A Chaotic Dance Between Endings and Beginnings: An Astrological Guide to March and April 2025
Overview:
March and April 2025 will be two momentous months on both a personal and collective level. These two months will bring such intense, rapid changes and turns of events that at the end of it all we’ll look back and wonder how we got through it all. We’ll experience changes not only in our own lives and in the lives of those around us, but we’ll also witness huge transformations on a collective level.
The main astrological transits and events that will shape these next two months are: Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, a Solar eclipse, a Lunar eclipse, a big pileup of planets, and more. To say the least, there will be a lot going on!
What’s significant is not only that these transits are all happening around the same time, but also that they’re all happening around the same degrees of the zodiac. This means that all us, especially those with placements between 23° Pisces and 10° Aries (or 23° Virgo and 10° Libra), will experience significant changes and challenges during this time, or at the very least we’ll be asked to closely examine and completely reshape a specific area of our lives.
Let’s break down all of these transits and what they mean:
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1. Venus Retrograde:
Analysis: Whenever Venus is retrograde, it’s time to reassess our values, relationships, and priorities. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and relationships, but on a deeper level it also has to do with our sense of self-worth, value system, and experience of pleasure. When any planet is retrograde, its energy is often turned inwards. In the case of Venus retrograde, this means that we are asked to take a close look at the role of Venus in our lives and the area that it is transiting in our chart. It’s a time to reflect on and evaluate whether we are living in alignment with our values, and whether we might need to make any adjustments in order to feel that our lives are an authentic expression of ourselves. With Venus moving between Aries and Pisces during this retrograde, the question Venus asks us is:
What fuels my passion and what allows me to experience a sense of wholeness?
Where do I need to soften and where do I need to stand up for myself?
How can pleasure and passion serve as a compass in orienting myself towards a path that feels true to myself?
Key Dates: Venus retrograde will last from March 2nd - April 13th, moving between 10° Aries and 24° Pisces. Its pre-retrograde shadow began on January 28th and its post-retrograde shadow ends on May 16th.
This means that since the end of January we might have begun to get a sense of the issues Venus retrograde might bring up, as Venus was then at 24° Pisces, which is the point that Venus will move back to. Any questions or issues that have quietly arisen since then are likely to be placed under a microscope during Venus retrograde. Venus entered Aries on February 4th, and will begin its retrograde motion at 10° Aries on March 2nd. As Venus stations retrograde, we will start to be faced with the questions this retrograde has in store for us and we’ll be asked to begin a process of self-reflection in which we assess what needs to be changed. Venus will move back into Pisces on March 27th, will station direct on April 13th at 24° Pisces, will re-enter Aries on April 30th, and will leave its post-retrograde shadow on May 16th. As Venus stations direct, we might begin to see some resolutions to the issues it had us confront and by the time it exits its post-retrograde shadow we can expect to have a renewed and reaffirmed sense of what’s important to us.
2. Mercury Retrograde:
Analysis: Mercury retrograde is a time of reorientation. It asks us to rethink and revise our plans and to examine what thought patterns might be holding us back. Mercury is the planet of communication and it shapes how we view and interact with the world on an intellectual level. During Mercury retrograde we might feel like nothing is going according to plan, or at least that some things require either more time, effort, or attempts and revisions than we originally thought. The key to dealing with Mercury retrograde is learning to see any setbacks it presents us with as opportunities that help us make sure we’re on the right track. With retrograde Mercury moving between Aries and Pisces, it asks us the following questions:
What kinds of thoughts or entrenched beliefs are holding me back from boldly heading in the direction that I desire?
Can I allow myself the compassion I need to explore any feelings of anger, frustration, or a sense of having lost my direction? And can I allow myself to simply be in this process without having to find a solution immediately? Can I let the answers come to me in their own time?
Can I allow myself to explore any thoughts that light a spark in me and see where they lead me?
How can I boldly speak my truth while practicing gentleness towards myself and others?
Key Dates: Mercury retrograde will last from March 15th - April 7th, moving between 9° Aries and 26° Pisces. Its pre-retrograde shadow begins on March 1st and its post-retrograde shadow ends on April 26th. This means that at the beginning of March some of the issues Mercury retrograde will present us with might start to quietly surface and will then come into full force as Mercury stations retrograde mid-March. Mercury enters Aries on March 3rd and will begin its retrograde motion at 9° Aries on March 15th. When Mercury stations retrograde, we will be asked to rethink some of our plans and to begin a process of reviewing our thought patterns, releasing anything that is holding us back from moving in the direction that is aligned for us. Mercury moves back into Pisces on March 30th, stations direct on April 7th at 26° Pisces, re-enters Aries on April 16th, and leaves its post-retrograde shadow on April 26th.
3. Lunar & Solar Eclipses:
Overview: Eclipses are, in the simplest terms, supercharged New and Full Moons. We have a Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 14th and a Solar Eclipse in Aries on March 29th. The energy on a collective level tends to be quite high-voltage during eclipses and there can be an almost palpable tension in the air. Eclipses often signal major beginnings or endings, revelations, and a time of sudden, unexpected changes. However, sometimes the energy of eclipses can be more subtle, such as finding out a key (and perhaps upsetting) piece of information by accident or starting some activity or meeting someone that seems insignificant at the time but later on becomes very important to us and a catalyst for change in our lives. Not all eclipses are significant for everyone, as how they affect us on a personal level depends on where they fall in our natal chart and if they form any significant aspects to our chart (or perhaps to the composite chart of a relationship.) Sometimes the changes that eclipses bring can be difficult to accept, as they can seem so sudden and completely unexpected, catching us completely off guard. However, whatever changes eclipses present us with need to be accepted as they are often irreversible and mark points of no return. Although eclipses can be difficult to deal with, they ask us to release the structures, relationships, and situations in our lives that no longer serve us, are holding us back, or are way past their sell-by date. Eclipses can be an emotionally volatile time, yet whatever changes they bring are much needed - and this is something we often only see in retrospect. Whatever situations eclipses present us with don't necessarily happen the day of the eclipse - in my experience the impact of eclipses can be felt most strongly from anywhere between 1 week before the first eclipse (in this case March 7th) up until 1 week after the second eclipse (April 5th.)
Lunar Eclipse - March 14th:
The first eclipse will be a Total Lunar Eclipse on March 14th, with the Sun at 23° Pisces and the Moon at 23° Virgo. Saturn at 22° Pisces will conjunct the Sun and oppose the Moon, while Uranus at 24° Taurus will form a sextile to the Sun-Saturn conjunction and will trine the Moon. This Virgo Lunar Eclipse is ruled by Mercury, which will be at 9° Aries (the point where the Solar Eclipse will take place 2 weeks later), and Mercury will be slowing down and will station retrograde the next day.
There’s a lot to unpack within this eclipse. Because Saturn features so prominently in this eclipse, the emotional tone will likely be quite heavy. Saturn asks for accountability from us. Saturn in and of itself is a planet that marks boundaries in time and space - it helps us recognize when we’ve come to the end of a cycle. Eclipses, too, have this quality of marking endings and beginnings, so with the influence of Saturn “supercharged” by this eclipse, this marks a time for us to take a look around us and take stock of what we see - no more illusions and no more fooling ourselves. Whatever area of our chart this eclipse falls in will be brought under scrutiny. The fact that Uranus forms a soft aspect to this lunation helps us in this process. Uranus helps bring more clarity and objectivity to our situation and helps us assess whatever is happening to us or around us in a more impersonal light and more clear-headed way. With Mercury ruling this Lunar Eclipse and stationing retrograde the day after, whatever this lunation brings up will likely be drawn out for the length of Mercury retrograde (and a full and final resolution will likely only be presented after it leaves its post-retrograde shadow.) As Mercury will almost be stationary at the time of the eclipse, this will be a time to turn our thoughts inwards and quietly assess and reassess whatever issues come up. This Lunar Eclipse invites us to sit with the following questions:
In what way am I being asked to take more responsibility for myself? Are there any areas of my life that I’ve neglected and now need to be more accountable for?
How can I view the changes around me in a more objective and impersonal light? How can I find stability amidst the chaos?
What do I need to reaffirm my commitment to? And are there any commitments I need to let go of?
Can I engage in a process of healthy and constructive self-scrutiny and allow these reflections to fuel any needed changes in my life?
Solar Eclipse - March 29th:
The second eclipse will be a Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29th, with the Sun and Moon at 9° Aries. This eclipse is ruled by Mars, which will be at 22° Cancer and will form an exact square to Chiron at 22° Aries. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and is naturally tied to the beginning of new cycles. New Moons, too, mark times of new beginnings, the time to plant seeds and envision what we want the future to look like. So the fact that this Solar Eclipse (a supercharged New Moon) is happening in Aries denotes the start of significant new cycles in our lives. However, change often comes with growing pains, and this is even more so with this eclipse, as it is ruled by Mars, which forms a square to Chiron that day. Mars will still be in its post-retrograde shadow at this point, so we will still be in the process of resolving the challenges that Mars retrograde presented us with. Mars in Cancer squaring Chiron in Aries can bring up issues around feeling hurt (both emotionally and physically) and also brings up questions around our ability to assert ourselves and our willpower. It also asks us to examine any feelings of vulnerability (especially in the area of our chart that it touches), and to take care of ourselves in whatever way is most needed. With this Mars-Chiron square ruling the Aries Solar Eclipse, I would caution against any impulsive decisions made out of fear, anger, or impatience. This Solar Eclipse invites us to reflect on the following questions:
In what area of my life do I most feel the need for a fresh start? How can I balance the urge to take charge and bring about change with a gentle approach?
What type of healing do I need most at this time? And how can I take action today to begin this process of healing?
How can I acknowledge the tension between my desire for change and the recognition that taking action in order to bring about the changes I desire might come with feeling vulnerable, raw, and exposed?
