Astral Update: March 10 to 20, 2023

Four Planets Changing Signs; Daylight Savings Time and It's Impact on Health; and Much More

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.

Planets on Edge, Changing Signs: Time to Be Extra-Mindful

Four planetary bodies will change signs in the coming days. These include Venus, Mars, the Sun, and Mercury, which I discuss in detail below. When the planets change signs, and especially when they transit on the one-degree edge between signs, they are described as being “on the cusp” or “sandhi.” During this time, their astrological significations may become frazzled and edgy. We may feel vulnerable, hypersensitive, or off kilter. The days when planets are sandhi are also considered to be inappropriate for initiating important new ventures. This is especially true in regard to the Sun.

Venus Leads the Pack Moving into Aries on Saturday, March 11: On the Cusp Between Pisces and Aries from March 10 to 12

Venus will transit from Pisces to Aries on Saturday, March 11, and will be transiting on the one-degree cusp of Pisces and Aries from March 10 to 12. When Venus is sandhi, we might tend to question our self-worth or certain values. Additionally, we may have to face a health, relationship, or money matter at this time which could be upsetting or draining.

The cusp between a water and fire sign (such as Pisces to Aries) has some added intensity. This area is called the gandanta. The energy here can have an extreme transformational quality and can be destabilizing in some cases. When Venus is gandanta, it can aggravate emotions, and may also reflect storms and floods, water accidents, relationship or financial issues, or transportation accidents.

Venus In Aries from March 11 to April 6, 2023: Passion, Creativity, Self-Indulgence, and Surprises

Venus will transit in Aries from March 11 to April 6. Venus is the planet that represents virility, money, desires, pleasure, comfort, passion, values, relationships, and love. Venus in Aries can be quite emotional, warm-hearted, creative, artistic, charming, romantic, idealistic, and adventurous. Venus will square Pluto on March 16, and will conjoin Rahu, the Moon’s North Node, on March 21 (but will be within an effective orb of influence with Rahu from March 14 to 27). Venus will also conjoin Uranus on March 30 (and be within an effective orb of influence from March 22 to April 5).

These aspects involving Venus with Pluto, Rahu, and Uranus may point to self-indulgent behaviors, histrionics, dramatic romantic involvements, unexpected relationship conflicts, or a financial crisis. Venus also rules conveyances like cars, boats, and planes, as well as other luxury items. With all these potentially challenging aspects hitting Venus in Aries, caution is recommended in regard to vehicles and transportation, and it is best to wait until Venus transits in Taurus (April 6 to May 2) to purchase or sell conveyances or other luxury items.

Daylight Savings Time Begins in Canada and Most of the United States on Sunday, March 12, 2023

Adding to the intensity of the shifting planetary transits, standard time will end and daylight savings time (DST) will begin on Sunday, March 12, in Canada and most of the United States. This is when we turn the clocks forward an hour, and it can be a wearisome change that requires mindful awareness and attention:

The science has evolved over the last decade to show the transition between standard time and DST is associated with adverse health consequences…The transition to DST can create short-term health problems — sleep issues, fatigue, and changes in blood pressure — that feel like prolonged jet lag. Additionally, DST can have long-term health effects, such as depression, slowed metabolism, weight gain, and cluster headaches. During the week after the shift to DST, research shows an associated rise in cardiovascular disease, with a 24% higher risk of heart attacks; injuries, including a 6% spike in fatal car accidents; and stroke rate, which increases by 8%. https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/daylight-savings-time-your-health

Acupuncture and yoga can help us adapt to the DST change. Also, rising with the Sun and taking a brisk walk in the early morning sunlight, or doing any other favorite vigorous exercise first thing in the morning, can help with the adjustment. It takes a week or two to ease into DST, and it’s important to be aware.

Mars Transits in Gemini from March 12 to May 10: On the Cusp of Taurus and Gemini from March 10 to 14

Mars will transit from Taurus to Gemini on Sunday, March 12, and will be transiting on the one-degree cusp of Taurus and Gemini from March 10 to 14. When Mars is sandhi, our will and energy may not be operating in the customary way, and we may be impatient or impulsive. We might feel challenged in our ability to take action or to stand up for ourselves; or we may be fraught with feelings of anxiety, irritation, or low self-esteem.

Mars in Gemini: Meltdowns, Debacles, and Reversals are Possible

Mars has been in an extended transit of Taurus since August 10, 2022. It briefly moved into Gemini during this period, as well, from October 15 to November 13. Once Mars moves back into Gemini on March 12, it will remain in this sign until May 10. Mars will start to bring forth many changes as it transits in Gemini. It stimulates analytical and strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, fiery communication, and impassioned thought processes, but this energy can be unfocused, restless, erratic and undependable if one is not carefully grounded. As Mars enters Gemini, it will return to the natal place of Mars in the United States horoscope. This is known as the Mars Return. Please see my recent article about this.

