Hi Everyone

March and April bring the first eclipses of 2024, which will be visible across much of the US.  You can find out about the astronomy of these eclipses online. I’ll comment on the astrology of them.

March

March begins with three planets in the air sign, Aquarius: Venus, Mars and Pluto. By the end of the month there will be only one planet in air (Pluto). Air is the element of communication, ideas and relationships. By the end of the month there will be four planets in watery Pisces: Venus, Mars, Saturn and Neptune. Water is the element of emotions and intuition. Fortunately Jupiter and Uranus are in Taurus, an earth sign, which may provide some boundaries to watery Pisces. All planets are in direct motion in March – no retrogrades. A sort of what you see is what you get feel.

The Vernal Equinox occurs on the 19^th at 11:06 p.m. when the Sun enters Aries. Aries is a fire sign that likes to initiate but doesn’t always finish what it starts. This also marks the astrological new year.

The New Moon occurs on the 10^th at 5:00 a.m. She’ll be at 20⁰ Pisces. The first eclipse of the year occurs on March 23^rd at 3:00 a.m. The Moon will be at 5⁰ Libra. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposed each other (a Full Moon).  This penumbral lunar eclipse will last about 4 hours and will be visible in the US, but it may be rather hard to see. This eclipse is focused on service and, on a personal level, can provide an opportunity to release old patterns. Those with placements at early degrees in Libra, Aries, Cancer or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. For other air signs, it will be an easier flow of energy and opportunity for change.

April

April begins not only with April Fool’s Day but also the beginning of a three-week Mercury retrograde. Everyone’s favorite, right? But it can be a time for reflection and retooling. This may be a bit more challenging since Aries energy (and the energy of spring in general) wants to move forward, but the retrograde (moving backwards) tends to slow things down. Mercury will be at 27⁰ Aries – perhaps a time to tune into our inner warrior. Mercury ends his retrograde period on April 25^th at 8:54 a.m. He’ll be at 15⁰ Aries.

The total Solar eclipse occurs on April 8^th, when the Sun and Moon are at the same degree – 19⁰ Aries. It will last about 5 hours, which means that this will be a sensitive point for 5 months – if it impacts your chart. Again, those with placements near 19 degrees in Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. This eclipse brings a lot of new energy with it, which can be disconcerting if you’re not ready for it. The Full Moon occurs on April 23^rd at 4⁰ Scorpio.

There is a lot of energy that impacts Aries this year – the solar eclipse and a Mercury retrograde. There can be a lot of initiatives with no follow-through; there can also be war, since Mars (the god of war) rules Aries. We may feel more impulsive, reckless and war-like. In its highest expression Aries is the quest for our spiritual selves, and we may put more energy into that quest than we have in the past. But it may feel a little bumpy this April. Saturn and Uranus are in the most slow moving of all the signs, Taurus, which may impact the Aries energy, adding to the more muted feel of Aries this year, but also bringing some practicality and deliberation to our Aries activities!

Have a wonderful Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret