Astrology for March 2023
March is a dynamic month of transitions. Saturn, Pluto, and Mars change signs. New guiding themes emerge. Pluto last entered Aquarius 248 years ago! Over the next year and a half, Pluto will be transitioning between Capricorn and Aquarius, moving from exposing what needs transforming in government and systems, (Capricorn), to instigating transformation in how we organize community, and engage in activism (Aquarius), implement new visions and systems that revolutionize outdated ways of being, thinking, knowing and interacting. (for more on Pluto into Aquarius click here.)
Saturn entered Pisces 29 years ago, and now again on Mar 7th enters the mystical, feeling sign. We can lean into this time with Saturn in Pisces by giving more definition and structure to our spirituality, intuition, and imagination. Saturn in Pisces can help us dive into the unconscious to bring wisdom, insight, and transformation to that which is unconscious. We can cultivate empathy, knowing we are all in this together, as we evolve to new levels of integration and consciousness beyond polarity. Saturn in Pisces can help us find the form through which we connect with spirit. Here structure meets imagination, structure meets altered states and brings wisdom. If you have Saturn this year aspecting any of your planets (Saturn will move between 0 -7 Pisces, also squaring or opposing the signs, Sagittarius, Gemini and Virgo), the transit encourages you to slow down and reflect inwardly. Saturn is a master teacher, showing us what is no longer working, no longer useful to our growth. It encourages us to build new structures in order to evolve and grow with consciousness and to more successfully manifest our lives. (for more on Saturn into Pisces and Pluto into Aquarius click here).
Quick moving Mars, having had a long sojourn in Gemini, due to its retrograde motion, (since August 20th 2023), now enters Cancer, March 25th. Last time in Mars was in Cancer was April – June 2021. When Mars enters Cancer, there is heat in the feeling body of the collective. Mars wants to take action, be direct, is quick and decisive. Cancer seeks emotional bonding and navigates through feeling what seems safe and nurturing. While Mars is in Cancer we can be alert to this dichotomy of needs. Our emotions and defenses may act more quickly before we choose how to respond skillfully. Mars in Cancer is like the mother bear, protecting what is vulnerable, at risk. On a practical level, Mars in Cancer may help us take actions to clear, repair, and reorganize our homes.
Mars in Cancer is the bold one swimming in the imaginative waters of the artist, nurturing the symbols and poetics of the inner subjective worlds. We may envision Mars as a mystical diver, plunging into the personal unconscious and going hunting for old patterns that no longer nurture our well being, bringing this to our consciousness. When Mars is in Cancer we can become aware of its shadow, of passive aggression, of reacting from an unconscious defensive place, of holding back our courageous risk taking energy by the need to feel safe and secure. We can explore our agitations, and come to insights that shift our behavior. With Mars moving into Cancer, it is a time to protect and nurture our inner life.
The full Moon takes place on March 7th, highlighting the opposing signs of Pisces and Virgo. There are 6 pairs in the wheel of the zodiac. Each pair of signs teach us about balance and wholeness. At each full Moon we can honor the power of integration and check in with ourselves. Here the Virgo full Moon illuminates the imaginative, spiritual, dreamy sign of Pisces through being grounded in the body, and discerning what to implement, and how to arrange our daily lives to harness these imaginative possibilities. What began as possibility at the New Moon on February 19th, now has come to the stage of reviewing, refining, and careful attention to detail under this full Moon.
Celestial Events for March
Mar 1 – Venus at 12 Aries conjuncts Jupiter – When Venus conjuncts Jupiter, we experience pleasure and enjoyment. Love is increased, and humor brings laughter. In the sign of Aries, they are heated to passion, as well as activism to move and initiate the new. While in the sign Aries, they bring out traits of fearlessness and courage, especially in collaboration.
Mar 2 – Mercury conjuncts Saturn, 29 Aquarius, Mercury enters Pisces – before Mercury enters imaginative and nonlinear Pisces, it conjuncts Saturn at the last degrees of Aquarius. Both Mercury and Saturn like logic and practical structuring of ideas. It’s then an excellent time to plan and organize. Your communications can be clear and to the point, or perhaps it is a time to wait, until just the right words arrive.
Mar 3 – Venus conjunct Chiron at 13 Aries – the planet of relatedness combines with Chiron’s thrust to heal and bring integration to parts of ourselves that experience our woundedness in relationship. We can be alert to what shows up this day, kind to ourselves and others. Venus in Aries struggles to find the balance between harmonizing with others and being direct in her independence and needs. We might ask ourselves, “How do we experience the balance in our relationships? Is there any healing that I need to do within myself or with others?”
Mar 7 – Full Moon at 16 Virgo squares Mars in Gemini and trines Uranus – Under this Virgo full Moon we ground, attune to our body, and reflect upon our day to day routine for any needed changes. We can clear clutter, detox ourselves, and do yoga as a way to manifest our connection to the divine, the larger universal waters in which we live (Pisces). We might ask ourselves, ” How is our life reflecting our deeper self? How are we manifesting our dreams? How does our work serve our growth and the growth of others? How are we bringing the spiritual dimension into our lives, and not just getting caught up in the tasks and duties of practical living?”
This full Moon trines Uranus and reminds us to keep stretching into new possibilities. This encourages us to bring innovative vision into our lives and work, trusting our uniqueness. It encourages us to seek out revelation and inspiration, to let the uncertainty of the moment be stimulus to awaken.
With the square to Mars there may be agitation, difficulty in settling, a pressing need to make a clear cut decision. We may see conflict, aggressiveness, and blame heightened in the culture. Our task is to stay centered, and not to be overwhelmed by the scattered busy needs of the heated Mars in Gemini. We can bring the discerning power of Virgo forward to carefully sort and clear what is not the main priority. The square to Mars may add courage and action to our Virgo tasks of clearing and manifesting.
Affirmation for the Full Moon in Virgo
“May I attune spiritually to the larger world of consciousness in which I live and may I embody this in my daily life. May I be of service to myself and others in healing.”
Mar 7 – Saturn enters Pisces – A new theme begins to emerge with Saturn entering Pisces. During the next 2 1/2 years, how will we development compassion, give form and structure to moving beyond polarization? How will we use the power of imagination to envision a new world? Saturn in Pisces helps us to understand our own unconscious and the collective unconsciousness by sharing systems and maps of our inner worlds. (for more on Saturn into Pisces, click here).
Mar 11 – Jupiter conjunct Chiron at 14 Aries – During this week the theme of the wounded healing is prominent. It is an excellent time to work with healing, integrating, forgiving, and letting go. We may be especially aware of healing the masculine, being courageous in choosing healing modalities. Jupiter and Chiron conjunction start a new cycle of potentially healing the split between cultural and indigenous wisdom, between cultural conditioning and the deep soul within our bodies.
Mar 14 – Mars at 25 Gemini squares Neptune in Pisces – a good day to pause and find balance being doing and not doing. Don’t push for results.
Mar 15 – Sun conjuncts Neptune at 25 Pisces – a day for imagination, artistic pursuits. A day for retreat and meditation, touching our divine connection and multidimensional awareness. Not a day for logical forward progress.
Mar 16 – Mercury conjunct Neptune, Sun and Mercury square Mars at 25 Gemini – continue the above. Breath deeply if Mars heats you up causing irritation, or unexpected twists and turns.
Mar 16 – Venus at 29 Aries square Pluto Capricorn, Venus in Taurus – heated intensity as a prelude to Venus entering its own sign, Taurus, where it seeks to smooth agitation, find its grounding in partnership, and give nourishment. This Venus will seek out nature’s beauty and guidance to nurture our souls with it’s beauty.
Mar 17 – Sun conjuncts Mercury at 26 Pisces – heightens imaginative powers, spiritual meditations, creative thinking, and is nonlinear.
Mar 17 – Venus at 1 Taurus sextiles Saturn at 1 Pisces – love and commitment, deep soul nourishment by being quiet, giving form to creative and imaginative reverie.
Mar 18 – Mercury enters Aries – Notice a change of pace. Mercury quickens in the sign Aries, thinking can become more intuitive, innovative, and pioneering.
Mar 20 – Spring Equinox, Sun enters Aries – During the Spring Equinox the Sun rises due East. This Equinox with the sextile to Pluto brings an openness to transformation, as well as taking place during the waning crescent Moon. It’s like winding things up to prepare for something new to emerge.
Mar 21 – New Moon at 1 Aries – starts the Spring Equinox with a grand thrust of momentum. Attune to your wild side. Attune to the urges to take action and to be courageous in stepping into new territory. Mars in Gemini has many ideas, and directions it may want to pursue. We rein it in with the trine to Saturn, the master teacher who simplifies and brings focus and staying power.
Affirmation for the New Moon in Aries
“May I be bold in my new beginnings, as well as focused, in stepping into new territory. May I trust my insight and intuitions, as I go forward”
Mar 21 – Jupiter at 16 Aries semisquares Saturn at 1 Pisces – this is the last semisquare of Jupiter to Saturn, which now approaches the sextile in June. This cycle of Jupiter and Saturn unfolds a 20 year period of growth and cultural involvement. We might look back at December of 2020, and reflect on what we have come to understand about ourselves, and know that was a time a new cycle was beginning to take seed. The semi-square phase embodies a certain amount of challenge as it seeks to overcome the inertia of the past, or outdated way of being. It requires us to take time to review, to attune to a stillness, and hear how we are wanting to grow, learn, engage with our live in new ways. It sets the stage for the June sextile between the planets, where our intentions are supported with opportunity. (for more on the Jupiter Saturn cycle, click here.)
Mar 23 – Pluto enters Aquarius – Pluto touches into Aquarius, initiating a new 20 year theme. For those who have 0-1 degress Aquarius you may feel its transformative powers. It can intensify the Aquarian themes of visionary thinking, of how we relate to community, of stepping out of old conditioning. Its completing its work of breaking down, and disrupting governing structures to set the stage for transformation (Capricorn). Now it brings energy to grassroots movements, exposes the shadow side of technology and social media, and has the potential to revolutionize how we relate to each other.
Mar 25 – Mars enters Cancer – Mars has been in Gemini since Aug 20 2022! (See above)
Mar 30 – Mars at 2 Cancer trines Saturn in Pisces – a time to align focus, follow through, and commitment to your actions.
Mar 30 – Venus conjuncts Uranus at 16 Taurus – be wildly, uniquely, nourishing in what you do with the one (s) you love.
The Twelve signs for March: Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, March creates a turning point for you. Under the full Moon in Virgo, while the Sun, Mercury, and Neptune travel through Pisces, gather yourself and your energy. The Pisces time of year, for you, is like the moment the bowstring is pulled back before the arrow takes flight. What are you aiming for? While Mars (your ruling planet) has been in Gemini since August 20th, being busy and dealing with many things may have been a dominant feature. And under this full Moon, with Mars highlighted by aspect, you may feel the tension of having to deal with too many things. So take in the Virgo full Moon, breathe, and stay grounded, take your time to attend to the practical needs. You are in a transition time with Mars soon to enter Cancer. You may well notice a shift in the energy. When Mars enters Cancer on the 25th, there may be activity around the home, sorting, clearing, and repairing, nurturing and enjoying family. You can also utilize this deeper energy of Cancer to nurture yourself. You feel that you can now move to the next phase. On the 21st, following the Spring Equinox on the 20th, the New Moon in Aries takes place. This is an opportunity for you to make a wish, connect with your desire, because the gift of Jupiter in Aries (next to the new Moon) is to expand and grow an area in your life with faith and confidence. Keywords for March, “Prepare for new beginnings.”
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, with Venus (your planet) conjuncting Jupiter on March 1st, do something you love and share some enjoyment! Be spontaneous and bold, in tune with the Aries energy of this conjunction! The Virgo full Moon on the 7th, is focused on supporting your creative expression. You may feel, during the Pisces time of year, the dynamic of being part of a community, group, or circle. As the full Moon brings out the reflection of the Sun, it supports your unique individual contribution. With Mars having activated your house of values, self worth, and finances, (since August 2022) these are areas that have been disturbed, tossed, and required attention and review. Sometimes it may have felt like juggling a variety of balls. This is a good time to create space for really tuning into yourself and taking stock of where you are right now. On March 16th, Venus enters Taurus, bringing more harmony and artistic, sensual enjoyment. Under the Aries new Moon your imagination is stimulated. You might take up your spiritual practices with more enthusiasm, or a dream may send you important messages for starting something new. The key right now is making space for inner listening. Trust what you hear. Keywords for March, “Receiving enjoyment.”
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, with Mercury (your ruling planet) now in Pisces, you may find it harder to focus, because there are just so many possibilities. Yet one of your gifts is your incredibly creative and busy mind. Under the full Moon in Virgo on the 7th, gather yourself and feel the nourishment of quiet time and space to yourself. Imagine sitting within a peaceful green meadow and let the earthiness of Virgo wash over you. Embrace the Virgo ability to discern, sort, and perfect whatever you are doing. Be thoughtful and in careful regard, with Mars still in Gemini until the 26th, and squaring the new Moon, which may bring frustration or an interference. Mercury enters Aries on the 18th, focusing your thinking, easing communications, and promoting inspired ideas. The Aries new Moon on the 21st, following the Spring Equinox, gives you energy to share new ideas and to benefit from inspiration from a group or circle of friends. You also might consider that this is a great time for you to explore your intensions for the year ahead. Keywords for March, “Ground, sort, and go for it.”
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, you are highly intuitive, sensitive, and quick to respond, sometimes with brilliant attunement and insight to the situation, and other times with a protective defensiveness. The Virgo full Moon helps you sort through your thoughts. It grounds, in practical ways, your intuition, so that the Piscean expanded and compassionate consciousness (Sun, Mercury, and Neptune) can be of service to you and others, to wherever you direct it. You might ask yourself, “Where do I want to apply this ability to carefully sort and discern?” The Aries energy of Spring marks some new beginning in your work or professional life. Suddenly your energy finds inspiration and the ability to jump into new beginnings. The new Moon in Aries amplifies this for you on the 21st. You can affirm your intentions and feel the unfolding. Mars is ending its lengthy sojourn in Gemini, where it has stirred your unconscious, and perhaps brought issues to the surface inorder to be completed and cleared. On March 25th, Mars moves into Cancer (takes place once every two years) and ignites your energy with passion and drive. Keywords for March, “Clarifying and directing.”
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, this Piscean time of year may be refreshing, cooling, and imaginative to your drive for expression. Or you may feel yourself sink into powerful emotional states, experiencing the challenge to find clarity. With the full Moon on the 7th, the Virgo energy can bring a sorting to provide clarity. It’s important under this full Moon that you honor your worth, and value your uniqueness. Leo is all about the dignity of being heart centered, and touching others through this ability to share one’s heart. You might reflect on how you best do that. When the Sun enters Aries on the 21st your energy lifts, and you seek out what inspires you. It may be a museum of fine art, or a play, or fine music. It may be day away from everything with the one you love, be it human or animal. The next day brings the new Moon in Aries. Step into your courageous heart and begin something new. The Aries energy carries you as you trust your intuition. Keywords for March, “Heart centered.”
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, with your planet Mercury in dreamy, impressionable and nonlinear Pisces until the 18th, you may feel like you are swimming in hard to navigate seas. Your usual clear thinking and problem solving self may just have to let go. When Mercury enters Aries you feel a significant shift, and the winds carry you forward and back on track. The Virgo full Moon on the 7th, certainly accentuates the gifts you possess, thorough observation and insightful attentiveness. And this Moon fully reflecting the Sun’s energy, it may be a day when you give voice to the poetic rhythms of Pisces. With Pisces lighting up your house of relationship, and the full Moon accentuating your independent expression, balance is the key, between what you desire and the desires of other. The movement of the Sun into Aries at the Spring Equinox spurs you into action, clear direction, and change. No more wading through Piscean waters. The new Moon sets you up for transformation. You might ask yourself, “What am I ready to let go of, or what do I dare let go of?” Open up more space, dear Virgo! New beginnings are coming. Keywords for March, “Release and transformation.”
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, March begins with the Virgo full Moon activating your house of imagination. Here you experience all possibilities. The Virgo energy wants to clarify and order this vast inner experience. It calls you to retreat and create that quiet time and space to relax into getting to the essence. This is where the soul lives and the earthiness of Virgo can help bring its desires and essence into focus. Your ruling planet, Venus, is now in Aries and pulls you to engage with others. Independent Aries may bring up dichotomies between harmonizing with another and fulfilling your needs. Or maybe you experience this as a person who is eager to connect with you. Venus enters Taurus on the 16th, allowing a slowing, a deepening, and a settling into your relations with others. This becomes a nourishing influence. The Aries New Moon on the 21st, encourages you to take a risk and trust your intuition. Gather back your energy into your self and see what it is you most desire. There are new beginnings taking place in partnerships for you. You might inquire ,”How would I must like to be present for others and myself?” Keyword for March, “Reset.”
