When: March 13th, 2026, at 2:57 pm PT

What: Mars conjoins the North Node in Pisces

Takeaway: When the planet of action joins the North Node (a point in space that represents hunger and increase), all kinds of passions flare up. While this combo could fuel your ambitions, the energy is unpredictable. Zero in on what you want to achieve, and do your best to defuse unnecessary conflict along the way.

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Hungry for heat: Understanding Mars and the North Node

The lunar nodes are the two points in space where eclipses happen, and they’re known for carrying a charged, volatile energy — like an ungrounded electrical wire. One of them is the North Node, which the ancients imagined as the head of a dragon driven by bottomless hunger. So whenever this ravenous point joins forces with Mars (the planet of action and anger), sparks fly.

On the plus side, this setup provides a surge of motivation for going after your goals and tapping into your fighting spirit. The downside? It can also stoke tensions in our personal lives and communities.

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What makes things complicated

This temperamental duo meets up roughly once every two years, and on March 13th, 2026, they’re coming together in dreamy Pisces. When Mars and the North Node move through this mutable water sign, conflicts can get wishy-washy, and motives can get murky. Around this date, it will be easy to confuse what a fight is about, how it started in the first place, who the real enemy is, and what winning would even mean. While our frustrations may be fierce, our game plans will be foggy. So it’s especially important to think critically and avoid acting on impulse. And because Mars is known for inflaming conflicts, and the North Node tends to escalate them, this is a moment to question any propaganda that pushes for violence or war.

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What we can learn from recent Mars–North Node conjunctions

It’s worth noting that Mars–North Node conjunctions tend to align with pivotal world events, though the type and impact of those events depend on the sign where these transits occur. The last time Mars linked up with the North Node was on May 19th, 2024 — soon after Israel ordered an evacuation of Rafah, the last refuge for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Because this conjunction occurred in forceful, Mars-ruled Aries, a sign ruled by the planet of war, the outcome was especially violent. In a matter of weeks, one million civilians had fled Rafah — the largest displacement since the war started seven months earlier. (Side note: Mars previously conjoined the South Node in Libra on October 4th, 2023, just three days before the October 7th attacks, so this transit marked a continuation of that nodal story.)

But Mars–North Node conjunctions aren’t always aggressive. Sometimes they coincide with hopeful victories. Mars’ meetup with the North Node in Taurus on August 1st, 2022, coincided with Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejecting a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have outlawed abortion in the state. Taurus is associated with fertility and reproductive rights, and this particular conjunction was a beautiful example of Mars and the North Node successfully rallying the masses for a good cause.

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What to expect from the Mars–North Node conjunction in Pisces

So will there still be friction when Mars joins the North Node on March 13th? Maybe — that’s always possible when this duo comes together, even in the best circumstances. Luckily, this conjunction is happening in sensitive, imaginative Pisces, so we have more cosmic support on our side around this date. And because Pisces is ruled by Jupiter — the planet of wisdom and abundance, which is currently exalted in Cancer — we can approach conflict with deeper reserves of compassion.

This powerful combination emboldens us to fight for the underdog and use our creativity to build the world we want to live in. If you use this moment to begin projects or conversations that aim to heal or inspire, you’ll have a tidal wave of momentum to ride. With this much Pisces energy flowing, the issues that move you are calling for your focus and your drive, and this is a potent opportunity to give them your all.

But/and/also: Because the North Node is associated with insatiable hunger, transits like this can get us so caught up in our desires that we neglect our basic needs. So beware of getting carried away and losing the plot. And if you’re approaching burnout, call a time-out to regroup. Even when the world demands a sense of urgency, and even when you don’t really feel like pausing, slowing down may be the key to getting across the finish line.

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Eight ways to work with the Mars–North Node conjunction

1. Get clear on your goals. Around March 13th, you’ll have extra energy for going after what you want. The more specific you are about what you’d like to achieve, the more prepared you’ll be to make the most of the momentum.
2. Aim high. Pisces is the sign of fantasy and creativity, so now is the time to dream big. Envision the most inspiring and compassionate outcomes you can. This is an opportunity to practice radical imagination, not just realistic thinking. And right now, you’re more likely to succeed if your projects are aligned with your ideals.
3. Take action. Both Mars and the North Node are all about setting things in motion, so get going on your goals. Begin the work. Gather your supplies. Start the conversation. And if you need direction, follow your inspiration and intuition. Focus + flow = results.
4. Fact-check everyone and everything. Illusions and delusions are likely to run rampant around this time, so focus on what other people are actually trying to say, but be honest about your own motivations. Reflecting on what’s true or false will help you avoid getting lost and confused.
5. Watch your temper. This is a heated moment when everyone is more on edge. If you get tempted to pick a fight, or if you notice someone stirring up unnecessary conflict, pause and take a few deep breaths before reacting. You don’t always need to fan the flames or say the harsh thing — sometimes you just need a nap, a snack, or some space.
6. Question violent rhetoric or propaganda, whether it comes from the government, the media, or your community. Seek solutions that bring people together, not split them apart.
7. Understand how this transit will show up in your life — and what it means for the collective — by tuning in to the Astrology of the Week Ahead podcast and Your Reading for the week of March 9th in the “This Week” section of the CHANI app. There, you’ll also find journal prompts and other resources that will help you work with the lessons that this Mars–North Node conjunction is teaching you.
8. ‍Learn how Mars and the North Node are interacting with your natal placements by checking the Transits tab in the CHANI app. You can also read your free planetary horoscopes in the “Today” section of the app to find out how Mars in Pisces and the North Node in Pisces will impact you based on your rising sign.