ASTROLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MARCH 2021

Pavement Mosiacs of Pisces and Aries at the Umberto Gallery in Naples, Italy

Photo by: IlSistemone, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Big Picture in March

As we begin the month, we are still under the strong influence of the Saturn-Uranus square, a tense aspect that necessitates some action to relieve this energy. In fact, on March 1, we have only one degree of separation between these planets. By the end of the month, a little over two degrees will separate the planets. Both of these planets are in fixed signs, with Saturn in airy Aquarius and Uranus in earthy Taurus. Last month, when these planets reached an exact square on February 17, we saw the severe effects of climate change on Texas, a state not used to extreme cold. That state’s self-contained electrical grid (ruled by Uranus) froze and ceased operating, thereby shutting off power to many of the structures (ruled by Saturn) inhabited by Texans. The square indicates that some type of action will relieve that condition, but whether that occurs is in the hands of Texans. However, such situations are not exclusive to Texas, because we are all subject to the phenomenon represented by the Saturn-Uranus square in matters that we need to address.

As we move through the month of March, we will experience increasing diversity in the energy of the cosmos. The planets will be shifting from an overabundance of fixed planets to increasing mutability and cardinality. Fixed planets can provide a great deal of focus on the tasks at hand, but under their influence we might feel unable to move beyond a particular perspective. However, with Venus, the Sun, and Neptune in Pisces, boundaries are less defined and more permeable. Piscean qualities work well in the realm of art, spirituality, and in some forms of the healing arts.

The action planet Mars will shift from earthy and fixed Taurus into airy and mutable Gemini on March 3. We might sense a shift to a faster pace. Energetic Mars could be effective in the domains of Gemini, which involve making connections with others, either to satisfy our need for relating or to gather information for a project. Mars will also thrive in the areas of speaking and writing. When Mars forms a quintile with Neptune on March 8, the creative juices are available for expressing inspiration and imagination. Furthermore, when Mars goes out of bounds on March 21, the reins are loosened and all bets are off as to what activities we might find ourselves!

The Sun enters Aries on March 20. Aries is ruled by Mars, so we can see that we are heavily motivated by the need to take action on various fronts. Its aspects with Pluto in Capricorn might ground its efforts in earthly reality, but the majority of its contacts with other planets are primarily fiery and watery this month.

Mercury, the planet of communication and the mind, moves into Pisces on March 15. Since Mars will be in Gemini most of the month, the planet will be answering to Mercury, which is in Pisces, ruled by Neptune. Consequently, our communication could seem scattered but filled with creative ideas. It’s a good time to work on our vision and on an organizational mission statement.

The seven quintiles that emerge this month (see chart below) reinforce other planetary formations that suggest CREATIVITY is a key theme this month. Just know that this gift is available to you in whatever form you wish to express this!

Significant Days in March

Below you will find a table of astrological events for this month, including the major aspects, the key lunations, and sign changes for the planets. You can assess the quality of significant days by noting when planets form exact aspects and where all this activity takes place in your natal chart.

Here is a basic key for understanding the meaning of the aspects:

The Conjunction: This aspect represents the merging and fusion of energies by two (or more planets) that have joined at a particular degree (or within a specified orb). This combined energy is very potent. When this occurs, we might feel subjective about a matter in our lives.

The Sextile (60°): Planets in this formation are harmonious and lend themselves to cooperation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says there is a quality of “coaxing” in sextiles. In other words, if we put in a little effort at these times, we can take advantage of opportunities in a situation.

The Quintile (72°): Planets in this aspect represent the type of harmony inherent in creative endeavors. It might often describe the impulse to fuse an idea into a tangible substance. Quintiles often describe the talents possessed by individuals.

The Square (90°): Planets that line up in this aspect reflect incompatible energies with contrasting needs. Consequently, we can describe this planetary relationship as tense and strained. Because these energies can be working at cross-purposes, the situation at hand may require us to make choices. The “silver lining” is that squares compel us to take action and this often results in dispelling tension. If we are conscious of the dilemma, we can use the excess energy in a matter so that we can achieve something useful.

The Trine (120°): There is an ease in the relationship between planets involved with this aspect because they are of the same element. At this time, we can perform activities with a flowing energy. We enjoy these activities, and they often reflect our innate talents. Because this energy is so comfortable, it often does not promote growth. Yet, these aspects reflect how we can be healed.

The Quincunx (150°): Planets forming this relationship appear to have nothing in common. These planets display energies that are out of step with one another. There can be an element of irritation and stress because of this, but it is not a confrontative type of energy. If we are conscious of this reality, we can make adjustments to the relationship such that we do not feel so out of sync.

The Opposition (180°): This relationship between planets brings to our awareness how something is different from our preferred position. We could be in conflict with others about a matter. Also, we might shift our preference from one point of view to its opposite. Yet, we can also find common ground in this relationship. This aspect has the potential for us to integrate our perspectives.

 

MARCH 2021 ASTROLOGICAL EVENTS

Date of Exact or Near Exact Aspect	Pacific Time	Astrological Event
March 1		SATURN in pre-retrograde shadow all month
March 3	9:09 AM	VENUS (7 Pisces 42) sextile URANUS (7 Taurus 42)
March 3	7:29 PM	MARS enters Gemini
March 4		NEPTUNE enters pre-retrograde shadow at 20° Pisces 24′
March 4	7:27 PM	MERCURY (17 Aquarius 33) conjunction JUPITER (17 Aquarius 33)
March 7	1:04 PM	PALLAS enters Pisces
March 8	4:11 AM	MARS  (2 Gemini 32) quintile NEPTUNE (20 Pisces 32)
March 10	4:01 PM	SUN (20 Pisces 38) conjunction NEPTUNE (20 Pisces 38)
March 12	1:06 PM	MERCURY (26 Aquarius 04) quintile URANUS (8 Taurus 04)
March 13	2:21 AM	NEW MOON (23 Pisces 04)
March 13	8:07 PM	VENUS (20 Pisces 45)conjunction NEPTUNE (20 Pisces 45)
March 14	12:10 AM	SUN (23 Pisces 57) quintile MARS (5 Gemini 57)
March 15	3:26 PM	MERCURY enters Pisces
March 16	11:26 AM	SUN sextile PLUTO
March 17	8:35 PM	MARS (8 Gemini 12) sextile CHIRON (8 Aries 12)
March 18	10:20 AM	VENUS (26 Pisces 26) sextile PLUTO (26 Capricorn 26)
March 18	2:40 PM	VENUS (26 Pisces 38) quintile MARS (8 Gemini 38)
March 20	2:37 AM	SUN enters Aries
March 21	8:30 AM	MARS goes out of bounds
March 21	4:35 PM	MERCURY (8 Pisces 30) sextile URANUS (8 Taurus 30)
March 21	7:35 PM	MARS (10 Gemini 33) trine SATURN (10 Aquarius 33)
March 23	1:04 AM	PLUTO (26 Capricorn 30) quintile CHIRON (8 Aries 30)
March 23	8:26 PM	MERCURY (11 Pisces 45) square MARS (11 Gemini 45)
March 25	11:58 PM	SUN (5 Aries 51) conjunction VENUS (5 Aries 51)
March 27		JUPITER enters pre-retrograde shadow 22° Aquarius 20′
March 28	4:58 AM	VENUS (08 Aries 35) quintile PLUTO (26 Capricorn 35)
March 28	9:28 AM	VENUS (8 Aries 49) conjunction CHIRON (8 Aries 49)
March 28	11:48 AM	FULL MOON (8 Libra 18)
March 28	6::46 PM	SUN (8 Aries 35) quintile PLUTO (26 Capricorn 35)
March 29	1:09 AM	SUN (8 Aries 51) conjunction CHIRON (8 Aries 51)
March 29	8:24 PM	MERCURY (21 Pisces 21) conjunction NEPTUNE (21 Pisces 21)
March 30	8:47 AM	VENUS (11 Aries 16) sextile SATURN (11 Aquarius 16)
March 31	2:04 PM	SUN (11 Aries 22) sextile SATURN (11 Aquarius 22)