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, this full Virgo Moon on March 7, highlights your house of friends, groups, being part of something larger than yourself, and hopes for the future. You might take this time to feel into how you are being nourished by the people around you. With the Virgo discernment, you can clarify to yourself what is working and not working, and fine-tune your participation. This Virgo Moon can support you by encouraging you to take care of your body and needs. Mars, your ruling planet, will soon be leaving Gemini, on March 25th, and entering Cancer. The theme of caring for yourself and others, of feeling more in alignment with your actions, brings more ease to your life. The new Moon in Aries, continues the theme of self care, of healing and emotional realignment, as it activates your house of health. This is a great time to start a new health routine, especially something like yoga or tai chi, integrating body, mind, and emotions. Keyword for March, “Realignment.”
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, this earthy Virgo full Moon on the 7th, is in contrast to the quick moving Sagittarius you are. The full Moon highlights your career, and what you aspire toward. The Virgo energy seeks discernment, clarification, and refinement. It reflects the oceanic sea of Pisces, that the Sun, Mercury, and Neptune now inhabit, and wants to bring order to it. How might you now fine tune and settle into health and well being that the Virgo energy offers? Perhaps by rearranging priorities? Jupiter is in quick, intuitive, and pioneering Aries, sending you out on new adventures. On the March 11, your planet, Jupiter, conjuncts with Chiron, blending their archetypal meanings. Here is the possibility of integration and healing. Finding balance between your mind and body. You might ask yourself, “What needs healing, or what is out of alignment for me?” The Aries new Moon following the Spring Equinox is a powerful Moon for you to initiate creative new beginnings. It falls in your house of self expression and the heart. “What is your heart desiring?” Keyword for March, “Balance.”
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, the gathering of planets in Pisces, stimulates your mind and opens possibilities, so your thinking processes are activated with imagination. The Virgo full Moon on the 7th, reflects that openness into a larger context. It highlights your house of philosophy, learning, teaching, and expansion of your consciousness. Virgo wants to order and refine, wants to understand the details of things, and share your thoughts and perception in grounded practical ways. You might ask, “How is my philosophy of life, my belief systems, being placed in practical use, and where is there a need for more clarity?” Mars, in your house of daily tasks, and work, really highlights a project you are working on. Your planet Saturn, is getting ready to leave Aquarius right after the full Moon, and enter Pisces. This is a big shift for you. And perhaps you’ll notice this shift as bringing more ease in your life around the pressure you put upon yourself. Here it wants to give form to your imaginative realms, and to cultivate a deeper feeling presence in all you do. The Aries new Moon follows the Spring Equinox, highlighting your home and your inner relationship to yourself. There is a new beginning here. Something emerging like a new shoot of yourself. Trust your path forward. Keywords for March, “Big shifts.”
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, one of the things that Aquarius and Virgo have in common is the ability to investigate information and work with systems. Under this full Moon in Virgo, you are guided to investigate the deeper feelings and patterns that arise between you and others. With Virgo you can bring more clarity to interactions that have brought challenge. Under this full Moon you are supported to clear, reorganize, purify and to let go of things that have accumulated. Your attention may be guided to nurture others, bringing insightful information, or healing balms. Saturn finally leaves Aquarius on the 7th. You might look over the last 2 years and review what changes have taken place, what you have learned, as a completion to this time of Saturn in your sign. The New Moon in Aries takes place following the spring Equinox, initiating a burst of energy toward new beginnings. This is complimentary to your Aquarius nature, and highlights connecting with others, writing, learning, and teaching. What would you like to begin? What new creative energy is energizing your mind? Keywords for March, “Sharing insights.”
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, Happy Birthday! To sensitive, imaginative, caring Pisces, this full Moon in Virgo can support you in grounded practical ways. This can be a good time to work with others in practical ways, manifesting a idea or dream you have initiated. Under this Virgo Moon you can get clarification, and work with details more efficiently. Something new and exciting may open up to you as the full Moon is in harmony with change agent Uranus. With Jupiter, one of your ruling planets, coming to conjunct Chiron in Aries, you may be in the process of healing, coming into deeper aspects of yourself and your life. Most nourishing now, would be to get back to the earth, to gardening, walking in the woods, or by the sea, tuning into nature, the birds, the stars, and the natural rhythms of things. The New Moon in Aries gives you a burst of energy, and encourages you to share your talents, share your brilliant ideas. The time is right to take action on them. Keywords for March, “Share your talents.”
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 39 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and/or painting classes, and for personal readings, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.co