As the cold weather starts to ebb here in the Northern Hemisphere, new beginnings sprout. We’re now approaching the astrological new year and a full supermoon in Libra. And as we do, we notice the reappearance of the sun and later sunsets, as well as the scent of things starting to grow just beyond our sight. On Wednesday, March 20th, we welcome the official start of spring with the equinox. With it, the universe ushers in the opportunity for our own personal fresh starts (even in the midst of Mercury retrograde!).
This is the energy of the equinox and the restart of the zodiac calendar: fire, emerging and leveraging our physical body to chase our dreams.
The Astrological New Year: Restarting The Calendar On The Ecliptic
While Eastern traditions consider late January the start of the new year via the Chinese zodiac, in tropical western astrology Aries, or the Spring Equinox, commences the zodiacal beginning. The moment the Sun moves from the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces, into Aries at 5:58 PM ET on March 20th, when the Sun hovers over the equator, we enter into cardinal fire.
Think of it this way… While we’re planted firmly on Earth, our planet is tracing a path around our stationary sun. This path—the ecliptic—along with the tilt of Earth’s axis, allows us to relate to different constellations at different times of the year. It looks like the sky and the stars are moving, but actually, it’s us. We live on the earth, that rotates on its axis while traveling around the sun. As we travel around the Sun, our vantage point and proximity changes.
How the Zodiac Works
As someone who studies the cosmos for a living, I’ve come to believe that the Earth’s transit through Universe exposes us to different potentials throughout the year. As we enter into the season of Aries, we become hardwired to initiate new beginnings. From the perspective of chronobiology, we respond to either the sun’s climax or decline (depending on where we are in the world) and this activates the rhythms that guide our life.
So, while we say, “the sun moves into 0 degrees in Aries” at the equinox, in reality, the sun isn’t moving at all. We’re moving, and in doing so, we sidestep the sun and clearly absorb and experience the energy of this constellation.
Tapping Into Aries Season: Connection Through Movement
As above, so below. In the words of New York Times write, Nicholas St. Fleur “The spring equinox is a point in Earth’s orbit where the sun shines directly above the Equator, creating nearly equal periods of daytime and nighttime across the globe.” And with the sun shining so brightly on the equator, symbolically we resume a connection to balance.
Thank goodness, because who can’t use a bit celestial balance in their lives?
This “movement” in the sky is a signal for our own cells to shift. Aries asks us to use the insight and intuitive hits we received during Pisces season to resume forward motion again.
Aries is the sign of the stalwart ram and is ruled by passionate and fiery Mars. With the sun in this sign, you can expect a gust of physical energy, willpower, grit, and maybe even a calling to step into a leadership role.
How will you leverage this powerful energy to write the first chapter of a new story?
This is the season of blossoming, love. Use the reserves you’ve built up all winter to extend your unique and essential energy forth in the world. Unfurl your petals, spread your wings. You can support this external fire energy by paying extra attention to your relationships with the masculine/Mars. Take concrete steps toward your goals, and make extra time in your schedule to move your body.
Full Moon In Libra: Finding Balance In Relationships
On the same day we welcome the spring equinox and Aries season in the Northern Hemisphere, we also get a supermoon in Libra. This is rare for the equinox and full moon to concurrently occur.
Libra (balance) is the sign opposite of Aries (independence), and a full moon happens when the sun and moon oppose one another. Think about it: the earth and sun align so that the sun shines directly above the equator. And at the same time, the sun and the moon align so that the moon stands opposite of the sun. Here the moon is capable of receiving the sun’s light and reflecting it back to as a full moon.
This moon highlights the push and pull between independence and our relationship with the greater good.
If you’re feeling this internal tug, you’re not alone. I’ve spent the past month (past year, really!) exploring the connection between my personal and professional goals and how I show up in my relationships. Letting some things go so I could be emotionally closer with my husband and strengthen the bonds of our marriage was one of my top priorities. And, I’ve had to move my physical body to the hustle of Manhattan so I can be with him as I write my book and simultaneously, serve my community.
To be clear, after so much exploration of where I do best in life, I am clear it’s not NYC. However, as I round out my tenth year of marriage to a partner I love more than life, I am making a compromise, and am spending more time in the city, so that I can support him with his career.
