Aries I and Two of Wands
March 20 - March 30: First Steps Into the Unknown
The zodiacal year begins anew in Aries I, but like Pisces III, this decan carries a strange paradox—an ending and a beginning coexisting in one moment.
Mars, the decan ruler of Aries I (and domicile lord of Aries), is currently in Cancer, a sign where his fire is tempered by water. Instead of charging ahead with unbridled force, Mars in Cancer fights for those we love, protects what we cherish, and moves forward with emotional tenacity. The impulse here is not reckless but deeply felt—a warrior’s heart softened by the weight of memory and the pull of devotion.
Decan Ruler Mars in Cancer
Looking at the chart drawn from Maryland, U.S., Mars resides in the 6th house, the place of his “joy” at the moment of ingress. This portends a vigorous yet nurturing approach to daily life over the next ten days. Whether through discipline or sheer force of will, Mars invites us to push the body and open our hearts. Advancing by trine to Saturn one last time, themes of endurance and long-term strength abound.
Though Mars’s exact trine to Saturn isn’t until April 1 (in Aries II), take advantage of the eclipse portal and reflect on these questions: “Are are taking responsibility for others in ways that hinder growth? Are you holding yourself back by clinging to past dynamics?” The upcoming soalr eclipse invites us to reclaim our power and realign with what truly matters.
The Moon’s Influence
The last quarter Moon in Capricorn on March 22 is a time to reflect on the tension between building a new foundation with intention and the fire of now! Put your bare feet on the ground and take a few deep breaths. Ask yourself: Where are you directing your energy? Are you pouring effort into fleeting tasks or something that will stand the test of time?
Amplifying the tension between slow and fast, the Moon-Mars opposition on March 23 may signal emotional intensity and conflict between our needs for security and our drive to take action. This aspect is an opportunity to respond instead of react, choosing to move forward with intention.
With Mercury and Venus in retrograde, passing back and forth over the zero point of Aries, the drive to initiate is strong. Still, we must be mindful that the focus is on correcting past actions rather than charging forward recklessly. Venus retrograde, alongside Mercury retrograde, encourages deep reflection—on how we show up, give, and receive. It is an opportunity to reassess values and commitments before taking external action.
Aries Solar Eclipse
On March 29th, we have a New Moon at 9° Aries, ruled by Mars—a partial solar eclipse visible across Europe, North Asia, North/West Africa, much of North America, and the Atlantic. This marks a pivotal shift in energy following the total lunar eclipse on March 13 in Virgo. What was eliminated or released in that eclipse may resurface as a new beginning, challenging us to step into leadership and take initiative.
Globally, Aries eclipses can stir themes of conflict, defense, and resource control. Individually, they ignite the fire of self-determination—pushing us toward bold new endeavors in career, business, and personal growth. The seeds planted now will take root in due time.
The Aries solar eclipse also marks the end of the eclipse cycle along the Aries/Libra axis. Initiating new directions includes anchoring what you’ve learned over the last 18 months. The omens suggest this has much to do with how you navigate the dance between “I” and “we.”
Two of Wands: Dominion and Determination
The Two of Wands embodies this first, decisive step forward. It is the moment of standing at the precipice, holding a vision, and daring to act on it. The card depicts a figure on a castle balcony, holding a globe in their hands—surveying the vast landscape ahead, knowing that a journey must begin though careful planning is required.
Upright Meanings:
Planning, first steps, making decisions
Leaving comfort behind, taking risks
Expanding one’s reach, setting things into motion
Reversed Meanings:
Hesitation, bad planning, overanalyzing
Playing it safe, avoiding risk
Feeling unprepared or lacking direction
The Two of Wands is a card of both inspiration and preparation. While Aries energy craves action, this card suggests pausing to clarify direction before leaping forward. If the reversed meaning resonates—if hesitation or overwhelm has set in—this is a sign to reassess. What details need to be considered? Where might impatience be clouding judgment? New ventures require both faith and a willingness to accept discomfort. Too many shy away from their dreams for fear of not having all the answers. The truth? No one ever does. The key is to start anyway.
Tarot Activity: Reflect and Draw
Take out your Two of Wands card. Spend time observing its imagery—what details capture your attention? What emotions, memories, or thoughts arise as you sit with this card?
Shuffle your deck and pull three cards to explore the following reflections:
Lessons from Aries I
Aries I asks us to step forward with courage. Yet, courage does not mean impulse or reckless abandon—it means embracing the unknown with faith—taking dominion over the self, embracing the moment, and stepping forward with purpose.
We are being called to transform visions into plans and plans into reality. Momentum builds in small steps. Discovery comes from engagement, stepping beyond the known, and immersing ourselves in new experiences.
The fire of initiation has been lit, and the path ahead is beginning to form. There is no need to have all the answers—only the courage to take the first step.
Heather Marie Morse is an esoteric writer and yoga teacher who blends the wisdom of lunar astrology with the practice of yoga through her Substack newsletter, The Light Today. Her work mainly focuses on the subtle influences of light and the moon's phases on our daily lives, aiming to harmonize our inner rhythms with the universe's natural cycles.
Accurate. Been flipping Two of Wands heavily for a bit.