Mars New Year

By Len Wallick

Big Day. Long time coming. Mars finally gains release from its long retrograde cycle. When the red planet transits nineteen degrees, forty-two arc minutes Leo today it will be in new territory for the first time this year. Taking a hint from the Moon, which conjoins its South Node hours later, it would do us well to pause and look back before plunging headfirst into the future.

It all started on October 16 of 2009 when Mars made its transit into Leo. One day later it was in the first echo phase, the furthest point at which it would roll back. The retrograde station was December 20th, just before the Capricorn solstice, at the same degree Mars finds itself today. It stationed forward, in the first degree of Leo March 10th of this year, all leading up to today. That’s a long process. Seven months. Think back to mid-October, to late December, even to early March and think how much has changed. Mars retrograde in Leo was a through line, a part of the whole shebang. Now that part is moving on.

Like all planetary retrogrades this was an illusion created by the orbital motion of Earth relative to that of Mars. Over the millennium astrologers have noticed that the period of this illusory phenomena is synchronized with events. Unusual and/or seemingly consequential events. Events that relate to the characteristics of the planet and the sign or signs in which the retrograde takes place.

Mars is the ruler of Aries and the traditional ruler of Scorpio. Among other things, it represents our physical presence and our intentional, energetic relationship with the physical world. Leo is ruled by the Sun. Among other things it is associated with the presence of our conscious ego in the world seeking to express itself. Mars in Leo is a chummy relationship. The element of fire being associated with both, the imperatives of the planet and the sign are compatible.

Introduce retrograde movement to this chummy relationship and things become a little strange. It is as though the energy of Mars and the expression of Leo are still there, but driven underground. Extroversion gives way to introspection. Outward radiance turns inward to prolonged contemplation. Confidence yields to anxiety, muting enthusiasm. Forthright action seems more risky than subterfuge. Inspiration does not come, it must be sought.

With hindsight it seems that the most constructive thing to do during the Leo retrograde of Mars was not do, rather prepare. Any attempts to assert our will were often suppressed. Trying to subvert those forces of inhibition would seem to result in setback. By taking the time to get clear on our desires and needs, however, we were afforded the possibility to sort things out. During the forward echo phase we could shift ourselves to considering how to make possible what we had prioritized since the Capricorn solstice.

Now, that’s all behind us. Even if we have not done our homework. Even if we have spent the last seven months willfully trying to force things. Even if we have lost our temper too often and over too little. Even if we have been exposed, set back or frustrated, what’s done is done. It’s on to new ground. Mars will segue with the rest of the planets in an entirely new way during its remaining month in Leo. Avail yourself of the feeling. Feel the release, it’s a good thing. It’s fresh. All done for another couple years. Let it go.

And how to engage, how to mesh on this new ground? As is often efficacious, resort to the hints afforded by synchronous aspects, especially the luminaries. Besides the Moon’s admonition to pause and consider the Karma of it all, the Sun has something to say as well. As does Jupiter. As does Venus.

Today the Sun forms an encouraging sextile with Jupiter. This is sixty degrees of separation. This is an aspect of encouragement. Like a scholarship or a grant, it is an opportunity, a beginning upon which we can build. The Taurus Sun representing the imperative to grow in expression. Jupiter in Pisces representing the potential for expansion and possibility. Both open the way for Mars to unlimber and join in with newly enabled expression in the physical.

By contrast, Sol’s semi-sextile with Venus in Gemini (thirty degrees of separation) reminds us that we may not want to rush things too awful much. Seven months pacing back and forth over seventeen degrees can do things to your Mars self. It takes a while to adjust to being outside those boundaries. It’s not hopeless, mind you, just problematic. A benefic appreciates and responds to reciprocation.

Which leads finally to today’s square aspect, ninety degrees of separation, between the two greater benefics, Venus and Jupiter. Pulled inside and stretched outside. Both on the edge of a transit. Both in need of a vacation with none in the offing. There’s some tension that has built up. Good will has worn a little thin. With its talent for action, Mars can lend itself towards resolution and even re-creation. It must be informed action, however, and this is where the lessons learned come in. If we can settle upon a desired result to our action, apply our energy in a responsive rather than reactive manner, create space where creation is allowed take place — we can restore faith in ourselves as the true source of abundance.

Offered In Service