March 2023 Astral Update: Planets on Edge, Daylight Savings Time, Stellium in Pisces, Equinox, Vedic Lunar New Year, and Much More

Why the month of March will signal a deeply transformative time as winter ends and we move forward to a powerful spring

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.

March Comes in Like a Lion with Two Planetary Wars

We will begin the month of March with two planetary wars, one between Venus and Jupiter, and another between Mercury and Saturn. A planetary war is known as a graha yuddha in Vedic astrology. This war represents a potential conflict between what the planets represent. In other words, when a planetary war occurs, both planets may weaken as their lights merge and compete for influence. There are a variety of ways to calculate graha yuddhas. I use Ernst Wilhelm’s Kala Vedic astrology software to determine whether it is occurring. This software calculates it according to visual longitude, not zodiacal longitude.

On and around March 1, 2023, you can glimpse the sky’s two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, sliding past each other on the dome of the sky. As seen from North America, their closest pairing is shortly after sunset on March 1. They’ll pass approximately a full moon’s width, or half a degree, apart. Chart by John Goss/thank you EarthSky.

Jupiter and Venus will be in the graha yuddha from March 1 to 4. This is a time when we might overdo it in some way. Some of us may need to be careful to avoid excess and grandiosity in our thoughts, actions, and plans. Jupiter loses the war to Venus, so there may be a tendency to go astray or give into unhealthy desires or cravings.

Mercury and Saturn will also be in a graha yuddha from February 28 to March 2, and Mercury will lose the war. The graha yuddha between these two planets can indicate issues with travel, technology, or communication. Some may feel stuck, and others could be subject to mental disturbances like depression, obsession, memory issues, or lack of focus.

Mercury and Saturn Combust: Struggles with Communication and Thoughts

Mercury and Saturn are both invisible to us as in the beginning of March as they are quite close to the Sun. This represents an agitated state called combustion, which can indicate further complications beyond those of the graha yuddha. The combustion for Mercury is in place from March 2 to 30. It may indicate some difficulties with our thoughts or communication. Saturn has been combust for much of February, and will finally move out of combustion when it reappears in the morning sky around March 5 (once the Sun moves well past Saturn). When Saturn is combust, there may be a tendency to feel under pressure and over-burdened.

Full Moon Will Occur in Leo on March 7: Creative and Passionate Energy

The Full Moon of March 7 will occur in the warm-hearted, dramatic, and magnanimous Leo constellation, and in the creative, passionate, and fortunate Purva Phalguni nakshatra. According to the late astrologer Bepin Behari, Purva Phalguni symbolizes the "consolidation of the Divine impulse for its materializing activities" (i.e., this Moon has BIG creative power).

This will be the last Full Moon of the winter season (in the northern hemisphere). It is known as the "Full Moon of Anticipation," so this is a good time to follow your heart (as Leo Moon is the sign of the heart) and "dream big!”

Vedic Holika Dahan and Holi Festival, March 7 and 8: Celebrating New Beginnings

The two-day Vedic Holi “Festival of Colors” will occur with the Full Moon on March 7, starting with Holika Dahan, followed by Holi on March 8. Many wonderful legends in Indian culture describe why this is the time for new beginnings in the early-spring season, and why this festival celebrates love and the triumph of good over evil.

Full Moon Squares Mars: Drama and Conflict

This Full Moon will square Mars, which may give a tenacious and ambitious flavor, but can also lead to conflicts, impulsive actions, or dramatic behavior. Accordingly, it’s important to mind the mind and be cautious.

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 Uranus, Rahu, and Pluto can point to intemperate behavior, histrionics, dramatic romantic involvements, and unexpected upsets in relationships or with finances. 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, I think it is best to wait until Venus transits in Taurus (April 6 to May 2) to purchase or sell conveyances or other luxury items.

Mars Transits in Gemini from March 12 to May 10: Returning to Its Natal Place in the United States Chart

Finally, on March 12, Mars will leave Taurus and move into Gemini. 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. Mars in the extended transit of Taurus indicates a focus on economic concerns; depletion of the resources of the nation due in part to military spending and involvement in wars; wasteful government spending of public funds; a fracturing of global energy systems; food and fuel shortages; air and travel disruptions and accidents; supply chain disruptions; a labor crisis; and all kinds of problems within the food, agricultural, and auto industries.

As Mars begins to moves toward Gemini, the world may experience intense and shocking meltdowns, debacles, and reversals in any of the following areas: politics; stock markets; border issues; air, shipping, and rail transport; auto industry; trade and commerce; educational institutions; and media, journalism, communication systems, and information exchange. Furthermore, any difficulties related to Mars are more 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.

Additionally, when Mars transits in Gemini, it is in the seventh house of the United States birth chart, where Mars is also placed natally. In the quadriwheel chart below, you can see that Mars occupies the zero degree of Gemini in the United States horoscope shown on the inner wheel. Mars lies at the beginning of the first drekkana (decan/ten-degree portion) of Gemini. This placement points to the nation’s propensity for conflict with its foreign allies and adversaries.

