By Len Wallick
Mars will sextile Jupiter on Thursday. This is a significant event. As distinguished astrologer Robert Hand succinctly puts it ,”Mars is an energy planet.” Because that energy is often premature in its manifestation, and because Jupiter is moving very slowly, it is appropriate to look at this aspect now. While we cannot indulge specific predictions, the archetypes involved — their placement and relationships — indicate an extroverted, physical, persistent and productive potential. The question is: how do you distinguish a genuinely positive opportunity during a time when deception and exploitation are the rule? The answer is to make it so.
Mars entered the sign Cancer just over two weeks ago. Subsequent events have developed a trend. The initiative inherent in the sign’s cardinal quality has clearly been energized. This is witnessed by world events, as personal passion continues to flood into the political arena. There can be no doubt that challenging aspects to Uranus and Pluto contributed to that pattern. Last weekend’s Full Moon further encouraged proclivities to act on and act out. What we have not seen a lot of so far is the tempered restraint that we would expect after fiery Martian drive incorporates the water element in Cancer’s makeup. That’s where Jupiter comes in.
Among all the planets, Jupiter is best suited to mediate between fire and water. That capacity is derived from its traditional rulership of both Sagittarius and Pisces, where flame and fluid respectively find their most evolved expression in the zodiac. It’s no accident that the image most commonly used to describe Jovian energy – expansion, is also the distinguishing characteristic of steam. One of the notable things about 2011 so far is the unusual amount of time it has taken for Jupiter’s own head of steam to build up.
When Jupiter entered Taurus the first week of June, we knew on principle that it had to be a big deal. Its annual sign change is by default a milestone by which a year can often be defined. That appellation was delayed, however, by one of the few events that can literally overshadow a major planet in a new suit – an eclipse. Not just one eclipse either, three of them, chambered and delivered one after another over an entire month of compression. This week is one of the few unimpeded opportunities we have had to avail ourselves of Jovian grace in the Taurean raiment of animated matter. Such is the promise of this specific sextile.
Of all the geometric relationships generally employed by astrologers, with the possible exception of a conjunction, the sextile is considered the most fortunate. Words like positive, favorable and friendly consistently come up whenever the literature describes sixty degrees of separation. The expectations of the specific sextile from Mars to Jupiter are so great as to almost assure unparalleled opportunities for constructive activity unless, once again in the words of Rob Hand, “some very powerful negative transit coincides with this one”. After all we have been through this year, it’s probably very difficult for most of us to take that sort of optimism on faith. That’s where we come in.
It is the nature of our time that the very best among us would be tempted to cynicism. Our new century has thus far been characterized by the unrestrained avarice of the powerful few feeding upon the fear they have intentionally cultivated on those of us increasingly vulnerable. The unprecedented promise that was the United States of America has been betrayed, thrown on a pyre of violence afflicting the world, while the powerful few continue to extract what was once the nation’s unlimited wealth. In the midst of all that, are we somehow to expect something to good happen to us through the ethereal auspices of astrology? In a word, no.
In the final analysis, astrology does not happen to us any more than life itself does. It is rather something that we make. Our directed awareness and choice of focus are personal components that become the aegis of our collective reality. Astrology is simply there to help us with the timing and as a means to understand that the patterns of our existence on Earth are subject to cyclical change. If we can avail ourselves of astrology as a tool, we can gain perspective that will forestall despair and help us to prepare.
With the Martian sextile to Jupiter, we have the opportunity to cleanse portals of perception that have been clouded by discouragement. Building on that, we can act with clarity and direction. Rooted in the firm ground of Taurus, the reasoned expectation of Jupiter’s archetype is material manifestation. Acting through Cancer’s symbolic reciprocity of need, the highest expression of Mars is authenticity. It is therefore through our individual practice of authentic compassion that this brief but vital season of a week can become real in our lives, made and given with our own hands.
Offered In Service
Brendan- I really relate to your dishrag image. Wrung out, slapped against the sink and now hung out, hanging by one clothespin . My natal merc is 3 degrees from my natal Uranus in Geminit and 4 degrees from my natal Asbolus in Gemini. Lots of review this month along with shocks and jolts and new awareness (natal Chiron in Scorpion in 3rd or 4th house, depending on which chart system is used, which is a question I have and hope is answetrred some day– which chart system is most “accurate” and why). Best to you, Brendan, my bro.
