Happy Vernal Equinox! It’s New Year’s Day in Astrology Land, as the Sun’s entree into Aries brings with it a fiery vibrancy. And this time, he’s had his welcome banquet set by some fresh planetary ingresses which preceded this seasonal marker, with a couple more major arrivals yet to come in the solar month. Let’s review…

Mercury has entered Aries, currently subsumed by the Sun’s light. In Aries, conversation can easily accelerate into spirited debate, deliberation can give way to war room strategies. It’s a bright, focused burst of brain-juice, welcome after Mercury’s languid float down Pisces’ currents. The only problem is his proximity to the Sun, as planets that are too close are said to be swallowed up by his light. Mercury may still feel relatively debilitated until he gets over ten degrees or more from the Sun, sometime after 3/26. Traditional doctrine says 17 degrees is still within the Sun’s clutches, but he’ll get healthier the further away he gets, and he’ll be running right into Jupiter’s arms. More on that later.

Venus has entered Taurus, one of her seats of sensual strength. As mentioned in last week’s Hump Day write-up, “Things are a little different this time though, as Venus will immediately make a conjunction to both Juno and the North Node upon entering her domicile. Juno is an asteroid associated with commitment, and it may be that some of the delights we wish to partake in require us to meet certain conditions. The North Node, meanwhile, is a point of manifestation, a horn of plenty, but some say that its gifts are poisoned by delusion and dependency when taken too far.”

Lastly, Saturn has entered Pisces. Much has been written about that already, and it was a centerpiece of last month’s Pisces Season piece, but given that it will be with us for some time, it still feels quite fresh. For our purposes here, I’ll briefly say that among its many meanings, boundaries and order are likely to be implemented differently, for different purposes, around different subjects. This may apply to more idealistic matters, aligning with Jupiter’s rulership, and may literally have to do with water and the natural world. Here’s hoping for some progress on climate regulation. Emotional and experiential boundaries are similarly centered on the table. Over the course of this solar month, Saturn will cozy up to powerful fixed star, Fomalhaut, whose involvement may augment Saturn’s influence. This star is largely beneficial, so one hopes it will mollify some of the Great Malefic’s more severe qualities rather than make them heavier still.

Mars and Pluto are also about to enter new signs. But before anything significant can happen, we’re immediately treated to the New Moon in Aries on Tuesday 3/21.

From last week’s Hump Day write-up: “The Sun’s overflowing corona is focused into a laser here in Aries, a battering ram which can breach any fortress with a toothy grin and a bright personality. This is a brief summation of why the Sun performs optimally in this Mars-ruled sign. The astrological community puts a lot of fanfare on the Sun’s entry into Aries, for it begins the zodiacal year, and predictions for the year ahead often accompany the Aries Ingress chart. That a new moon coincides with this Aries ingress seems particularly significant, especially with the new moon’s rep as a ‘chapter beginning.’ We have here a unity of ego and id, of consciousness and emotional self, both in service of the hitlist of goals that lie before us. An odd thing about this lunation is that it doesn’t really make any aspects; the closest thing we have are conjunctions to Mercury and Neptune, an echo of the business that began this article. Mercury is still being overpowered by the Sun’s light. Since Mars rules the Sun in Aries, and Mercury rules Mars in Gemini, this may indicate that the upcoming year holds key knowledge that is hiding from us in plain sight. Neptune’s influence seems to cosign on this.“

A couple of days later, Pluto enters Aquarius on 3/23. A huge deal!…and also not. A huge deal because Pluto takes roughly 12-30 years to change signs – huge variations due to his irregular orbit, but he’s always in a given sign for a generational-marker’s amount of time. Not a huge deal, because this is only an advanced preview: Pluto is going to go retrograde and will be back in Capricorn by early June, the sign it has occupied since 2008. He will not properly return to Aquarius for his true stay until early February on 2024. But! We’ve certainly got him for Aries Season, so let’s discuss some implications. Pluto represents what is obscured, hiding under the surface, whether because it is waiting to be discovered or because someone swept it under the rug. As such, Pluto often shows where power has accumulated, and where corruption is rife. Pluto may show us where the “bad guy” is, and his stay in Saturn-ruled, earthy and acquisitive Capricorn certainly shed light on the harm that corporate greed does to mankind and to the planet.

