StarWatch by James Jarvis, M.A. By adding the universal year 2000 (2+0+0+0 = 2) to the 3rd month of March, we come up with the vibration of 5. The 5 month is a time for synthesizing all of the knowledge and experiences you’ve acquired over the last four months. Look to see what you have been learning and how this information may fit into a larger system of knowledge that you can then disseminate to others. The 5 month also signifies greater participation and possibilities in any media-related business: writing, speaking, teaching, or promotion. March 4-8 Mars trine Chiron, sextile Uranus Mars in Aries is in positive relationship with both Chiron in Sagittarius (March 4-6) and Uranus in Aquarius (March 5-8). Since both Mars and Chiron are in fire signs, this is a great time to bring out your warrior spirit. Combine the raring-to-go energy of Mars in Aries with the wisdom of Chiron in Sagittarius and get busy on acting on your idealism. Mars/Uranus provides plenty of rocket fuel to kick-start you into action as well. These transits are kind of like drinking a triple latté every day — without the crash! March 6 New moon in Pisces A new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in the same sign, and signifies the joining of solar and lunar energies. With each new moon, we have an opportunity for a new quality to emerge into our consciousness. Averaging 29 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes, the lunar cycle represents our emotional evolution or unfoldment throughout the month. The new moon represents a starting point, and the beginning of a new phase of our growth. With the moon in Pisces, we have an opportunity to surrender to this process by letting go emotionally. "Going with the flow," immersing ourselves spiritually, and finding positive outlets for our compassion for others are all ways of tuning in to this new moon cycle. March 14 Mercury direct Mercury, which has been retrograde since February 21, goes direct on March 14. Mercury retrogrades help us to get in touch with our vision, so that we can clearly articulate what we want. Now that Mercury has gone direct again, we can take our newfound clarity and communicate it with others, thereby causing our thoughts to manifest in external form in the world. With Mercury direct in Pisces, it’s time to re-envision your dreams. One of the most powerful ways you can do this is to access the imaginal realm through journaling, drawing, meditation, or daydreaming. It is through the imaginal realm that all new possibilities are created. By allowing your imagination to lead at this time, you may access new ways of being that you’ve never "dreamed" of before. March 14 Pluto retrograde Pluto will be retrograde in Sagittarius from March 14 through August 19. With Pluto retrograde in Sagittarius, this is a time to check in with how we are manifesting our power and speaking our truth. Since Pluto in our birth chart represents where we tap into collective power or will, Pluto retrogrades are a time when we can reflect on how we are using our personal power. Do powerful people make you uncomfortable? Do you react strongly to any perceived misuse of power from those in your life? Do you often see in others a tendency to manipulate or control? If so, then the Pluto retrograde period may be a time to look at how you may be feeling disempowered in your life. Conversely, it may be a time to discover how you can expand your sense of personal power into more areas of your life. In particular, Pluto retrograde in Sagittarius is asking each of us to speak our own truth more powerfully. This is especially so for those born in middle degrees (11-15 degrees) of Sagittarius, as Pluto will be conjoining (at the same degree as) their sun this year or next. Pluto transits to the sun bring to the surface whatever we have repressed or hidden. If you have been hiding your light under the bushel and not sharing your truth (you know who you are!), then Pluto says, "Let’s blow apart whatever is preventing you from sharing your light and truth with others!" March 10-21 Jupiter square Neptune Jupiter in Taurus is in challenging aspect to Neptune in Aquarius from March 10-21. This is an interesting combination, as both planets are expansive and associated with developing a broader vision. Since Jupiter is in Taurus, the sign of the earth, it is an especially good time to go on a vision quest. In the shamanic tradition, vision quests were opportunities to break out of the mold of everyday thinking (often through fasting or sacred substances) so that a higher vision of one’s purpose could be attained. The same outcome can be achieved with this transit by evoking and fostering the imaginal realm. As we bypass the rational mind through drawing, trance work, hypnosis, or dream work, we access deeper layers of mind that can bring forth an expanded vision of who we are. March 13 Venus enters Pisces Venus moves through the sign of Pisces from March 13 through April 6. Venus in Pisces brings awareness of how we can be more accepting of ourselves and others. In other words, no matter what we have done, or have failed to do, we are always loved in the eyes of God/Goddess. Let the unconditional acceptance of Venus in Pisces permeate every cell of your being this month. March 20 Full moon in Virgo The full moon in Virgo brings a strong awareness of the need to nurture and take care of ourselves. Focusing on diet, nutrition, mind/body awareness, and healing this month will bring powerful results. Use the positive qualities of Virgo, discernment and discrimination, to put your life and daily routine into increasingly coherent order. By being mindful about how you can make your daily life more streamlined and efficient now, you will be able to fully experience the balance, harmony, and peacefulness brought in by the full moon in Libra on April 18. March 20 Sun enters Aries The sun moves into Aries, heralding the spring equinox of equal days and equal nights, on March 20. The principle of Aries is initiation, germination, and emancipation. In the natural world, it is a time of sowing and germination. The seedling breaks out of the seed and makes its way through the soil to emancipation. The Aries principle is symbolized by the catalytic process and by acts of initiation and innovation. Our job during the sign of Aries is to spring into action in new and innovative ways, using our natural leadership and delegation skills to empower others to become involved in whatever we’re committed to. So save your "spring cleaning" for fall when you are going to be inside, and use the Aries energy to catalyze yourself and others into action. March 22 Mars enters Taurus Mars, the planet of personal will, moves through the sign of Taurus from March 22 through May 3. With Mars in an earth sign, it is a great time to formulate and implement your plans. With Mars in Taurus, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get dirty! Taurus represents the process of formulating or codifying what we value so that we can share it with others in a very practical and down-to-earth way. Use Mars in Taurus to help you handle all the "grunt" work that needs to be done so that you can clear a path for sharing your ideas or values with others. Use Mars in Taurus to catch up with all the physical things (remodeling, repairing, beautifying) that you need to get done. Your energy will be stronger at this time, so just be careful not to be too "bullish." March 29-April 1 Mars square Neptune Mars in Taurus is in challenging relationship to Neptune in Aquarius for the next five or six days. With Mars/Neptune energy, we are asked to surrender our sense of personal will so that we can be guided by spirit, or, again, to "go with the flow." So much of what we learn in this culture has to do with making things happen or using our strong will to control and manage our lives. Use the energy of Mars and Neptune to learn how to surrender your attachment to the outcome. By acknowledging that we are not alone, we can then tap into grace and return to being in the flow of life rather than fighting it. March 30-August 18 Chiron retrograde Chiron in Sagittarius, which has been conjunct (at the same degree), with Pluto since mid-December, also goes retrograde this month. With both Chiron and Pluto retrograde in Sagittarius, the focus is definitely on healing the wounds we have around trusting our inherent wisdom. One of the ways to do this healing is through letting go of our hold on the conscious mind. It is our need to know, to do it right, or to have everything figured out in advance, that prevents us from tapping into the collective wisdom represented by the sign of Sagittarius. Many believe that this collective wisdom is now emanating from the galactic center of our galaxy, which is currently situated at 26 degrees, 51 minutes Sagittarius. Astronomers tell us that the galactic center emanates one hundred times the energy of our sun! It is thought that the galactic center is a source, or origin, for universal consciousness beaming down to the earth. The challenge with Pluto and Chiron retrograde in Sagittarius is to suspend the rational mind long enough so that we can experience this truth for ourselves. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, professional life coach and transpersonal counselor. He combines an M.A. in transpersonal counseling, 29 years' experience with Eastern and metaphysical traditions, and 15 years coaching and empowering clients to actualize their full potential. See display ad for his March schedule in Seattle. James is available for astrological consultations and life coaching sessions by phone. For a brochure of his services or to schedule phone or mail-order consultations, call (831) 688-0574, e-mail <jjarvis@lifeqwest.com>, or visit <www.lifeqwest.com>.