Molly’s Astrology for March

Astrologers watch the movement of planets through the heavens, which form and release connections with each other in a mysterious dance of energies. As above, so below. We here on Earth, whether or not we know it, dance along to these cosmic patterns. We can’t change the energy, but we can become aware of it and dance with the beat rather than against it. By drawing on this ancient wisdom based on millennia of observation, we can create something like a weather forecast of times to come. This awareness, which is older than civilization, is what the art of astrology is all about. Astrological awareness is not a scary prediction of good or bad events to come. It is knowledge that assists the art of living.

March 1-7
Sober up quickly, because March comes in like a lion. Suddenly folks are less receptive to our ideas, and we really need to watch our speed. Things can go too fast around the 3rd, leading to problems around the 6th and 7th. The New Moon touches Saturn, which is good for business and long term planning. The message is, get serious. This is a great time to buckle down and deal with difficult work, and difficult personal issues. It has got to be now or later, and it’s probably easier now.

March 8-16
Luckily, the dream is not yet over. Jupiter trine Neptune, that alignment that helped us through February, reaches peak potency in March. Jupiter expands whatever it touches. Neptune is imagination, creativity, spirituality, sensitivity, healing. Neptune also represents fraud, intoxication, addiction. Which side of Neptune’s energy will you find during this week? That all depends on you, and on your decisions—past and present. It can be a time to get wasted, or get away with mischief. For others, it’s a time to be divinely inspired, have powerful dreams, seek help and healing, or to take a gamble on yourself.

A New Moon in Pisces on March 10 changes the vibe. There are two messages around this New Moon. The first is, respect the way things are flowing. Pisces is a water sign, and we all know water flows in response to the physical realities around it. This New Moon lines up in harmony with Saturn, the planet that governs structures and business. The idea is to set up your structures in response to the reality of the material, emotional, and spiritual currents in your life. Know which way the river flows before you build your mill.

March 16-31
Slow down after the 16th, because things are getting ready to turn sideways. On March 19th Mercury will begin to appear to move backwards, a condition known as Mercury retrograde. This happens every 4 months, and lasts for three weeks. Mercury governs communication and travel, and these things often don’t go as expected while he is retrograde. Technology problems, computer viruses and problems connecting are common—it’s not the time to upgrade your system or purchase new equipment. We have miscommunications, delays, schedule changes and confusion.

Some astrologers will tell you not to make any decisions while Mercury is retrograde. They advise this because things that are decided upon during Mercury retrograde tend to take unexpected turns. However, avoiding decisions for 3 weeks at a time is not realistic. What I will tell you is, leave yourself an escape clause; include contingencies in your contract. Expect that things will shift around a bit, and communicate your intentions very clearly so that there is little room for confusion or misinterpretation. And double-check everything before you send it out.

There is good news around Mercury retrograde—it is a great time to re-organize, review old files, plans, and projects, to rewrite or revise. In keeping with the saying, March goes out like a lamb, with sweet aspects involving Mercury (revising your communications and plans), Venus (relationships and money), and the Sun (creativity). April brings the powerful mojo and magical feeling of two Eclipses. More about that next time!

A Full Moon in Libra on March 25 resets the emotional tone once more. Libra emphasizes partnerships, give and take, fairness. In addition, this Full Moon occurs pretty close to the planet Jupiter, which governs the law and ethics. Those who do not find themselves in fair and balanced situations may find themselves in court!

The day after this Full Moon, there will be a Lunar occultation of the planet Jupiter. This means the Moon will pass directly in front of Jupiter, obscuring it from view. This somewhat rare event happens several times in 2005. Lunar occultations are similar to eclipses, and are associated with major events such as earthquakes and death of world leaders.