Square dancing: life with Mars on the cardinal cross

Here is today’s Planet Waves FM

Today is Wednesday, August 10, 2011. The waxing Moon spends the day in Capricorn, making a conjunction with Pluto at about 2:06 am EDT and opposing Mars in Cancer on the way there. And guess what? Mars in the cardinal square is still the driving force in the sky. Eric cautions not to jump into the fray if you encounter any brawl or conflict. Right now there is a good chance to escalate any conflict or to ratchet things down a notch. Remember that Mars and Pluto are still having a conversation, so give your attention carefully.

As Len noted in a comment yesterday, we tend to feel Mars aspects more intensely as they are applying, or moving into position, rather than when they are exact. The general consensus seems to bear that out, though it remains to be seen how quickly or slowly this energy dissipates. Large-scale and explosive developments under the Mars-Uranus square — such as the riots in the UK — are complex and will likely take considerable time and genuine effort to diffuse.

Are you hanging in there? Good. These may be trying days, but remember the sky is always shifting, and so are we. It can take a while for movement and progress to be evident, even on a personal level. But that rarely means it isn’t happening — as long as you are still choosing and acting consciously, balanced with moments of inner stillness so you can listen for anything new and subtle.

It’s entirely possible the last few days have not been all that bad for you — in which case, there is no reason to feel guilty or think you must not be ‘getting’ it. It could be that for you, Mars in this cardinal square is giving you the extra oomph you’ve been needing to move projects forward with determination, aided by the waxing Moon. Or perhaps it has stoked your more assertive desire nature, to palpable and pleasurable effect. Take a moment to think back to the first week in July, when Venus was in early Cancer making these same aspects. Are you able to notice in what ways this feels different? Does your sexual energy have a discernible change in flavor? I think maybe mine does, but I’ll have to check my dream journal to see if my current impressions hold up to documentation. It’s been a hectic month.

Speaking of dreams, as the Moon passes through the first few degrees of Capricorn in the wee hours of the morning (give or take a few hours, depending on your time zone) it joins Pluto in a sextile to Chiron in Pisces and Neptune just over the border in Aquarius. One thing I’ve noticed in recent months is that transits to these two planets often result in some illuminating dreams — if I can manage to remember and record them. The Neptune influence may be less potent, but don’t underestimate Chiron’s ability to beam in on some moonlight from Pisces. Whatever message it may carry about the influence of the cardinal cross on any old material that may be surfacing is worth your time, attention and ink.

Lastly, one planet that didn’t get a mention yesterday (in deference to Saturn’s weight in early-mid Libra) was Juno, hanging out exactly opposite Uranus and square Mars, and also square Pluto. Check in with yourself on the themes of score-keeping and how satisfied you’ve been feeling lately about your intimate partnerships (and perhaps motherhood). The opposition to Uranus may have you feeling torn between any expansive, spontaneous urges and energies versus your usual conception of your ‘role’ in the partnership. The square to Pluto may be urging some upheaval or restructuring — either of a relationship itself or your usual conception of it. Meanwhile the square with Mars wants to drive it all forward — whether that means hotter sex with your current partner, other partners or yourself, or on the flip side, any anger you’ve been ignoring about these things.

Remember that the key to driving under these conditions, whether literally or figuratively, is to stay aware and alert and to proceed at a manageable speed. Check in with your dreams before you hit the gas pedal, and see if the things revving your engine have older, deeper roots asking to be addressed. You may be cooking up your own personal revolution, but only you can determine what means for you and how it feels.

Note to Leos: Your birthday report is ready. Read this page to find out more. Note to All the Signs: We’re still offering the Mercury Retrograde Report (one of Eric’s favorite 12 sign reports ever; this one came in on a beam of light) and the Midyear Report also offers 12 signs of astrology for one low price. And if you’ve read this far, here is the August monthly horoscope (premium content), available for just a click — you’ll get an auto-reply with the link.