Astral Weather Update: March 26 to April 1, 2023

What You Need to Know As We March Forward to April

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.

Nine Nights of Mother Divine (Chaitra Navratri), March 22-30: Celebrating the Triumph of Good over Evil

We will begin the last week of March in the midst of Chaitra Navratri, the Nine Nights of Mother Divine. This festival extends from March 22-30. For those who may be interested, I am sharing my daily reflections about this sacred festival on the Juliana Swanson’s Astral Harmony Facebook page. It’s such a special time as the divine shakti generated at this time empowers spiritual and emotional healing and transformation.

Mars Continues Out of Bounds Until May 5: A Tumultuous Time

Mars is still transiting in its extended cycle out of bounds (OOB), where it has been since October 23, and where it will remain until May 5. A planet is considered to be OOB when its declination (movement north or south of the celestial equator) is beyond the outer bounds or limits of that of the Sun, that is, greater than 23 degrees and 27 minutes of declination, either north or south. In the current period, Mars is traveling OOB in its northern declination.

The astrological qualities of an OOB planet are highly exaggerated, or we could say, stretched to the limit. Some astrologers have described OOB planets as being “on steroids.” An OOB Mars can manifest with extraordinary passion, originality, independence, energy, and courage. However, in its less positive manifestation, an OOB Mars may manifest in extreme anger, warlike events, accidents, heightened criminality, and political and social unrest. Historically, disasters and difficult events have occurred during extended OOB Mars transits, which I wrote about in a previous article.

Mars Transiting in Ardra Nakshatra From March 27 to April 21: Ardent or Arduous?

To make matters even more intense, the OOB Mars will be transiting in the passionate, brazen, volatile, and potentially violent Ardra nakshatra from March 27 to April 21. Ardra is a sub-group of stars extending from 6 degrees and 40 minutes to 20 degrees within the Gemini constellation. Ardra is often described as having an ardent as well as an arduous quality, as it is ruled by Lord Rudra, the fierce aspect of Shiva who represents metaphorical and literal storms as well as healing power and spiritual protection.

As Mars, the planet of energy and drive, transits in Ardra, it’s important to “mind the mind” and be cautious in all matters, especially with communication. If we can stay steady and focused, manage our emotional state, and cultivate equipoise, we can accomplish a great deal during this transit of Mars in Ardra. This advice may be especially important around March 28 when the Moon conjoins Mars in Ardra, representing some possible stormy feelings or communication breakdown.

Ram Navami Will Occur on March 30: An Auspicious Day Celebrating the Victory of Light over Darkness

Ram (or Rama) Navami will occur on March 30 on the last day of Navratri. This sacred Vedic festival commemorates the birthday of Lord Ram (or Rama), and also celebrates the victory of Light over Darkness. Ram Navami is an Abuj Muhurta (Shubh Muhurta or Muhurat) day. This is an auspicious day (all day) to begin any important new venture. You can start a new project at any time as the entire day is very blessed and powerful, not just because of its connection to a holy day or festival, but also because this special time is aligned with important astrological and bioenergetic cycles. Ram Navami is also a wonderful day for prayers, intentions, and affirmations if you feel so compelled.

Jupiter and Mercury Conjoin in Pisces: With Our Thoughts We Create the World

On March 27 and 28, Jupiter and Mercury will come close to each other very low in the western sky after sunset. The planets will be a little over one degree apart, which is about two full-Moon diameters. In Vedic astrology, this close alignment comprises what is known as a graha yuddha, or planetary war. This means that when Jupiter and Mercury are acting in their lower expression, their energies may be at odds with each other. This conflict can manifest as mental uneasiness, inattentiveness, self-indulgence, confusion, or gullibility, any of which may lead to unfortunate repercussions. 