Len – I am always impressed with how clearly and succinctly you manage to make the current astrology fit with what I see happening around me. Thank you, as always.
I have Mercury right along side my natal Aquarian Sun, and Chiron is thrown into the mix as well. Both are within two degrees of my Sun. Lately I’ve felt like I’m just a dishrag, wrung out to dry and exhausted as a result. There is simply so much going above that the surface can seem so shallow and distant.
“It is the nature of our time that the very best among us would be tempted to cynicism. Our new century has thus far been characterized by the unrestrained avarice of the powerful few feeding upon the fear they have intentionally cultivated on those of us increasingly vulnerable. The unprecedented promise that was the United States of America has been betrayed, thrown on a pyre of violence afflicting the world, while the powerful few continue to extract what was once the nation’s unlimited wealth. In the midst of all that, are we somehow to expect something good happen to us through the ethereal auspices of astrology? In a word, no.
In the final analysis, astrology does not happen to us any more than life itself does. It is rather something that we make. Our directed awareness and choice of focus are personal components that become the aegis of our collective reality.,,,”
Once I compared your writing, Len, to TS Eliot. Tonight I compare your writing to Fe Bongolan. Tell it like it is, bro. Yes.
And thanks for the Chironic – like lens you have focused on this moment with Mars and Jupiter influencing us.
+_+ xx
Read more: http://planetwaves.net/pagetwo/daily-astrology/to-make-and-give-mars-sextile-jupiter/#ixzz1V9uJbB00
Huffy, Carrie, sweet and erudite be, Karen: thank you for your kind words.
marymack: Actually, i also have my Mercury in Aquarius, conjoined with my Sun, both recently transited by Nessus (which is now opposing my natal Pluto). What you describe seems more like a Mars or Uranus phenomenon. At any rate, it gives me great joy to be of service.
Fe: thank you for your help.
Brilliant 🙂 So helpful, so clear and written so beautifully. …And yet again, Len, I think to myself how very ‘English’ your writing is; I never ‘hear’ ‘American’, as is usually evident in writers from the US.
I’m too tired to say more, except thank you…
with an aquarius mercury, I tend to rush into the world (as one or two may have noticed here at PW) without much reflection or deliberation … and then I have an opportunity to read your post, Len, and I’m taking a breath or two and letting go of the initual thread that shook me so easily. I find myself at this altogether new spot that feels calm and centered and more … me.
Thank you, Len.
Mary
Len,
Thanks for focusing on something positive today. Too often we lovers of astrology zoom in on the negative possibilities, especially now, as you say “during a time when deception and exploitation are the rule.” As Taurus is not a sign known for speed, and because Jupiter is moving ever so slowly now, it seems to be encouraging patience . . .not a strong suit for Mars in ANY sign.
Most likely Jupiter would encourage Mars to look at the ‘big picture’ for a while and let a little of that steam go like the old pressure cookers do; just a jiggle up and out through the top valve while the rest of it cooks your food in record time. And there’s plenty of steam due to those eclipses you reminded us of. It could be very explosive if not handled right, you know?
Speaking of exploitation (and deception!) we are approaching the 10th anniversary of Nine Eleven and I dare say with Mars in teary-eyed Cancer, all the valves will be activated as the anger, resentment and disappointment are brought to the surface. A little piece of good news is that the asteroid Astarea, who represents courage as we carry on, or ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’, will be conjunct the U.S. Sibly north node which represents opportunities for (soul) growth. I hope she can help our country weather these tough times.
Hoping too that Mars will stoke the Jupiterian flame for the long trip back through Taurus. The next time these two meet they will be joined by Venus and Pluto in a grand trine and I’m praying for a positive expression of that aspect too.
be
Oh Len, you have done it again and so perfectly:
“Our directed awareness and choice of focus are personal components that become the aegis of our collective reality. Astrology is simply there to help us with the timing and as a means to understand that the patterns of our existence on Earth are subject to cyclical change. If we can avail ourselves of astrology as a tool, we can gain perspective that will forestall despair and help us to prepare.”
And:
“we have the opportunity to cleanse portals of perception that have been clouded by discouragement. Building on that, we can act with clarity and direction.”
These and the rest were exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you, thank you again!
Thanks so much dear Len. very very helpful. xxx