Today is Tuesday, August 9, 2011. The Moon is in Sagittarius until about 4:38 pm EDT, when it enters Capricorn. But the big news is that Mars in Cancer makes an exact square to Uranus in Aries at about 12:33 pm EDT. This puts it into a volatile grand square that includes Saturn in Libra and, more precisely today, Pluto in early Capricorn. This configuration (which we sometimes describe as the cardinal cross) has gotten a lot of attention on Planet Waves. The Uranus-Pluto square is the astrology at the heart of 2012, and at the root of much recent upheaval on the world stage.
Note that the Mars-Uranus square is classic accident astrology, so it’s necessary to be patient behind the wheel, and drive like a professional. With Mars now involved, the energy heats up the inner conflict and the underlying sense of anger many of us are carrying; in Cancer, we are going to feel it. This has been brewing since well before today — witness the riots in London over the weekend — and it will hold for the rest of the week as Mars makes an exact opposition to Pluto in Capricorn.
When there’s a lot of Mars in the sky, it’s good time to ask yourself: What do you do with your energy? Or more specifically, what do you do with your anger? This is not a simple question for some, given how many are cut off from feeling real rage, or want to be ‘nice’, or fear their own power. Does one or more of those descriptions fit you? You are not alone. Rage is not an emotion we are taught to handle well in many Western cultures. Even the most basic anger rarely finds a home, and is often directed inwardly as guilt.
Nor are we taught healthy ways to deal with our sexual desire and drive — another attribute of Mars. In fact, it is actively held down right now in our society, but done so in a rather contradictory way that serves to keep people confused, cut off from themselves and cut off from true intimacy with others. And this repressed sexual energy is likely fuel for much of the violence we’re seeing.
Complicating the Mars-Uranus-Pluto T-square is the conjunction between Mercury retrograde and Transpluto in Leo opposite Neptune. Eric wrote about this aspect in yesterday’s edition. One characteristic of Mercury-Transpluto is narrow-mindedness and obsession; one characteristic of Mercury opposite Neptune is the potential to be deceived. Given the self-investigatory nature of a retrograde Mercury, there are a couple more questions you may ask yourself. One: Have you stopped to ask what you’re angry about and why? And two: Is it even true?
The latter can be especially hard to crack, given the blinding quality of rage, and it is essential in getting anywhere with the current astrology. If you already know you tend toward obsessive thought loops and ungrounded assumptions, take every opportunity to check yourself. Eric is fond of saying the first rule of journalism is “know what you don’t know.” Perhaps it should be the first rule of the current astrology, too. Look for the gaps in your knowledge before you proceed.
Meanwhile, the Sagittarius Moon is conjunct the Galactic Center at the same time that Mars makes its square to Uranus. We’re nestled in one of the galaxy’s far-flung arms as it floats through the universe. We are far from the core; we cannot even see the center due to all the dust in the way. But it is there, it has a powerful attraction, it sends out radio waves, and most importantly for our purposes, it has the feeling of being ‘behind everything’.
Moon conjunct the Galactic Center focuses that mysterious invisible energy. Think of it as a question, asking what a spiritual solution would look like in response to all the people raging and wanting with no appropriate way to express it. But since it is ‘behind everything’, maybe it is the thing that is too big to see around, too big to get around, to make meaningful contact with our anger. You don’t need a lot of contact by the way — just enough to get the sensation, and to enter a dialog. The same is true with desire. Feel its subtle expression and relate to it in a conscious way.
Anger. Drive. Desire. These three keywords for Mars are very compelling emotions, and as mentioned in the lead paragraph, they are playing out on the world stage in dramatic and sometimes convoluted ways. But since, as Shakespeare made famous, we are all players on that stage, I thought I’d take a page out of my acting training. Most directors and teachers I have worked with do not ask the cliché “What is your motivation,” but rather, “What is your objective?” That is, what does your character want in this scene? We are driven in our actions, on stage and in life, by what we desire. Anger can be a useful tool to point us to what is not working in our lives, but only if we notice what it is pointing to rather than becoming enslaved to its blindness. So if you feel yourself coming to a boil, pause just long enough to ask yourself what you truly want from the situation. I’m not saying not to express your anger, but I am suggesting making sure your expression is in line with what you ultimately want.
So how are you going to express your Mars energy today? Keep in mind Mars-Uranus can also be an accident-prone aspect. So if you get in a car, harness your drive, but drive the vehicle consciously and like a pro.
