Welcome to March, and welcome back to your monthly art-informed forecast!

We begin the month in the dreamy sign of Pisces, which tends to remind us that time moves like water—sometimes it’s easy to move with its flow, sometimes it’s still and forces reflection, and sometimes we end up stuck in a powerful rapid and our only option is to surrender ourselves to the motion. Use the creative and intuitive energy provided by this time and allow yourself to dive into whatever is before you. As we approach the Spring Equinox and the astrological new year on March 20, when the sun moves into Aries, a collective rebirth brings optimism and fresh perspectives with vigor.

Always eager, aren’t you, Aries? Your season is coming in a couple of weeks, but before that, the sun’s trip through Pisces will encourage you to take pause and reflect. Rest is important, especially during a new moon on March 2 where you’ll benefit from a bit of hibernation. Generous Jupiter makes contact with the sun on the 5th: you may feel especially connected to the collective unconscious this day. Like the recognizable symbols in Cannon Dill’s painting Black Horse—informed by the tradition of folk art—there are universal experiences and lessons inherent to being human. During the first few weeks of March, you’ll be able to better connect with your ancestral roots, and be inclined toward sympathy with your fellow man. When Mars and Venus move into Aquarius (and connect in the sky) on the 5th, you’ll find that energy and harmony abound in your friendships and any group affiliations—with good company, you’ll be able to better actualize your dreams and aspirations over the next few weeks.

A full moon in Virgo on the 18th may bring changes to your daily routine, or you may get answers about a question that pertains to your health. With the sun’s ingress into your sign on the 20th, you’ll feel a boost of confidence. Be careful with what you post on March 18, as Uranus clashes with Mars in the part of your chart that influences interactions with friends on and offline: think twice before you make any rash decisions based on irritation, as it may have long-lasting consequences. Mercury enters your sign on the 27th, giving you an extra boost of eloquence and mental acuity—use this to your advantage when advocating for yourself or planning for the coming weeks.

You’re in high demand this month, Taurus. The first few weeks of March may have you connecting with friends and organizations you’re a part of, with a new moon on March 2 setting the stage for a new collaborative project or group gathering—the 5th is also a wonderful day to plan an outing or event. Mars and Venus move into Aquarius on March 6 and into the part of your birth chart that influences your career and public-facing persona: for the next few weeks, you’ll feel more energized in your role and your colleagues are sure to notice. Use this boost of charisma to your advantage and you’ll be sure to have some awaited recognition. When Mercury moves into Pisces on the 9th, I encourage you to make a list of your long-term hopes and dreams: you’ll find that you’ll be able to better visualize and communicate with others about how to bring them into reality. The focus on your social life comes to a climax on the 18th, when a full moon in Virgo lights up your fifth house of creative projects, pleasure, and romance. Go to a party, plan a date or make the finishing touches on something you’ve been working on this month.

The excitement of early March will shift into introspection when the Sun moves into Aries on March 20, offering you a period of rest. Meditate on your memories, and consider how your attachment to experiences changes over time: like the abstracted tree and leaf forms in Eric Dwight Hancock’s Windy Night—painted from memories of a Dr. Seuss cartoon—distortion by way of time can provide valuable insights about our current reality.

You’re in the spotlight this month, Gemini, as Pisces season lights up the part of your chart that influences your career and public-facing persona. I encourage you to take time during the new moon on March 2 to reflect on your short and long-term goals in these areas, as the energy is conducive to manifesting the role you aspire to. Jupiter, planet of abundance and expansion, has your back, too—on the 5th, he meets the sun to bring a bounty of luck and optimism to your career. When Mars and Venus move into Aquarius (and meet in the sky) on the 6th, you may find that travel or educational opportunities come your way that will further you along the path to success. Creative writing or communication may also come into focus when it comes to your career from March 13 onwards, under the influence of Mercury in Pisces.

Ramiro Hernandez’s painting Palantir I could serve as a visual representation of March for you, Gemini. As your aspirations are coming to fruition, remember that you are built on a foundation of memory and experience that has led you here. Feelings of nostalgia may come into play during the full moon on March 18; you may also experience a climax or resolution in your domestic life, like a move or emotional conversation with a family member. As the sun moves into Aries on March 22, you will feel more connected to the aforementioned aspirations as you inch closer to their realization. Friends and group affiliations are especially important during this period, especially when the sun is joined in Aries on March 27—use this time to learn from those around you, while also sharing the knowledge you’ve gained.

This month, observe how improvisation and exploration manifest in Elise Ferguson’s drawings, like Perennial, Cancer. March opens with the sun in fellow water sign Pisces, meaning you may be feeling especially sensitive or sympathetic to others' needs over the first two weeks of the month. Use this enhanced awareness to move out of the confines of your usually-tight, protective shell, and you’ll be sure to make strides. A new moon in Pisces on March 2 opens up new pathways to expansion. Use the energy during this time—supported by a boost from benevolent Jupiter on the 5th—to explore a new spiritual practice, plan travel, or begin learning a new skill. On the 6th, Mars and Venus meet in Aquarius, motivating you toward transformation. I advise you to take the (sometimes difficult) steps to begin to reprogram any negative thinking patterns or release any dogmas that might be holding you back.

Any changes or new skills you picked up in the first half of the month will come in handy during a full moon in Virgo on the 18th, where an important conversation is likely to take place. When the sun moves into Aries on the 20th, your focus will shift to your professional life: you’ll have more confidence to accomplish your goals or overcome any obstacles in your career. Use your intuition to guide you, and don’t be afraid to take risks—more attention will be directed your way, and your colleagues will be more inclined to help you succeed. Mercury comes to your aid during this time as well, especially after the 27th when it moves into Aries, encouraging productive conversation. Pay special attention to constructive criticism from mentors, and be generous with your own knowledge, and you’ll thrive.

This month promises transformation and positive change in your closest relationships, Leo—but that starts with you. A new moon in Pisces on March 2 encourages transformation: this is a time to let go of attachments that no longer serve you and reevaluate relationship patterns that may be repeatedly leading you down the same path. Jupiter, the planet of generosity and luck, meets the sun on March 5, illuminating new opportunities for intimacy and unity. John Burt Sanders’s paintings, like Ansible 3, critique a “narrow understanding of human nature” by employing science fiction and the abstract manipulation of simple, formal visual elements. I encourage you to use your enhanced ability to go deep during the first weeks of March to similar ends and explore the realm of possibilities outside of your normal procedures. Mars and Venus enter Aquarius on March 6 and into the part of your chart that influences your partnerships, giving you a boost of harmony and sensual energy for the following weeks.

A full moon on March 18 brings grounding energy and allows for you to put the changes you’ve been exploring into place for the long term. When the sun moves into Aries on March 20, you’ll be able to move from a period of reflection and transformation into one of expansion: with changes in place, you’ll feel the freedom to explore new opportunities, travel and learn new things. Clashes or delays may occur on the 22nd and 28th of the month, but remember that sometimes forward growth isn’t always linear.

Your closest relationships come into focus this month, Virgo, allowing for quality time and productive growth in any partnerships you’re a part of. A new moon on March 2 opens the door for a new relationship, or a new perspective on the approach you take to love. You’re especially attractive and receptive to others during this period, and a boost from benevolent Jupiter on March 5 brings a harmonious day of romance and positive attention. Remember that good relationships come when you’re also invested in yourself: Mars and Venus transit into Aquarius on March 6, where you’ll begin to feel especially productive when it comes to your routine. Consider using the rest of this month to use this boost of energy to get your day-to-day obligations in order.