Thankfully, (on the Equinox), I’ll be getting the keys to a new apartment, an apartment I consciously chose so I could be super close to my gym, Central Park, and the library where I spend most of my time these days writing. I am optimizing my life in the city, and of course, still, spend lots of time upstate—my literal sweet spot.
This is my version of balance. It’s a fresh start that helps me honor the clear boundaries I have with my time and energy while showing up to the best of my ability for my husband.
How are you balancing the dichotomy of Me (Aries) vs. We (Libra) in your life
This full moon occurs at 0 degrees in Libra at 9:42 pm ET on March 20th. It happens with Venus in Aquarius and Mars in Taurus in a square (a harsh angle), while the sun conjoins Chiron. As a supermoon, this full moon travels close to earth, amplifying emotions. Saturn, Pluto, and the moon’s south node (which symbolizes past life karmas) come into very close orbit with one another in a trine to Mars, amplifying the intensity of this full supermoon even more.
Since this full moon opposes the sun/Chiron conjunction, now’s not the time to avoid looking at the dark parts of ourselves that prevent us from forwarding movement. Even with Mercury retrograde until March 28th, you’ve gotta make some choices.
Thankfully the equinox happens on the same day as the Libra full moon—a full moon in the sign of balance on the day of balance between light and dark—so aim for equanimity. Look to find the place within that helps you stay centered no matter what. With so much energy swirling about in the cosmos, it’s no wonder it’s tempting to want to hide away and avoid the world around us (hello, Mercury retrograde, anyone?). However, I urge you to practice cultivating equanimity instead.
Cultivating Equanimity on the Most Equanimous Day of the Year
In the ancient Yogic and Buddhist practices, equanimity is known as upekkhā or upekṣā, and is the fourth of the brahmaviharas. Cultivating equanimity means accepting, or even welcoming, both “good” and “bad” experiences with equal fervor, knowing that you can enjoy both. Each is fleeting and teaches us something unique about ourselves. While this can sometimes be misconstrued as being detached from reality, this belief is a misunderstood one at best.
Equanimity means allowing yourself to be influenced, moved, and inspired by the happenings of the world around you without allowing it to disturb your peace within. It’s the symbolism of the ocean’s choppy surface and her deep stillness. It is not indifference to suffering or bliss. Rather, it’s the acceptance of the fluctuations of life that come hand-in-hand with being a human on this planet. It allows for a peaceful inner existence, despite the excitement, horror, and other emotional twists and turns that present themselves to us on a daily basis.
So, we can look at the sky and curse it, hide in our beds, or lash out at the world around us. Or, we can do as the Buddhists and Yogis do, and thank the cosmos for offering us the opportunity to practice. Remember, this too shall pass.
17 Comments
Ruby 03/19/19
What’s coming up for me is finding the me in the we, valuing myself and the other, learning to hate and love and to choose love because It’s more constructive vs the destruction fear and hate bring❤️
Vaishnavi V 03/20/19
So beautiful article. I need to find equanimity in areas where I’m giving more and receiving less. There needs to be the fucking balance. Also thank u for reminding to move the body, like the Spring season 🌱🌼💮🌺🌷🌹🌻🌸🔥🐯
Linda 03/20/19
I so appreciate your post. I feel now that balance is what I want and need most. And what I will concentrate on! Love your work!
Debra Benton 03/20/19
Today, I am at a lake campground with hundreds of like-minded campers for a conference so finding a balance of exploring ideas and networking with reflection to really determine what our next steps should be. I found a smaller group of like-minded women to do yoga and have a full moon ceremony by the lake tonight so looking forward to that meditative quiet after a day of people and information. I love this idea of balance as well as the fact that it is a new year. It does feel like a good time to start over and re-focus on my intentions to find my path, more than the Jan or even Chinese new years. Thank you for these insights!
Tracy Flaherty 03/20/19
Being ok with just being. Showing up for myself and the people I love most and letting go of any relationships not serving my highest good! Good luck in your new apartment. I love NYC!