Amanda Painter with Eric Francis
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 my 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.
starrynight3, haven’t been able to get you off my mind since I read your terrifying experience! Don’t know if you’ll see this, but I’m so grateful for your presence of mind and truly intelligent response to that car coming at you! I hope you recover quickly from all traumas, be they physical or emotional, and move forward enjoying your life and healing…blessings be upon you from our starry friends.
Thanks, Amanda, for helping us ask the kind of questions that encourage awareness. Although I grasp for answers like every other human being, answers have never helped me very much.
Wow, the energy is powerful today. It is the kind of surge that would make me feel crazy until I started paying attention to astrology and until I finally understood how much energy I absorb that is not my own (I chock that up to my natal Neptune in the first house.) For me it is coming through my body like high-voltage electricity and I really regret that one cup of coffee this morning. On days like today it is not enough just to ground the energy in meditation. I rely on exercising, gardening, and sex, and not necessarily in that order.
Susyc, I really identified with what you said about anger manifesting as depression. For me, it is almost like as the energy is building my habitual response is to try to deny it or contain it. I didn’t have any particular internal dialogue about it, but it seems more like a body memory–some internalized denial or repression or discomfort with the inner masculine. Yesterday, I did a dance with the crescendo of energy that I didn’t recognize I was doing until this morning. In some ways, this marks my only very slowly awakening awareness of the inner masculine energies.
I’m having a particularly interesting experience of this Mars/Uranus square energy today as it doesn’t particularly aspect anything in my natal chart; it is giving me a chance to differentiate/contrast/compare the energy of this square with the way Mars energy (anger, sexual desire, and drive) is playing out in my personal life.
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your insights.
ps, praps not footing, wings or water wings?
xxxp
Great article and sage words. Love the photograph Amanda. I’m curious about how often Mars will hit this same point (squaring Uranus and opposing Pluto) over the next few years? I’m a little nervous. In July 2000 mars transit in Cancer opposed my natal mars. Standing on a busy street corner with my bike, waiting for my partner, who went in a store to get us water, I mounted the bike and rode a short distance down the street AWAY from the busy intersection where, still sitting on the bike, I leaned against the brick exterior of the store. I heard loud screeching and turned to see a car hurtling toward me out of nowhere. (the driver had taken a last minute right upon missing his turn). Since I had just recovered, after a ski injury, the use of my left leg after 7 surgeries over two years, my only thought was to save my leg. I threw it up over the handlebars, somehow inadvertently, less consciously, also throwing up the right leg. The car smashed into my bike, obliterating it against the brick wall. The seat was knocked out from under me and I landed on the hood of the Mercedes. If it had been a vehicle any less low to the ground I would have been killed. As it was, I survived with multiple contusions, although I was traumatized.
So now mars in Cancer not only opposes my natal Mars but transiting Pluto, which is conjunct natal mars, and squaring Uranus. Just curious how frquenttly this will occur in the next three years?
I’d rather be a saucypuss than a sisyphus.
My anger and fear are manifesting as depression and emotional self-neglect right now, good habits temporarily abandoned. I hope temporarily only. I could be setting myself up for my own ‘blow up,’ if I’m not careful. The peak was yesterday morning, depression, fog of confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty listening, probably mostly fear-driven, but then reaching out, getting help and getting a bit of sexual healing last night from my nearest and dearest.
I’ve been having money problems recently, having to confront my work for charging me for an extra vacation hours program I didn’t sign up for when they hired me about a year ago and then neglecting to pay me my mileage for the last two weeks after we had worked out the prior situation. Passive aggressive bookkeeper? Possibly, given the mad dog she gave me just the other day. But all will be well. I confront rather than nurse resentment and play the victim. But I try to confront with an open mind that is willing to be wrong and apologize when appropriate.
There have been quite a few calls upon my purse lately, but all or almost all of them legitimate response abilities. In this strange economy, a bit nerve-wracking however. Seems so important to not lose focus on gratitude for what I actually have in every moment of every day.
Green,
Thanks for sharing that. I am placing that article on my FB to help spread it around. Thanks for the link.
“Nor are we taught healthy ways to deal with our sexual desire and drive — another attribute of Mars. In fact, it is actively held down right now in our society, but done so in a rather contradictory way that serves to keep people confused, cut off from themselves and cut off from true intimacy with others. And this repressed sexual energy is likely fuel for much of the violence we’re seeing.”
Fantastic article. As Eric always mentions masturbation, I would posit that masturbation (or having sex if you have a willing and available partner) would help a lot to diffuse the Mars anger/desire tension. Remember when everyone had a world-wide masturbation day? Maybe it would be a good thing to re-do that today or tomorrow. Imagine the massive tension release that would bring.