A full moon in your sign on March 18 forces you to evaluate your sense of self, and see yourself through your partner’s eyes. This honest reality check may be uncomfortable but will allow for you to begin to adjust any patterns that might be holding you back from growth. Observe KATSU’s drone-painted Citizen 102, where ideas of authorship become abstracted when man and machine work together in decision-making. When the sun moves into Aries on March 20, consider where you and those closest to you merge: during this time, your focus shifts from establishing and nurturing relationships to going deep in transforming them. Intimacy can be a terrifying thing to truly dive into, but the resulting realizations and their creations—if your dynamics are balanced—can create something unexpected.

Molly Bounds’s painting The Process (Elongated) shows a figure grappling with the often-exhausting quotidian struggles we’re faced with, and how these day-to-day obstacles can exhaust our perception of ourselves and what we’re able to accomplish. Remember that harmony is key for you, Libra, and although the mundane and day-to-day isn’t the most exciting element of balance, maintaining your routine and wellness will be key to success this month. A new moon on March 2 kickstarts a new cycle for you; I advise you to use this time to try out a new morning ritual or make a to-do list of all of your goals for the month, big or small. Use Jupiter’s benevolent influence on March 5 to take time for self-care, and you’ll feel instantly invigorated by the special attention.

Mars and Venus move into your fifth house of romance and creativity on March 6, where they’ll stay for the rest of the month, where sensuality and expression become instrumental in your pursuit of daily pleasures. The Sun moves into Aries on March 20, bringing your focus from routine to your close relationships. The coming weeks are an excellent time for nurturing and expressing the purest parts of shared human experience, so be free and open with the abundance of love you’re able to give, and you’ll feel empowered by what you receive in return.

You’ll be vibrating with energy during the first weeks of March, Scorpio, so be sure to channel it into productive, creative or social ventures. The buzzing, “colorful realm of lattices” in Issac Tin Wei Lin’s intricate calligraphic paintings will mirror the productive and enjoyable interactions and ventures early in the month. A new moon in Pisces on the 2nd provides the perfect celestial condition for kicking off a new project or throwing a party, and a boost from generous Jupiter on March 5 brings a bounty of luck and goodwill. I understand if you’re neglecting rest in lieu of celebration and passion, but Venus and Mars meet in Aquarius on March 6 to remind you that balance is key to success. The sun meets dreamy Neptune on March 13, coloring the day with sentimental romantic energy—allow yourself to drift away, and indulge in a fantasy or try your hand at a new art-making process.

A full moon on March 18 brings an end to a cycle in your social circle or a group you’re affiliated with. Pay attention to any important realizations about who around you supports you and adds positive energy to your life, and let go of connections that feel like they’ve run their course. When the sun moves into Aries on March 20, you’ll be inclined toward working on your daily routine and getting your obligations in order. It won’t be as fun as the creative wildfire early in the month, but finding equilibrium is important to long-term sustainability.

If you’re feeling destabilized from the chaos of the last few months, Sag, Pisces season gives you the space to retreat and get back in touch with feelings of security and your inner world. A new moon in Pisces on March 2 allows you to rest and shift into a period of self-care. The home is very important around this time as well—use the benevolent energy of your ruling planet, Jupiter, on March 5 to create harmony in your domestic life by indulging in the simple pleasures: nourish yourself with a homecooked meal or partake in some pre-spring deep cleaning. This could be a nostalgic time as well for you, so don’t avoid the pang of emotional recollections: observe how Christoph Rossner’s paintings of everyday interiors also draw from emotionally-rich experiences, resulting in dreamlike “landscapes of the soul.” Offering yourself time to reflect and rest will help situate yourself in a position of security, and tend to the roots from which you grow.

As Mars and Venus transit into Aquarius on March 6, you’ll be able to begin to find more harmony in your surrounding neighborhood as well. Go on meditative walks, spend time reading in a park near you, or build relationships with your neighbors. A full moon on March 18 will bring further focus back to your public life and trigger a climax in your career. Changes are coming, and when the sun moves into fellow fire sign Aries on March 20, you’ll feel your focus shift from introspection into creative energy. The next month will be abuzz with social obligations and romantic energy, so be grateful for the respite earlier in the month.

