It blurs boundaries and dissolves old belief and behavior patterns that no longer serve.  The beginning of March provides an opportunity to reflect and incorporate what we truly believe, to trust our inner knowing and to use it to see beyond what our perceptions show us.  It is a great time for spiritual growth. This is the gift of Pisces, which is an energy that is not always compatible with our Western culture.

We have an opportunity to ground the energy of Pisces to the Earth at the Full Moon on March 16, when the Moon will be at 26⁰ Virgo. This Full Moon, like all of them, provides an opportunity for us to see how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. It is the highest expression (the Moon being at its brightest) of the relationship between these two seemingly opposing energies, which summarize so clearly our current challenge: to balance matter, reason and science (Virgo) with spirit, intuition and spirituality (Pisces).  This particular Full Moon also squares (a challenging relationship that promotes growth) the Galactic Center of our Milky Way, adding a cosmic dimension to this Full Moon with an influx of energy that helps us release old patterns of belief and behavior.  Those with planets in the other earth and water signs (Taurus, Capricorn, Cancer and Scorpio) will find this an easy flow of energy.  Those with planets in the other mutable signs (Gemini and Sagittarius) may find this a bit more challenging.

This time of focus on our inner landscape and the release of patterns that no longer serve us is in preparation for the astrological New Year, when the Sun enters Aries at the Vernal Equinox, March 20 at 12:57 p.m.  The energy will shift from inner, contemplative, meditative (Pisces, water, feminine) to action-oriented, questing, and energetic (Aries, fire, male).  This is a time for us to move out of contemplation into action.  I’m sure many of us have felt the shift of energy already as Mother Earth prepares to enter into spring – even though we may not quite be done with winter, at least not in the Northeast!  Like all fire signs, Aries is on a quest – the quest for High Self – and living our lives from there.  Aries energy initiates, is enthusiastic, and sees no blocks, problems or oppositions to what it wants to do.  May we all incorporate this energy into our spiritual mission and live with the courage and determination that Aries can bring.  The New Moon at the end of the month is a very potent one, joining our feelings (Moon) to our essence (Sun).  It is joined by Uranus (destroyer of outmoded forms, ideas, belief systems) and is squared by Pluto in Capricorn. It is an exceptional time to bring forth the Light that we are (Aries) and to recognize that we all have an important role in this time of significant change (Pluto) to the world (Capricorn).   Those with planets in the other fire signs (Leo and Sagittarius) will feel this influx of inspiration and energy perhaps more strongly than others without a fire emphasis in their charts.  The other cardinal signs (Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) may find this influx of Aries energy a bit more difficult to handle.

During March three planets change direction.  When a planet changes direction its energy intensifies because it is basically standing still on the degree of the sign where it is.  So these are very potent times for these planets and for all of us depending on how they impact our individual charts.

Mars:  The ruler of Aries goes retrograde on March 1^st at 11:24 a.m.  He will be at 27⁰ Libra.  This retrograde extends Mars time in Libra from the usual six weeks to eight months.  Mars is not particularly happy in Venus’s sign of relationship, but it provides a time for us to look at how we deal with conflict, anger and inequality (Mars) in relationships (Libra).  Libra tends to focus always on the “other.”  Hence its reputation for peace at any price and not always balancing ourselves and the “other” in any relationship.  With Mars in this sign we have an opportunity to refine our relationships and to bring better balance and harmony.  Attention those with planets in Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini or Aquarius.

Saturn:  The ruler of Capricorn is currently transiting Scorpio, ruled by Pluto.  This is called a mutual reception in astrology and means a very easy flow of energy between these two planets.  It is considered a gift in a natal chart.  As Saturn goes retrograde at 23⁰ Scorpio it is a time to reassess our inner (retrograde) attitudes towards power and resources (Pluto), authority (Saturn), and intimacy (Scorpio).  This retrograde offers us an opportunity to deepen and reinforce the Mars in Libra’s examination of relationship.  Attention those with planets in Taurus, Virgo, Aries, Cancer, or Libra.

Jupiter:  The planet of optimism, expansion, faith, and truth goes direct on March 6 at 5:42 a.m.  He’ll be at 10⁰ Cancer, trining (easy flow of energy) the New Moon on March 1^st.  Cancer is a water sign, ruled by the Moon, which focuses on nurturing of all kinds, mothering, and our emotional nature.  This direction change echoes the shift from Pisces to Aries, from inner to outer expression.  During its long retrograde Jupiter invited us to nurture our inner life, ramp up our meditation practice, watch our diet, and do all things that are beneficial and nurturing for us.  Going direct, the invitation is to take what we learned and apply it to our world “outside.”  This change of direction intensifies the Cardinal T-square that has been going on for quite a while now.  Jupiter opposes Pluto in Capricorn and squares Uranus in Aries.  Attention those with planets in Pisces, Scorpio, Aries, Libra or Capricorn.

Jupiter makes this change of direction conjunct (next to) the Sun in the natal (Sibly) chart of the US.  This may reinforce our attitude that we have to “nurture” the whole world.  The US Sun is in the 7^th house, which is the house of “other” — in this case, countries, so it will bring into sharper focus foreign relations and how we are in the world. It also squares the US Saturn in Libra, representing the president (father figure) and opposes Pluto in Capricorn, which is still in the first house (who we think we are).  Its square to Uranus in Aries falls in the fourth house of security in the US chart.

March promises to be an active month of shifts from inner to outer, of balance and reflection, of transitions and new beginnings.

Happy New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret