Image by Greg Rakozy

On the equinox, the astrological calendar moves from Pisces, the time of endings, to Aries, the sign of bright beginnings. The equinox appears on Monday, March 20, and it’s followed by the New Moon on March 21. The New Moon is typically a time of reflection, but the equinox gives a huge burst of energy.  With Sun and Moon on Aries 1, it marks a new beginning—a responsive cycle with new potentiality.

Fire represents creativity and passion, and it dominants the chart with Sun (life), Moon (emotion), Mercury (mind), Jupiter (good fortune), and Chiron (wounded healer) placed in Aries, a bold, creative fire sign, which loves action, boldness, and new beginnings. It’s driven and motivated; it likes to pursue ideas and goals. Like the Ram, which symbolizes Aries, the sign pushes with great determination and energy through life. It rules the head, so it may have difficulty balancing action with the desires of the heart.

Sun (life) and Moon (emotion) conjunct Mercury (thought), which enhances the quality and speed of thought. Adaptability and flexibility of thought are heightened. Social interactions typically increase. Moon conjunct Mercury opens the intuitive nature and psychic abilities. It may cause moodiness and increase emotional attachment in relationships.

Sun (life), Moon (emotion), and Mercury (mind) square Mars (assertion, masculine, overall energy). Sun (life) square Mars marks a period of high energy and personal change. It heightens impatience and impulsive action. It’s hot, combustive energy that can cause anger and resentment—and it’s wise to refrain from acting on it.

Moon (emotion) square Mars asks for tempering emotion. The aspect gives a strong desire for gratification with personal desires, which is colored with stubbornness and sometimes selfishness. The aspect can bestow exciting energy, but It gives a tendency to overreact emotionally.

Mercury (thought, communications) square Mars (assertion, energy) causes the mind to become impulsive and leap into conclusions. It causes rushed thinking and poor judgement. Take time to review thoughts more than once and avoid rushing into conclusions and decisions.

Sun (life), Moon (emotion), and Mercury (thought) conjunct Neptune (mysticism, illusion). Sun (life) conjunct Neptune heightens empathy, intuition, and creativity. It gives a feeling of connectivity to others, which can feel positive or negative. (Neptune tends to dissolve lines of separation, making it important to express boundaries.) Moon (emotion) conjunct Neptune tends to increase emotional sensitivity to others, and it may cause confusion and uneasiness. Mercury (thought) conjunct Neptune enhances creativity with art and spiritual studies, increasing the ability to communicate on the subject.

Sun (life), Moon (emotion), and Mercury (thought) sextile Pluto (underworld, transformation). Sun sextile Pluto heightens the power to use our energies in a resourceful, successful way. It gives confidence and determination. Moon sextile Pluto increases positive perceptions, which give insight into aspects of life. It aids with complex matters by sharpening inner vision and heightening intuitive understanding. Mercury sextile Pluto bestows high levels of intense thinking and willpower with the ability to move through limitations.

Mercury (thought) in Aries is direct, quick-witted, and brilliant. It moves rapidly and makes quick decisions. It has big thoughts, makes creative decisions, and loves new beginnings. It stimulates thought and new avenues of communication.

Venus (feminine, relationships) in Taurus, an earth sign, brings the blessings of abundance, love, and beauty. The wonderful placement gives awareness of the beauty of nature, increases our ability to create wealth, and heightens the sensation of love. Venus sextile Saturn gives an understanding of structure, the underlying format of the material world. It emphasizes the serious side of our nature, particularly with relationships and finances. Venus square Pluto (subconscious, transformation) may cause difficulties with loved ones and relationships. There’s a strong need to express deeper feelings and thoughts.

Mars (male, energy) remains in Gemini, the place it has occupied for months. It stimulates circular thoughts and distractions, making it difficult to complete tasks and/or fully focus. Mars trine Saturn (limitation, karma) suggests the benefit of applying lessons from the past before leaping into action. Mars squares Neptune (mysticism, illusion), which clouds our ability to perceive right action.  It may be necessary to meditate and reflect on the heart to receive correct answers.

Jupiter (good fortune) in Aries encourages bold steps, the motivation for a new life, and the pursuit of dreams. It brings creative energy and aids with self-expression.

Saturn is associated with endings, hard lessons, and discipline. Saturn in Pisces is likely to reveal self-deception, addictions, and illusions within the self and the outer world. Pisces rules surrender, and it may ask for a bigger, deeper awakening with a greater awareness of truth.

Uranus (sudden change, quantum field) in Taurus is oddly connected to electronics and the earth as well as the wise caretaking of both. It’s also about our choice of worlds—the natural and technological worlds. Neptune (mysticism, illusion) in Pisces continues to connect us through a sea of mysticism or illusion, depending on the placement of consciousness. We commune emotionally when we read or watch the news, stream movies, or unite with group consciousness.  On a higher level, prayer and meditation also create mystical connections between many people.

Pluto moves in Aquarius on March 26 for the first time in 200 years. It’s doubtful that we can predict the outcome of Pluto’s placement in Aquarius, a sign ruling humanitarian endeavors. However, it’s a very big shift on the subconscious level, and we’ll undoubtedly feel it for months to come.

Many aspects involve Sun (life), Moon (emotions), and Mercury (thought), which we will feel and experience on a daily level. Saturn (karma, limitation) recently moved into Pisces, and Pluto (subconscious, underworld) moves into Aquarius on March 23, where it resides for the next 20 years. It’s a big shift!

Julia Griffin, intuitive healer and owner of One True Self, began her work fifteen years ago under the tutelage of real wolves. Following their direction, Julia sees and reads energy, including animals, plants and people. She works with people in session to find their resonance with the soul, clearing patterns and alignment with their inner path. If you would like to seek additional spiritual change and insight into your life, please contact me for information about an intuitive session.