At the same time, because Jupiter will be in Mercury’s nakshatra of Revati while Mercury will be in Jupiter’s constellation of Pisces, they have sambhanda (a close cooperative connection). Therefore, in its higher expression, this conjunction may manifest as imaginative, creative, and spiritual inspiration. To a large extent with this and all astrological aspects, it’s up to us as to how the planetary energies will manifest, for our being attracts our life, and with our thoughts, we make our world.

Venus in Aries Conjoins Uranus on March 30: Shocking Upsets vs Fun Surprises With Respect to Relationships or Finances

Venus will continue its transit in the passionate, creative, dynamic, restless, and self-focused constellation of Aries until April 6, and will conjoin Uranus exactly at 22 degrees of Aries in Bharani nakshatra on March 30 (but they are within an effective orb of influence from March 22 to April 5). This aspect can point to extreme events, intemperate behavior, histrionics, dramatic romantic involvements, personal struggles, emotional overwhelm, and shocking upsets or fun surprises that impact relationships or finances.

Mercury Transiting Into Aries on March 31: On Edge from March 29 to April 2

Mercury will transit into Aries on March 31. As part of this transition, Mercury will be in the nakshatra gandanta from March 29 to April 2. This is the sensitive and transformational three-degree edge between Pisces and Aries. The gandanta comprises the area between water and fire signs where the zodiac’s energy can be confusing and emotionally intense.

Communication, discernment, and the ability to manage “kitchen sink reality” may be sorely lacking during this period. We might feel vulnerable or uncertain, and say or do something that we later regret. At the same time, others may act erratically or uncharacteristically, so do take care during these days.

Mercury in Aries for Almost Ten Weeks: Overheating Our Nervous Systems

Because Mercury will retrograde in Aries from April 21 to May 14, it will remain in Aries for an extended transit, until June 7. Mercury is an enemy to Mars, the ruler of Aries. Mars is hot, and Mercury symbolizes our nervous systems. Therefore, generally, Mercury in Aries may indicate anxiety and restlessness, dangerous risk-taking, poor planning, deceptive behavior, and angry or turbulent communication. When it operates in a more balanced way, Mercury in Aries can also signify scientific and technological developments, rapid-fire thinking, and focused problem-solving capacity.

Mars and Mercury Exchange Signs from March 31 to May 10: Parivartana Yoga Complicates Matters

A further complication will occur as Mars and Mercury will exchange signs from March 31 until May 10. During this time, Mercury will be in Mars’ sign of Aries, and Mars will be in Mercury’s sign of Gemini. This is known as a mutual reception or exchange, or a Parivartana Yoga in Vedic astrology. How it manifests will depend on the houses that Mercury and Mars occupy and rule in a natal or mundane horoscope. Their relationship needs to be analyzed by studying the entire birth horoscope, which will determine whether it will manifest in an overall positive or negative manner.

The mutual reception of Mars in Gemini and Mercury in Aries can sometimes suggest high intelligence, passion, wisdom, or talent in music and the arts. In natal and mundane astrology, this combination can also point to a tendency for communication and transportation issues, violence, accidents, anger and impatience, acute health issues, debt crises, legal matters, and problems with siblings or neighbors.

In terms of previous world events occurring under a Mars-Mercury exchange in Gemini and Aries, consider the following. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated during one of these transits; also, the RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean during another one.

Many brilliant, passionate, and successful people were born with this particular combination. This includes Hollywood stars Barbra Streisand and Michelle Pfeiffer, the late American sculptor Daniel Chester French, the late American Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X, and a few very amazing personal clients of mine who are highly successful pioneers in business and finance.

The late Indian guru Nisargadatta Maharaj’s birth horoscope also has this combination. Here is one of my favorite quotes by this enlightened teacher:

Realize that your world is only a reflection of yourself and stop finding fault with the reflection. Attend to yourself, set yourself right; mentally and emotionally. The physical self will follow automatically. Nisargadatta Maharaj

I hope that this article is useful, and I wish all of my readers a very blessed week ahead.