Astrology forecast for March 2009, for all signs.

Venus Retrograde

Every 18 months, Venus appears (from our perspective) to slow down, stop, and then go backwards for about six weeks. The slowdown began in February, the station (stop) occurs on March 6, and the retrograde period lasts through April 17.

When Mercury, Venus, or Mars is in retrograde, conditions around the planet are catty-whumpus for a while. You may be more familiar with Mercury retrograde, a 3-times-a-year period when communications, scheduling, and travel (Mercury) are subject to delays and snafus. Mercury rules communication and transport; Venus governs our money, values and relationships. Read up on this one, especially if you’re dating or in a new relationship, or if you’re buying or selling something big.

March 1-8

Mercury conjoins Mars on the 1st, then Neptune on the 5th, then Mars and Neptune meet up on the 8th. Neptune bestows the gifts of imagination and connection to something outside yourself. But it can obscure the truth about things. Neptune rules all forms of deception, including self-deception. So it requires us all to face the truth without fear. As the space age catechism goes in the sci-fi masterpiece, Dune, “Fear is the mind-killer.”

Mars with Neptune softens the boundaries and dulls sharp edges. So your aim may be off. It’s a good time for planning, but not for decisive action. As the Moon waxes to full, it’s time to plan your strategy and gather your strength for the most active and expressive Lunar phase that begins with the Full Moon on the 10th.

Neptune also rules infection. I’ll be keeping my dropper bottle of echinacea on my desk this week, just in case a final round of the “creeping crud” sweeps through this week.

Mercury enters Pisces on the 8th, shifting the communication & commerce vibe to a more drifty, poetic, and imaginative place for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

March 9-18

A full Moon in earthy Virgo on Tuesday the 10th highlights matters of health, digestion, sorting and organizing the everyday things and ideas, especially in your work life. It’s a good time to do just about anything to support your digestive tract (except for surgery). And not a good time to stress that area. Virgo also governs co-workers, employees, and pets. Mercury sextile Pluto on Tuesday gives us all a little more depth of perception. It’s a good time to speak up, share your ideas, and ask for what you need. Just wait for your moment.

Venus will form a sextile to Jupiter on Wednesday morning. Sextiles represent opportunity. Venus Jupiter is sociable and generous. Affectionate and supportive, but in a less personal, more intellectual way, as the pair shows up in independent signs Aries and Aquarius. Goodies that show up while Venus is retrograde may not seem that great at first glance. You have to look beyond the surface appearance to see the true value of the thing or situation.

March 12, something new and different, a surprise or sudden shift of events. There’s a rebellious spirit in the air as the Sun conjoins Uranus in Pisces. An urge for freedom and change.

March 14, a new vibe appears as Mars moves from logical Aquarius into emotional, drifty Pisces, sparking an interest in the unseen, hidden side of things, secrets and mysteries. People are mellower under Mars in Pisces, there’s more of a “wait and see” attitude between now and April 22. The negative side of Mars in Pisces is avoidance through passivity or a “helpless” act. Trust your hunches and feelings while Mars is in this highly psychic sign.

March 16-18, there are two ideas present. One is Mercury (thinking) opposite Saturn (serious). It’s a conservative, hardworking vibe that marks a good time to plan and get organized, to edit for clarity and brevity. The other idea is Mars sextile Pluto, action sextile healing. Solutions. Actions guided by imagination or attunement to the “flow” of things are shaped by the concentration and focus of Pluto in Capricorn. Your research could unearth some previously hidden or overlooked information. Times are changing— and these are the days to look for opportunities.

March 19-25

It’s the 4th quarter phase of the Moon— a time to wrap up old projects, clear out any leftover debris, and prepare for a new cycle that appears with the New Moon on the 26th. The 4th quarter phase, and especially the few days before the New Moon, also called the Balsamic phase of the Moon, are the most visionary, future oriented days of the month. So it’s a good time for planning and strategizing.

The Sun enters Aries at 7:44 a.m. eastern time on Friday the 20th. This moment, also known as the Equinox, marks the official beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere, and kicks off a weekend of Ostara celebrations among those who mark the passing of the seasons in the Old traditions. Blessed Ostara!

Saturday the 21st, we are under a forward thinking Aquarius Moon, and Mercury (our thoughts) conjoins Uranus, the planet of invention, brilliance and flashes of genius. Just make sure you listen to others and consider their ideas as well. It looks like a good Saturday to clean out a garage, closet, or store room, and set it up to be used for something important to you. Out with the old, make room for the new.

Jupiter lines up in an inconjunct with Saturn around this time. Inconjuncts represent stress, energies that are out of sync with one another. Jupiter in Aquarius expands our freedom and visionary tendencies. But Saturn in Virgo requires attention to detail and adherence to routines and rules. Be flexible, and know that every dog has its day, and every task has its time. Be patient with others, and don’t step in the middle of someone else’s fight.

The 21st and 22nd, back off. There is resistance in the air, stubbornness, arrogance, and resentment of authority, as the Aries Sun squares Pluto in Capricorn. Best not to push your limits or break the rules without a very compelling reason.

Wednesday and Thursday, the 24th and 25th, are the quietest days of the month, the days just before the new Moon. This is the best time of the month to quit smoking or cut out any other unwanted habit.

March 26-31

The new Moon in active Aries, sign of the pioneer, the athlete, sign of new beginnings. It’s a good time to be thinking, writing, and envisioning what new things and new ideas you want to bring into your life in the next 12 months. Mercury is at odds with Pluto on Wednesday and Thursday, the 25th and 26th. Hasty thinking and premature actions can trip you up. Patience is called for here. Don’t get caught up in the injustices of the moment— stay aware of the bigger picture.

Mercury, like the Sun, has just entered Aries. The pair of them meet up with retrograde Venus in the final days of March. The Aries stellium puts energy in the air, the energy of force, guts, enthusiasm. But we are more easily bored, and our attention spans are shorter. Attention turns to appreciating beauty, thinking about relationships and creative projects. It’s a very good time to pick up an old creative project that you put aside in the past.

Mark your calendar!

The best days for your top priority business are March 10, 17, 18, 28.
Take it easy on March 4, 6-8, 19-23, 25-27.

Interesting links

Lynn Koiner on Venus Retrograde