So, New Year’s Day was January 1. Lunar New Year kicked off February 4. But we’re not done with new beginnings yet! The astrological new year (when we start Aries season, the first sign in the zodiac) is coming up. And in honor of this fresh start, we’ve given Cosmic Health a bit of a makeover—to reflect the fact that astrology is not only crazy popular, it is creating increasingly sophisticated readers who can talk retrogrades and a rising suns with the best of them. Here, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi gives you an extra in-depth look at the whole week rather than day-by-day guidance, delving deeper into the cosmic conditions shaping the next few days (and giving you lots of fodder for celestial chats with your astro-obsessed pals).

As we embrace the last full week of winter, we come to an ending—perhaps many. Astrologically we are wrapping up the sun’s transit through the last sign of the zodiac, before forging forward into a fresh new beginning. On March 20, the sun moves from Pisces into Aries, marking the vernal equinox. Zero degrees of Aries initiates the beginning of the zodiac, so many astrologers refer to the vernal equinox as the astrological new year.

When the sun moves into the sign of the Ram, as it will on March 20 at 5:58 p.m. Eastern, it crosses the equator, creating relatively equal lengths of day and night. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, represents cardinal fire, meaning it encourages bold action—the perfect influence to charge forward! As the sun’s light begins to wax in the northern hemisphere the season of spring brings an increase of energy and vitality.

Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, represents cardinal fire, meaning it encourages bold action—the perfect influence to charge forward!

Until then, however, the sun drudges through the last degrees of Pisces, making this week a time to feel, heal, and tune into our emotional intelligence—big time. Midweek will require ample patience, attention to detail, and compassion. The cosmic curriculum needs us to embrace a cycle of endings as we make way for the new beginnings afoot.

Please make room for your emotions, especially the tough ones like sadness, grief, and hard to name emotions that just feel “off.”

And in Mercury retrograde news…

As Mercury continues to travel retrograde alongside the sun in the sign of the fish, the two will conjoin at 9:47 p.m. Eastern on March 14, marking a critical moment of the retrograde process. Mercury seemingly travels backward (remember it doesn’t actually go backward; it is just how it appears from the perspective of the earth) and he switches places with the sun. As the two meet up at the same degree of Pisces amidst changing positions, we find ourselves in the crux of the retrograde heart. Meaning, this is a time to intuit soul-driven guidance, tap into the power of lucid dreaming, and expand the capacity for compassion.

Consequently, it might also feel like Mercury—the planet of communication, the prankster—toys with your plans.

Yet, fear not. Instead, take advantage of this cosmic positioning, and allow for things to unfold (or unravel) as they must! Even more so because Jupiter, the planet of optimism travels in bold Sagittarius while squaring (making a sharp angle to) the sun-Mercury conjunction in mutable water. Translation: Emotions will likely feel significant, even overwhelming. Your job is to stay with it, and not check out!

Here comes a T-square—and here’s what that means…

Another reason March 14 is a big day? The waxing quarter moon, a critical moment in the lunar cycle, also occurs then, at 6:23 a.m. Eastern at 23 degrees of Gemini. The moon in Gemini is ruled by Mercury, which as stated above will be moving into an exact conjunction (or cazimi) with the sun. Forming a mutable T-square between the sun/Mercury and Jupiter, the waxing quarter moon in Gemini requires temperance and attention to detail.

A T-square means that three planets (or in this case four because Mercury and the sun are conjoined) find themselves at an astrological standoff. In this example, the sun and Mercury conjoined at 24 degrees of Pisces, square the moon in Gemini creating the waxing quarter moon. Meanwhile, Jupiter in Sagittarius also squares the sun/Mercury conjunction while opposing the moon. Since this happens in mutable signs (or signs that prepare us for change) this astrological gridlock, known as a mutable T-square, puts pressure on us to adapt to the changes on the horizon.

It’s a moment of reconciliation that requires attention to details. So, go slow. Double check everything and tune into your intuition. While it may feel frustrating, there’s a good reason to believe it’s exceptionally fruitful too.

…and here come your exes (maybe)

Stay on the lookout for ghosts from your past reappearing for reconciliation. Old business asks for attention, including unfinished healing and half-felt feelings that still need to be acknowledged before your body can dislodge them.

The good news though is that the sun, Neptune and Mercury all traveling in the mutable, water Pisces, make a harmonious sextile to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn as well a Mars in Taurus, imbuing the week with very practical and grounded vibes, too. And, most importantly Mars in Taurus sends a beam of good luck to Saturn via an earth trine (this also happens on…March 14!).

On top of that, Uranus, which just moved from Aries to Taurus last week settles into its new position—a sign it’ll be in for many years to come—while the waxing moon magnetizes our hopes and dreams. Venus in Aquarius asks us to take a stand for our authenticity, and do things our way.

Decisions made now, despite the retrograde activity, have power!

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success.