March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. However, in the northern hemisphere it as the beginning of spring, so March brings the vernal equinox, the Full Worm Moon, and the return of Daylight Saving Time. For us here in the southern, it is the end and the start of Autumn.
The Month of March
March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war, because this was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. Read more about how the months got their names.
In the early Roman calendar, March (or Martius) was the first month of the calendar year. As March brought the first day of spring with the vernal equinox, it was the start of new beginnings.
March became the third month when January and February—which were added to the end of the Roman calendar around 700 BCE—instead became the first and second months around 450 BCE.
I Martius am! Once first, and now third!
To lead the Year was my appointed place;
A mortal dispossessed me by a word,
And set there Janus with the double face.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (1807–82)
March 2025 Calendar
March 4 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday.
March 5 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.
March 15 is the Ides of March! Legend surrounds this ill-fated day. Beware the Ides of March!
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. According to folklore, folks wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because the saint used its three leaves to explain the Trinity.
March 20 brings about the March equinox—also called the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere—marking the beginning of spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the autumnal equinox and the beginning of fall. On this day, the Sun stands directly over Earth’s equator.
March 29-31 are known as the Borrowing Days. According to lore, the last 3 days of March have a reputation for being stormy.
Daffodils
The brown buds thicken on the trees,
Unbound, the free streams sing,
As March leads forth across the leas
The wild and windy spring.
–Elizabeth Akers Allen (1832–1911)
“Just for Fun” Days
Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? Here are some more wacky things to celebrate this month:
March Astronomy
The Full Worm Moon
March’s full Moon, the Worm Moon, reaches peak illumination on the morning of Friday, March 14, 2025. Look for it on the evening of Thursday, March 13, as the Moon rises above the horizon!
Why is it called the Worm Moon? Find out in our March full Moon guide!
The Moon amid clouds
In Like a Leo, Out Like an Aries
You may have heard the weather proverb, “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb,” meaning that if the month starts off stormy, it will end with mild weather. There is, however, a different interpretation: The constellation Leo, the lion, rises in the east at the beginning of March. Thus, the month “comes in like a lion,” while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of the month, and hence, the month “will go out like a lamb.”
The Start of Spring
The March equinox occurs on Thursday, March 20, 2025. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is known as the vernal, or spring, equinox and marks the start of the spring season. In the Southern Hemisphere, autumn begins.
At this time, the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its way north. Also, on this day, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west—a good thing to know if you get lost in the woods.
Everyday Advice
According to folklore, wear a sprig of rosemary in your hair to improve your memory!
March brings rain and mud! Sprinkle salt on carpets to dry out muddy footprints before vacuuming. Find more cleaning tips.
According to Henry David Thoreau, the call of a bluebird is a song that “melts the ear, as the snow.” Read more about this lovely bird in “House-hunting With the Bluebird.”
Check birdhouses for damage and give them a spring cleaning before tenants arrive for the season. Learn how to attract birds to your garden!
Folklore for the Season
March’s birth flower is the daffodil or jonquil. The daffodil signifies regard or unrequited love. The jonquil means “I desire a return of affection.” See more about March’s birth flower.
March’s birthstone is the aquamarine. This gem is a type of beryl; its color can be pale to dark blue, greenish-blue, or blue-green; deep, intense blue versions are more valuable. See more about March’s birthstone.
March’s Zodiac signs are Pisces (February 20 to March 20) and Aries (March 21 to April 20).
Almanac
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By elocal magazine