Mars turns direct on the 10th, signifying a time of renewed action. The warrior planet, who is happiest when engaged in activity, will now be a great ally when tackling all those tasks requiring attention. Utilise the potential of this period of activity wisely in combination with the other planetary movement for the month, before the days start getting shorter and the nights longer in the southern hemisphere.

The Sun: On 20 March at 17:32 GMT the Vernal or March equinox will occur.

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the Sun being vertically above a point on the Equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long. It may be better understood to mean that latitudes + L and - L north and south of the equator experience nights of equal length. (Reference 1)

This Vernal or March equinox symbolises a time of death and rebirth, a period of new beginnings and change and offers great opportunities to start afresh. Just as we ‘spring clean' in the southern hemisphere when it is the Autumnal or September equinox, so too are we able to apply that principle at this time. Using the energy of Mars who will have turned direct, this is an ideal opportunity to clear any debris from our lives on all levels – spiritually, emotionally and physically. This may be difficult during the first two weeks of March leading up to the Vernal equinox, with Mercury in Pisces wanting to hold onto things where “sell-by” dates have expired, but the effort invested in this soul-searching and subsequent action to correct any imbalances in our lives, will be well worth it.

Examples of importance attached to the Vernal or March equinox:

• The March equinox marks the first day of various calendars including the Iranian calendar and the Bahá'í calendar. The Persian ( Iranian ) New Year's festival of Nowruz is celebrated then. According to the ancient Persian mythology Jamshid, the mythological king of Persia, ascended to the throne on this day and each year this is commemorated with festivities for two weeks. These festivities recall the story of creation and the ancient cosmology of Iranian and Persian people. It is also a holiday for Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, India, Turkey, Zanzibar, Albania, and various countries of Central Asia, as well as among the Kurds. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday, it is also a holy day for adherents of the Bahá'í Faith and the Nizari Ismaili Muslims.
• Sham El Nessim was an ancient Egyptian holiday which can be traced back as far as 2700 B.C. It is still one of the public holidays in Egypt. Sometime during Egypt's Christian period (c. 200-639) the date moved to Easter Monday, but before then it coincided with the vernal equinox.
• The Jewish Passover usually falls on the first full moon after the Northern Hemisphere vernal equinox, although occasionally (7 times every 19 years) it will occur on the second full moon.
• The Christian churches calculate Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox. The official church definition for the equinox is March 21; however, as the Eastern Orthodox Churches use the older Julian calendar, while the Western Churches use the Gregorian calendar, both of which designate March 21 as the equinox, the actual date of Easter differs. The earliest possible Easter date in any year is therefore March 22 on each calendar. The latest possible Easter date in any year is April 25.
• World Citizen Day occurs on the March equinox. (Reference 2)

Venus moves into her detriment in Aries on the 7th and opposes Saturn the great malefic on the 9th. Although Saturn is currently ruled by Venus and will not wish her excessive harm, an opposition brings things together only to split them apart, or with regret. It is prudent to avoid confrontation with your partner in March, especially if the relationship was only formed in February when Venus was in exaltation. Rather apply patience and tolerance and wait until April when she moves into her own sign of Taurus before you tackle any profound issues.

Mercury enters Pisces on 2 March until his ingress into Aries on the 18th. Pisces is the celestial house of Jupiter and Mercury is in detriment and fall in Pisces. Jupiter is about the big stuff and Mercury about the little stuff. Mercury wants to assimilate information, not give it away, therefore in Pisces, which is mutable water, he is deeply distressed. Ensure that during this period you apply caution to Mercurial matters, knowing when to retain information, documents and the like and when to relinquish. Mercury will also conjunct Jupiter on the 8th adding to the potential to possibly divulge information or secrets which are best kept to oneself.