EYE ON THE SKY: MARS IN ARIES
Mars moves into its own sign of Aries late in the day on Dec. 23 and this is generally always good for planets to be in their own signs but still strong malefics for certain rising signs can cause more harm. Everyone was pushing for how great Saturn in Capricorn would be when it went in last January, but it has become stronger to create more suffering and it is the grim reaper in Capricorn except for Capricorn rising. The transition from Pisces into Aries, Dec. 21-22-23-24 can be difficult as Mars goes through the Pisces gandanta (Pisces 27-29.59) where deep-knotted spiritual entanglements around moving from the pure spiritual world of Pisces into the active and rajasic energy of Aries can be a problem and this is happening at the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction on Dec. 21st and the winter solstice which have their own weird energies that are quite difficult to handle so stay on top of your meditation and yoga and exercise to smooth it out.
This area of the gandanta (Pisces 27-30) (meaning emotional knotted area) is a place where the the soul has difficult understanding its inner reality and seeing the truth. The area of 29.20-29.59 is particularly difficut. Mars transiting this area can create difficulties with Gurus or priests or such authority figures particularly if you have this in your natal chart. Gandanta means knot and there is often difficulty trying to understand and unravel the karmic knot in relationship to planets here.
The Pisces gandanta in the constellation of Revati is a place of culmination of spiritual knowledge and maturity and the culmination of the spiritual journey. As Mars moves into Aries, it is reborn with a lot of rajasic energy and power to move forth and to achieve so this is a final contemplative week on the spiritual journey of the soul. There is some insecurity as the soul as about to be reborn as it moves into Aries late on Dec. 23rd.
Aries and Scorpio rising will benefit most from the transit of Mars into Aries as it will Cancer and Leo Rising. Mars will create more power, pushing through obstacles, getting things done quickly, will bring success and joy in sports, create love of independence, and generosity for pure-hearted action, and innovation. There can be a tendency toward sudden and impulsive change to your views or to act quickly so make sure you have good judgment as Jupiter is very weak in Capricorn and making the right decisions is harder for some now if Jupiter is weak in your natal chart. I love this picture of the man kissing the lion as as it embodies the spiritual quality of Mars in the constellation of Ashwini, but also the power and ferocity of the lion to get into battle and conquer. If you are Aries/Cancer/Libra or Capricorn, Mars will form a Ruchaka Yoga creating great power and success in activity.
The transit is relatively unafflicted except for a 75% aspect and square from Saturn in Capricorn which will be felt more in late December into early January and this can increase indecision and frustration as we move into the New Year. Even a 75% aspect from a strong Saturn onto Mars within in 2-3 degrees can be powerful. But most of the transit is unafflicted making it very powerful for Aries rising bringing great creativity, energy and ambition. Mars moving into Aries is like being shot out of a canon with extra energy to go forth and do great activity.
Aries is the 1st sign of the zodiac and it has self-starting energy, so it will be a good time to start new projects. The only dark spot is Mars conjunct Uranus on Jan. 21st at the Inauguration which good be explosive and in Mundane astrology this connect can lead to seeing earthquakes and unexpected explosions and accident and acts of violence or war. People in Mars Periods with key planets close to 10-14 degrees Aries have to be careful driving that week before and after the Inauguration on Jan. 21st and Taurus and Libra rising may be most vulnerable to accidents if your dasha indicates that and if Mars is a particularly difficult planet for you like it is for Virgos and Gemini and Taurus and Libra. Be alert.
Mars will be in the constellation of Ashwini (Aries 0-13.20) from about Dec. 23-Jan. 23rd which is known in modern astronomy as Alpha-Arietes and Beta-Arietes, known as Two Stars, the Two Horses, near the bright star of Andromeda. The symbol for Ashwini is a horse’s head representing a dauntless spirit of adventure and a head-strong nature. This transit usually fosters self-starters and energy to complete projects. It is also a very healing constellation and so there will be more energy for aimed towards health. The ruling deities are the Ashwini twins who ride in a golden chariot and shower healing energy down to the earth plane. They are the “Physicians of the Gods.” This is a nakshatra of initiation, revitalization and transformational healing. The ruling planet is Ketu (South Node of the Moon), which gives a mystical and mysterious bent to their life journey.
The entire early Dec. transit is through Aries 0-3 degrees (Dec. 23-30 ) and particularly between 0.00-0.48 on Dec. 23-24-25 is through the gandanta or karmic knot. There is underlying strength to work out new beginnings in a new cycle of growth initiated by moving into the start of the zodiac. The energy is there to untie deep karmic knots but frustrations will still come up strongly and given all the changes going on the planet, there will be great need for healing. Perhaps Mars in Aries will finally give the medical world and the the courage to defeat the virus and get through their therapies.
The ruling constellation of Ashwini is Ketu, spurring you into new spiritual growth and development and Ketu is strong in its own sign of Scorpio now. Still in early degrees., Mars in late Dec may foster an interest in new projects but the inability or weakness to finish them so make sure you only take on what you can handle. It can also bring on stubbornness or racing around wildly with too much “wild horse” energy so make sure to slow down and stay balanced. Mars going into Aries suddenly gets very ambitious to pick up and just head out of the gate like a racehorse with a bang so make sure to temper this energy.
Aries and Scorpio risings benefit the most from this transit and it is supportive for health. But Scorpios still may experience the 6th house transit of the ascendant lord and get bogged down with debts, battles and minor illness. The energy is there to move through them. Cancers get a lot of energy for career development and Capricorns also benefit from the Yoga in transit for projects around the home and career. Geminis benefit from income and the ability to fulfill their desires and from groups and friends. Virgos may have the most difficulty with this transit but because Mars is in its own sign and it is an 8th house transit but Mars will still have the energy to triumph over any legal or karmic patterns that come up.
Special thanks to Prash Trivedi and Komilla Sutton for their insights on the Nakshatras that we discussed above. Special thanks to Funchun.com for our cover photo.
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