WHAT’S UP – March 2024
Belinda C. Dunn
Pisces New Moon
March 10 @ 5:00 am (EDT)
Spring Equinox
March 19 @ 11:15 pm (EDT)
Libra/Aries Full Moon
March 25 @ 3:00 am (EDT)
March begins with a felt sense of life force rising from winter’s slumber as early green sprouts push up toward sunlight. Springing into view, one by one, nature’s parade begins. First, barely noticeable tiny spring beauties, than crocus, followed by daffodils, hyacinth and tulips.
Moving and stirring everything awake, this very same life force moves through the human body as a resurgence of vital energy. Almost overnight, moods lift and attitudes shift as daylight grows day by day. As with any seasonal transition, change requires resilience, adjustment and adaptation. In spring, this is especially the case as the body is more vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuation. The common adage, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” speaks to the winds that can vary from fierce and frigid one day, to gentle and mild the next.
As the month begins, Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune transit through Pisces, the 12th and final zodiac sign. Implying there are things to clean up and finish up in order to prepare for a new cycle, Pisces is contemplative, intuitive, sensitive and mystical.
In particular, a Pisces New Moon on March 10 has the potential to call forth these introspective qualities as a honing tool of direction and guidance.
The New Moon is couched between Saturn and Neptune. These planets represent the gap between manifested reality and idealistic yearnings. It can seem nearly impossible to close the gap without the broad perspective that spirituality offers. Presently, we don’t have to look far to witness the desperation and depression written on the face of humanity. If you dare to, just look around, it can be overwhelming, but this is when the healing balm of Pisces can step in to offer forgiveness, release, understanding and compassion.
Other clues point to the ending of cycles. Not only is this the last New Moon before Spring Equinox, but Venus transits through Pisces, March 11 – April 4. Then Mars joins the party, transiting through Pisces March 22 – April 30. This suggests some lag time between the energetic jump start, so typical of spring, and the introspective nature of Pisces which instinctively seeks a slower pace for quiet reflection.
In astrology, Aries is the 1st zodiac sign, and spring is considered the beginning of the astrological new year. Like seeds planted in fertile soil, intentions planted during the equinox have great potency for successful manifestation. As Sun enters Aries, the equinox chart shows an unusual planetary line-up of North Lunar Node, Mercury and Chiron. Let’s unpack this configuration one by one.
First, the transiting North Node has been in Aries since summer 2023. Like a shining north star, this position shows the optimal growth pattern for individuals and collective consciousness. It is like a theme song always playing in the background. In this case, Aries is encouraging and promoting the dynamic qualities of self awareness, self reliance, and courageous assertion of what is meaningful and true for you.
Next, Mercury is transiting through Aries for a lengthy stay of many weeks, March 10 – May 15. Due to a Mercury retrograde phase April 1 – 25, there will be many opportunities to see these themes in action. It isn’t necessarily an easy process as social conditioning leans toward people pleasing, and going along with the crowd. One of the best ways to access the constructive side of Aries is through physical activity. Aries energy is pioneering and entrepreneurial, forthright and bold. Whether your goals are small or large scale, personal or work related, these are weeks to really get traction, and take advantage of these energetic trends.
The third factor is Chiron’s transit through Aries (2019 – 2026). Discovered in 1977, and observed by astrologers to this day, Chiron remains an enigma. It has been dubbed, “the wounded healer.” In the personal chart, it suggests the deepest core wound, but most importantly, the alleviation of suffering through effective healing techniques. In the decades since its discovery, personal growth and alternative healing methods have grown exponentially.
In order to access Chiron’s healing potential, it is necessary to break through denial. At this point in evolution, humans manufacture suffering out of ignorance of natural consequences. Laboring under pressure, humanity is lost and burdened with ancient wounds of a psychological/spiritual nature. As an archetype, Chiron shakes things up, strips away resistance and removes barriers to admitting painful wounds. Only then, can effective solutions be accessed for self, others, and society as a whole.
Chiron in Aries speaks to individual rights against the backdrop of societal relationships. Increasingly, the individual appears to be losing rights, hemmed in by cumbersome regulations, restrictions, moralistic judgment, and financial pressure. While there are numerous examples, the pandemic brought these issues to the surface, especially in forced mandates. The public at large rejected these mandates, and eventually it came down to the individual choosing autonomy whenever possible.
In addition to the Sun’s transit into Aries, powerful trends are gathering momentum for an upcoming eclipse cycle activating the zodiac signs of Aries and Libra, namely a Lunar Eclipse on March 25, and a Solar Eclipse on April 8. In general, the effects of eclipses are far reaching, and repercussions can manifest for months, but short term intensity begins to build approximately 4 weeks before the exact date. Therefore, March and most of April are intensely energized by these eclipses.
Astrologer Lorna Bevan writes,” Eclipses are dramatic cosmic wildcards in our horoscopes. They shake us out of complacency so we can move from one level of maturity to another. They are some of the most dramatic tools the universe uses to get us to pay attention to areas in our life that need to change. They uproot us, surprise us, and get us moving to a higher plane, and they work very rapidly. Eclipses want us to change, and change we do!”
Let’s take a look at the astrology chart for the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. As mentioned, there is a major alignment in Aries, but Moon is opposing in Libra. This zodiac polarity shows the juxtaposition of self and others. Already themes are clear, relationships are the focal point of change in many arenas. Business and personal partnerships are due for honest and open communication with the goal of cooperation and teamwork. However, conflicted relationships can reach a point of no return, because the growth pattern is toward authentic self expression.
Symbolized by the scales of justice, Libra is the zodiac sign of legalities. The daily news is saturated with one legal battle after another in a combative tussle for influence and supremacy. At great expense, the courts are bogged down and burdened to the point of dysfunction. This lunar eclipse suggests, if not guarantees, major disclosures and decisions in most legal matters, but there are no easy, straightforward answers.
As Mercury prepares to go retrograde on April 1st, there is a crescendo of complications that may take weeks to resolve. Mercury ensures a thorough, in-depth reckoning with matters at hand; personally, nationally, globally. If this isn’t enough, consider the upcoming Solar Eclipse on April 8 is exactly conjunct Chiron. As a cosmic weather reporter, these are unusual and unpredictable trends to watch closely, learn from, and adapt to. With a good dose of curiosity and detachment, Aries helps us fearlessly meet each and every challenge with good humor and trust in favorable outcomes. Meanwhile, the planets remind us, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.” Enjoy the show!
Belinda C. Dunn is a professional astrologer with over 40 years experience. She is available for your personal consultation.
belinda@astrodelight.com; 828-215-2101; www.astrodelight.com