Calendar Page
Special Days and Aspects for March 2005
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Welcome
to March! Click on a date in the calendar to see the current aspects
and events for that day.
March 1, 2005
Mercury at 24 degrees Pisces square Pluto in
Sagittarius
This is a quick but powerful transit. Loose words open up a box of revealing
secrets. They say knowledge is power, but using your knowledge to manipulate
others for your own selfish benefit will only cause you to lose your own
personal power and influence in the end. Strong opinions and expressing yourself
too aggressively will ultimately result in conflicts. You need evidence
supporting new information, but you must first be open to listening about
these novel ideas by allowing others to present their unique points of view.
Communication, writing, intellectual pursuits, travel, and siblings are
emphasized during this aspect.
St. David’s Day: Feast day of the patron saint of Wales.
Martenitza: In Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Greece and Cyprus, people celebrate the arrival of March by wearing red or giving each other red and white cloths, tassels or strings, representing health and happiness.
Procession of the Swallow: Another ritual to welcome spring, this one is done by Greek children who carry a wooden swallow, bedecked with bells, from house to house, leaving behind ivy leaves for luck and good health.
March 2, 2005
Have a great day!
March 3, 2005
Moon Phase
Last-quarter Moon in Sagittarius, 17:26 Universal Time.
Mars at 17 degrees Capricorn square retrograde Jupiter in
Libra
Even though restless energy fills the air during this lingering transit,
avoid trolling for excitement out of boredom. A penchant for extreme behavior
will only create worse predicaments, which may involve the legal system or
cost you money. If you are feeling brave and love a challenge, fight for
a worthwhile cause, but choose your battles carefully or you’ll just
be wasting your time. Take care to channel energy optimistically, as it may
be increasingly difficult to relax.
Hina Matsuri: This Japanese Doll Festival has been celebrated since about 1600. Girls display their elaborately dressed dolls on a specially made stage in their homes, with the figures arranged like a royal court. Families visit one another’s homes to admire the displays, which usually include heirlooms from many generations.
March 4, 2005
Happy Birthday to
Piscesdreamer!
Venus conjunct Uranus at 7 degrees Pisces
A romantic gesture gets the heart all revved up and feeling wacky and excited
today. This is a great time to escape with your significant other to a place
you’ve never been before. There’s a restless fog hanging around
the money department today, so you might want to be careful where and how
you spend your hard-earned coins right now, lest you regret it in the morning.
World Day of Prayer: The first Friday in March is a global prayer day initiated by a group of women and now joined by people in 170 countries.
March 5, 2005
Happy Birthday to
Sorcress50!
Mercury enters Aries
The impetuous and vigorous energy of Aries expresses itself through Mercury
much more directly, and with a clearer focus, than the Piscean energy did
when Mercury was in Pisces. Today heralds the beginning of a much more active
phase of communication, marked by quick decisions and competitive energy.
Remember that healthy competition grants learning and expansion opportunities
to both parties and does not need to degenerate into the win-at-all-costs
mentality that can be Arian energy expressed at its worst.
Eight Hour Day: Western Australia and the State of Tasmania in Australia celebrate labor unions’ efforts to improve working conditions, particularly the achievement of the eight-hour workday.
Feast of Excited Insects: In China and Korea, the day is celebrated as the arrival of spring and the day when the bugs awaken from hibernation. It is a day for planting and performing rituals to ensure abundant crops.
March 6, 2005
Magellan Day: The population of Guam celebrates the day in 1521 when the island in the Pacific was discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
March 7, 2005
Sun at 17 degrees Pisces inconjunct retrograde Jupiter in
Libra
Optimism abounds regarding the unfolding future. Visions and prophetic dreams
may have troubling aspects for those with a more sensitive constitution.
You can gain insight about your own life by your own counsel to someone who
asks you for advice. Avoid confrontations with influential people. At work,
some may be bestowed a leadership role that comes with a higher public profile.
Travel could be in store for those in artistic or spiritual fields. With
great patience and planning you can reach the stars!
Mars at 20 degrees Capricorn opposed retrograde Saturn in
Cancer
Even though you feel drained of energy or you lack motivation, discipline
and hard work are the only ways to obtain the benefits of this aspect. However,
if you work your fingers to the bone, all you will get are bony fingers.
Learn to work smarter, not harder. The construction industry and hard physical
labor are highlighted. Male authority figures are more domineering than usual,
making tension in relationships with older men more likely. Avoid highly
competitive people and situations, but don’t be afraid to take a risk!
Burbank Day: California communities use this day to promote ecological and environmental causes. It is the birthday of Luther Burbank, a plant breeder who developed the Shasta Daisy and hundreds of other varieties of plants while living in Santa Rosa, California. His work helped people farm more productively and drew attention to naturalist techniques. Burbank lived from 1849-1926.
March 8, 2005
Happy Birthday to
RJ!
Mahashivratri: A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva, the great god of destruction (who is also the restorer), and his marriage to Goddess Parvati. Many devotees fast on this day, and ceremonies involving prayers and hymns take place mostly at night.
International Women’s Day: A protest held by garment workers in New York City in 1857 is commemorated by this holiday, which was adopted by the United States in 1910 in honor of working women. The holiday has since been adopted by some other countries. In the United States, the observance has grown into National Women’s History Month, proclaimed by Congress for the month of March in 1987 and every year since then. The month calls attention to the National Women’s History Project, a group that organizes events and creates curriculum to teach about historical contributions made by women, whose achievements have frequently been overlooked in traditional history textbooks.
March 9, 2005
Feast of St. Frances of Rome: St. Frances of Rome, or Francesca Romana, is patron saint of motorists and widows. Many Italians have their cars blessed on this day.
March 10, 2005
Happy Birthday to HRH-FishAreFish!
Happy Birthday to shaman!
Moon Phase
New Moon in Pisces, 9:10 Universal Time.
Sun at 20 degrees Pisces trine retrograde Saturn in
Cancer
A day for spring-cleaning if ever there was one. The Sun here represents
you and your surroundings, and Saturn is reaching in and challenging you
to evaluate what is being used and what is being wasted. This can take the
form of clearing away unwanted clutter on the domestic level, or else as
a chance to take a hard look at fruitless habits and unproductive emotional
blinkers. The trine aspect means this work is voluntary — but the rewards
are there for you to reap. Refusal now to see what needs fixing only delays
the inevitable, and that means that next month’s square between these
two astrological juggernauts will be that much more difficult.
Forty Martyrs’ Day: Eastern Orthodox Christians commemorate the sacrifice of 40 Christians serving in the Roman Army who were martyred in Armenia in 320 for refusing to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. Special foods, such as 40-layer cake, are prepared and shared.
March 11, 2005
Have a great day!
March 12, 2005
Venus at 16 degrees Pisces inconjunct retrograde Jupiter in
Libra
Avoid overeating, as the pounds (or kilos) are apt to stick during this transit.
Even if you are generally blessed when it comes to money, take special care
that it isn’t being spent faster than it is made during this transit.
Benefits can be found in relationships with women. Become your own best friend
and learn to love yourself. When you learn to be content with yourself, life
will have new significance. Attend a local cultural event, visit the museum,
or immerse yourself in a creative endeavor this weekend.
Ramakrishna Jayanti: Hindu celebration of the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna, a saint and teacher seen as an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Feast of St. Gregory the Great: St. Gregory the Great is considered one of the four great Doctors of the western Church. The first monk to become Pope, he was unanimously elected on September 3, 590. He collected melodies and plain chants, now known as the Gregorian Chants. Gregory the Great is the patron saint of musicians, singers, and teachers.
March 13, 2005
Happy Birthday to
agatapas!
Commonwealth Day: The second Sunday in March is a holiday in Great Britain in honor of the Commonwealth. It is the modern version of a celebration previously known as Empire Day.
March 14, 2005
Retrograde Jupiter at 16 degrees Libra trine Neptune in
Aquarius
This is the most profound aspect of the month and is definitely one we can
all grow on. Now is the time when surprising the special person in your life
with sweet words, kind deeds or a romantic getaway can put your relationship
on a positive track that will bring you a lot closer together. This is also
a good time to get your creative and innovative ideas out there because there
is a lot of opportunity in the air now.
Sun at 24 degrees Pisces square Pluto in
Sagittarius
Try to maintain control of your overly sensitive reactions to situations
today. Keep any overzealous energy turned down a notch. Power struggles are
easily avoided by being more adaptable. Self-transformation is possible by
unifying your Higher Self with a cause aimed at creating a better, healthier
society and world. You have power over your own destiny — take it!
Clean Monday: For Eastern Orthodox churches, this day marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the time of preparation for Easter. This year the Orthodox churches celebrate Easter May 1.
March 15, 2005
Venus at 20 degrees Pisces trine retrograde Saturn in
Cancer
An ability to see the people and things we love in a realistic and accepting
manner characterizes this aspect, making this a good time to discuss issues
in relationships and work out possible options for making them work even
better.
Anna Parenna Festival: Anna, whose first name is the female form of the Latin word for “year” and whose last name is akin to “perennial,” was an ancient Roman goddess who ruled the circle of the year. In mid-March, Romans rang out the old year with toasts to old lady Anna. The new year began with the month ruled by young, impetuous Mars. The date roughly coincides with the vernal equinox and the beginning of the astrological cycle with the month of Aries, ruled by Mars.
March 16, 2005
Have a great day!
March 17, 2005
Moon Phase
First-quarter Moon in Gemini, 19:19 Universal Time.
St. Patrick’s Day: People far from Ireland celebrate their own Irish heritage, or adopt it for a day, in tribute to Ireland’s patron saint. Many American cities hold large parades and feature Irish music and dancing. People wear green clothes and drink green bear in rowdy celebrations to remember the Emerald Isle, and Chicago even dyes a river green for the day. Irish in the homeland, of course, also cleebrate in grand style in tribute to the bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland in the early days of the faith and ended the slave trade that had long flourished in that land. Legend says he cast the snakes out of Ireland and it’s true today that the place has no native serpents. “Beannacht na feile Phadraig oribh!” May the blessings of St. Patrick be with you!
March 18, 2005
Venus at 24 degree Pisces square Pluto in
Sagittarius
If you are flying an Octave Higher or are an advanced soul, you will be able
to use this transit as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth;
as a result you will be better equipped to melt away jealousy or distrust
in close personal relationships. Lesser-evolved souls are tempted to deceive
the opposite sex to avoid or induce jealousy’s frosty chill. Deceptive
behavior will likely elicit a more powerful response than originally anticipated.
A seemingly naive remark has the power to churn difficult and deep emotions.
Much will be gained if you rise above negative internal energy and transform
it into its polar opposite — positive external energy.
Sheelah’s Day: On the day after St. Patrick’s Day, some of the Irish “drown the shamrock” worn the day before in a glass of whiskey, as a toast to Sheelah. Although her identity has been lost in time, Sheelah is said to have been a relative of St. Patrick.
March 19, 2005
Sun at 29 degrees Pisces sextile Mars in
Capricorn
This is the aspect that kicks us off into the initiating action of spring.
Today is when we will start working on our projects, especially the ones
that really get those creative juices flowing. You can accomplish great and
wonderful things under the influence of this aspect, so please don’t
let it go to waste. Grab your creating tools and go make a masterpiece today.
Lazarus Saturday: The day before Palm Sunday is celebrated in Orthodox churches in commemoration of the resurrection of Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary. John’s gospel says that Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, had been dead four days when Jesus freed him from death’s clutches, bringing him back to life in a bodily resurrection that foreshadowed Christ’s own physical death and rising (on the third day) at Easter. Those with a head for numerology would note that the earthly 4 of Lazarus plus the divine trinity 3 of Jesus together equal the 7 that Biblical scholars say is a number of perfection in the Bible, hearkening back to the seven days in which God is said to have created Heaven and Earth.
Feast of St. Joseph: A Catholic holy day in honor of Joseph, husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.
March 20, 2005
Vernal Equinox, 12:33 Universal Time.
Happy Birthday to
Rachel G!
Mercury goes retrograde at 14 degrees Aries
Batten down the proverbial hatches ... and then double- and triple-check
that you’ve done it right! When Mercury, the planet that rules the exchange
of ideas, goes retrograde, all types of communication go haywire. Important
documents are often lost in the mail, Internet services slow and even shut
down, computers crash unexpectedly, and many minor and petty arguments and
misunderstandings arise from people’s sudden inability to remember important
facts or express themselves with any real clarity. Mercury retrogrades can
be stressful times to the uninitiated, but their effects are usually short-lived,
and most of its snarls can be unraveled easily once Mercury begins its forward
motion again on April 12th.
Sun enters Aries
Today the Sun begins a new circuit of the heavens as it enters Aries, the
symbolic infant of the zodiac. This is an action-filled time of new beginnings,
with spring breathing new life into the frozen north, and people increasing
their activity levels with the lengthening days. The fiery, enthusiastic,
seemingly tireless energy of the Ram propels us forward on a new cycle of
adventure and learning.
Mars enters Aquarius
The planet of action is done being serious and playing by the rules and wants
to do the complete opposite now and for the next six weeks. Our actions during
this time will tend to be a bit on the wild and rebellious side. We’re
throwing caution to the wind and may even surprise ourselves with the crazy
and erratic things we’ll do now. Sexual activity will be a lot more
spontaneous and completely out-of-this-world too.
First Day of Spring: The 2005 vernal equinox occurs at 12:33 Universal Time on March 20, and spring officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere.
Ostara: Nature religions welcome spring and the Goddess as a young maiden. For more about Ostara, please see the article Ode to the Vernal Equinox in this issue.
Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday): A week before Easter, Christians commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed him with praise, waving palm fronds symbolic of victory. The original day occurred as people were gathering in the Holy City for Passover, and the people, who had heard of Jesus’ miracles, expected him to lead them in freeing the land from Roman domination. These days on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, Catholic and some other churches distribute specially blessed palm fronds, or small branches of other trees where palms are unavailable, to their congregations. Many people hang the blessed leaves in their homes all year to bring continued blessings.
Higan: A week of Japanese Buddhist services, centered on the day of the equinox, honors the spirits who have crossed from the world of suffering to the world of enlightenment. Higan is repeated at the autumnal equinox.
March 21, 2005
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: The United Nations General Assembly first proclaimed this annual observance in 1966. The assembly asked all countries to remember the victims of racial prejudice worldwide and work to eliminate bias wherever it was found. The day is the anniversary of a 1960 massacre in Sharpeville, South Africa, where 69 black people involved in a nonviolent protest against the country’s racial apartheid policies were killed by police gunfire.
Naw Ruz: “New Day” is the Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Iranian New Year, which is timed by the vernal equinox. Since ancient times it has been the great national holiday of Iran, the only holiday there that is celebrated by more than one religious group.
March 22, 2005
Happy Birthday to
AriesJason!
Saturn goes direct at 20 degrees Cancer
Winter is over and it’s time to get back to work on those home projects.
It’s also time to fortify the bonds we have with our family by spending
quality time with them. This spring season is a great time to put all of
those plans we made all winter long regarding our home and family into action.
Venus enters Aries
A tough spot for Venus here in her detriment in Aries, opposite to Libra,
her ruling sign. At its best, Venus in Aries offers an exuberant and animated
approach to love and relationships. Aries’ childlike qualities may not
produce the urbane sophistication of a true metro-sexual, but its naiveté
brings with it a certain charm, provided the tendency towards selfishness
is overcome.
March 23, 2005
Pakistan Republic Day: A national holiday commemorating the 1956 establishment of Pakistan as an Islamic republic within the British Commonwealth.
March 24, 2005
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday): The day commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper as well as the origin of the sacrament of Holy Communion or the Eucharist, which uses unleavened bread and wine because the Last Supper was a Passover supper, or Seder. Jesus took the bread and wine, offered thanks and praise to God, then gave the bread and wine to his disciples, telling them it was his body and blood, which would be given up for them and all people so that sins may be forgiven. “Maundy” is said to come from the Latin for commandment, referring to Christ’s words: “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
March 25, 2005
Moon Phase
Full Moon in Libra, 20:58 Universal Time.
Venus at 3 degrees Aries sextile Mars in
Aquarius
If you have been feeling the desire to take your platonic relationship to
the sexual level or renew the spark in an existing partnership, this is
definitely the day to do it. Passion is revving up to extreme levels, and
there is a willingness to try new and exciting things in the bedroom. There
is an uncontrollable urge to engage in wild, crazy and dangerous activities,
so be sure to have your safety gear on today.
Purim: Enthusiastic revelry and charity for the poor go hand-in-hand during this Jewish celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish minority from genocide in ancient Persia. Esther, the secretly Jewish Queen of Persia, is celebrated for her successful plan to secure her husband’s cooperation in saving her people and to do away with his evil advisor, who planned the massacre. Beginning this year at sundown on the 6th, the holiday continues through the 8th. See the article Masquerades of March in the March 2003 issue for more.
Good Friday: The day commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion is a solemn one in Christian churches. Crosses in churches are often draped in black. Some churches hold special services from noon to 3 p.m. in honor of the last three hours Jesus hung on the cross and the last seven things he said.
Holi: This Hindu festival, timed to the full moon in March, is part religious observance and part high-spirited celebration of the imminent spring equinox. Known as the Festival of Colour, Holi is celebrated in India with parades, folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandon. The festivities begin on this night with bonfires commemorating an enthusiastic and faithful devotee of Lord Vishnu who was brought, unscathed, through a raging fire and other attempts by his demon-father to destroy him. Huge piles of wood are gathered and lit. Offerings of coconut and other foods are made to the fire and later distributed amongst everyone.
