Why This Week’s Supermoon Could Bring About Sudden, Major Change

Last week you prepped for the astrological new year, and this week it's here! On Wednesday the zodiac cycle starts over—and BTW there's a major supermoon happening as well. What does that mean? In a word: transformation. Here, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi trains her expert eye on the next few days, for the 411 on what's coming up.

Mercury is in retrograde until March 28, and as trickster Mercury continues to retrace its steps in Pisces this week, depths of old emotions are being drudged up—asking you to release that which you no longer need (perhaps through yet another cathartic cry). On March 20 at 5:58 p.m. Eastern, the sun exits the sign of the fish, entering into Aries. Yes! With the sun moving into a cardinal fire sign, initiating a new season and kicking off a fresh zodiacal start, the length of day and night equalize. From an astrological perspective, the sun's entrance into Aries reignites the zodiac.

Ironically though, this year, it also happens to coincide with the sun and moon opposing one another, activating a full moon at zero degrees of Libra.

With the sun at zero degrees of Aries, and the moon at zero degrees of Libra, signs that initiate seasons and fresh starts, this full moon brings a serious omen of change.

The full moon this week, occurring just a few hours after the sun enters into Aries at 9:42 p.m. on March 20, occurs in cardinal Libra, highlighting the dichotomy between "me" (Aries) and "we" (Libra). With the sun at zero degrees of Aries, and the moon at zero degrees of Libra, signs that initiate seasons and fresh starts, this full moon brings a serious omen of change. Since the full moon happens at zero degrees of Libra, we feel the power of the moon in Libra for two multiple nights; the moon doesn’t leave Libra until 10:16 p.m. Eastern on Friday, March 22. Because of this, we'll feel the impact in our relationships. If there are issues that need to surface, let them.

See things through fresh eyes and allow yourself to digest what's occurring. Libra, the sign of justice, has an incredible sense of tenacity. Often thought of as people pleasing and indecisive, Libra has incredible ferocity and knows how to stand up for what it believes in.

This full moon is also the third super full moon in a row. Supermoons mean that the full moon is particularly close to the earth, amplifying the moon's gravitational pull, and often exasperating emotions too. The moon will appear brighter, so be sure to go outside and see it. Though, more importantly, pay close attention to how you feel. Remember, as above, so below, and this full moon's impact will likely help you become incredibly clear about the next steps you need to take. So, take note.

This particular full moon is a critical time to consider how you can alchemize your pain into action, and use it to help others.

Meanwhile, as we settle into Aries season, it's a time to reconsider your ambitions (it’s the astrological new year after all) as the sun moves into a conjunction with the asteroid Chiron, too. Chiron represents the wounded healer. It asks us to look at our wounding as a way to source our wisdom, making this particular a full moon a critical time to consider how you can alchemize your pain into action, and use it to help others. In other words, what have you learned from your challenges, and how can you channel those lessons into being of service to others?

The Saturn-Pluto dance—and what it means

At the same time, Saturn and Pluto travel very close to one another in Capricorn right by the south node of past karmas, and the intensity of the applying conjunction between these titans of the sky build. Saturn and Pluto will officially rendezvous at the same degree in Capricorn in 2020—and this is a huge deal. Over the next couple of years, these two planets fuse their energies, asking to see unhealthy power dynamics, and change them. And for the next several weeks, we’ll feel this incredible intensity escalate, foreshadowing what’s to come as we witness this rare conjunction come closer and closer in orb.

So, please pay attention to the power dynamics at hand. In the words of Maya Angelou, “When people show you who they are, believe them!” Now is not the time to play dirty. Tell the truth. Be honest. Stay in integrity. Those who don’t will pay the price, eventually. So, do yourself a favor, and keep your side of the fence clean! Yet, this brewing intensity can feel incredibly contentious too.

Meanwhile, Venus (which rules Libra) squares Mars, Aries’ ruling planet. This power struggle may have you unclear how to proceed; do you push forward or surrender into the path of least resistance? Again the dichotomy of what do I need (Aries) vs. what do I need to do to stay in harmony with the relationships in my life (Libra) asks you to reconcile how to do you honor your own needs without sabotaging accord with others. With Mercury, still retrograde after all, and Venus finding herself in a blessed sextile with good luck Jupiter, go slow. However, do not doubt yourself. You can trust yourself. You know what you know, and you need to claim that.

Self-care advice for the week

From a health perspective, this week encourages you to get back at it with your workouts. Now that we emerge from Pisces seasons, let the cardinal fire energy of Aries and the sun get you back into your body. Take advantage of the antidepressant effect of moving your body with regular exercise.

Combine this with supplementing your diet with turmeric, moringa, chlorella, and other powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidants to give your brain the boost it needs to process all the changes you are going through. With stress levels potentially high, keep inflammation in your body in check. Sweat and detoxify when possible.

Spring, from a Chinese medicine perspective, correlates with the liver. It's also the season the release our anger. Working on reducing estrogen dominance, and clearing the liver helps you to step fully into this fresh new season. Working on your liver with intelligent eating and exercise, in addition to emotionally cathartic exercises, bodes well. I recommend refraining from alcohol, increasing dark leafy greens into your diet, drinking lots of water, and getting your workouts in.

If you need to express anger, do so in healthy ways. Journaling, dancing, punching pillows, screaming behind closed doors, and therapy support you immensely. In the words of world renowned positive psychology exppert Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD, emotions are amoral, but behavior has morality. Take the time you need to express your emotions in a healthy way.

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.