This month begins and ends with the challenge of transforming our emotional pain and frustration, with the Moon in Scorpio joined Saturn and Mars.
Also, March 2016 is an eclipse month. During an eclipse the orbits of the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in three-dimensional space; this brings together body (Earth), mind (Moon), and spirit (Sun). Get ready for a wild ride, where both personal and cultural issues will be important. Facing your personal fears and jealousies as well as making a stand for the world you want to create and inhabit will be important.
March 1-2
The Moon will be in Scorpio, joined Mars and Saturn. This is a good time for introspection, although it may be difficult to focus your mind on the positive; instead you may want to play the victim or victimize others. Since February 21, Mars and Saturn have been joined in Scorpio. There could be a lot of emotional frustration and pent-up rage just below the surface now.
March 5-6
The Moon and Venus will be in Capricorn, aspected by Saturn. Capricorn is also ruled by Saturn—who brings seriousness to our creative life and relationships with family. Free up some energy with a group project around the home, perhaps cleaning out the garage or that cluttered closet.
March 8
The Solar Eclipse will be in Aquarius with Mercury and Venus. This Solar Eclipse brings a strong personal focus on matters beyond this personal or material world. These are Aquarius themes, where the individual dissolves into the collective and seeks to serve a cause greater than personal happiness. Expect to feel pressure and confusion relative to politics, social responsibility and finding your tribe. Exactly where do you fit in? What are you willing to sacrifice for? What irrational belief about you and the world are you defending, yet stuck in? There is enormous creativity on the other side of these questions. But there is also fanaticism preventing this flower from blooming in its full glory.
This eclipse happens in the Nakshatra of Purva Bhadra, a star of inspiration and fanaticism. Do not mistake a glimpse of truth for full enlightenment. Instead, allow your inspiration to fuel greater compassion and openness.
March 14-15
The Moon will be in Taurus, aspected by Saturn and Mars from Scorpio. The Moon is exalted here, showing the potential for inner peace and depth. The aspect from Saturn and Mars reaffirms this possibility, but can also be an irritant. The biggest lesson of Taurus is contentment. When we look outside ourselves for those things, stress and worry are never far behind. In that case, the aspects of Mars and Saturn can be disturbing. When we find that peace in our own heart, and in the glory of each moment unfolding one after the next, the Mars and Saturn influences bring discipline and silence.
March 18
Mercury enters Pisces, where he will be for the next few weeks. Mercury is debilitated in Pisces, a sign of escapism and dreaminess. This is stressful to the Mercury part of us that wants to understand things clearly and communicate them to others. Be careful of exaggerated speech and confusing interactions with others. Also remember, even though you’re aware that Mercury is debilitated, others may not be. This is a good time for creative thinking and writing.
March 21-22
The Moon will be in Leo, with Jupiter and Rahu (the North Node). This transit precedes an upcoming Lunar Eclipse, there is a lot of emotional velocity now. Checking in with and standing up for our personal strength is important. This is completely opposite the themes of the recent Solar Eclipse in Aquarius, where we are clarifying our collective connection. Within the collective (Aquarius) we must find ourselves (Leo), otherwise we feel more like a servant rather than of service. Be careful about rebelling against your teachers and projecting disappointment onto them.
March 23
There will be a Lunar Eclipse in Virgo, a sign of precision and purity. Emotions are messy, and the Virgo part of us does not like that messiness much. Now is a time when we may try to organize our feelings as well as the feelings of others. If we can leave behind the nitpicking, there are great opportunities to develop more simplicity and practicality in matters of the heart.
This eclipse happens in the Nakshatra of Uttara Phalguni, ruled by the God Aryaman. This gives us great capacity to organize the power in our lives and as a result build great kingdoms. We should try to apply this theme to the heart, which anchors everything.
March 25
Saturn turns retrograde now. He will be retrograde until early August, making this a time to reflect on our commitments. Saturn has been in Scorpio since the end of 2014, compelling us to look within and strengthen our vulnerabilities. Now is a time to recommit to that purpose without fear. What are you avoiding?
March 28-29
The Moon will be in Scorpio, joined Mars and retrograde Saturn. This is the same transit that began the month, only now Saturn is retrograde and we have passed through the eclipse cycle. How are you managing your fears and insecurities now, compared to the beginning of the month? How do your collective duties and responsibilities play into that? Devotion to something larger than your own happiness and comfort zone is important.
Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) is the author of Yoga and Vedic Astrology and The Ascendant—108 Planets of Vedic Astrology. He is the founder of the American Academy of Vedic Art and Science which offers three levels of certification programs in Vedic Astrology. Currently the Academy has more than 120 students enrolled. Visit Sam’s website at: vedicartandscience.com.