Astrology Forecasts

Reaching the Mars Zone: Sun/Mars Conjunction 2017

Dan Steele on an Eastern Illinois University Relay team, via Wikimedia Commons.

Dan Steele on an Eastern Illinois University Relay team, via Wikimedia Commons.

We're reaching a conjunction of Sun and Mars (exact July 26). If you looked down at the solar system while hovering above it from space, you would see a direct alignment of Earth, Sun, and Mars. The last conjunction, when Mars was on the far side of the Sun (where we can’t see it), was June 14, 2015 (this will be important to consider, so bear with me here). The last opposition (when Mars was behind the Earth opposing the Sun), was last year during Mars’ retrograde cycle on May 22, 2016. Thus, a Sun/Mars conjunction or opposition alternates roughly each year. You don’t need to understand the technical details, but check out the images below for a visual. The main point is that the last conjunction was in June of 2015, so what’s shifting now relates to what began or shifted at that time.

        The Sun/Mars conjunction July 26, 2017 as seen                 from a heliocentric (Sun centered) perspective

        The Sun/Mars conjunction July 26, 2017 as seen                 from a heliocentric (Sun centered) perspective

The Sun/Mars retrograde opposition May 22, 2016 as viewed from a heliocentric (Sun centered) perspective

The Sun/Mars retrograde opposition May 22, 2016 as viewed from a heliocentric (Sun centered) perspective

Mars is the archetypal warrior of the solar system. It relates to our need and desire to actively get what we want from life (claim what we desire), to defend ourselves, and take up some space in the world. This Earth/Mars synodic cycle (the technical term for the Sun/Mars/Earth alignments), relates to shifting themes connected to the archetypal nature of Mars. Look to the house or place that holds 4 degrees of tropical Leo for insight into the next two year cycle. Mars has many faces, and they shift alongside these conjunctions/oppositions.

While you may not realize it, you go through a roughly two year cycle craving or pursuing a particular theme which takes up much of your physical and psychic energy. That particular craving will be shifting again, and you'll be in pursuit of something else entirely which you can actualize over the next two years. I feel that the emergence of these cravings/desires are more closely related to the conjunctions, because Mars is symbolically engulfed by the Sun (it literally disappears behind it) and is renewed, thus Mars receives a new mission to actualize in the world.

The conjunctions of Sun and Mars deal with the emergence or start and activation of new paths. The oppositions relate to critical turning points in which we change the direction or flow of these actualizing impulses (because Mars is retrograde at these times). From the evolutionary astrological perspective, it is believed that Mars is a lower octave of Pluto. While Pluto is a symbolic reference for the desires existing within the soul, Mars is the means through which they’re carried through and actualized in the physical world. Thus, these conjunctions are significant markers in time and space for which we can better understand and work with to initiate (during the conjunction) or revise and redirect (during the retrograde opposition) desires of a metaphysical origin.

If we entertain the hypothetical suggestion that Mars somehow relates to the actualization of the soul’s pre-existing desires, then these cycles help us burn off our karma, or maybe even acquire more of it. So, we must bring more consciousness to this process to direct these energies to our evolutionary advantage. Check in with yourself (or your chart) to see what the next chapter holds and where much energy and passion will be directed. You're probably feeling it now with a change in the flow of your vitality and life force. On a purely collective level, this conjunction is heating up our drive, enthusiasm, and passion, or even revealing pent up frustration or anger. This may be a time to check in with yourself to see what's in the way of you attaining what you want or taking up some space in the world.

While the psychologist Sigmund Freud was probably off with many of his ideas, he did suggest that depression results from internalized anger and rage (but perhaps excluding clinical forms). I think that’s deeply insightful. To elaborate, if we repress our creativity, passion, and even sexual desires, then such feelings turn destructive and debilitating within the psyche. Also, if we favor one desire over another, then we tend to experience a polarization and the repressed desire manifests more strongly (even taking over our willpower for a period of time). If you're feeling moody, irritable, angry, frustrated, or depressed around this conjunction (unless of course you have obvious reasons to be), it's likely due to a blocked Eros, an inability to express your willpower or sexual and creative drive. You may want to get proactive now about ways you can direct this energy toward healthy and productive outlets.

Following a powerful New Moon with an applying conjunction to Mars (which occurred on July 23), this Sun/Mars conjunction is a significant starting point, and it’s been building up for some time. Mars has been in very close proximity to the Sun since mid-June of 2017, and so you’ve been feeling this transition ripple since then. This exact conjunction on July 26 may not manifest as a significant event, but so often the days surrounding the conjunction are accompanied by new beginnings of different flavors.

