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Venus conjunct Chiron
Dates and times are all Eastern time zone As March begins, four planets are still in Aquarius: Venus, Mercury, Chiron & Neptune. This is still a strong Aquarian signature, with the voice of reason prevailing over emotion for the most part. Only one planet (Saturn) is in retrograde motion, and until April 2, when Pluto changes direction, there is a decidedly forward emphasis in most areas of our worldly experience. In May both Jupiter and Neptune will retrograde and we will begin to retrace our steps again. There are a lot of planetary interactions in March, signaling a period of activity and change even though these are largely interactions between the faster moving planets that are of shorter duration and less significant in scope. For the first week or so of March Venus, Mercury and Chiron are in conjunction, fusing their energies to promote healing (Chiron) of our relationship to ourselves and to others (Venus) and our ability to communicate and relay information (Mercury). The Chironic process of healing is not always an easy one; it requires our attention and willingness to walk into the fire of potentially painful emotions. During Chironic periods we are extremely sensitive to the buttons of our old wounds being pushed, and there is potential during this first week for emotional reactions in the extreme. Chiron is in play throughout the month with an inconjunct (30 degree aspect) to Uranus that will come to fruition at the end of the month. Combinations of Chiron and Uranus can make it difficult to integrate our internal wisdom (Chiron) with the pressures of a restless desire for change (Uranus). This can result in an energy imbalance that may require additional steps to improve, such as with yoga, long walks or hot baths. Ideally, we will take this opportunity to feel a little more deeply and invite these emotions to enter into the conscious realm where they can be recognized and then released. This process will be particularly powerful for those of us with planets in the middle degrees of the fixed signs (Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio, Taurus). While all of this is going on, Mars is moving into position for its final opposition to Pluto, a cycle that began last fall and has followed the planets as both have changed signs: from Mars in Gemini opposing Pluto in Sagittarius to Mars in Cancer opposing Pluto in Capricorn. Mars is our drive, our aggressive instinct, and you can see how things can get a little riled up when Mars is interacting with Pluto, Lord of Death and Transformation. Pluto tends to put its Supreme Foot down when Mars gets uppity, but in the final cycle we often see the resolution of that battle. Mars and Pluto together are a formidable combination that results in irrevocable change when the lessons from the earlier phases of the cycle are integrated. Mars re-enters the sign of Cancer on March 4 and the final opposition is March 6, but we will be feeling its effects for several days prior to that which is likely to add a combative influence to the touchiness of the Chiron conjunctions mentioned above. Fortunately, a conjunction of sweet Venus and romantic Neptune will soften the edges of any conflicts that come up, providing creative ways to move through difficulties and release old patterns as Neptune's urge to dissolve and transcend does its magic. The New Moon on March 7 is at 17 degrees Pisces, the sign of spiritual experience and creativity. With the Sun conjunct the Moon, there is a linking of the conscious mind to the unconscious instinctive urges, fusing in a celebration of the divine experience that is the realm of Pisces. New Moons are known to be auspicious times for new ventures, and this New Moon is tightly conjunct Uranus, god of radical change and innovation. A powerful influence to aid us as we walk down a completely new path! We also see the influence of Jupiter coming into play as it approaches a sextile (harmonious aspect) to Uranus which will be exact late in March. This Jupiter/Uranus combination brings with it an excitement and eagerness for change and a readiness to move into the next phase. The New Moon also incorporates an applying conjunction between Mercury and Neptune which is exact on the 8th, enhancing the imaginative quality of this lunation. This Mercury/Neptune conjunction is part of the Aquarius stellium that includes Chiron which continues to press our buttons if we don't surrender to the Neptunian flow and Chiron's call to face the daemon within. When Venus enters Pisces on March 12 and forms a sextile to Pluto on March 13, any resistance we are harboring will be lubricated and we will find it easier to make the necessary inner adjustments. On the 14th when Mercury leaves the Aquarius stellium to enter Pisces, the link to Chiron will be broken and the sensitivity of the early part of the month will ease. Mars also forms a sextile to Saturn on that day, and the days from March 12-16 or so will be a great time to get things done and follow your plan for success as the energy of Mars works harmoniously with Saturn's urge for achievement. Mercury is very active in mid-month, with a sextile to Pluto (focused thinking and expression) on the 15th, an opposition to Saturn (misunderstandings and disagreements) on the 16th, and a trine to Mars (mental energy and clarity) on the 17th. Mercury and Venus are dancing together in Pisces with 1-2 degrees between them until they conjunct on the 24th, and the creative impulse is powerful now. Our thinking is much more compassionate and sensitive than usual, and the inspiration of Pisces permeates our thinking (Mercury) and the way we relate to others). A trine of Venus to Mars on the 15th sets the stage with a strong sociability and excitement. The Vernal Equinox occurs when the Sun enters Aries on March 21, and the chart for the Equinoxes and Solstices is often used to predict the events of the following quarter, or season. This Equinox is certain to be a powerful one as it incorporate the Full Moon, with the Moon opposing the Sun at 1 degree Libra/Aries in exact square to Pluto. Mars is involved as well as it still widely opposes Pluto, and the four planets form a Grand Cross to the Full Moon and Pluto, all in Cardinal signs of action. During the Full Moon the instinctive unconscious as represented by the Moon is in ascendancy over the conscious solar mind, and during this Full Moon the square from both Mars and Pluto, particularly at the time of the Equinox, will release a potent energy that could create conflict and will force change. This Full Moon is in Libra, the sign of relationship, and the Aries/Libra polarity requires balancing the Self with the Other. In Libra there is a need for beauty and harmony, but the Grand Cross will create difficulty in achieving the kind of serenity and balance that Libra requires. This will be particularly challenging for individuals (like me!) with planets in the first few degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn). On the 23rd the culmination of the conjunction of Mercury (mind) to Venus (love), which have been dancing together throughout the month, will help to clarify our thinking and shine the light on resolutions to relationship problems. The way will appear clear and solutions more easily found. This process continues throughout the balance of the month: on the 27th and 28th Mercury and Venus form a sextile to Jupiter (expansion and possibilities) and conjunct Uranus (new ways of thinking and relating to others), both of which help to open our minds and clear out the cobwebs. This paves the way for the exact sextile (harmonious aspect) between Jupiter and Uranus which has been applying throughout the month - an expansive (Jupiter) and exciting (sextile) time for innovation and change (Uranus). All will not be totally easy, however, because Chiron's stressful aspect (inconjunct) to Uranus that we have seen throughout the month now incorporates Mercury and Venus as well, keeping us focused on the goal of facilitating healing and transformation so that we don't become too complacent. March looks like it will be a month of transition and change of direction, so keep your seat belt on!
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