4. A Few More Big Transits:
Although Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, and the pair of eclipses are some of the biggest transits going on at this time, there are a few additional ones worth noting. On March 30th, Neptune will move into Aries. The last time Neptune was in Aries was between 1861-1875. Neptune will make its first ingress into Aries at the end of March, although it will move back into Pisces one last time before settling back into Aries from January 2026 until 2039. Because Neptune is an outer planet and represents our collective ideals, it will bring huge shifts in our belief systems and what we idealize as a society. There will be a shift away from “Piscean” values (empathy, softness, gentleness, spirituality, a dissolution of boundaries, a sense of oneness) to the values of Aries and its ruler Mars. This can materialize in lots of different ways and can involve an idealization of traditionally “masculine” traits (physical strength, toughness, etc.) and also since in Greek mythology Ares was the god of war, this can mean an idealization of violence, war, and brute force. This is a huge and complex shift in our collective ideals that is beyond the scope of this blog post, but it is worth noting that later this year Saturn will also ingress into Aries and will form a conjunction with Neptune, which will add another layer of complexity to this. Nonetheless, this is an important transit to pay attention to, as Neptune’s first ingress into Aries from March 30th - October 22nd of this year will give us some clues about what to expect during Neptune’s time in Aries.
Another transit to pay attention to is a big conjunction at the end of March and early April between Saturn, the North Node, retrograde Venus, retrograde Mercury, and Neptune. When the Solar Eclipse takes place on March 29th, retrograde Mercury will be at 0° Aries and Neptune at 29° Pisces. As Neptune ingresses into Aries on March 30th, retrograde Mercury moves back in Pisces. Retrograde Venus will be at 28° Pisces, the North Node at 27° Pisces, and Saturn at 24° Pisces. This conjunction places a further emphasis on this critical point that is so active during March and April. It pulls our focus into one specific area of our chart, with all the planets there asking us to analyze this area of our lives from different ways of feeling, thinking, doing, and being.
5. Putting It All Together:
As you’ve probably noticed, there’s a lot of overlap between the dates of these transits, as well as the degrees of the zodiac they’re happening at. The degrees between 23° Pisces and 10° Aries will be super active during March and April. Any of these transits alone would be enough to have us stop what we’re doing and reflect on what needs to be changed. The combination of all of these transits happening at the same time and within the same degrees of the zodiac signal a seismic shift and an inescapable confrontation with the issues these transits present us with. Those of us with placements between 23° Pisces and 10° Aries (or opposite these degrees at 23° Virgo and 10° Libra) will especially feel the weight and impact of this time.
It’s interesting to note how these transits overlap and relate. The Lunar Eclipse is ruled by Mercury, which that day will be at the same degree of the zodiac where the Solar Eclipse will take place two weeks later. Mercury stations retrograde the day after the Lunar Eclipse and Mercury moves back into Pisces the day after the Solar Eclipse. The entirety of Mercury retrograde overlaps with Venus retrograde. Neptune ingresses into Aries the day after the Solar Eclipse. All of this goes to show how these transits are undeniably linked and represent different layers of a time of momentous change in all of our lives. To figure out how these transits will impact you personally, check where the degrees between 23° Pisces and 10° Aries fall in your chart. Whatever house(s) they fall in and whatever planets you might have there will be activated during this time.
Conclusion:
Eclipses are naturally a time of major beginnings and endings. However, during this eclipse season, this is even more true, as not only the eclipses, but also Venus and Mercury will dance between the signs of Aries and Pisces - the first and last signs of the zodiac - inviting us also to participate in a somewhat uncomfortable but ultimately reviving dance between beginnings and endings. Neptune changing signs from Pisces to Aries, too, signals endings and beginnings on a collective level, especially when it comes to our ideals. This time is a call for us to recognize the intimate connection between beginnings and endings, on both a personal and collective level, and is an invitation to us all to participate in this messy, delicate, but much needed rebalancing act in our lives.
If you are curious about exploring in more depth how upcoming transits affect you personally, consider booking a personal consultation. For more information on consultations, see here.
Timeline of Key Transits:
January 28th: Venus entered pre-retrograde shadow
March 1: Mercury enters pre-retrograde shadow
March 2: Venus stations retrograde at 10° Aries
March 3: Mercury enters Aries
March 14: Lunar Eclipse at 23° Virgo
March 15: Mercury stations retrograde at 9° Aries
March 27: Retrograde Venus re-enters Pisces
March 29: Solar Eclipse at 9° Aries
March 30: Mercury moves back into Pisces, Neptune makes its first ingress into Aries
Late March/Early April: Loose conjunction between Saturn, the North Node, retrograde Venus, retrograde Mercury, and Neptune
April 7: Mercury stations direct at 26° Pisces
April 13: Venus stations direct at 24° Pisces
April 16: Mercury re-enters Aries
April 26: Mercury leaves post-retrograde shadow
April 30: Venus re-enters Aries
May 16: Venus leaves post-retrograde shadow