Whether you experience this energy positively or negatively has largely to do, hypothetically speaking, with how aligned you are with your soul’s true desires. Are you actively engaged with your life force, creativity, and passion? Are you listening to Eros? If not, then this can be a good time to connect with that reality, and begin taking those steps toward making changes that can better align you with what you’ve come here to do. If you are, then ride this wave confidently toward the actualization of what you really want. As we’re in the midst of eclipse season for the next month, expect to be on an accelerated path for change and personal transformation.

Upcoming Earth/Mars Synodic Periods

July 27, 2018 opposition @ 04 Aquarius

September 2, 2019 conjunction @ 09 Virgo

October 13, 2010 opposition @ 21 Aries

October 07, 2021 conjunction @ 15 Libra

December 07, 2022 opposition @ 16 Gemini

November 17, 2023 conjunction @ 25 Scorpio

January 15, 2025 opposition @ 26 Cancer

Life feels overwhelming when faced with things outside of your control. Understanding yourself is key to finding your power and place in the world. While you can't control fate or the chaos of life, your destiny belongs to you, something you can always strive for to gain command of your life path. Evolutionary Astrology can help. Click here for personal readings. 

Follow me on Instagram for weekly astrological updates.

Engage Your Passion: New Moon in Leo 2017

Fire breathing "Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band", Chassepierre, Belgium; photo by Luc Viatour via Wikimedia Commons. 

Fire breathing "Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band", Chassepierre, Belgium; photo by Luc Viatour via Wikimedia Commons. 

New Moon @ 0 degrees Leo 44’

July 23, 2017

2:46 AM Pacific

5:46 AM Eastern

July’s New Moon in tropical Leo is anything but subtle, though as usual, you should expect a winding down of external drama after a dynamic and heavy Full Moon just two weeks ago. The New Moon phase is a natural time of inward attunement and rejuvenation, but this particular lunation conjoins the planet Mars in the fire sign of Leo. While this is a moment imbued with some uncertainty, even hesitation about what’s emerging, it carries a powerful edge that has some serious prowess. If you’re in need of a creative boost and some extra tenacity, then this New Moon can certainly help you.

Each New Moon signifies a beginning point in time and space, and with such flamboyant archetypes involved, you should anticipate this beginning to embody immense enthusiasm and even some rebellion. Before we dive in, let’s gain some perspective. This month’s New Moon is our on-ramp for the final eclipse season of 2017. With its alignment to Mars, the warrior of the solar system, this New Moon indicates that some gusto and courage are required. Both Mars and the Sun have been traveling in close proximity since the latter end of June. It’s likely stirred up some anger, assertiveness, violence, sexual lustiness, and possibly an awareness of inner strength in many of us the past several weeks.

Consider situations that have erupted recently, especially those that synched up with the Full Moon on July 8. This New Moon signifies a dramatic shift in those situations and a powerful transition into new themes and realities over the next full lunation cycle (approximately one month). Consider the fixed nature of Leo and its archetypal inner fire. This helps to breathe new life into creative projects and goals, but it also insures that what we put into motion has some stability and sense of permanence about it. Choose wisely about what you're presently devoting your time and energy to, and also be exceptionally mindful of what you commit to at this point. With the power of Mars and its square to Uranus, take into consideration any rebellious and individualistic impulses.

Make sure that your choices leave room for freedom of self-expression. That’s incredibly important, because in the coming two weeks the New Moon will culminate in a partial eclipse of the Moon in Aquarius, which will greatly amplify rebellious impulses and test our strength once we have a clearer perspective. Eclipses always accelerate what’s been going in our lives, so if you’re already overwhelmed, then use this time to strengthen your support base and better arm yourself for upcoming challenges. However, if you feel confident in your present course of action, then these upcoming eclipses (Aug 7 & Aug 21) will help to move you much further along than you presently think is possible. Remember, we have two New Moons this year in Leo. Aug 21 is a total solar eclipse in Leo, which will be visible for the entire United States.

Use this New Moon to greatly strengthen your boundaries and determination. This is a powerful launching pad for things you wish to set into motion. Step into this dark of the Moon confidently with valor. Use this moment wisely, as Mercury’s retrograde cycle begins Aug 12, which will help us rework and re-strategize what we’re presently dealing with. This lunation can help you better align with your inner reservoir of strength, vitality, passion, and power. Direct this energy consciously toward things that best align with your authentic, spiritual path. Use just enough force to get things going, but be mindful of the power you actually have. The warrior archetype is a necessary function for self-defense and taking action in the world, but can so easily turn destructive if we aren’t conscious of our true motivations. If you’re really assured, then step up and make it happen!

Life feels overwhelming when faced with things outside of your control. Understanding yourself is key to finding your power and place in the world. While you can't control fate or the chaos of life, your destiny belongs to you, something you can always strive for to gain command of your life path. Evolutionary Astrology can help. Click here for personal readings. 

Follow me on Instagram for weekly astrological updates.

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