Aquarius is also Saturn-ruled, so systemic issues are likely to still be under the microscope. But because Aquarius is more cerebral and conceptual, so too are the powers that are being questioned. One can certainly imagine a luddite revival in the wake of all of this powerful AI, as well as the potential devastation wrought by other forms of technology; for example, many have been wary of the latent SNAFU that deep fakes may engender; if self-driving cars become a reality, many industries will suffer and unemployment levels will rise; one imagines some sort of reckoning in store for crypto culture, which does not seem to be going away, but whose market volatility keeps its place in financial society dubious; likewise, conversations around UBI may reemerge, with many questioning why work even still need be a thing; on perhaps the grimmest note, Taiwan’s importance as a leading manufacturer of the world’s microchips may pull others into efforts to save it from China’s military designs. In the immediate, the recent shake-up in the banking world, with three of the world’s major banks basically failing, will likely lead to some kind of sweeping reform after the Pluto ingress. Or perhaps, unrest around inaction on this matter. I’m not staking anything on it, just a hunch.

Meanwhile, Mars finally leaves Gemini and makes its ingress into Cancer on 3/25. While I’ve never been the biggest fan of Mars in Cancer, the sign where it classically is said to perform most poorly, it is sort of a nice change of pace. Mars has been in Gemini for an uncharacteristically long amount of time. Where he usually spends a couple of months in a sign, he has lived in Mercury’s house since late October due to a long retrograde period which took us into 2023.

Anyway. In Cancer, Mars has a lunar tendency to absorb, but that often means absorption of abuse until a breaking point is reached, usually then unloading on those he feels comfortable with, which usually means the wrong person. There’s also a greater than normal tendency here to get frustrated and emotional in the course of problem-solving. It’s not all bad, though. The watery placement leads to more intuitive understanding and creative solutions at times. What’s more, early in his time in Cancer, Mars will make trines to Saturn and the South Node. Saturn’s influence is likely to yield greater focus and boundaries, while the South Node will help to discard anything that does not fit into the battle plan. The three also create what is known as a Grand Water Trine, meaning there will be a general abundance of that martially-oriented water in the skies. Mars will begin to outpace these friends in mid-April, where a square with Chiron may begin to pick at the layers of frustration around failings and insecurities, hopefully leading to therapeutic results.

As discussed above, Venus is currently in her Springtime seat of power in Taurus, and hanging with Juno and the North Node, each of whom seem an easy match to her mission to connect and collect respectively. But Venus’ time in Taurus won’t be a total walk in the park, as she is fast approaching a conjunction to Uranus, the great destabilizer. Uranus’ influence may portend strange revelations around preferences and desires, and these bolts from the blue are generally irrevocable. That is to say, if truth bombs are dropped, it’s inadvisable to try to un-drop them, and I have met people who seem to have cracked their minds in the attempt. Uranus is also an expression of the primal Yang, the cosmic male force, and its influence on arguably the most feminine planet may leave some to contend with a very Yang feminine. The discourse around Uranus and queer culture can be a sensitive topic in the astrology community, with many taking umbrage to the implication that Uranus others or shows what is “weird.” That is understandable, but I do think this transit may reveal kinks, among other things, and is likely to highlight developments around the current (and absolutely ridiculous) debate around drag culture. This transit may also get some ladies pregnant.

As she reaches the end of Taurus, Venus will run into a few overtly dark presences. The first is Algol, who she will join on 4/7, and who is considered by many sources to be the most malevolent star in the sky. Algol represent’s Medusa’s severed head, and Venus’ conjunction with this mythical monster may whip up scorn and discontent around relationships, body autonomy, and other Venusian matters. Algol has more recently been connected with justice for victims who have been either blamed for their own plight or otherwise swept under the rug, and one wonders if we will see any movement or mass demonstration around abortion here, if not around Uranus’ conjunction.

Venus then enters Gemini on 4/11. She is neither strong nor weak in Gemini, more a creature of Water and Earth than Air, but not opposed to the pleasures that Mercury’s house can bring. This is a Venus with a lot of different looks and styles, a myriad of interests, an avid conversationalist and tea-spiller, a lover of games and diversions. My friends with this placement do not seem to have a physical type, though their matches fit a cerebral profile, bordering on sapio-sexual. Upon entry to Gemini, she will immediately trine Pluto and may find herself on the beneficial side of the powers that be. This may be a good time for AI art, or for some other kind of technological aid to Venus’ relam. She also will be on top of the fixed star Alcyone that day, It is difficult to say what this augurs, but this star (as the principal star of the Seven Sisters, The Pleiades,) is oft associated with blindness and with the loss of innocence. If I were to hazard a wild guess, I’d wonder if some breakthrough with vision correction would be associated with this transit.

Mercury is running from Sun’s beams, and while thoughts and words may be taking on a more certain and assertive air, they may still end up muddled or overshadowed in the first days of the solar month. By 3/26, he will first catch up to Chiron, and then to Jupiter the following day – though it’s sort of the same difference, with Jupiter and Chiron being so closely conjunct. Consequently, while this does bring thoughts to insecurities and wounds, it also helps us reason around their resolution, and Jupiter’s influence may elevate and amplify messages received, lessons learned sinking in quite deeply.

