MARCH 2006

Hold on for the ride in March. Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto go retrograde, Jupiter squares Neptune on the 16th (taking chances) and two eclipses occur – a Lunar Eclipse on the 14th in Virgo (analysis, detail, preparation and service) and a Solar Eclipse on the 29th in Aries (independence, pioneering, aggression, war). The lunar effect is about six months and the solar about a year. What they mean to you will depend on placement in your chart. Retrogrades in general indicate delays, frustration and a time when you don’t have all the information you need to make a definitive decision or that you have not completed the necessary arrangements to move forward with long-range plans. This is not a month to enter into agreements, sign contracts, list homes or make major purchases. However, it is a good time to do the research, brainstorming, review of options, cleanup of your workspace and to complete projects already started. The Sun in Pisces until the 20th is the sign of service, helping, beliefs, spirituality, sensitivity and creativity such as art, music, dance and writing. It also supports meditation, dreams, psychic work and healing. The Sun in Aries after the 20th is the sign of initiative, pioneering, the individual and independence. It also increases spontaneity, anger, tempers, aggression and war.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) begins the month in Pisces where it goes retrograde on the 2nd. Mercury in Pisces can be sensitive, sympathetic, caring and into volunteering and giving service. However, it can also focus on the negative, feel sorry for itself rather than others and be vocal about those who consider themselves the “underdog.” Between February 16th and March 2nd this type of issue will arise to be worked on during the retrograde from the 2nd to the 25th. If the proper brainstorming, research, homework and cleanup are completed during the retrograde then final decisions can be made and agreement reached during the “windup” phase between March 25th and April 14th.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Capricorn until the 5th completes the shadow of the Venus retrograde, repeating where it was in December, clarifying the values of organizations, businesses and friends as well as issues of control, consolidation, training and thrift. On November 23rd Venus entered the setup of the retrograde, so from November 23rd to December 24th the above issues emerged to be worked on between December 24th and February 3rd. From February 3rd to March 7th is the windup phase when goals can be more clearly defined, decisions are made, partners chosen (or rejected) and new processes put into action. The retrograde of Capricorn/Aquarius indicates that companies which are downsizing must try to balance doing what is right for customers and workers with maintaining financial solvency. Venus in Aquarius values humanitarian goals while Capricorn focuses on the “bottom line.”

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) transits 5 to 21 degrees Gemini, supporting communication – writing speaking, teaching and training. Mars in Gemini can be full of energy and enthusiastic, but it can also speak impulsively or in anger. It can encourage objective exchange of ideas and brainstorming. However, since Mercury is retrograde all month, final decisions are best postponed until April. Review your taxes an extra time before mailing them.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion) transits 18 degrees Scorpio. On the 4th it retrogrades and moves back to 17 degrees, repeating where it was in February and will be in the fall of 2006. This is a cycle of freedom, opportunity, expansion or movement for those born November 10th-11th, May 8th-9th, August 10th-11th and February 6th-7th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 17 to 18 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius. Jupiter in Scorpio supports opportunity thru motivation, commitment, sharing of resources, saving, paying off debt and fiscal responsibility.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) retrogrades from 5 to 4 degrees Leo, repeating where it was in August of 2005 and will repeat in April and May of 2006. Saturn will bring changes in responsibility and career shifts to Leos and restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo people could develop their hobbies and turn them into businesses. This month’s transits most directly affect those born July 27th-28th, April 25th-26th, October 27th-28th and January 24th-25th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 4 to 5 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn in Leo between July 2005 and September 2007 means for you. There should be some parallel.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 10 to 12 degrees Pisces where it was in June 2005 and will repeat in fall of 2006. Birthdays most affected are March 1st-2nd, June 1st-2nd, August 3rd-4th and December 2nd-4th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 12 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between June 2005 and January 2007 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the beginning of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, the U.S. Congress granted women the right to vote. It also supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 18 to 19 degrees Aquarius where it will repeat in July and August of 2006 and in January of 2007. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, creative writing and art well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. During Neptune’s retrograde (May thru October 2006) will be a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Birthdays most affected are February 7th-8th, August 10th-11th, November 10th-11th and May 8th-9th as well as charts with planets or angles from 18 to 19 degrees Taurus, Leo, Aquarius or Scorpio. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a betrayal, disappointment, error or weakness until it’s too late. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Uranus in Pisces you can develop musical talents, practice meditation, intuition and inner guidance. But you may also need to watch your back and balance faith with practicality and fact to see events clearly, not with just wishful thinking or remaining attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) transits 26 degrees Sagittarius where it will go retrograde on the 29th. It repeats this degree in April and December of 2006 and in July, August and October of 2007. Birthdays influenced most are December 18th, June 17th, March 17th and September 19th as well as charts with planets or angles at 26 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. Between March 2006 and October 2007 they will experience major changes in life such as career, relocation, marriage, divorce or financial problems. Counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness/motivational work found very valuable. Pluto has passed the 24th degree and is now three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Here are the Specific indications for the 12 signs

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com