Stellium-March 2025: Vernal Equinox, Astrological New Year, International Astrology Day
Hello friends, and Happy Vernal Equinox, Astrological New Year, and International Astrology Day! For my Pagan friends and readers, I also wish you a blessed Ostara! Today is quite an eventful day, as is every Vernal (Spring) Equinox; not only is it the start of spring and the fertile season, but it’s also the beginning of a new astrological year, and it’s also when those who like astrology celebrate their favorite astrologer(s)!
Instead of focusing on one part of astrology, I’m going to give you my interpretation, from an Astrological and Magickal standpoint, of why this day is so pertinent every year. From Astrological considerations, magickal perceptions, and other facets, we will discuss the Vernal Equinox as I’ve come to know it in all of these different branches of thought, study and practice over the years. Of course, many things that will be discussed are open to personal interpretation-and that’s okay! I hope that in sharing the knowledge I’ve gained, and am learning still, to inspire others to learn, grow and become more aware of the truths that are written in the stars, our palms, and in the world around us. Let’s get started!
The Astrology of the Vernal Equinox
Astrologically speaking, there are two schools of thought concerning the Astrological New Year: there are those, like myself, who, regardless of the degree value the sun is in in Aries, the Astrological New Year begins on the day when night & light are balanced at 12 hours, which usually occurs around March 19-22 of each year. Then, there are those who use sidereal astrology, and thus believe the Astrological New Year to begin when the sun enters 15 degrees Aries, which in 2025 occurs around April 6th.
Without getting too technical into the why’s and how’s, the difference in thinking can best be summed up as:
Those Who Practice Tropical/Traditional Astrology see the Sun at 0 degrees Aries as ushering in a New Astrological Year, which aligns with the Vernal/Spring Equinox
Those who practice Sidereal Astrology see the sun at 15 Degrees Aries as the New Astrological Year, and Astrologically Speaking, the Equinox then as well. Some pagans do follow this system, which accounts for the variances in celebration dates, etc.
Sidereal Astrology is a more modern system of Astrology that accounts for constellation placements currently; whereas Tropical Astrology sticks to where those constellations once were thousands of years ago. While that’s an oversimplification, I don’t want to get too technical and bore you. Another key difference is that in Sidereal Astrology, the Star sign/Sun Sign dates are different. The Sun in Sidereal Astrology enters each sign about 25-30 days later than in Traditional/Tropical Astrology because of the discrepancies present in orbital & star positions. So, according to Sidereal Astrology, we’re in the beginning/middle of Pisces Season. Another key difference with Sidereal Astrology, is that many consider the “Season” signs to be “Star Signs”, i.e., you were born under the Aries star sign if your birthday is today, but your sun sign is likely Pisces.
I hope that was easy enough to understand without drawing out the technicalities and jargon.
The Vernal Equinox’s Significance in Tropical/Traditional Astrology
In traditional Astrology, which is what many of you know and have been shown in things like daily horoscopes, the Vernal Equinox is like getting a fresh, clean, new slate. We’re wiping the slate clean of the old year-the 2024 Astrological year-and beginning a new. Cue the Snake energy, as 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake in Chinese Astrology. My point is that this particular Vernal Equinox feels even more so like a fresh start; even with Mercury and Venus both retrograde in Aries, the Sun is in his dignitary sign, and the Moon is traversing through philosophical and adventurous Sagittarius. While this is a temporary transit, only here for another day or so, it heralds an excellent energy for the upcoming Astrological cycle.
When Astrologers cast what’s called an Aries Ingress Chart, it’s basically an outlook for the themes, events and such for the upcoming Astrological year, which is marked by 4 cycles-with the Cardinal Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn-that respectively make up the dates for the changing of the 4 seasons throughout the year. This particular Aries Ingress has a few major things I’d like to point out. Note that for these purposes, the Aries Ingress Chart is not being used for political, world or national event, or economic forecasting, but instead, seeing what we’re collectively and individually entering the new astrological year with. Below are the main points I’d like to make note of for you all, to make the most of the Astrological energies present on this most potent magickal day.
Aries Ingress Chart Aspects
- Pluto in Aquarius on the Ascendant, in the Uranian rulership: transformation, change and information are being digested in new ways. The potential for a new way of thinking, a new approach or new outlook are strong, that could potentially change your life (for the better)
- Mars in Cancer sextile Saturn in Pisces: any restrictions in the inner world are fading, and it’s time to pick up the mantle of your dreams once more
- Mercury Rx, Venus Rx conjoin the Sun in Aries, sextile the Moon in Sagittarius: adventure, even with risk, might prove to be well worth it. Lessons learned and applied could yield better than expected results. Be careful to not overspend, and watch for hot tempers. The Sagittarius moon eases some of this tension, adding in an element of fun, spontaneity and adventure.
