PLANETARY NEWS MARCH 2026 from Komilla Sutton

CHALLENGING | ECLIPSE, MARS-RAHU & KAL SARPA

March is an extremely challenging month with a lunar eclipse in Leo on 3 March, Mars Rahu conjunction in Aquarius on 13 March and Kal Sarpa yoga from 17 to 30 March. In addition, the 5 planets are gathered in Aquarius: Mars, Rahu, Sun, Mercury, and Venus.

Ugadi is a new year festival for the new Moon in Pisces, and its chart is studied for the horoscopes of the world. Political World Horoscopes are studied from the Pratipada tithi after the new Moon in Pisces, which is known as Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. This is the first new Moon around or after the spring equinox. The Chaitra Shukla Pratipada chart is cast for each country's capital city. The ascendant differs for each country, while the chart remains the same. So, each country could experience the same planets differently.

• The overall status of a country
• Politics and political leaders
• Weather
• Education
• Public Sentiment
• Finance
• Fiscal issues
• Judiciary
• Aggression – wars and peace

The important aspect to study is the quality of the Samvatsara. Samvatsara is a Sanskrit term for "year". In Vedic tradition, there are 60 Samvatsara, each with a name. Once all 60 Samvatsara are over, the cycle starts over again. The Quality of the Samvatsara is very important. The name reflects the quality. 2026 Samvatsara is Paribhava, which means transformation, the defeat of ego, and a year of spiritual growth. It can bring defeat, change, downfall, and loss of reputation – all of which can lead people to become more spiritual and transform. It can lead to people in power facing humiliation or defeat.

What to watch in March

Lunar Eclipse in Leo On 3 March, it can be unsettled, especially for Leo Ascendant, the Sun or Moon, and those in power.

Five planets gather in Aquarius at the start of March, then Venus moves to Pisces immediately and becomes exalted. 4 planets remain in Aquarius.

Mars Rahu conjunction on 13 March is negative and volatile. It can bring violence too. So be extra careful.

Kal Sarpa Yoga 17 to 30 Mars brings imbalance to the world. This is the first of the 5 Kala Sarpa, which continue intermittently to 11 July. Be cautious and keep your life balanced.

Prabhava Year begins on 19 March – great for transformation and spiritual growth, but not a good one for those in power.

Watch: Challenges in March 2026

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MARCH 2026 PANCHANGA

Key dates in MARCH 2026 - compiled by Keiko Shanti. (https://keikoshanti.com)

All times listed are UTC (Coordinated Universal Time.)
All times for festivals are for India.
Mean nodes are used.

As we start the month of March...

• WMercury is retrograde (until 20 March 2026 when it turns direct at 14°15 Aquarius, close to Rahu)
• Jupiter is still in its own Nakshatra Punarvasu (until 18 June 2026)
• Rahu in Aquarius and Ketu in Leo are Vargottama (until 29 March 2026, 2:28 am)