The first sign of spring and of the zodiac is Aries, ruled by Mars. At this Spring Equinox, Mars is not only in Aries (from Feb. 19 until March 31), it's within one degree of the dwarf planet, Eris, passing it March 21. Eris is the instigator of chaos, discord, rivalry and fighting for the truth. It emphasizes strong independence and self-reliance. This can apply to both genders, though Eris's time in Aries (1926-2048) particularly prods women toward their strength and coincides with the Feminist Movement.

When Mars and Eris (brother and sister in mythology) pair up, they spark reckless aggression, flaring tempers and conflicts involving impatience or competition. Weapons may be involved. Equinoxes mark times when situations have a widespread impact. A Solar Eclipse foists new conditions upon us and instigates major developments. With this Eclipse occurring in Pisces as its ruler is potently placed in this sign, the associations of Pisces and Neptune come to the fore: religions and beliefs predominate, medical matters and drugs are highlighted, oppression and suffering more noticeable, and the oceans cannot be ignored.

Mars was last in Aries at a Spring Equinox in 2013. Don't let that fool you into thinking this occurs frequently. Before that, it happened in 2000, 1998, 1983, 1981, 1968, 1966 (when, like this year, it was also conjunct Eris by only a degree) and 1951 (when there was a Lunar Eclipse two days later).

There seems to be a pattern of Mars in Aries at the Spring Equinox occurring in pairs two years apart with intervals of 13-15 years in between. Next up: 2028, 2030, 2045 and 2047. Of ALL these years, spanning a century, the Equinox coincides with a Solar Eclipse like this ONLY in 2015. (In 2007, there was a Solar Eclipse at 28 degrees of Pisces but without Mars in Aries.) So this combination truly is very rare!

Just to be sure, I searched further for another occurrence like this one. I found Mars was in Aries at the Spring Equinox in 1904 with a Solar Eclipse on March 16 at 26 Pisces. That's the closest similarity and of course Neptune was not in Pisces then and Eris was not in Aries. In 1928, there was a regular New Moon (not an eclipse) at the Spring Equinox at 0 degrees of Aries and in 1913, there was a Lunar Eclipse one day after the Spring Equinox. Mars was in Aries at the Spring Equinox in 1919 and 1921 (while Eris was still in Pisces) and again in 1934 (when Mars was in a 3-degree conjunction to Eris, without an Eclipse) and in 1936, without a conjunction to Eris.

Meanwhile, Aries energy abounds! Uranus is also working its way (rather slowly) through Aries (2010-2019) as is the South Node of the Moon (3/22/14-10/9/15). The South and North Nodes are the intersections of the Moon-Earth and Earth-Sun orbits, indicating the area of the zodiac where Eclipses can occur. The South Node signals the sign energy that comes easily but can become a trap, blocking our growth (which is shown by the North Node's sign). Currently, the North Node in Libra wants us to be more peaceful and negotiating while the Aries South Node says it's all too easy to fall back into old competitive mindsets and slip into conflicts.

At the Spring Equinox, SIX factors are in Aries: the Sun (which is true every year, by definition), the Moon (because this is a New Moon phase), the South Node (which is why this New Moon is a Solar Eclipse), long-term Eris and Uranus, and speedy Mars. Hold your hat! (Aries rules the head.)

Before the winter ends, other key planets make themselves heard. On Saturday, March 14, Saturn did its once-a-year pivot, turning Retrograde. It will backtrack until August 2, retracing its steps from Sagittarius into Scorpio for one last visit there (June 14 to Sept 7). As it appears to stop, it hangs at four degrees of Sagittarius a month before and after the March 14 directional change. Anyone with a natal planet around that degree undergoes a test of patience or principles now. (This could also apply to planets at 3-5 degrees of Gemini, Virgo or Pisces.)

When Saturn is Retrograde, it's a good time to review your use of time, how you run your schedule (or if your schedule runs you!) and the rules you enforce with yourself and others about your time. Saturn in Sagittarius inclines us to be very flexible and easy-going about time and rules. The return into Scorpio brings extremes or more rigidity. On the plus side, it does represent a period to revamp your credit rating or straighten out financial or investment matters.

The last of seven squares between Uranus and Pluto comes on March 16. The pressure this 90-degree angle puts on so many facets of life will not let up any time soon, though. These two planets of change will be in this friction relationship of nearly 90 degrees apart for some time to come, including at the April 4 Lunar Eclipse, when the Moon and Sun form a T-square pattern with them.

You can hear about all of this on a free podcast on my website from a lecture I did in November 2014 about the year 2015. And of course, there are multiple mentions of it in the 2015 Janet's Plan-its calendar (available in print or as a Kindle book).

If you're a fan of Janet's Plan-its, I would so appreciate it if you could post a positive review on Amazon to help find new customers. And even if you already have the print calendar, you might want the ebook. It's great to carry around with you in any device that has a Kindle reader. The cost is a mere $4.49! This "Quick & Easy" modified version has the day ratings and messages, weekly highlights in English, Best & Worst Days list, Star Pages and Keywords. The information from 2015 On a Page is included in list form.

You probably have to be registered with Amazon as a shopper to write a review. For either version, scroll down past the product information to find the area to write a review: print version or Kindle version.

I thank you for your help with spreading the word about Janet's Plan-its! AND if you don't have the 2015 book, you'll be happy to hear the price has just been reduced to $12.98 ($6 off the original list price).

Speaking of prices, my consultation fees are going up as of May 1, 2015. To take advantage of the current pricing, pay by April 30 and schedule by June 30.

This month, I am presenting at two events for the Astrological Society of Connecticut. On Thursday, March 19, I will do a lecture, Exploring Eris, in Wethersfield. On March 21, I am doing a workshop called Follow The Ruler in Middletown about the importance across one's life of the planets that rule the Sun, Moon and Rising signs. Details are in Janet Sightings on my website and you can pre-register online for the workshop or just show up at the door.