- Neptune teetering on the edge of Pisces and Aries: we haven’t seen Neptune in Aries in over 200 years; back then, we didn’t even know Neptune existed. This is still a somewhat experimental placement, but if I had to hedge a bet, I would suppose that when this gas giant enters Aries, we will see repressed emotions, particularly anger, rage, hate and the negative side of the underbelly of the human condition, come to the surface to be dealt with
While these are by no means proven yet, I do believe this sums up the energy we’re heading into the 2025 Astrological year with. That said, we should also note that the Vernal Equinox is a time of release, and a time of intention setting. If you’re looking to work with the Astrology of today, then I would recommend a release ritual at sundown, and then at sunrise the next morning, an intention setting ritual or spell.
The Ghosts of Equinoxes Past
The word equinox gets used a lot-a car is named after it, and there was once a publication entitled “The Equinox” which Aleister Crowley published when he was alive. The Golden Dawn performed certain rituals and ceremonies only on an equinox, and depending on intent, it would be very specific: The Vernal Equinox for the manifestation of something, and the Autumnal Equinox for the release/banishing/binding of something. The Druids, of course, celebrated the Equinoxes and Solstices at Stonehenge and there are a host of other Megalithic sites across the world used by ancient peoples to watch the stars, track time and the seasons, and perform ritual in. Many of these sites lay on what is called “ley lines”; ley lines are the geomagnetic centers on the earth’s surface that carry a higher electromagnetic frequency than other areas where these lines aren’t. Interestingly, ley lines also frequently connect these megalithic sites to one another, even on other sides of the globe! Surely, the ancients, our ancestors, must have known what these portals of energy that we now call Equinoxes carried with them a portent of change. And that, I believe, is what is at the core of an equinox, from a magickal, astrological and spiritual perspective.
Astrologically Inspired Magick for the Equinox
Witches, Occultists, Spiritualists, Pagans and many others alike celebrate the equinox, and no wonder! We’ve been celebrating these celestial movements for longer than we can remember as a species. While some witches and traditions may have a taboo against practicing magick on a Sabbat, I don’t; as a matter of fact, on the 4 solar markers/season changes of the year, I believe are some of the most potent times for magick. They’re highly liminal times and they allow us to communicate to the other side through sight, sound, symbol and action, inspiring the manifestation of some pretty amazing and powerful magicks. While I won’t give you a specific ritual, I will give you some guidelines that include the topics we’ve discussed, in hopes that you’ll also practice some magick that’s meaningful for you today. I want to inspire you, not give you the answers; let’s design a ritual, shall we?
Astro-Magick
First, cast a magickal circle, if that’s what you prefer. Then, gather some materials. I’ll break it down, since I recommend a release and intention setting for today.
Release Ritual Items/Supplies:
- Black or White candles
- Paper, magickal inks if desired
- An earthy incense, or potent scent like cinnamon, patchouli, sandalwood, etc
- Cauldron
Release Ritual Idea:
Write down what’s holding you back, or what you feel needs to be released, and light it with the flame of a candle, and let it burn in a cauldron. Here, the fire represents the Aries energy, the Cauldron represents Mars and Saturn in water signs, and the incense represents the air energies present with Jupiter and Pluto both in air signs. Remember elemental qualities, too; air is thought, water is emotion, fire is action.
Intention Setting/Manifestation Ritual Items/Supplies:
- Yellow, Orange, Red or Green Candle(s)
- White candle(s) (optional)
- Paper, magickal inks if desired
- Green, yellow or orange string, about 3 feet long
- Floral incense, such as nag champa, rose, lavender, etc
- A piece of sunstone or citrine
- A small bag, preferable light green or yellow in color
Intention Setting/Manifestation Ritual Idea:
Like before, write down what you want to manifest (not release this time). Light the candles & incense, and fold the paper 4 times (signifying each season, so it lasts a year long) toward you. Next, wrap the string around it, and tie the knot 9-13 times. You can look up a knot spell incantation online if you’d like. When that’s done, set it beside the sunstone or citrine, and allow it the candles to burn themselves out, as well as the incense. You may pass the items through the incense smoke as well if you wish; once that’s done, put them into the small bag and carry with you as a mojo bag!
Closing Out the Old, Welcoming the New
The above truly is the theme of every Vernal Equinox, but this year especially, thanks to help from the Stars. When it comes to infusing Astrology into your magick, it doesn’t have to be complex; you can literally work with what you’ve been given on any single day, as long as you understand how to navigate the at times complex and tricky energies. While you could simply do the second ritual given here, or use it as a springboard, I would highly recommend doing the release beforehand, even if on the same day, same time, same ritual. Infusing your magick with Astrology can be tricky, but effective. Sometimes, especially on the equinox, we just have to let the old go so we can welcome in the new. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned when it comes the Vernal Equinox, and I hope you carry some of that with you as well on this Equinox.
Wishing you all a wonderful Astrological New Year, a blessed Ostara and happy International Astrology Day!
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Author Bio:
The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place, even Saints, Angels and Demons! He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism, Ceremonial Magick and Occultism, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns, including The Modern Merlin’s Corner, Entheogens for the New Gen, Stellium, and Scary, Strange and Mythical Encounters. He also has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
