The intensity of Mars in Leo

What in the world is going on????? Sure seems intense around the globe.

One look at the current  transit chart dynamics explains it: Sun and Mercury in Scorpio square Mars in Leo. Scorpio's life force meets the radiance of the Leo heart, or in certain quarters, the full force of the Leo ego. Sun represents the fuel of the mix; Mercury how it is imparted or communicated; Mars is where the action lies. Nothing boring in this trio.
 
Squares are always an edgy type of energy. Think of two forces just not seeing eye-to-eye on anything. Yet, squares in a natal chart can also be a "stop sign" of sorts, indicating "that's not the way to go", or "buyer beware". Particularly affected by this dynamic is anyone with significant planetary aspects in your natal chart in early to mid degree Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius or Leo.


Back to the world stage. This square dynamic has been rather intense across the board. Here's a few examples of intensity in the realm of Scorpio's life force meeting the ego side of Leo.

Violent acts of aggressive force (shadow Mars) have occurred over the past week in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Bombs, war, etc. etc. No need to go into the details. Enough to simply say "intense".

Israel and Palestine have resumed aggressive acts towards each other, this time in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Intensity can also reveal itself in the infrastructure. For example, just yesterday, the Bay Bridge in California was shut down indefinitely to traffic after one of its cables snapped at rush hour. This is the commuter route for over 300,000 cars a day! Think of the inconvenience and intensity that creates.

On a much more positive note, President Obama today signed the first gay civil rights legislation, protecting gays, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-gender individuals from acts of violence (think Sun/Mercury square Mars). These aggressive acts are now included and treated as acts of hate carrying with it significant federal punishments. Further, this legislation has been 10 years in the making.

This intense Scorpio/Leo vibration continues through the 18th of November. Remember too, Saturn moves into Libra on Oct 30th and begins its 5 month square with Pluto. Powerful cycles for a powerful time of transition and change 

After the 18th, the Sun and Mercury move far away from Mars energy to complete the square, however, they begin a square to the Aquarius energy of Neptune, Jupiter and Chiron. Sort of like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. That dynamic is for a future blog.

In the meantime, stay clear, breathe, receive nurturing bodycare, and physically exercise to allow this strong energy to easily circulate within your body.

Feel free to share how you have been personally affected by this current vibe.

Saturn in Libra

Saturn moves into the sign of Libra on October 29th where it remains (except for a brief return to Virgo) through 2012. This is a shift from the Earth vibration of Virgo to an Air vibration of communication and thought. In Virgo, Saturn has brought our focus on issues of health and service, as well as a greater attention to life's details. By contrast, the Libra focus will be on relationship with others, especially in the realm of work relationships and alliances and personal, intimate relationships.

Saturn was last in Libra in the early 1980's, as the world shifted from the struggles of the late 1970's to a focus on world alliances and international interest of cooperation and power.

We view the planetary archetype of Saturn as the "task master" of the astrology chart. Saturn in your natal chart requires attention to life's details, specific to the sign where Saturn is placed. For example, if Saturn in your chart is in the sign of Gemini, you'll experience challenges in life around being playful versus acting seriously/responsibly. 

Saturn also reorganizes, upgrades and realigns energy. So challenges Saturn poses usually deal with inefficiency or incongruent situations. Saturn's focus in Libra, in part, will highlight these types of issues involving relationships in your life. 

Libra is ruled by the planetary energy of Venus. Venus includes areas of beauty, the arts, relationships, alliances, and the creation and development of wealth. Saturn will bring its focus to these areas posing aforementioned challenges and tests. Self-integrity with others in these areas will be ripe for upgrade. 

Libra energy also enters into the realm of diplomacy and negotiations, seeking harmony and balance. In this rapidly changing world, interaction between nations and how they co-exist or not, will be put under the Saturn microscope.

Look for more Saturn dynamics and potent Libra interactions in coming blogs. For now, here's the dates of Saturn's transits in and out of Libra through 2012

• Enters Libra Oct 29

• Saturn begins its 1st of 3 retrogrades in Libra at 5 Libra on January 13, 2010

• Saturn reenters Virgo April 7, 2010
• Saturn moves direct at 28 Virgo on May 30, 2010

• Saturn reenters Libra July 21 2010
• Saturn enters Scorpio October 5, 2012 

This morning the Boston Globe published their "Big Picture" portfolio. "Saturn at Equinox" is featured and may be found here. Universal timing has a way of stimulating conscious thought, creativity and awareness, whether or not one is aware of astrological cycles. Saturn's Equinox energy of balance aligns with Saturn's Libra theme. Enjoy.

Planetary Cycles - October 19 - 25

Astrology Planetary Cycles

October 19 - 25

Moon begins the week in the life force dynamics of Scorpio. By week's end, it is immersed in the Aquarius grouping of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron. In between, the Moon revisits Sagittarius' quest for the truth and Capricorn's desire to be organized and down-to-earth.

Meanwhile, Mars (visible as a ruddy point of light high in the eastern pre-dawn sky) moves now in the heart-driven sign of Leo. Because of its coming December retrograde, Mars remains in Leo through next May. This 5 month inner journey's theme is "your heart passion and how you express it in your life". Venus remains in Libra this week, now moving away from its intense square with Pluto. What did you learn last week about relationships in your life?

Soon, Saturn moves into the sign of Libra. The Venus relationship lesson of last week provides content for this coming 2 1/2 year reevaluation period in the realm of equal conscious partnerships.

Lastly, Sun moves into life-force driven Scorpio on Oct 22 at 8:43 p HST. The first 4 days may prove intense as the early Sun degrees squares Mars in Leo. On the big stage, intense aggression may be prevalent between nations.

For the bigger picture, more on our recent free astrology podcast " Relationship Activation"


Holistic Strategy - On the 22nd Moon in Sagittarius squares both Saturn and Uranus. This dynamic asks "what is the truth for me in this time of rapidly changeable events?" At week's end, Scorpio Sun and Leo Mars dynamic creates critical tension around emotional heart issues. Time to reflect and be inward, accessing your place of inner peace.