This year, St. Paddy's Day may be somewhat hellish, because
the liquid-loving Pisces sun tests just how dark the dark side of Pluto can get.
Besides, a Scorpio moon on an ordinary TGIF night, and under the best of circumstances,
will challenge our powers of resistance and recuperation. Aggressive Mars isn't
supposed to provoke retrograde Mercury until Saturday evening, but we all know
that Mars tends to jump the gun. Spring arrives Monday, the 20th, at 10:26 a.m.
PST as the sun crosses from Pisces into Aries. If you intend to balance an egg
to commemorate the equinox, make sure it's a fresh one.

Aries

The spring equinox can be the shot in the arm that'll cure whatever winter
ailment got you down. If you're celebrating a birthday this week, your recovery
will benefit by the fiery Aries sun forging an alliance with sure-and-steady Saturn
in Leo. This renewal of high-spirited fire power could be just what the doctor
ordered. Because Mercury is preparing to come out of retrograde on the 25th, you
may already have an idea of what lies ahead for you and your colleagues. Plus,
the long-awaited spring romance – loving Venus favors your Mars ruler –
is slated for that weekend as well.

Taurus

Reconcile yourself to the fact that restrictive Saturn in Leo will continue to
make real estate and family matters problematic. Not that you won't assume
whatever responsibility is necessary and, as you may find out this week, benefit
every now and then from doing so. But you shouldn't let Saturn get you down
or get in the way of the generous amount of good fortune and affection directed
to you via your Venus ruler. Despite lucky Jupiter being retrograde in your partnership
house, someone will come through for you.

Gemini

Take the initiative. One of the advantages of having courageous Mars in your sign
– if only every other year – is that you're tempted to go ahead
and “Just do it!” Afterward, you can rationalize to your heart's
content. Since your retrograde Mercury ruler turns direct on the 25th (just as
Mars captures the attention of glamorous Neptune and affectionate Venus), there'll
be plenty to think and talk about. March may have come in like a lion, but it's
going out like a lamb. Will you be its sacrifice or its hero?

Cancer

The lives of all the cardinal signs – as the primary forces in the zodiac,
you know who you are – tend to revolve around solstices and equinoxes. Therefore
the arrival of spring and the astrological new year on the 20th can have as strong
an effect on a cautious Crab as it does on a rambunctious Ram. Add the powerful
feeling you'll get when the Aries new moon on the 29th introduces a fresh
lunar cycle. The total solar eclipse, which we won't see here, marks the
end of the 19-year cycle that dates from March 29, 1987 (where were you?), and
the beginning of the new one.

Leo

The arrival of spring brings different things to different signs. For sun-ruled
Leos who felt energy-deprived, it means that daylight will soon overtake darkness
and that your seasonal funk will disappear. But first, you'll have to endure
the first solar eclipse of the year without sensing that you could lose something
precious. Read for Cancer for pertinent dates and cycles. Meanwhile, amorous Venus
and artistic Neptune, meeting in your Aquarius marriage house, are offering an
array of sensual and spiritual highs. Sweet.

Virgo

Since Virgins are supersensitive to the movements of Mercury, their ruling planet,
try to remember that even though Mercury is coming out of its three-week retrogression
on the 25th, it won't advance past the degree in Pisces at which it flipped
until April 13. That also happens to be the date of the Aries-Libra full moon,
Passover and Holy Thursday. Until then, basically you'll be playing a refined
game of catch-up. Let's pretend that you appreciate the time to reflect
and revise that these retrograde sessions afford you.

Libra

Spring can really hang you up the most. No kidding. The sun's crossing into
Aries, the sign of your cosmic partner, puts a lot of pressure on the “couple”
aspect of Libra and your innate desire, not to mention your ability, to achieve
and maintain harmony. Luckily, you'll get a boost from the glorious meeting
between your Venus ruler and ethereal, idealistic Neptune in Aquarius, the sign
of your cosmic “bit on the side.” Add the passion Mars brings to the
party, and by the 25th, you could be head over heels.

Scorpio

Money might not buy you love, but it could get you out of the jam you find yourself
in around St. Patrick's Day. Plus, shortly after Mercury turns direct on
the 25th, more money may find you. That's when Jupiter in Scorpio attracts
the opportunities lucky, lovable Venus is offering. You could feel doubly blessed
that weekend because your ballsy Mars co-ruler is protected by the benign vibe
of Neptune. Play your cards right, and another of those romantic Venus-Mars liaisons
will be just around the corner.

Sagittarius

Like Rams and Lions, the other fire-sign creatures, Centaurs can't wait
for the spring equinox and the high spirits that the Aries sun infuses us with.
Especially because Aries governs our house of romance, recreation and the risks
we relish taking. Before long, a good time will be had by all. Although it might
not affect us directly, having sexy Mars in our Gemini marriage house, particularly
while it's being befriended by affable Venus and artistic Neptune, can't
help but make the atmosphere at home lovelier-looking, and perhaps more loving
too.

Capricorn

It's taken most of the winter, but your stalwart Saturn ruler will finally
get the positive reinforcement it (and you) deserves when the Aries sun trines
Saturn on the 24th. As we get further into spring, more planets will be transiting
Aries, so the word of mouth will improve as well. Window-shop to your heart's
content, but put off buying what you think looks good until Mercury turns direct
on the 25th and the gorgeous Venus-Neptune conjunction heightens your awareness
of beauty. Their merger can also illuminate your spiritual side.

Aquarius

We all know that Aquarians are very popular people. Look at Ellen and Oprah. However,
this weekend, as Venus and Neptune, the higher octave of the goddess, meet in
your sign, we will see just how beautiful and talented you are. If ever there
was an ideal time for a stylist and a makeover, this is it. But with lascivious
and energetic Mars in your Gemini house of romance lavishing his attention, you
might not have time to buy, much less wear, clothes. If romance doesn't
consume you, a spurt of creativity will.

Pisces

Consider the consequences when speaking your mind. While Mercury is retrograde
in Pisces, careless words could come back to haunt you. After Mercury turns direct
on the 25th, there's still a shadow period to get through. Continue to be
circumspect until the great gossipmonger advances beyond the degree at which it
flipped when March began. Once Mercury clears its shadow on April 13, you'll
be in the clear as well. Right now, however, your Neptune ruler is reflecting
how great you look and how desirable you are.

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