Be extra cognizant of any communications that come your way over the first half of March, Capricorn. Pisces season illuminates the part of your chart that influences your interactions, and a new moon on the 2nd brings a conversation that opens doors. Honesty is key when Jupiter meets the Sun on 5th of March, giving you the right words and optimism when interacting with those around you—this is a great time to advocate for yourself, and to set up new connections. As Mars and Venus move into Aquarius and make contact on March 6, you’ll find that new opportunities to make money come easily; remember that sometimes all you have to do is ask.

You’re objective-oriented, and it may seem that there’s been a lot of talk but little action this month. However, I encourage you to take a look at Molly Metz’s painting Old Friend, where small words painted upon the tentacles of a sea anemone appear at first glance to be “thready bits of organic material”: after spending time with the image, however, it’s clear these cellular phrases contribute greatly to the greater picture. A full moon in your fellow earth sign of Virgo on March 18 allows you the same opportunity to zoom out and see how each exchange you’ve had contributes to a greater trend of growth in your life. This realization will have a grounding effect, preparing you for the sun’s move into Aries on March 20, where the buzz of activity begins to slow and you’re able to take some time for yourself to recharge.

Aquarius, things are looking green: Pisces season lights up the part of your chart that influences your earthly possessions and finances, and March offers you ample opportunities for abundance. The energy of the new moon on March 2 will bring in new perspectives on how you value the things around you, so take stock of your material needs for the coming months. Benevolent Jupiter makes contact with the sun on March 5: pay attention to any opportunities for additional income or treat yourself to something you’ve been pining after. Venus and Mars enter your sign on the 6th, bringing you an invigorating boost of self-confidence and energy for the coming weeks. A full moon in Virgo on March 18 forces you to consider resources you share with others. With your focus on value this month, you may have had some realizations about certain relationship dynamics that don’t feel particularly equitable—this is a good time to take action to balance things out.

Tammy Ngyuen’s Space Force Civilian paintings, the artist builds a speculative space fiction around Forest City, an island community she visited, with aspirational and utopian results. When the sun moves into Aries on March 20, I advise you to indulge in similar thought experiments: this time of the year shifts your focus to your neighborhood and local community, and how you interact with those around you. When Mercury follows the sun into Aries on the 27th, you’ll feel especially communicative and open-minded. Use this energy to make introductions to new neighbors, volunteer or take on a new writing assignment with a local publication.

Happy solar return, dear Pisces! Our birthday always makes us acutely aware of the passing of time and the changes we’ve experienced over the past year—this year has been especially revolutionary. With a new moon in your sign on March 2, I encourage you to ground yourself and dedicate time to envisioning your hopes and dreams for yourself for your next trip around the sun. Journaling, making a vision board or doing a visualization exercise are perfect things to do over the first week of March. The sun mingles with Jupiter in your sign on the 5th: you’ll be especially intuitive and more able to make connections in otherworldly ways around this time, so pay close attention to any spiritual messages or creative impulses you feel. Mercury enters your sign on the 9th, allowing for you to both learn new things about yourself and communicate more confidently and openly.

Take a look at Double Axe, Double Meaning by Gabriela Vainsencher: the artist’s process reveals the materiality of the antique elements used to create the collages through the high-resolution scanning process. Remember, Pisces, that your creative and spiritual tendencies can be both beneficial and detrimental to self-actualization; sometimes illusions might obfuscate the reality of your situation. Keep this in mind when the sun shines on dreamy Neptune on the 13th, which may direct you toward a new opportunity or aspiration, or reveal a pattern of self-deception distracting you from growth. A full moon in Virgo on March 18 asks you to examine your close partnerships and how you contribute to them. When the sun moves into fiery Aries on the 20th, you’ll find your focus shift from self-reflection and growth to your material possessions and value system. Use the lessons you learned over the last month to find what truly works for you.

Lauren Studebaker is a writer and trained astrologer based in New York, and works as the Deputy Editor at Outland. For more information, or to book an astrological consultation, visit her website at studebaker.info.