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Sidereal Transits Calculated for UTC Venus conjunct Uranus Mar 8 Sun conjunct Neptune Mar 8 Jupiter enters Uttarāṣāḍhā Mar 8 Full Moon in Leo (Pūrvaphalgunī) Mar 9 Mercury stations Direct Mar 10 Sun enters Pisces Mar 14 Mars enters Uttarāṣāḍhā Mar 17 Mars conjunct Jupiter Mar 20 Mars enters Capricorn Mar 22 Mars conjunct Pluto Mar 23 New Moon in Pisces (Uttara Bhādrapadā) Mar 24 Venus enters Taurus Mar 28 Jupiter enters Capricorn Mar 30 Jupiter conjunct Pluto Mar 30 Mars conjunct Saturn Mar 31 Venus in Aries Feb 28 - Mar 28 The month of March begins with the Moon exalted, while Venus moves from its exaltation degree in Pisces. While this transit was a saving grace in February, Venus transiting the more directed and passionate Aries must be channeled more productively, through some creative outlet, so as to prevent it becoming destructive. While Venus in Mars' sign brings with it more passion, it's conjunction with Uranus, exact Mar 8, brings with it some surprises and unusual experiences. We will need to make some big adjustments within Venus-related themes at this time, which include the things we value and our relationships. Look to the signs Taurus and Libra by house position in your horoscope. Add these to Aries, where you will experience a need for more directed and expressive relating style. Challenges to relationships may become more acute once Mars enters Capricorn from Mar 22, where it strongly aspects Venus, fueling selfish concerns, leading to a less-than ideal relating environment. Venus will move out of Mars' way and into a better situation by Mar 28, moving into its own sign, so this is just a brief period of testy negotiations, thankfully. Mercury stations Direct Mar 10 Unlike February, which brought with it a sense of quiet reflection, forcing us to retreat on some level, March is as the name suggests, a time to move forward in some respects. But slowly, because Mercury is not moving anywhere fast anytime in March. This intensifies Mercury's significations, including overthinking things, while travel plans, communications, business and interpersonal dealings must be planned carefully. When Mercury's slow turn around is combined with Venus in Aries in March, there is a chance of lashing out in our impatience. Things will move ahead as quickly as they need to for now. The best use of this transit is to feel your excitement build at the possibilities which are slowly presenting themselves. As Mercury stations direct on Mar 10, this gives the month a sense of anticipation. Something is about to creep in. Something we cannot see clearly as yet. The Sun conjuncts Neptune on Mar 8, just as Venus conjuncts Uranus in Aries, and as Mercury slows to a complete stop from our perspective, so we are likely to be a little perplexed by events at this time. It is best to keep an open mind as to what is presented.  Full Moon in Leo (Pūrvaphalgunī) Mar 9 The full Moon in Leo and Pūrvaphalgunī, exact at 17.47 UT, is all about creativity and enjoyment, increasing a sense of excitement when combined with Mercury's station opposite in Aquarius. As always, the full Moon is at the extreme end of the lunar month, requiring a stillness not often afforded us by modern life. When this combines with Mercury's station, it can feel like the mind and emotions are on overdrive. Pūrvaphalgunī's full Moon may be a time enjoy ourselves, a party time of the month, but we must be aware of possible misunderstandings and confusion. Best to keep the mind still in healthy activities which allow for the intensity. This doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy the full Moon, of course, just that we need to be mindful of losing balance. By the way, this is also a 'Supermoon'! Another aspect of this full Moon is to balance our need to heal certain parts of ourselves, a lunar month which began with the new Moon in Śatabhiṣa on Feb 23, with the need to heal. Of course, Pūrvaphalgunī represents the pleasures in life which can often make us sick! Finding a balance between enjoyment and healing, is a must, perhaps even enjoying the healing process? Sun in Pisces Mar 14 - Apr 13 As the Sun enters Pisces, the Moon transits alongside Saturn in Capricorn, which aspects the Sun. The exact Saturn-Sun aspect occurs on Mar 19, a time we may be feeling the energy dip and the focus slip. Best to keep a simpler schedule, with breaks where needed. Although the Sun's energy is building for us on the northern hemisphere, having Saturn restrict it can feel, well, restrictive. The best expression of a Sun/Saturn combination is to find a balance between Day and Night, between strength and weakness, confidence and doubt, energy and depletion. This is particularly the case as we head into the Equinox which occurs at 03.49 UT on Mar 20. The Equinox offers us the chance to get the balance right and this is further promoted with this particular Sun-Saturn combination. Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time on Mar 29! I will continue to use Universal Time UT, so you will have to add an hour for Greenwich Mean Time GMT for the summer months. Mars conjunct Jupiter Mar 20 Mars starts the months off in Pūrvāṣāḍhā, at the center of sidereal Sagittarius. By Mar 17, Mars will move into the latter Asadha, Uttarāṣāḍhā. This means we have Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto all transiting Uttarāṣāḍhā. This is significant for the coming weeks in particular, but this lunar mansion is highly significant for all of 2020. Uttarāṣāḍhā means 'latter victory', a sign which is symbolized by the planks of a bed, as well as an elephant. This planks of a bed represent the austerities we must bear to achieve a goal, while the elephant represents the ability to charge ahead or stand firm in our convictions. Do you have the courage of your convictions? Mars' transit here will let you know! The spread of the coronavirus is an obvious expression of the need to bear austerities to overcome and claim victory over the virus, but signs always point to the opposite possibility, too, or at least a late victory. This may mean not having the courage of our convictions. Mars, in particular, can stress the point and agitate this lunar mansion. Thankfully, Mars conjuncts Jupiter in this lunar sign, which is generally a more positively creative and expressive transit. Although Mars is always expressive in some form or other, it's recent conjunct with the south node proved challenging as it brought with it a virus and hidden aspects with unforeseen circumstances. Read an article I wrote about the coronavirus: The Astrology of a Virus Jupiter is usually benevolent. Mars' conjunction with this 'big jolly giant' promotes a sense of confidence in its own sign Sagittarius, as Jupiter is particularly strong in the last few degrees of Sagittarius in March. This can express itself as a need to push through an agenda, a belief about something, or a self-belief which allows one to self-promote. The only downside is not listening enough to advice, as represented by the expansive Jupiter, and because of being overly confident and rushing into something with Mars' conjunction. This has obvious downsides in relation to a virus that is already spreading out of control. Mars in Capricorn Mar 22 - May 4 Mars joins Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn from Mar 22. It conjuncts Pluto by exact degree on Mar 23 and Saturn on Mar 31. Both Pluto and Saturn present some challenges to Mars' initial transit into its sign of exaltation. Despite the strengths available, expressed in the courage of our convictions, Pluto brings hidden blocks, our sabbatour, but also our awareness of them and our need to remove them. Saturn brings very real blocks and restrictions in the form of things we simply cannot, and should not, rush. Patience is required at the end of March, as a result. It may feel like we are being pushed and pulled in two different directions. Or it may feel like we are headed in one very clear direction, but we have to start where we are at and progress more slowly. Saturn's conjunction with Mars teaches restraint. But it may be a little too restraining for some. The obvious expression of this would be the continued spread of the coronavirus which will likely reach a sort of peak during Mars' transit to Capricorn, as well as more extreme measures to try to contain it. As the chart for China has the sign Capricorn rising, as well as the Moon, Mars' transit here will likely become more extreme in terms of the armed forces trying to keep control. While this may not be the actual peak in terms of the numbers infected by the virus, it may represent a peak awareness and need to put in place certain restrictions moving forward. Mars aspects Uranus in Aries while it transits Capricorn, which is exact on Apr 4 (more on this next month). This can bring with it some volatility, but also some breakthroughs.  New Moon in Pisces (Uttara Bhādrapadā) Mar 24 Lunar New Year The new Moon is at 09.28 UT. Uttara means 'latter' and bhādrapadā means 'auspicious steps'. This lunar mansion is held entirely within the depths of Pisces, a sign which represents a path towards enlightenment. It's symbols include the foot of a funeral cot, a sword and twins. All these point to themes of life and death, and to what's important as we look from this life to the next, informing the way we live. It is ruled by a serpent of the deep, representing the hidden realms and the mysterious depths. It highlights virtuousness and empathy. Those with Pisces prominent, rising or Moon sign, for example, know very well the tendency to take on everyone's feelings, which brings a need for seclusion and renunciation, at times. With the Moon in Uttara Bhādrapadā it's an auspicious time for worship, constructing sacred shapes, planting and for marriage. But if you were planning on getting married, perhaps it would be best to wait for Venus to enter Taurus, which it does in a few days, from Mar 28. The new Moon in this lunar mansion points to bigger themes of life and death for the coming year, a lunar sign that is all about sacrifice, seclusion, empathy and inaction. All of these themes will likely be more obvious when dealing with the spread of the virus and the increasing death toll. This new Moon is used to see general themes for the whole year, as if a New Year or New Lunar Year. The chart above is timed for Ireland and would be altered depending on the country. However, there are some key signatures we all experience to some degree and in some way or another. The main signature you will notice in the above chart is that all the planets are one side of the nodal axis. This is called Kālsarpa Yoga, or the 'snake of time'. This could be likened to the Tarot card 'the wheel of fortune'. This gives a sense of a cycle, a serpent, a movement under our feet or above our heads which we are not fully conscious of creating. Rahu and Ketu represent ultraviolet and infrared which we cannot see with our naked eye. The Kālsarpa Yoga or combination can bring with it a sense of things being fated, and extremes in some way. All the planets are moving towards Rahu, the head of the serpent, so it is said to bring with it more intensity. The saving grace for this year (and I hope it's not wishful thinking on my part), is that Jupiter is still within Sagittarius, at the very edge of the sign, yes, but still in its own sign and therefore breaks this yoga somewhat and, hopefully, keeps things more balanced. Jupiter is the planet of discernment, after all. It represents the ability to think clearly and do the right thing, especially while in its own sign Sagittarius, the sign of truth, law and order. We will need as much of this influence as possible in the coming months as Jupiter then moves into Capricorn, its sign of debilitation from Mar 30 (read below). Mars is also very strong in this particular chart, by 9th division, too. This brings the courage to do the necessary, not necessarily the thing we would like to do. Mars' strength is nothing to do with what we want to do, unless we want to do what we should be doing! It's conjunction with Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn guarantees an intense year of action, reaction, exposing hidden desires and impulses we may prefer to keep secret. No such luck in 2020. This will obviously play out for those in the public eye more, but we will all be dealing with exposing certain parts of ourselves, and hopefully be able to step back and view them as objectively as everyone else. There is a hidden weakness in the chart, not so obviously expressed in the outer world. That is, the Sun's position for the new lunar year chart: 10 degrees of Pisces is the Libra division of Pisces, which reflects an underlying lack of confidence in what we are doing in 2020. Saturn is the opposite of the Sun, strongest in Libra division, while its transit in Capricorn this year is not about not necessarily feeling confident about what we are doing, but still just doing it. This will impact some countries, as well as some individuals, more than others. Venus in Taurus Mar 28 - Jul 31 Finally, a bit of good news and some light relief! Venus moves into its own earthy sign Taurus from Mar 28 and for the next 4 months. This is an unusually long transit of Venus in one sign, which is due to its upcoming retrograde transit from May 13 to Jun 25. Venus in Taurus promotes a sense of well-being and sensual enjoyment which out does its recent exaltation in Pisces. That is because Saturn, the planet of restraint, is not influencing in a negative way. Instead, it is in a trinal aspect which is more conducive to constructive enjoyment. Venus is strongly aspected by Jupiter, once Jupiter moves into Capricorn, and this will improve our chances even more of enjoying this Venus transit, although it does bring with it some ethical considerations. Venus and Taurus are all about pleasure and enjoyment, love and harmony. Those with the sign prominent are lovely, in every sense of the word. The only downside to this transit would be overindulgence, because Saturn is not keeping as close an eye on proceedings. The month of March ends on a particularly high note once the Moon joins Venus in Taurus from Mar 29 to 31, which means the beginning and end of the month are highlights. Taurus represents people and things we value, as well as our valuables, such as money and possessions. It's an earth-dominant sign which houses the Moon's favourite lunar mansion, Rohiṇī, as well as the soft and seductive Mṛgaśiras. I won't spoil the mood and write about the upcoming retrograde period, yet! Although very strong in transit, Venus retrograde promotes a review of the things we value, which can sometimes create problems unless we are on board with the need for review and retreat. This suggests that some things and people we value are about to go through an intense reevaluation - but at least it keeps Venus in a place it is happy! For those with fixed rising signs or Moon signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius, there is much to enjoy with Venus in a key area of life, as well as muchy to reevaluate over the summer months. For Taurus, this means looking at yourself more closely, perhaps making some big changes in how you present yourself, enjoying dressing up more, for example. For Leo, this brings with it changes in your career and more enjoyment to be had here, too. For Scorpio, this brings changes in your relationships and lots of time to enjoy with others, especially a significant other. For Aquarius, there are changes to be made at home, opening your heart to others, while time spent at home can be more enjoyable and comfortable. We will all be looking more closely at what Venus and the sign Taurus represents for us individually, as seen by house position, as well as generally, as seen in our values, as well as more practically, the economy and the need to make changes in the way we make transactions, monetary or otherwise (ahem). Jupiter enters Capricorn Mar 30
Jupiter's ingress into Capricorn is one of the bigger changes in March and for the coming months. While Jupiter is moving into an environment it is not comfortable dealing with, i.e. business concerns, where ethics and morals are left high and dry, there is a blessing in disguise with this transit: Saturn's presence here is cancelling Jupiter's weakness, leading to a need for a higher stance. While it is not as simple as this, certainly because of Pluto's conjunction which occurs as soon as Jupiter enters the sign, there is much to gather from this transit. Jupiter in Capricorn shows the need for moral behaviour, most likely through a lack thereof. The coronavirus is one obvious example as Jupiter transits the prominent first sign of the Chinese chart alongside Pluto and Saturn. Looking to China, I think one of the biggest questions that arise from this transit is the value of life over financial concerns. I've written an article about Jupiter in Capricorn which, as a patron, you can read before anyone else. Here's the link: https://www.timelineastrology.com/jupiter-in-capricorn.html I wish you all the very best of what the month has to offer. OM TAT SAT |
