Aries Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
For Aries, March always does the reverse of the clich´: It comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion. That’s because the Sun is in Pisces, your restful 12th house, for the first three weeks. It’s an introspective time, best for turning inward, reflecting on the past year and tying up loose ends before your birthday. On March 19, the Sun moves into Aries, followed by an Aries new moon on the 22nd. Get ready for a jump-start that will energize your personal projects and ambitions. The Aries new moon is connected to mental Mercury and change maker Uranus. You’re ready for a radical break from the past, and a bold move toward your personal truth. Exciting and unexpected news could be part of the picture, as could technology.

There’s a small hitch, however. From March 12 through April 4, communication planet Mercury will be retrograde (moving backward), first in Aries, and then backing into Pisces on the 23rd. So even as you’re psyched to push into new terrain, there may be some unfinished business, loopholes and naysayers to navigate. Use this cycle to clean up your image — and your karma. Like a politician hitting the campaign trail, you can expect that any “dirty deeds” will be dug up. Patch things up anywhere that closure is needed.

Mercury retrograde is also notorious for causing computer crashes, travel delays and communication breakdowns. Back up your digital files, especially personal work and photos. Delete that gossipy email before it goes out over the company servers—unless you want it to end up in the wrong hands. Leave early for appointments, and avoid making any radical changes to your appearance during this time (think: make-under, not makeover.)

Your ruling planet Mars is also retrograde until mid-April in your sixth house of health and organization. Take extra care not to stress yourself out or to let things get too chaotic and cluttered. The March 8 Virgo full moon is a great time to open up a can of feng shui on that disaster area you’re calling a desk, or to cut an anxiety-provoking situation out of your life for good.

LOVE & ROMANCE
March brings its share of ups and downs, and it could test your patience at moments. That’s because three planets — Mercury, Mars and Saturn — are all in low-power retrograde position, forcing you to go back to the drawing board at times. From March 12 through April 4, communication planet Mercury is retrograde, causing you to be wildly misunderstood at moments (especially for the first 10 days, while it’s in Aries). When Mercury backs into Pisces, you may have a “blast from the past” — perhaps some unhealed emotions that come up, or an ex who contacts you. If you’re considering giving someone a second chance, make sure this person has truly changed his or her difficult ways. The core of any conflict will need to be addressed if you’re going to move forward in your personal life.

In the meantime, your ruling planet Mars is retrograde in your stressful sixth house, which could bring out some control issues, some due to your own perfectionism or unrealistic standards. Your short fuse will need a proper outlet, lest you lash out at your loved ones. Aries, as superhuman as you can be, everyone has a limit, and now is not the time to do your best Atlas impersonation.

Learning how to be supported — or how to receive without becoming dependent — is a big Aries lesson. With maturity planet Saturn retrograde in your relationship house from February 7 through June 25, it’s time to tackle interdependence, and all its wily ways. Your sign can be fiercely individualistic, sometimes to the point of stubborn short-sightedness. Other times, the folks in your life might secretly want to hang “no dumping” signs on their doors when you come knocking. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, Saturn will give you a reality check, and also an opportunity to correct course. Wherever you’re acting like an entitled diva or stubbornly digging in your heels, surrender. Same goes for wherever you’re refusing to be helped, supported and loved.

Your best strategy for all this March madness? Whenever life gets complicated, slow down. The best thing you can do is stay in the present and fully experience each moment — no matter how tedious some parts of your life might be. Romantic Venus is in sensual Taurus, your practical and grounded second house. While we’re not advising sticking your head in the sand, a pinch of denial will do ya. (We kid.) It’s more like a refocus: Turn your mental camera off of its panoramic setting and switch to a close-up view. Focus on the things you can change and influence, and find some gratitude for each moment. Do little things to pamper and please yourself throughout the day.

MONEY & CAREER
Social and seductive Venus spends the month in Taurus, your second house of work and money. It’s time to woo your way up the ladder of success by being a class act. With lucky and expansive Jupiter also in Taurus, this is a great month to attend any VIP events, to splurge on those black-tie-benefit tickets (where you can rub shoulders with fellow game-changers), or even to meet new business contacts while you travel. Is your wardrobe due for some new staples? Venus in Taurus helps you invest in some well-chosen work basics (black pants, wear-anywhere heels, a fitted blazer); you might even want to splurge on a couple of pricier-but-timeless pieces that will flatter you for the long haul. As Coco Chanel said, “Fashion fades; only style remains the same.”

On March 8, the Virgo full moon brings a power surge to your sixth house of systems and organization. Is it time to control the chaos in your home or office? Zero in on whichever part of your life is causing the most consternation. Perhaps you need to hire an expert, even on an hourly basis or for a short-term assignment. Why struggle when someone else can do it with ease? Time is money, so don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re saving a few dollars by going DIY — those hours could be much better spent.

Looking to make a fresh start or to debut a personal project? The March 22 Aries new moon could be a favorable date, but think more “soft launch” or “rough cut” than full-scale rollout. While this date technically serves as your personal new year, Mercury is also retrograde, an unfavorable time to put out anything new and untested. It might be best to dream up a rewarding new scheme or two, and then wait until Mercury resumes direct (forward) motion on April 4 before you actualize it.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Staying healthy and keeping stress at bay can take extra effort until next month. Your ruling planet Mars is retrograde in Virgo, your well-being house, and you could be burning the candle at both ends. Staying organized can also be tough — if there was ever a time for interns, housecleaning services or delegating overall, this is it. Stock up on prevention, too: vitamins, Emergen-C packets to use at the sound of the first sneeze. Download green-juice queen Kris Carr’s new e-book “Crazy Sexy Juices and Succulent Smoothies” at crazysexyjuice.com. And don’t forget to take it easy. With the Sun in Pisces, your restful 12th house, until March 19, you could use some extra sleep, a trip to the day spa and a lighter schedule whenever possible.

The March 8 Virgo full moon puts your health in the spotlight, and this is a good day to make any much-needed changes. Full moons bring points of manifestation, insight and closure. Is there a habit you’re ready to kick, like smoking or overworking? Strive for more balance in your life. This is also a good time to schedule those overdue checkups and doctor appointments, to make sure your health is in optimum shape.