Meredith Bazirgan 03/20/19
Accepting a new job that may not be the right fit. Learning to be more forthcoming as things become more clear about my wants and needs regarding the balance I need right now between raising my kids and honoring that commitment in a way that feels right and trying to fit in parts of my career that feel right too. Many thanks.
Maureen Stewart 03/20/19
Being a Libra I feel I am always seeking the balance or equanimity everyday of my life.!! Juggling what and how much I give to others, with what and how much I give to myself. It’s my eternal challenge! In the next couple of months, I am trying to focus on a long delayed personal creative project. I am so eager and hopeful to manifest this!
Jennifer 03/20/19
Equanimity YES! Feeling all the feels with this, how do I do the right thing for me personally if it may not benefit the planet/humanity given where we’re at with extinction… also holding what’s the bloody point ?? and the challenge of equanimity between being vs doing… oof big q
Jennifer 03/20/19
Feeling all the feels with equanimity… how can I choose what feels good for me if I don’t think it’s good for planet/humanity in these pre extinction times? How can I get the equanimity of being vs doing right… And if this is a super moon in Libra and my sign is Libra, will I be feeling this more??? Thanks as always for your wisdom. Onwards to equanimity x
Rachel 03/20/19
Like you, I’ve sacrificed my career goals to be closer to my love. I did apply for a job that I thought would be the balance, and I was well qualified, but no interview. Interestingly, my reactive response was a bit indifferent. I’ve started Vipassana meditation and I feel this is helping with like what you said – equanimity. I’m not sure what my next step is but hopefully it will come soon…
Jennifer 03/20/19
Thank You for this wonderful article – It is my actual birthday at the full moon – I was born 57 years ago at 0 degree Aries Sun and 0 degree Libra Moon – So for me – this birthday in particular is a re-birth opportunity!!! From a Solar Return chart – this is going to be a significant year.
Your article has given me insight and inspiration to seek ‘equaniminty’ amidst the chaos and divinity of life – This has been a life long lesson
Bless You Jennifer for your wisdom sharing
Jacqueline 03/20/19
I’m traveling overseas to be with my dad, who’s very sick. This article was well timed and meaningful for me, thank you so much. It is such a struggle to see him suffering like this – I will try to keep equanimity in my heart and mind.
Bethany 03/20/19
I’m currently juggling a lot, between two part-time jobs and starting my coaching business. I’ve been telling myself constantly, “this is temporary” and practicing being with my emotions and welcoming them – ALL of them. This is helping me find balance in what otherwise could feel a very overwhelming situation with a lot to do and a lot more I wish I could do. I’m having to brutally prioritize on all levels of my life and realize that two of my part-time jobs will end at the beginning of May and I’ll be moving and entering a totally new chapter.
Ellie 03/20/19
I appreciated the remark on upekkha. Today in particular I experienced an uncomfortable confrontation that upset my inner apple cart. I used my tried and true strategies to find inner peace in the storm and yet, at the same time I allowed myself to feel the anger and frustration knowing it’s ok to be human too. Honestly, I too often want to bend to others who are confrontational for the sake of maintaining peace (Libra here) but today I decided I wasn’t interested in tolerating other people’s BS just to keep the peace. It felt good to rise to my own power and not be walked all over while still maintaining professionalism and not having it completely ruin my day!
Terri 03/20/19
Thank you so much for this insight, and the one before as well recommending sobriety,
which I am currently really struggling with.
Your work always resonates with me and I actually feel guided. Much appreciated.
Hope you love your new apartment.
EMILY SUSAN PITCHER 03/20/19
Beautifully written and so needed to remember equanimity…and the equinox as a metaphor. I’m going head first manifesting a new direction with my career but wow, have the shadows been coming up. But now light is shed upon these rather than just living in their darkness…
Nikky 03/21/19
Funny enough I’m an Aries who always chose the we over me as I am a single parent of 3 daughters. Not to say single parents need do that or have too but I chose that, fully engaging in parenthood as my full identity. I realize that sacrifice has come at a cost to myself and I’m now creating my business to support the me while still being there for the girls. I’ve chosen to focus on self care and to build myself up to who I feel I am as a person. This is the gift I’m giving myself which will also benefit those in my life.