Relationship is prominent in the first week of March. Venus squares Jupiter on the 4th, inspiring us to move forward in our partnerships and romance. The only issue is that we may have too many possibilities to focus our energies and really develop something. Connections between Venus, Pluto, and Saturn on the 6th should help us to make decisions and build firm foundations with others.
The first half of the month is colored by an easy sextile between Saturn and Pluto on the 8th. This is a "power broker" aspect, and we are likely to see consolidation of power, conservative allocation of resources, and even cronyism among government, banks, and corporations. In the long run, we’re heading towards a transformation in these power structures, but in the short term we’ll probably see these institutions holding fast to the status quo. On a personal level, this is a good time to take a look at your finances, and review your sources of income.
The New Moon on the 11th is in the sign of Pisces. The days before the New Moon are a very good time to relax and recharge for the coming springtime. Take some time to meditate and go inward to connect with your source of inspiration and vision.
Just a day later, on the 12th, we get the first real herald of spring, as Mars enters his home sign of Aries and our collective energy becomes more overt and externalized. It may be more than a week until the official end of winter, but we can see the lights turning green ahead of us.
On the 17th, Mercury turns direct, ending three weeks of communication confusion and technical snafus. The Cosmic Messenger will take some time to get up to speed, and he’s walking through the dense fog of Pisces, so don’t expect an immediate turn-around, but this is another sign that things are starting to move forward again.
The Sun enters Aries at 7:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on March 20th, marking the official beginning of spring (and also the start of the astrological year). The days are getting noticeably longer as we come out of collective hibernation. We won’t have much time to reflect on the changes that are happening, as the next few days are very busy.
Venus enters Aries on the 21st. The Goddess of Love takes off her monastic robes to reveal – well, you’ll have to see for yourself. Venus in Aries has an outgoing social energy, and we actively seek for connection. A day later, Mars meets up with Uranus, and the Aries party is officially underway. Mars and Uranus make an explosive pair, and patience may be in very short supply. If you have a place to put your energy, this is truly the green light that allows you to step on the gas and race forward. If you’re lacking focus, however, this configuration can heighten a sense of frustration and result in outbursts. Take care around others, and take care of yourself.
The Full Moon is on the 27th, a day after a tense square between Mars and Pluto. The Sun in Aries beams light to the opposite side of the zodiac, illuminating the Moon in Libra. Although this is in one sense a kind of peak in the early spring energy, the Libra Moon adds a dose of consideration for others to the strong independence of Aries. Yes, you can go forward and pursue your own destiny, but this Moon reminds us that we don’t really want to go it all alone. It isn’t a matter of putting the brakes on your personal goals, but of factoring others in as you navigate.
With both the Sun and Venus meeting Uranus on the 28th, our independence is not in question. In relationships and other areas of life we are unlikely to feel much like compromising. Now that we’ve been reminded how important others are to us, it’s time to make changes where they are needed. We’re open to new and different ideas, and willing to experiment. Break up the old patterns and try something new. Test the limits.
Uneasy energy rumbles through the collective at the end of the month. Edgy aspects can heighten tensions until Venus squares Pluto on the 31st, then any unresolved issues come bubbling to the surface. There’s great potential for transformation and healing in our relationships (of all kinds), but if it’s time to let go, this could be the spark that ignites the powder keg.
After a relatively mellow first week, the heat is on again from April 10th through the 12th. The normally quiet New Moon is in Aries on the 10th, and we can think of this as the start of a new cycle of growth. This isn’t a time for action, but it’s a time for planning action. Unlike the introspective March New Moon, this lunation calls us to look outwards into the world. Yet a Pluto station two days later can put on the breaks, emotionally, financially, or otherwise. We can find ourselves meeting resistance from within and without just at the time we’d like to go forward. This isn’t simply a test of our resolve – this is also a test of our ability to solve problems and come to terms with real obstacles. What we cannot go around or above, we need to go through.
The First Quarter Moon on the 18th may help us to get moving again, if we were slowed by Pluto’s station, and a nice Venus/Neptune sextile on the same day helps us to soften our attitudes towards others, although an opposition of the goddess to Saturn on the 22nd brings us back to the bottom line: is it real or not?
It’s time to express yourself as Mercury aspects Uranus, Pluto, and Jupiter on the 20th through the 23rd. Speaking truth to power involves a certain amount of danger, but it’s often necessary if we are going to create the changes we need.
The Full Moon on the 25th begins the spring eclipse season, with a partial lunar eclipse (not visible in North America). In the sign of Scorpio and not far from Saturn, this is likely to be a tense one. Scorpio Full Moons aren’t known for being especially easy on the emotions, and both the eclipse and Saturn will add to the edginess. Emotional issues from the recent and deep past may come roaring back, bundled together and mixed with anger, anxiety, and perhaps some sadness. This is a time to clear out old baggage and do an interior spring cleaning, an emotional purging.
April came in like a lion and goes out like a mountain goat, with an opposition of the Sun to Saturn extending the Full Moon energy all the way out to the 28th. This aspect can be a bit deflating, and any residual egotism that was not cleared at the Full Moon will be put on view as the month ends. Yet to the extent that we have done the work over the past two months, we also have an opportunity to build new structures in our lives. There’s always more work to be done, but we can also feel that we are making progress when Saturn calls us into his office and reviews our performance.
Armand M. Diaz, Ph.D. helps clients make decisions that are in harmony with their greatest potential, offering a truly integral approach to astrology. Armand has practiced divination for more than twenty years, working with the I Ching and Tarot in addition to astrology. He has published in various astrological journals, including The Mountain Astrologer. His most recent book, Integral Astrology: Understanding the Ancient Discipline in the Contemporary World, is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@integralastrology.net, or though his website at www.integralastrology.net.