March 2023 Astrology Forecast
By Armand Diaz
While 2023 got off to a slow start with Mercury and Mars both retrograde, we rounded a corner in late January as both planets – along with Uranus – turned direct. We now have all major planets and three of the four goddess asteroids (all except Ceres) moving forward in the sky.
In March, the forward movement accelerates. We reach the Aries Equinox (Spring Equinox for most of us), the start of the astrological year, on March 20th. But the big news is two major sign changes – Saturn moves into Pisces on the 7th, and Pluto steps out of Capricorn and into Aquarius on the 23rd. Saturn has been in Aquarius since late 2020, and Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008, so we’re looking at some pretty significant changes (check out my YouTube channel for upcoming videos on both).
The sign changes of Saturn and Pluto will reverberate throughout the collective, so keep an eye on shifts in our public discourse. Topics for Saturn in Pisces will include the health of our oceans (particularly with regard to Pisces-ruled topics of oil and plastics), refugees, opioids and other drugs, among many other things. Pluto in Aquarius will intensify ‘social justice’ concerns, ‘cancel culture’, and perceived elitism. These issues will play out over years and decades, but take a look to see what goes on this month, as flagship issues will give us hints about how things may manifest.
Yet even before Saturn and Pluto change signs, we’ll be looking at some significant events. Both planets are at the last degree of their current signs, where they tend to sum up what their passage through the sign has been about. Saturn in Aquarius was asking questions about social justice and equality, while Pluto has been eroding our power structures and institutions (perhaps so some new ones can emerge).
March Forecast
The heavier energies of March may be on our minds as we begin the month, but with Venus meeting Jupiter in Aries on the 2nd, we get an opportunity for some fun. It could be a good time for getting out to socialize – sporting activities and games are suggested. There’s also a fiery sexual charge to the meeting of these two planets in Mars’ home sign, so that could work out well for some folks.
Mercury and Saturn also meet on the 2nd, a more serious connection that will help us to express some of the deeper meanings of Saturn’s passage through Aquarius. On a personal level, it could be a time when we feel a little extra peer pressure – even if it’s coming from within ourselves. It could be a good time to put in for vacation time or ask for a raise – if you have truly earned it.
On the 7th, Saturn dives into Pisces, illuminated by the Virgo Full Moon. Luna will be shedding light on our collective challenges while also asking what we can each do as individuals. Full moons can be fun, although Virgo offers a relatively subdued vibe.
Relationships come into focus around the 11th, as Pluto squares partnership asteroid Juno, while Venus sextiles Mars. The first aspect suggests decision time in relationships – especially with the tense square at 29 degrees of the respective signs (hint: Juno in late Aries may be looking for independence as she looks towards the greener pastures of Taurus). Mars and Venus offer a more upbeat opportunity for passion, especially with Venus in Mars’ sign of Aries. Be aware, though, that Venus is just a degree away from her meeting with Eris, goddess of discord.
For those with partnerships in a good spot, Saturn’s sextile to Juno on the 12th could mean that potentials become more grounded. It could also be a time when we become aware of new opportunities in relationships.
A vague Neptunian vibe takes over at mid-month, with Mars squaring Neptune as the Sun and Mercury meet with the god of the seas from the 14th through the 16th. Neptune often encourages Mars to go off on a crusade, perhaps based on faulty reasoning. For those with long memories, issues that emerged around mid-October and November (October 12 and November 19th) may move towards resolution now.
However, the Sun and Mercury meeting with Neptune could mean that we misinterpret situations, or see too much or too little in someone or something. With Mars squaring the Sun and Mercury on the 16th, there could be a tendency to act without checking facts. Hopefully, Mars in Gemini will be more verbal than physical if he goes off the rails, but it’s a time to be careful driving and to use some care in interacting with people who seem a little agitated.
Mid-month is a poor time for practical decision making, with the Sun and Mercury meeting with Neptune in foggy Pisces. Yet the Mars aspects could push us into action, and in fact bring us to extremes. Add into the mix that Venus squares Pluto, with both at the last degrees of Aries and Capricorn, and impulsive action could easily spread into relationships. For some partnerships in vulnerable places, the tensions that begin around the 11th will result in action around the 16th – make sure that you know what’s really going on before you pull the plug on a relationship (or jump into a new one), but it is an opportunity to get moving.
After the tension at mid-month, we get a few days of repair and rebuilding. Venus steps into her home sign of Taurus later on the 16th, and goes on to sextile Saturn in Pisces the next day. A calmer, more sensual vibe predominates. Easy aspects generally describe the next few days, offering some constructive opportunities to work through things.
The Sun enters Aries on the 20th at 5:24p Eastern Daylight Time (21:24 GMT), marking the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. The days and nights are now equal in length, with the daylight hours growing rapidly. Not surprisingly, Aries is the Sun’s favorite sign, and it marks the start of the astrological year.
The Sun’s first act in Aries will be an opposition to retrograde Ceres, who’s in early Libra, heading into Virgo on the 22nd. Issues around climate change and weather patterns – and their effect on food supplies – are likely to be on the agenda. Ceres trines Pluto as soon as she enters Virgo, and this will tell us something about Pluto’s time in Capricorn and what it has meant.
Pluto enters Aquarius – for the first time since the late 18th century – on March 23 at 8:12a Eastern Time (13:12 GMT). No doubt events will herald Pluto stepping into the sign of the water bearer. Although he’ll retrograde back into Capricorn for part of 2023 and early 2024, Pluto will be in Aquarius until 2044.
Mercury meets with Jupiter in Aries on the 28th, an opportunity to express yourself… or to say too much. There’s a real potential for shooting off one’s mouth, so think before you speak, and bring some ear plugs to use when less considerate folks get up on their soap boxes.
Constructive and potentially enjoyable celestial energies end March, as Mars trines Saturn while Venus meets with Uranus on the 30th. Mars/Saturn helps us to act with focus, although with Saturn in Pisces and Mars debilitated in Cancer, this aspect may be a little less helpful. An emotional vibe is implied – but neither Saturn nor Mars is comfortable with that, and they may encourage folks to get a little protective.
Venus and Uranus, meeting in her home sign, suggests new beginnings in relationships, whether that means a fresh start for an existing relationship, trying something new, giving a new partnership a go, or letting go of what’s not working. Financial markets might be rocked a little by this aspect, but with Venus dignified the turbulence shouldn’t last too long.
March this year comes in like a lion and goes out like a dragon… the end of the month is likely to have us reflecting on how much has changed in a short period of time.
