Mars is the raw energy planet of action, initiative, and self-assertion. It is daring, decisive, and eager. Its less skillful side is agressive, over competitive or irritable. After all, it was the Roman god of war. This past August 20th it entered the sign expression of Gemini. We experienced an overload of ideas, connections, factoids, and messages. Gemini is a very curious, clever, busy, adaptable energy but it can be scattered. Its shadow side can be trickery, lies, gossip, and mental overload. Mars just went backwards on Sunday October 30th. We will be reconsidering and reviewing some of the bright ideas and new associations we have formed since late August. We may have verbal fatigue. We may edit ourselves in judgmental ways, or we may just be more discerning about our communications. If you have been having arguments you may gain an understanding of your opponent’s view. If your life involves writing or data you may have a mental block. Ask yourself, “What is really meaningful and important for me to say.” It can be useful to reduce your use of all kinds of media and focus on your body and psyche. Since Gemini is the sign of twins, and Mars is actions, many things may have to be done twice. Be patient about re-dos. Think before you speak and notice when you want to distract yourself from uncomfortable feelings. After Mars goes direct it will still be in Gemini until March 23, so we can reach out and communicate with more wisdom.
July 31-August 1 brings a major astrology configuration that will affect your future. The planet Uranus (awakening, disruption) joins Mars (activation, contention) and the North Node (new channels, soul growth). This triple conjunction is in the sign expression of Taurus (stability, earthiness, values, possessions).
Uranus has been in Taurus since 2018. It has brought unexpected fluctuations in financial matters, earth changes, relating to our physical bodies, and personal and cultural values. It can account for food and supply instability, and the way that loss of habitat contributes to pandemics. The shocking war in Ukraine is partly based on control of natural resources such as lithium and farmland. We already have a volcano in Japan this week.
Mars amplifies the energy, actions, and aggression. When Mars meets Uranus, astrologers advise caution about accidents, explosions, and anger. You may have internal emotional upheavals.
As the positive more skillful potential unfolds, there may be scientific innovations in agriculture and health. Around the planet people are revolting against the unequal distribution of wealth. Uranus rules community and political movements.
The presence of the North Node will intensify our desires for movement on our soul path. The problems and challenges of the past will inspire steady action to establish practical lasting solutions.
As an individual, watch for things you have put up with just to be secure becoming untenable. It may take a surprise or circumstances beyond your control to push a breakthrough. This kind of unmooring can be stressful. Kindly tend to your body and your emotions. What you have relied on for stability is changing. Don’t resist- adapt and innovate. Examine what really matters to you. What is really worth your energy, time, heart and commitment? What can you contribute to the Collective? You could explore a blast of creativity.
On August 7th the Mars in Taurus will challenge Saturn in Aquarius. Fears, worries or consequences of your enthusiasms can come to the forefront. Use this challenge for grounded evaluation, planning and implementation. You can use the maturity and discipline of Saturn to structure what your insights have revealed.
Prince Harry was born with Mars, Uranus, and the South Node together in the Sign of Sagittarius (exploration of wisdom). He is drawn to unconventional paths and broke the belief systems of his ancestry. As a young adult extreme displays of anger led him to psychotherapy. He discovered that unexpressed grief about the death of his mother, Princess Diana, was driving his rage. Now one of his many philanthropies advocates for mental health services for all strata of society.
On May 10 Mercury, the communication planet reverses course and heads backwards through Gemini and later Taurus. In Gemini until May 22, appointments, data, media, and transportation are especially vulnerable to mix-ups. Little white lies and gossip can backfire on you. You can lose keys or get locked out of you home or car. You may feel antsy and impatient. Don’t crater if your sense of humor is misinterpreted. The time is best used for reflection and re-assessment. Slow down and connect to people more directly than by the impersonal nature of texts and social media. Notice the difference in the quality of these interactions. Mercury re-traverses Taurus until it turns direct on June 3rd. In this sign the mind is more deliberate. You might reorganize matters of your security and sustainability. Go over budgets and compare what you spend to what you really value. If you have been stubborn about something, reconsider and try being more flexible. Soothe your mind with visits to natural settings. Honor the natural rhythms of Mercury and use retrogrades to rest and to make improvements in your life.
