Many of us feel stuck right now, like we're trying to move forward through thick mud. It's not that things aren't happening - they definitely are - but it's been hard to gain traction or see a clear path ahead. This makes perfect sense when we look at the bigger astrological picture.
Since last fall, we've been working with some challenging patterns. Mars, the planet of action and forward momentum, has been retrograde in Cancer since December, making it difficult to push ahead with our usual determination. Mars is direct now, but hardly moving. At the same time, a tense square between Jupiter and Saturn created friction between forces of hope and growth and those of limitation and loss.
But March brings a significant shift in this energy. Think of it like a log jam finally breaking free - a sudden rush of movement after a long period of stillness. This won't necessarily be comfortable, but it does get things flowing again.
Three Key Themes for March
What makes March particularly dynamic are three overlapping patterns:
1. What I'm calling Conjunction Junction happens when Mercury, Venus, the Sun, and Neptune repeatedly meet and blend their energies. Like ingredients in a New Orleans gumbo, each adds its own flavor as they simmer together - Mercury (messages and insights), Venus (values and relationships), the Sun (purpose and leadership), and Neptune (dreams, inspiration, and delusion).
2. These conjunctions happen in a Hot Spot between the final degrees of Pisces and early Aries (26° Pisces to 11° Aries). This represents a threshold between dissolving old forms and initiating new beginnings. If you have planets or important points in your chart in this range, you'll experience these shifts most directly.
3. The month features unusual patterns of Disrupted Lights of the Sun and Moon, with two eclipses and four long void Moon periods. It can impair our vision, like flying through clouds.
Major Events
Starting Point: February 27 New Moon at 9°41’ Pisces
This week’s New Moon begins a powerful six-week eclipse season. Several planets are in Pisces, strongly emphasizing dissolution, completion, and emotional processing. We are preparing for new beginnings and action (Aries).
Venus Retrograde (March 1 – April 12)
Venus spends 4 months from 25° Pisces to 11° Aries(Jan 28 - May 16). Think of it like cleaning out your closet - you take everything out, examine what still fits and serves you, and thoughtfully decide what to keep, alter, and let go.
Depending on your birth chart, topics like relationships, creativity, art, or your values and finances might be up for review and change. Prior Venus retrogrades in Aries occurred in March-April of 2017, 2009, and 2001. What was your experience during these periods?
Things get complicated mid-month. From Mar 10-12, the Moon has an uncharacteristically long period where it makes no major aspects with traditional planets for almost 59 hours. I’ll write more about these void Moons below. Meanwhile, Mercury passes Venus in Aries (Mar 11) while the Sun meets Saturn in Pisces (Mar 12). Mercury and Venus in Aries can be loud, fast, and impulsive, while Sun-Saturn conjunctions are often sobering. It makes me think of an aggressive action that leads to harsh consequences or disappointing results.
Lunar Eclipse in Virgo (March 14)
This South Node eclipse at 24° Virgo can help release ideas and habits that no longer serve you, particularly around work and service, health, and tendencies toward control or perfectionism. It is at peak visibility in North America just before 2 am CST.
Mercury Retrograde (March 15 - April 17)
Mercury spends almost 2 months from 27° Pisces to 10° Aries (Mar 1- Apr 26.) Areas like communication, technology, transportation, and commerce may face disruptions or delays. Double-check details, maintain flexible plans, and keep important data backed up. This natural review period is excellent for:
- Revising and editing
- Reconnecting with old acquaintances
- Research and reflection
- Rehabilitation or repairing
The third week of March is a vortex between eclipses, with another long void Moon (62 hours) from March 16-18. On March 19, the Sun conjoins Neptune at the last degree of Pisces, and then it enters Aries on March 20, the Spring Equinox.
In Aries, the Sun meets with Venus first (at 3 degrees), then Mercury (at 5 degrees). Think of the Sun as a ruler holding a court, meeting with representatives for women and the arts (Venus), and then the merchants and media (Mercury).
Another long void Moon occurs Mar 25 - 27. While retrograde Venus first appears as a morning star in the East, she backs into Pisces.
Solar Eclipse in Aries (March 29)
This North Node eclipse at 9° Aries is physically expressive, calling for bold action and great effort. Considering the retrogrades near this degree, new starts may connect to revised versions of past ideas or relationships. It is not visible in New Orleans.
Finally, we close out the month with another long void Moon (Mar 30-31) while Neptune enters Aries.
Neptune's move into Aries is particularly significant, as it will influence a generation, remaining in this sign until 2039, except for a brief slip back into Pisces this fall. The last time Neptune was in Aries was from 1861 to 1875, coinciding with major social movements and cultural transformations.
Long Void Moons
March brings an unusual pattern - four extended periods when the Moon makes no major aspects to other planets. Think of these like natural pause points in the month's rhythm. While we typically get four or five of these long void periods in a year, March has four in a single month:
- March 10-12 (59 hours)
- March 16-18 (62 hours)
- March 25-27 (51 hours)
- March 30-31 (49 hours)
During these periods, situations often lose momentum or resolve themselves without our intervention. If someone brings you an"urgent" crisis during these times, you might find it dissipates on its own. Steps can be missed, delays are common, and cause-and-effect relationships become less clear. I would avoid important decisions and actions during these periods, if possible.
For those interested in the technical side: The Moon acts as a translator between planets. When it makes no major aspects (conjunctions, sextiles, trines, squares, or oppositions) to traditional planets (Sun through Saturn) for 30 degrees, we call this a void-of-course Moon in Hellenistic astrological traditions. The effect may be less pronounced when the Moon is in Cancer, Taurus, Sagittarius, or Pisces.
Looking Ahead: Weather and Community
As we move through March into the warmer months, the astrological patterns suggest significant weather trends. While we currently have many planets in water signs, the eclipses plus Saturn and Neptune's move to Aries often correspond with hot and dry conditions, possibly drought. However, when we reach October through December, we'll see a return to water-heavy skies, suggesting another period of significant precipitation. Given these patterns and the potential for disruption in our systems and labor markets, here are some suggestions to consider:
Resource Management
- Take stock of pantry supplies and essential items
- Consider your backup plans for basic necessities
- Include pet food and critical supplies in your inventory.
Community Connection
- Develop local support networks
- Participate in mutual aid initiatives
- Get to know your local farmers and food suppliers
- Check on neighbors, especially during extreme weather
Personal Balance
- Monitor your information intake
- Verify sources before sharing news
- Make time for outdoor activities
- Maintain practices that help regulate your nervous system
- Use movement, music, or dance to process intense energies
Let's Connect
Are you hosting an event? I’d love to educate, entertain, and inspire your guests. Mini-astrology readings are a popular choice for bachelorette parties. I've also entertained at birthday parties, fundraisers, galas, and corporate dinners. Wow your participants with astrology or tarot. Contact me to schedule.
Denise Hancock