I surely hope earthquakes and the like are not on the menu; people have had enough harm, gloom, doom, and fear to last them. Stress kills just as much as real catastrophe; breathe people, breathe calmness and feel the feelings until we can breathe through and accept them. I would also agree; we need to use this time to ask ourselves those questions, “Have you stopped to ask what you’re angry about and why? And two: Is it even true?” and “What is your objective?”
And this part is especially apropos: ” That is, what does your character want in this scene? We are driven in our actions, on stage and in life, by what we desire. Anger can be a useful tool to point us to what is not working in our lives, but only if we notice what it is pointing to rather than becoming enslaved to its blindness. So if you feel yourself coming to a boil, pause just long enough to ask yourself what you truly want from the situation. I’m not saying not to express your anger, but I am suggesting making sure your expression is in line with what you ultimately want.”
Excellent advice. Thank you, thank you, Amanda and Eric.
“Mars was often more powerful when applying than in exact aspect. Let us hope she was right and that we are past the worst of the Martian inflammation”
phew, really. let’s hope.
This just in from the BBC:
US citizens held and tortured by US troops (in retaliation for trying to blow the whistle on private security companies in Iraq) CAN, yes, CAN sue Rummie. He has no immunity. This ought to get interesting!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14453895
Sadly, with everything else going on in the world, this will probably get mired in the back pages and not get the glaring spotlight it deserves to keep the pressure ON… one can only hope that the t-square will keep this particular kettle boiling nicely, even if it is on a back-burner somewhere.
As an aside…. what an era to be a journalist!
Another aspect of the Mars Uranus dance is learning how to protect your adrenals, liver and kidneys from overload so you can stay strong and stay present. Pick your favourite therapy and apply liberally during these times…maybe even try some new therapies. The Emotional components are important but so is the potential to overload the physical vehicle. Take care… we need everyone on their toes now.
Amanda thank you so much (and Len, Eric and Gary in recent days).
‘The Mastery’ (Dan Fauci) encourages free expression but within the boundaries of never striking another. Awareness awareness awareness, being conscious. And think how animals ritualise anger – stand offs or clear signals of domination and submission or limited contact – better out than in for anger. Another thing I’ve experienced is that you don’t attract anger as long as you aren’t angry or afraid. the minute you are angry or afraid, anger can earth thru you.
There is also turning aside anger. (this is not exactly that but it’s the same sort of thing). When I was very young and staying at a friend’s house, on going to bed I almost put a chair under my door handle and then didn’t because it seemed absurd in her house that another of her guests wouldn’t respect my privacy. In the middle of the night I woke suddenly, no noise, but aware someone else was in the room. With my awareness/waking he ‘ran’ to the bed pulled off the covers and pulled up my nightshirt and began to suckle. I was afraid, then it seemed to me that he was afraid and for some reason had ‘headed for the udder’ for security, so I sat on the edge of the (very low) bed and tried to meet him like a mother. After a certain point it seemed to me that the note was changing and I tapped him on the shoulder, not gentle not hard, but as if to say ‘you wouldn’t fuck your mother. Would you?’ and he got up and left. Then I was afraid and sat watching the door handle!
And working to form your own anger. It has taken years to reset my anger to an insect’s fart. It may be loud and come out under pressure but it is not anything ‘black’ or long lasting. Sometimes to score a line in the sand. I accept that anger creates wear and tear. Still working on that, and maybe stepping out of it completely. If I can. Other ways to go. Or just leave it – somewhere there is that balance of acceptance, and not ‘trying to be (falsely) more’ than I am in reality. Something like that.
A turbulent week for me, extreme weather. Hang on to your hats/footing!
Blessed be
Pam
Amanda,
Special praise for the photograph as an evocative addendum to your comments about the Galactic Core.
Amanda and Eric,
Thank you for rising to the occasion of some powerful astrology with a blog that is every bit as powerful in its interpretation and proposed solutions. May we be wise enough to heed you.
The late, great astrologer Rockie (Rochelle) Gardiner observed that Mars was often more powerful when applying than in exact aspect. Let us hope she was right and that we are past the worst of the Martian inflammation. Although, as our gifted Planet Waves commenter, “be” pointed out in her post to my blog yesterday, there is more to this ambient volatility than Mars.
Being the “L.A. Woman” astrologer, Rockie Gardiner also was of the mindset that the so-called “hard” aspects of Mars to Uranus were (in her words) “earthquake weather”. On that count, let us hope she was wrong this time. We don’t need that.