Shortly after, on 4/3, Mercury will enter Taurus. Like Venus in Gemini, Mercury is neither strong nor weak here, it’s just not his home court. Mercury generally prefers to go where he pleases and speak with who he pleases. And it’s not that he cannot do that in Taurus, it’s just that the Bull’s fields generally bring localized concerns and an apathy for what is outside their scope. There is a hyper-focus on what is real, practical, what has utility, and the abstract is of little concern. Still, it is a Venus-ruled Mercury and is up for a pleasant conversation. More importantly, because Mercury is in a Venus-ruled sign and Venus is in a Mercury-ruled sign, they are in a state known as mutual reception, where they will help and strengthen each other’s influence for the duration of their stays in these respective signs. As a reminder though, Mercury will be in Taurus a week before Venus enters Gemini, and this will not kick in until that happens.

Upon entry into Taurus, Mercury will immediately trigger a contentious square with Pluto. Arguments around the practicality of pie-in-the sky ideas seems likely, the benefit of certain experiments. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. Mercury will eventually reach a conjunction with Uranus, the seeker laying eyes on the cache of truth bombs, but security will stop him at the hangar doors. The conjunction will not become partile, as he will station retrograde right before that can happen on 4/21. We entered the year on a Mercury Retrograde, and so we were due for another. More on that next month. (Spoiler alert: it’ll be fine.)

Just as Mercury did, the Sun will make his way to a conjunction with Jupiter and Chiron, bringing a focus and resolve to efforts at self-betterment, of faith, of healthy competition. This will be a prominent feature of the upcoming full moon – more in that in just a second. This conjunction gets tighter at the beginning of April and is exact with Chiron on 4/5, with Jupiter on 4/11. Other than a grating square with Mars in the first week of the solar month, which may bring a touch of tension, the Sun actual doesn’t see many other notable aspects. There’s a carefree freedom in this that seems appropriate to the season of renewal.

The Full Moon in Libra occurs on 4/5, with the Sun sandwiched right between Chiron and Jupiter. The Sun being with Jupiter uplifts, enriches and rolls out red carpets, an avenue for the grandiose. But Chiron’s effect of the Sun usually means a discomfort with self, and this combination of planetary influences is likely to create some mixture of ups and downs. There is potential for rousing success and crippling humiliation in the same breath, and it seems like the healthiest thing to do will be to treat any setbacks here as investments. “Eat bitter” is a phrase often uttered in the world of Kung Fu, the idea that losses and failures should be nourishing lessons. Given that Mars in Cancer rules this pile-up of planets in Aries, and has a reputation for being touchy, it may be difficult to remain emotionally composed and objective about such things, but Saturn’s trine to Mars may serve as a supporting wall with which to prop up one’s back up.

The Moon in Libra makes no major aspects here, but may be colored by Venus’ current condition. Venus is far enough from Uranus that its destructive influence should no longer be a factor. Instead, she is just becoming conjunct to Algol. That Venus on Algol rules this lunation is profound, and may add some heavy undertones to the Moon in Libra’s normally breezy nature. It feels like this combination of factors could lead some to an avoidant disposition on things that should not be avoided, that may not stay silent, and so it is best to try to dialogue with showy corners of self as though with a friend. If it’s a more tangible element that’s in question, an actual person or tough situation, it’s still probably best approached with a spirit of spitball problem-solving where possible. It is also worth mentioning that Venus will be applying to a tight sextile with Neptune, whose boundary-melting influence will be optional. On the negative side, this could lead to escapism and substance abuse. On the positive, this could lead to healing experiences through surreal adventure, through fantasy worlds in media, or even through limited and targeted use of psychedelics. Just because drugs are involved doesn’t mean it’s substance abuse, and intentional treatment with psychedelics is more like mental medicine than any sort of bender.

Both of the lights are enmeshed with factors that may make for potent and emotional lunation. One last feature of this full moon that should be mentioned is Mercury’s conjunction with the North Node, square to Pluto in Aquarius. As mentioned before, this seems like the type of thing that will begin to reveal what challenges and transformations Pluto in Aquarius is really bringing to our doorstep. Mercury in Taurus feels like commerce, especially when he’s with the North Node, a point of manifestation. So we have a conflict here, essentially, with those trying to navigate Capitalism and its commodities, and with whatever systemic and/or technological roadblocks Pluto is chucking in that lane. Conflicts around FinTech, banking reform, and crypto may be forthcoming here.

We actually get a bonus lunation in this Aries Season, an extra new moon. Only this one’s a Solar Eclipse, the first of the year. It will not be visible here in the States.