GO BOLDLY! ARIES CONJUNCTION END OF MAY
Once every 12 years the most beneficial planet, Jupiter, passes through the sign of Aries. Jupiter exaggerates the energy of any sign that it is in. Except for a brief retrograde back to Pisces between October 28th and December 21st, Jupiter will be in Aries for a year. Aries is the fire sign of individual desires and courage. It likes to follow impulses, jump in, and then clean up the mess later. It is a warrior of leadership and courageous action. Its unskillful use brings conflict. Its positive use is a hero or champion. Expect a burst of energy, drive, and new inspirations. Harness the energy to innovate, and relish your sovereignty. Enjoy an increase in confidence, but listen to others, lest you be narcissistic. Make a solid game plan to achieve what you are seeking. Mars enters Aries, its home sign on May 24th and joins Jupiter on May 29th. There will be no holding back. Watch your temper! Make sure that you don’t bulldoze over anyone else. Exercise your physical vitality in a conscious disciplined way. Blaze a trail and enjoy your discoveries. Mars will be in Aries until July 5th.
The night of September 26 through October 18 Mercury reverses course in the sign of Libra. The communication planet in Libra prefers balance, peace and compromise. It is in a sign of beauty, harmony, and love. With connections askew, indecisiveness and misunderstandings can complicate the usual delays and re-do’s required when Mercury is retrograde. Libra rules aesthetics so this is not a good time to shop for decor or clothes or change your hairstyle. Because Libra affects relationships, any interpersonal connections can be up for review. Renegotiate agreements and roles in your business and private life. Witness your assumptions and be flexible- Many truths are possible. There is an extra edge to this Mercury retrograde. The home planet of Libra is Venus, now in Scorpio. She is deeply emotional and takes things personally. So communications can be colored with more passion and coming from unconscious wounds. Witness any ulterior motives. Tread softly and compassionately with yourself and others. Serena Williams was born with 5 planets in Libra, including Mercury. She has Venus in Scorpio. She is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She has been very influential in cultural standards of beauty inspiring many people to celebrate their natural born bodies and their individual sense of style. Her Venus in Scorpio adds a sexual charisma but also a deep sense of outrage that has caused her many penalties when she objected to calls by tournament officials. Scorpio is also a profound strategist which contributes to the mastery of her game.
Have you been pruning your wardrobe, organizing your junk drawer, deleting ancient emails, sweeping out your garage, dusting off your juicer? Mars entered Virgo on July 30 and will be there until October 14th! Virgo is the service-oriented sign of details, routines, analysis, discernment and purification. Every year sometime between the middle of July and mid-October the Sun, Mercury, and Venus pass through Virgo. It is the harvest time back to school energy. This year Mars adds action, drive and desire. This is the most productive period since the late summer of 2019. Now is the time to establish some useful habits to steward your health, house, or your work. Virgo rules employees so integrate feedback and improve systems for any teams or committees you are on. Data collection and fact checking are also favored. Make your list, check it twice and git her done! There are some exceptions. On August 23-25 Mercury is opposite Neptune and on September 2-4 Mars is opposite Neptune. This could signal insecurity about misinformation, denial, confusion or general muddles. Use those times for something restful, spiritual or creative and bypass important decisions and actions.
From July 9th through July 14 we will be feeling the va- va- voom creative conjunction of Mars and Venus in the feisty, passionate fire sign of Leo. Over the weekend the Moon in Leo joins the party. This is a time to do something audacious, enthusiastic, or sexy! Regardless of sexual orientation, everyone has an inner masculine essence and inner feminine essence. Mars and Venus join together about once every two years in various sign expressions. This year Leo exemplifies the brilliance of actions taken from innocence and pure child-like (not childish) desire. If you are in a relationship flirt, play, and let one thing lead to another. Renew your romance. If you desire a romantic relationship do something to express your joy and build your self-love. Release yourself from routine and be bold. Let your heart light shine! Music, dance poetry food or nature can inspire you. Get together with the most fun people you know.
Conjunctions are the beginning of a new cycle so this energy sets a backdrop for the next 8 months. Mars will give you the oomph to put your desires and creative purpose into actions. It is a well deserved time for optimism and renewal. Strengthen your body and beautify yourself, your home, and your environments. Share your talents or learn new crafts. Mars in Leo can be egotistical so allow the Venus to remind you of consideration for the needs and feelings of others.
Jane Austen (North Node soul direction in Leo) wrote masterful classic novels about the game of love. You can find BBC film adaptations of all of them on PBS. In addition, my favorite most ravishing “Pride and Prejudice” is the 2005 version with Kiera Knightly. The most open hearted “Sense and Sensibility” was the 1995 film starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson.
Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. Oprah Winfrey
On Monday June 14th the strongest planetary configuration of the year occurs. Saturn square Uranus already happened once on February 17th, and will return again on December 24th. These planets move slowly enough that we are experiencing the effects as ongoing.
Saturn is the most conservative cautious planet. It operates on a spectrum between being disciplined and methodical all the way to repression and obstruction. Saturn, the planet of authority represents our personal sovereignty, but also our fears and limitations. It also acts as the structures of society- governments, economies, corporate power. It is expressing in the sign of Aquarius which is very egalitarian, forward thinking, freedom loving, and sometimes radical. Aquarius wants to innovate and operates through science and technology to create the future. Aquarius uses collaboration- friendships, affiliations, and politics all the way to the general collective consciousness. So Saturn is either holding back and regulating the Aquarian expression, or is setting up systems to normalize and institutionalize the changes. An example of the latter is the government releasing information about Air Force sightings of UFO’s.
Uranus is the most radical planet and rapidly and spontaneously demands freedom and breaks with the past. It has been expressing in the careful plodding sign of Taurus since 2018. Taurus is tenacious, inflexible, and persistent. Taurus likes to take time and adjust slowly. It represents our values, our money, and our bodies. The body can be an individual person, but also the body of Mother Earth.
These two planets are clashing in a dynamic tension between old and new, between hope and doubt, between responsibility and liberation, between governments and the needs of the populous. Saturn is the cement and Uranus is the jackhammer.
There are often readjustments of stock markets or currencies when Saturn and Uranus conflict. Remember that astrology can show up anywhere on the planet, not just the USA. When these planets interacted in February it manifested as the Gamestop Revolution when young investors collaborated on social media and outsmarted big institutional hedge funds. Robinhood, the app that was used is a perfect metaphor for Uranus in Taurus. There will be more collective endeavors to upset the economic status quo.
On a personal level we are feeling restlessness, shock, and excitement, coupled with resistance to change. Many of us are adjusting our values and questioning our status quo. Examine: What outmoded belief systems are giving you fear? What do you stand for? What motivates you to grow? What feels authentic and precious? What people match you now? What are new ways to accept and support yourself? What feels fresh and optimistic? If you are met with an obstinate reaction to differences of opinion don’t go crazy. Breathe, take a detached perspective and assert your dignity. Commit to maturely craft your future with Love.
Saturn squared Uranus in 1999 when the The Matrix movie was first released. It has become a classic dystopian film that had innovative special effects. It was very fast action and violence oriented, but expressed important and interesting themes about society. It was about an insurgency to truly liberate humanity from an evil situation. Uranus is problematic because it is so unpredictable that it can spur genuine humanitarian unrest, or erratic actions based on denial of reality. Here is a quotation from the script:
“Buckle your seatbelt Dorothy, because Kansas is going bye bye.”