Normally, an entity or individual will have only one Mars return every two years, when transiting Mars comes back to its natal position. However, because of the Mars retrograde period that occurred from October 30, 2022, to January 12, 2023, the United States is experiencing three Mars returns in a relatively short period of time. The two previous Mars returns in Gemini occurred on October 19, 2022 and November 9, 2022. The next and last one of this series will occur on March 14, 2023.

These three Mars returns highlight all the national and international disputes already in play, as for instance, Machiavellian political plots and discord within the government; ongoing conflict with China and other nations, and our involvement in the Russia-Ukraine proxy war. Other possible associated issues include warfare, spycraft, disasters, terror attacks/sabotage/attacks on infrastructure; riots; air travel disruptions or aviation accidents; and internal political interference. This upcoming Mars return may point to a shocking event, new revelations, and possibly a new direction in any of the above-mentioned areas.

Additionally, any significant events occurring around the time of the Mars return on March 14 will set the stage for the next two years in terms of whatever Mars themes are prevalent and active at the time. Per Mundane astrology, these themes may revolve around any of the following: the nation’s energy resources and development; sudden accidents, emergencies, fires, explosions, and mass casualty events; manufacturing, chemicals, factories, and the iron and steel industries; infectious diseases; police, defense contractors, the armed forces, and national intelligence agencies; violence and crime; strife, wars, and rebellions; abortion issues; drastic changes in laws and new government initiatives and enterprises.

The Sun’s Transit in Pisces from March 14 to April 14: Hope, Faith, Inspiration, Vision, and Rebirth

In astrology, the Sun is the soul of the world, and every year from mid-March to mid-April, it transits in the hopeful and visionary sign of Pisces. This is a time for those so inclined to tap into a deeper faith and vision that can help resolve various problems. 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 awakens our spiritual side and helps us become more aware of the bigger picture.

On March 15, the Sun will exactly conjoin Neptune, the planet of spirituality and the modern ruler of Pisces. They will be within an effective orb of influence from March 5 to 26. This transit in Pisces 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.

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

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, Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune, and Chiron Join Together in a Pisces Stellium in March and April

Beginning in the second week of March and on into April, several planets will come together in a stellium (a group of four or more planets) in the sign of Pisces. This is the sign that symbolizes healing, spirituality, mysticism, compassion, kindness, and creativity, especially as it relates to art and music. Pisces in its lower expression may also be a sign of confusion, vulnerability, self-criticism, and escapist tendencies. In fact, a strong Pisces emphasis often compels a need for retreat from the harsher realities of the world.

• On March 12, Jupiter will exactly conjoin Chiron in Pisces. Chiron is a minor planet that represents healing and spirituality. This conjunction will remain within an effective orb of influence until mid-April.

• On March 17, Mercury will conjoin the Sun in Pisces. They will be in an effective orb of conjunction until late March.

• From March 25 to mid-April, the Sun will conjoin Chiron in Pisces, with the exact conjunction occurring on April 5.

• From March 29 to April 14, the Sun and Jupiter will conjoin in Pisces, with the exact conjunction occurring on April 11 (after that, they will also be conjoined in Aries from April 14 to 25).

• From March 23 to April 1, Mercury will conjoin Jupiter in Pisces, with the exact conjunction occurring on March 28.

• From March 22 to 30, Mercury will conjoin Chiron in Pisces, with the exact conjunction occurring on March 26.

• From March 21 to 23, the Moon will also transit in Pisces in conjunction with Neptune (and the New Moon in Pisces will occur on March 21 with the Sun-Moon conjunction).

The Times They Are A’Changing: Literally and Metaphorically

Pisces is the last sign at the end of the zodiac, and with so much emphasis on Pisces this month, we are in a phase of endings and also, new beginnings. In addition, standard time will end and daylight savings time will begin on March 12 in Canada and the United States, and on March 26 in Europe. With the equinox on March 20 at 5:24 PM Eastern Time (9:24 PM UTC), winter will end and spring will begin in the northern hemisphere (and summer will end and fall will begin in the southern hemisphere).

Earth at 2019 Equinox. By NOAA Satellites - GOES East Captures View of Vernal Equinox, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77581177

The old Vedic lunar year will end and the new one will begin on March 22, right after the New Moon occurs in Pisces on March 21. In Vedic astrology, this is known as Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which I will write more about later in March. The Chaitra Navaratri springtime festival known as Nine Nights of Mother Divine will be celebrated from March 22 through March 30. In classical Muhurta (Vedic elective astrology), we are advised not to initiate anything new toward the end of the old lunar year as the creative energy is considered to be “spent and tired.” Better to wait until after we begin the Vedic Lunar New Year on March 22!

In March, winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us, too. (Jean Hersey)