In the days leading into the Mars transit in Gemini, and especially in the first few weeks of it, the world may experience intense and shocking meltdowns, debacles, and reversals in regard to any of the following areas: politics; stock markets and financial institutions; border issues; air, shipping, and rail transportation; auto industry; trade and commerce; educational institutions; and media, journalism, communication systems, and information exchange. Furthermore, any difficulties related to Mars continue to be quite intense from October 23, 2022, to May 5, 2023, while Mars is transiting Out of Bounds, a topic I wrote about in a previous article.

Mars Squares the Sun, Neptune, and Mercury in Mid-March: Potential for Intense Astral Weather

As I described in a previous article, in mid-March during the Sun’s Pisces Ingress, Mars at zero degrees of Gemini will square the Sun, Mercury, and Neptune. These planets will form a T-square involving Mars and the Moon. This sets up the potential for some discouraging or upsetting news or other kinds of stormy astral weather anytime in the period from March 12 to 18. In particular, there could be some concerns with foreign enemies and wars, travel and transportation, cyber-hacking, terror attacks, subterfuge, scandals, and economic, social or political upheaval.

The Sun’s Transit in Pisces from March 14 to April 14: On the Cusp of Aquarius and Pisces from March 13 to 15

The Sun will transit from Aquarius to Pisces on Tuesday, March 14, and will be transiting on the one-degree cusp of Aquarius and Pisces from March 13 to 15. When the Sun is sandhi, we can lose our way literally and metaphorically, and may feel a loss of purpose, or difficulty with our self-expression or self-esteem, and we may also feel some loss of vitality or have challenges with authority figures.

The Sun’s Transit in Pisces: Hope, Faith, Inspiration, Vision, and Rebirth

The Sun will transit in the sensitive and dreamy Pisces constellation from March 14 to April 14. The Sun – our purpose, soul, will, confidence, and vitality – is usually happy during his sojourn in sweet and altruistic Pisces, which in traditional astrology is ruled by Jupiter, planet of the dharma, wisdom, hope, and optimism. Being at the end of the zodiac, Pisces is about letting go of the old to make room for the new. The Sun’s annual sojourn in Pisces can awaken our spiritual and creative sides and help us become more aware of the bigger picture.

In modern astrology, Pisces is ruled by Neptune (illusion, deception, escapism) which is transiting in conjunction with the Sun and with Mercury at the time of the Sun’s Pisces ingress. On March 15, the Sun will exactly conjoin Neptune, but they will be within an effective orb of influence from March 5 to 26.

This transit can enhance spiritual experiences and creative energy. Intuition and sensitivity may be stronger than usual, so empathic types may need to bolster their personal boundaries at this time. This conjunction also suggests that we must be aware of the potential for self-deception and escapist tendencies, as well as deception in the media and through our governments (even more than usual).

Mercury’s Transit in Pisces from March 16 to 31: On the Cusp Between Aquarius and Pisces from March 15 to 16

Mercury will transit from Aquarius to Pisces on Thursday, March 16, and will be transiting on the one-degree cusp of Aquarius and Pisces from March 15 to 16. When Mercury is changing signs, we may also have difficulty feeling connected to others, or might struggle with communication. Be wary of miscommunication at this time, especially because Mercury will also conjoin Neptune at its Pisces ingress.

Though the Mercury-Neptune conjunction can heighten intuition and spiritual insight, it also has a shadow side, in that it can also indicate lies, fear, irrationality, confusion, slander, libel, and scandals. Mercury will also combust the Sun at its Pisces ingress, suggesting that some chaos, irritation, or anger can ensue.

Mercury’s Superior Conjunction on March 17: A Time of New Insights and Inspiration

Mercury will exactly conjoin the Sun on March 17. This is known as Cazimi, which means “in the heart of the Sun,” which makes Mercury (our mental faculties) very strong. This event is also known as Mercury’s Superior Conjunction, which occurs when Mercury is moving very fast and on the far side of the Sun.

At its Superior Conjunction, Mercury is said to be purified and regenerated through its union with the Sun. Thus, March 17 will be an auspicious day for introspection and communication. This cosmic event marks an important new phase in the Mercury cycle, when we should take time to commune with the Divine Power and listen deeply in order to tap into fresh new insight and inspiration. It’s interesting that this occurs at the end of the old lunar year, a few days before the equinox and the Vedic New Year, giving us an opportunity to prepare inwardly for any shifts ahead.

Send Thy peace O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that we may think, act and speak harmoniously.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife, we may enjoy Thy bliss.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy grace and mercy.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that our lives may become a Divine vision and in Thy light, all darkness may vanish.

Send Thy peace O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we Thy children on Earth may all unite in one family. Amen. — Prayer for Peace by Hazrat Inayat Khan