The eclipse takes place with the Sun and Moon at the anaretic degree of Aries, the last day of the solar month, when the Sun’s position in the last degree of the sign usually already leaves a deficit of vitality and mental focus. This may mean sluggishness with an exclamation mark. The darkening of the Sun occurs as it is conjunct Jupiter, and while there is some possibility that his influence will ameliorate some effects, it seems more likely that he gets pulled into the shadow and that spirits may find themselves lowered. While it occurs cross-sign, the Sun and Moon are technically square to Pluto by degree, and it is likely this eclipse underlines some of the more polarizing factors that Pluto in Aquarius will be bringing to this age. Issues which came up in the Mercury-Pluto square from the last lunation may recur, though this time it seems less about business and more about humanity, about personhood. A testimony to this: though it is also cross-sign, the Sun and Moon are most closely conjunct the asteroid Vesta, denoting that something sacred to identity may be at stake here. It makes me wonder if issues around the potential consciousness of AI may reemerge around here. Some say, by the way, that effects from a particular eclipse may take up to 6 months to manifest, so I won’t be holding my breath on that one. But it’ll be interesting to see what develops.

Another potential testimonial aspect to that area of interest: during this lunation, Mercury makes his conjunction to Uranus, raising the potential for explosive news and technological advancement. However, this is also a Mercury who is pumping the brakes, slowing down in preparation for his retrograde station which occurs a couple of days later. Perhaps something revelatory will need to be walked back or retooled, its impact less diminished than delayed, for Mercury will make another conjunction to Uranus at the beginning of June.

That’s all for this time. Some important transit dates are below. See you on Wednesday for my weekly!

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3/20 – Vernal Equinox – the Sun enters Aries, Mercury is combust. Venus and the North Node are conjunct, along with Juno. Mars’ square to Neptune persists. Jupiter is sandwiched between Chiron and Ceres. Moon on Neptune.

3/21 – New Moon in Aries, description above.

3/22 – Moon with Jupiter-Chiron, stirring the pot of insecurities and self-improvement.

3/23 – Pluto moves into Aquarius, description above. Mars at anaretic degree of Gemini, perhaps taking the wind out of many a sail.

3/24 – Moon joins Venus and Uranus by passing in between them, a preview of their upcoming conjunction.

3/25 – Mars enters Cancer, trine Saturn in Pisces and the South Node in Scorpio – a Grand Water Trine.

3/26 – Mercury-Chiron exact conjunction.

3/27 – Mercury-Jupiter exact conjunction.

3/28 – The Moon passes over Mars in Cancer, emphasizing intuition and emotional response to adversity.

3/29 – Mars-Saturn trine is exact, a stabilizing influence on a potentially counter-productive animus.

3/30 – Venus-Uranus exact conjunction. Mercury exactly conjunct Vesta – an opportunity to hold space for private thoughts and reflections, or to communicate with someone special. The Moon enters Leo, opposing Pluto and highlighting disparity between what we can accept and what we cannot.

3/31 & 4/1 – The Moon makes its way through Leo, supporting the self-empowering planets in Aries while conflicting with the more decadent and/or practical planets in Taurus, most notably the Venus-Uranus conjunction. Perhaps denial or anger around any recent surprises or realizations.

4/2 – The Moon in Virgo opposes Saturn in Pisces, trining the North Node. Feels like those interested in craft and innovation running up against natural obstacles, like trying to build an enduring structure on a bog.

4/3 – Mercury enters Taurus, conjunct the North Node, exact square to Pluto in Aquarius, sextile to Saturn in Pisces and Mars in Cancer. The Moon now engages with Venus-Uranus in a healthier way, perhaps paving the way for acceptance of whatever has been brought forward.

4/5 – Full Moon in Libra. Sun exactly conjunct Chiron. Description above.

4/6 – Mercury exactly conjunct North Node.

4/7 – Venus on Algol. The Moon in Scorpio passes over the South Node, trining Saturn and opposing Mercury conjunct the North Node. A possible signal to scale back and let go of some habits that may be hurting more than helping, though the solutions may seem undesirable.

4/10 – Venus at anaretic degree of Taurus. Juno exactly conjunct Uranus in Taurus, perhaps imposing some surprising commitments, bringing together strange bedfellows and unlikely allies. The Moon in Sagittarius supports the Sun-Jupiter-Chiron conjunction, an encouraging force to any positive impulses brought up by the full moon.

4/11 – Sun-Jupiter conjunction is exact. Venus enters Gemini, conjunct the Pleiades, trine Pluto.

4/13 – Venus’ square to Saturn perfects, restricting and regulating her good time. The Moon on Pluto makes a trine to Venus, perhaps delivering some unfair advantage to her.

4/16 – Mercury is conjunct Uranus, but begins to slow. He will station retrograde before the conjunction is exact. Mars begins to make a square to Chiron.

4/19 – Sun at anaretic degree for the 2nd New Moon in Aries, which is also a Total Solar Eclipse.