283 | Solar Eclipse + Neptune in Aries: Boom!

This week - and what a week it is! - Mercury retrograde connects with the Sun and Pluto. Venus retrograde returns to the gentle waters of Pisces and conjoins Neptune at the tail end of that sign. We bid a fond farewell to eclipses in Aries with one last solar eclipse in that sign. And if you haven't taken to your bed by the end of the week, welcome Neptune entering Aries for the first time since 1861. And a listener question about how having many retrograde planets in your birth chart might impact your life. Plus: Looking Pluto in the eye, the subtle mind, and thank God for dirty dishes!

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Timestamps

[1:31] Mercury retrograde conjoins the Sun (March 24, 12:48 pm PDT) at 4°24’ Aries. Think positively and pay close attention to how you speak to yourself. When a planet comes together with the Sun within 17’ of orb (9:10 am-4:27 pm PDT), it is called cazimi and considered extremely powerful. (For more details, check out Ep. 259).

[3:26] On March 25 (3:02 pm PDT), Mercury sextiles Pluto at 3º27’ Aries-Aquarius. Mercury with Pluto can reveal harsh truths and may lead to negativity. Channel this intense energy into productive outlets, including research.

[5:02] Venus enters Pisces on March 27 (1:41 am PDT, through Apr. 30). She was previously in Pisces between Jan. 2-Feb. 3, then entered Aries and turned retrograde on March 1. Time to revisit matters of love or money that were not concluded in January. Jupiter rules Pisces, so beware of overspending! 

[6:59] Venus conjoins Neptune on March 27 (6:13 am PDT). Partnerships, especially those involving money, may be challenged by lack of clarity or new awareness. Sudden infatuations can arise, but proceed with caution. You may gain a clearer sense of your worth and let go of what drains you. 

[8:56] Moon Report! The Aries New Moon Solar Eclipse (March 29, 3:58 am PDT) at 09º00’ Aries is on the Sabian symbol 9 Aries, A crystal gazer. This is the final eclipse on the Aries-Libra axis until 2032. This eclipse is connected to past eclipses near this degree on March 29, 2006, and March 29, 1987.

[13:20] This is the New Moon in a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that unfolds over the coming three years. The First Quarter in this LPFC (action point) is on Dec. 27 at 6º17’ Aries, the Full Moon (awareness point) is on Sep. 26, 2026 at 3º37’ Aries, and the Last Quarter (final action point) is on June 26, 2027 at 5º21’ Aries

[14:51] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On March 24 (8:01 am PDT), the Moon in Capricorn sextiles Neptune, is VOC for 24 minutes, then enters Aquarius (8:25 am PDT). Make a habit of approaching everyday chores as a spiritual practice.

[16:01] On March 26 (3:15 am PDT), the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus, is VOC for 9 hours 16 minutes, then enters Pisces (12:31 pm PDT). Get in the habit of seeing things from other people's points of view and making changes.

[16:50] On March 28 (1:30 pm PDT), the Moon in Pisces conjoins Neptune, is VOC for just 6 minutes, and enters Aries (1:36 pm PDT). Take short breaks to give your mind an intermission from reality.

[18:17] On March 30 (3:18 am PDT), the Moon in Aries squares Mars in domestic Cancer. It’s VOC for 9 hours 58 minutes, then enters Taurus (1:16 pm PDT). Spend time in the kitchen or doing chores.

[19:38] On March 29, Mercury enters Pisces (7:18 pm PDT), then almost immediately conjoins Neptune (7:46 pm PDT). Not a great day for logic or matters requiring focus and clarity. Indulge in naps, creative projects, and time for reflection.

[21:00] Mercury conjoins Neptune (March 29, 7:46 pm PDT) at 29°59’ Pisces. Neptune is like a sponge and intuition is strong, so be cautious about the sorts of messages you expose yourself to.

[22:04] Neptune enters Aries (March 30, 4:58 am PDT) for the first time since 1861-1875. It entered Aries that time on April 12, 1861, and history buffs will recall this as the day that the American Civil War began, fueled by extreme idealistic differences. “Idealistic” is a Neptune word, and “war” is an Aries word. Neptune will be in Aries through 2039 and is joined here by Saturn on May 24, 2025. On the plus side, it encourages us to look at ourselves as heroes of our own story and to find courage and proactive solutions to challenges.

[24:35] Listener Stephanie asks about how having many retrograde planets in your birth chart might impact your life.

[30:28] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

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