On May 14th, Jupiter, which expands things, enters the sign of Pisces. It will be there for 2 1/2 months. Then a retrograde takes it back to the sign of Aquarius. It returns to Pisces from December 28 until May of 2022.
Pisces is a vulnerable, compassionate, intuitive expression. It is the last sign in the process of the zodiac and is best used for surrendering to Spirit and letting go. You may experience yourself feeling impressionable and sympathetic. The psyche takes a larger seat in our lives than usual. It is a wonderful time for artistic creativity, and empathetic social action. Because Pisces can be unworldly it is also important to know that it includes being gullible and some people will be taking advantage by deception or by preying on the innocence of others.
Pisces is not goal oriented. You could feel adrift or spaced out. The conscious mind is out in Bastrop County with a paper bag over its head, but the subconscious mind is stunningly available. Be sure to include down time in your schedule for being meditative or just listening for what shows up. Watch for signs from Nature’s creatures. Pay attention to your dreams. Pisces also “rules” addictions so instead of overdoing your emotional rescues, talk to someone who cares.
On top of this touching Pisces energy, Mars entered the sign of Cancer on April 24th and will stay there until June 11th. Mars, the action planet will direct itself toward facilitating and protecting home and family. Domestic projects will be even more in the forefront than they were last year in lock-down. (The North Node was in Cancer then). The sign of Cancer is also vulnerable, even timid. Mars can also be the planet of anger so watch out for being passive aggressive or grouchy if you are not getting your way. Go ahead and be corny and sentimental. It is the right time for that.
The last time Jupiter was in Pisces in 2010 the movie “The King’s Speech” was released and it swept the Academy Awards. It is the story of King George V who suffered agony and humiliation because he stammered. History thrust him into the Kingship when his brother abdicated the throne of the United Kingdom to marry a divorcee. The movie is a heart opener as we see the tender and also determined support of his loving wife and his two young daughters. An oddball brilliant speech therapist who treats the King as an equal helps to heal him in a very compassionate way. King George emerges with strength to lead his country as Hitler begins his conquest of Europe. It is a sure-fire tear jerker that can help you release some of your own feelings.
Mercury is the planet of communications, connections, facts, and transportation. When it goes backwards (in appearance) in its home sign, Gemini it is in the most notable position for snafus and misunderstandings. Just get one of those clappers for your keychain because you will need it. And, Oh, if you don’t have an extra key hidden outside of your house take care of that too. Get car repairs done in advance.
Gemini is a mischievous sign and its symbol is The Twins. You may feel like there are little gremlins purposely annoying you. Summer travel plans or pandemic restrictions may change. Double check any charges on your online accounts because data is prone to mistakes.
Very recently Mars moved through this same sector of Gemini from March 31 through April 24. Things you decided, plans you made, people you interacted with may get lost in the ozone or require a reboot twice. (The Twins, remember?)
The hot air you usually blow may fall flat. The time calls for extreme patience, flexibility and kindness. Retrogrades are important because they help us reconsider or edit past actions and plans. Examine your connection with the media. Do you really need to know everything you are looking at and hearing? It is not a good time to enter a poetry slam or launch a new website. Go inside yourself and be truthful about excuses and rationalizations. Go “Forest Bathe” to get out of your head. Remember the Ray Charles song, “Your Mind Is On Vacation and Your Mouth Is Working Overtime” and adjust accordingly.
The actress Juliette Lewis has a Gemini Sun, and Drew Barrymore has Gemini as her personality point. Both of them were child stars with very mobile faces and are great comedians. They each lived the vulnerable shadow side of Gemini when they got into drugs at an early age. You may feel the need for reassurance during this retrograde. The comedian Amy Schumer is a great Gemini Sun storyteller.
“I just have this sense of entitlement that I should be able to feel comfortable at all times, like I could go to bed at any moment in what I’m wearing.“