Birthday of Lao Tzu: The second full Moon of the year on the Chinese calendar is celebrated as the birthday of the founder of Taoism. Taoists believe the Chi, the basic energy of life, is composed of the unity of Yin (eternal feminine) and Yang (eternal masculine).
Greece Independence Day: After 400 years of Turkish occupation, Greece declared its independence on this day in 1821, sparking a war that lasted until 1829, when the Turkish sultan recognized Greek freedom. The country celebrates with church services and parades.
March 26, 2005
Purim: The joyous Jewish holiday, on the 14th and 15th days of the Hebrew month of Adar, continues today.
Holi: Festivities begun with last night’s full Moon continue today in this joyful spring festival of India. Today, a day known as Dhulendi, the wild fun includes chasing each other around, throwing brightly colored powder and water over one another. Huge numbers of sweets are made, distributed and devoured during Holi. Also, a very cool drink called thandai (literally, “cold”) is made in huge quantities and glasses drunk off like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes, a bit of bhang (extracted from opium) is mixed with the thandai and all sorts of funny things happen when people drink it off. A recipe for thandai, without the bhang, is available in the June 2003 issue of Metamorphosis.
Khordad Sal: For those Zoroastrians following the Fasli version of the calendar, this is the birthday celebration for the Prophet Zarathustra. The Parsees of India celebrate Khordad Sal August 26 instead.
Holy Saturday: The last day of Lent is time for the Easter vigil in many churches. Orthodox Christians in Slavic countries bring baskets of food prepared for Easter feasts to church to be blessed this night.
Bangladesh Independence Day: The country declared independence from Pakistan on this day in 1971 and won the war by the end of the year with the help of India.
March 27, 2005
Pluto goes retrograde at 24 degrees
Sagittarius
We will spend the next five months processing the losses and changes we
couldn’t prevent in the last few months and healing our wounds. During
this time, we will try to find meaning in these losses and learn what we
can from the experiences so that we may evolve and grow stronger.
Easter: Most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ on this day, the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. The most holy of Christian sacred days includes worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting and parades. Eastern Orthodox Christians figure in some additional elements in setting the date for Easter, including the date of Passover. This year, Orthodox churces celebrate Easter on May 1.
March 28, 2005
Have a great day!
March 29, 2005
Sun conjunct Mercury at 9 degrees Aries
The spotlight of the Sun now triggers the interesting mix of energy that
is affecting Mercury, the planet of thought and communication. Communication
could be lively, and the astute will use this transit to watch, listen and
learn, while taking care not to blab indiscriminately and set off, in a
highlighted way, some of the touchier facets of Mercury’s rather besieged
position.
Mercury conjunct Venus at 8 degrees Aries
This is a day for social chatter and making polite small talk with new people.
If weather permits, this is a great day to go for a walk or do something
fun with friends. If you have been working up the courage to ask someone
out or ask your boss for a raise, this is the time you’ll get the nerve
to do it.
Borrowed Days: According to Scottish legend and an old poem, March borrowed its last three days from April, filling the first of those borrowed days with wind and rain, the second with snow and sleet, and the third with a hard freeze. The days are observed as a last hurrah for wintry weather, in hopes of a fair April.
March 30, 2005
Borrowed Days: The borrowed days continue, from March 29-31. According to legend, today should be filled with snow and sleet.
March 31, 2005
Sun conjunct Venus at 10 degrees Aries
The life-giving Sun pairs up with lovely Venus, as it eases much of the difficult
energy thrown our way thus far in March. Both planets respond well to the
innocence of energetic Aries and together offer a day brimming with high
spirits, lots of action, and the chance for a little self-indulgence. Plan
to get out with friends, and set a little money aside for some frivolous
shopping — but don’t blow it all today.
Mercury at 7 degrees Aries sextile Mars in
Aquarius
Healthy debate rules the day as communicative Mercury sextiles combative
Mars; however, this energy is being altered by the retrograde motion of Mercury.
You’ll want to talk about your opinions and you’ll feel passionate
about others hearing your views. But this energy isn’t a license for
argumentative showdowns, despite the fact that you may be feeling befuddled
by the effects of the retrograde. Standard retrograde protocol applies —
check and double-check your facts before diving into the fray.
Borrowed Days: This is the last of the borrowed days, which began March 29. According to Scottish legend, there should be a hard freeze today.
Astrology by S.J. Lindquist-Hellman and Tracey Couto
Holidays compiled by Maria Barron, Anindita Basu and Sucheta Shetty
Birthday graphics by Maria Barron for Metamorphosis
