Mars Enters Aries and the Retrograde Period

“We draw upon Mars for courage, dynamism, passion and kinship with life.” Caroline W. Casey

The end of this month Mars, the planet of clear goals, autonomy, energy, will and drive will move into his own feisty sign of Aries on the 27th. This will open a good time frame for organization and work projects. It can be a time of renewed and increased energy and determination.

Mars will have a six month foray  in this sign due to the retrograde period which last from September 9 through November 13. This time frame will provide fertile timing to reassess how you actualize your aspirations through the use of personal power.

With clarity, commitment and perseverance a lot can be accomplished throughout this time.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A woman has risen out of the ocean, a seal is embracing her.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda hill

This Week in Astrology

” A fireplace is an archetypal image of home, comfort and security. Experiencing fire, water, earth or air intimately can add new vitality and meaning to our places… In the end all that really matters is that we approach wherever we live with full attention and an open heart.” Thomas Bender

“There are a thousand ways to go home again.” Rumi

It’s a busy week in the starry heavens as  Mercury slows down and prepares to station retrograde. It’s wise to heighten awareness about any intuitions or information that surfaces between today and the time of the station – June 18 –  as there can be a culmination of information at this time.

Mercury will station at 14 degrees of Cancer – the sign ruled by the Moon. The symbol of this mysterious sign is the crab who carries her home on her back and can retreat to it when needed. This time period bodes well for revisiting matters related to home, family, security and stability.  It’s a good time to look at the level of personal boundaries and whether improvements can be made in that area.

Mercury will transit retrograde through  July 12 when the Trickster God will station direct at 5 degrees of Cancer.

It’s often important for the sign of Cancer to have a comfortable and secure home to retreat to in challenging times. It’s wise during this time period to create extra down time to get in touch with what makes you feel grounded and secure in the midst of our rapidly changing times.

At the time of the retrograde, Mercury will make a favorable aspect to the Mars/Neptune conjunction in Pisces. This combination is associated with the spiritual warrior or the right use of power in terms of how we think, how we communicate and how we resolve differences.

Pallas Athene, the goddess who brought the knowledge of conflict resolution to the gods and goddesses, is strong in the sky now as well – aligned with Pluto and Jupiter.  This is pointing the way to resolve differences as we move away from the old patriarchal paradigm of “power over.”

The Summer Solstice – when the Sun enters the sign of Cancer is on Saturday and the second of three eclipses is on Sunday at 0 degrees of Cancer. This is a New Moon Solar Eclipse and a powerful time to set or reset intentions as it falls in such close proximity to the Solstice.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,” On a ship sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill