Further down in this post are thoughts about January 27 – March 9’s transit of Mars in Aries for each Sun Sign. Read for your Rising Sign adds additional information. Don’t know your Rising Sign? Send me an email with your birthday details (unless I already have them) and I’ll send you it to you.

Symbol for Mars. A spear and a shield.

Mars…

is the planet associated with Instinctive Action, Courage, the Personal Will, and Physical Energy. It has been known as the God of War, can take on a masculine connotation and reflects our desires including passion.

In Evolutionary Astrology Mars represents what drives the personality to accomplish the Soul’s Will as described by Pluto. It does this by acting on desires which initially keep us from remembering our Divinity. Eventually, after enough ‘separating’ desires are fulfilled, Mars acts on desires that take us into deeper remembering of our alliance with God or our Deeper Self.

A frustrated Mars manifests as anger, accidents, risky thoughtless behavior, aggressive and assertiveness, and even sickness.

Mars is satisfied by having just the right amount of freedom to fulfill its commitment to the Soul’s Journey. When that happens, it shows accurate gut instinct, physical prowess (described by the sign it is in), strong health and body, and inspires others.

Further description of the instinctive action and reaction of Mars, depends its sign, the house it travels through or resides in, and the connections/aspects it makes with other Planets, Angles and important points in a chart.

Mars rotation through the zodiac takes 1.88 years.

Mars in Aries

Mars is the Natural Ruler of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, so it is comfortable with the Fire Element.

Tip: When blending the symbolism of Mars with a sign, a way to start thinking is: What would Fire (Mars) and the sign or the sign’s element look like. Example: Mars in Gemini. How would Mars express courage with Gemini, an Air sign. How do Fire and Air work together? What happens if there is too much Fire, what about too much Air? And if it is balanced equally?

Soon we leave Mars in Pisces behind. What has Fire and Water looked like? Steam? Extinguished Fire? Emotional Fire? Fire with no boundaries? Energy that evaporates? Could it be that Mars in Pisces hasn’t been motivated,  and has felt restless and unable to commit or decide to act. Consider what house it traveled in for further clarification.

This year’s Venus Retrograde cycle begins March 4. This feels like a great segué for reflection about Venus and Mars relations; needs versus desires; core values and how we ignite the courage to live according to them. 2017 Astrology Overview has a list of significant transits.

I loved this line from Kepler College for Astrological Education’s recent Newsletter
“What you initiate and put into action between now and March 9th receives terrific astrological support from Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. But the initiative’s on your side, not another’s.”

Mars in Aries. January 27 – March 9

January 27. New Moon in Aquarius.
February 26. Mars conjoins Uranus.
February 27. Mars opposes Jupiter.

Aries

Mars is in your Sign and will conjoin your Sun or Ascendant during this transit. If you have Aries Rising, Mars is your chart ruler. The timing of conjunction depends on the degree of the Sun or Ascendant. Mars increases your vitality and drive allowing you to accomplish even more than usual. In general, this time period is incredibly energetic. If your natural need for freedom and individual expression is restricted— if your Fire, does not have enough air fanning the flames, Mars can turn on the body with fevers. Carelessness can produce mishaps. Toward the end of February, if you accidentally run over someone in your gleefulness to tackle another adventure or project, there is greater chance of an extreme response from partners and co-workers. Better to negotiate with others and communicate before taking charge. If done gracefully and respectfully, you will be rewarded with your prized freedom and may find yourself in charge.

Taurus

Earlier in this post, it’s mentioned that Mars is leaving Pisces energy behind. For Taurus, it may not quite feel like the unsettled, tired, escapist, unmotivated energy is over. More likely the year has not quite kicked in yet. Some of you may feel invisible or frustrated by dampened Will Power or physical energy. Honor your emotions and care for your well-being. Work behind the scenes for a while. Dreams, during this transit, may reveal what the Will wants to initiate, when Mars enters Taurus in March. End of February, may bring Spiritual wake up calls and visions of self-improvement projects. Explore in the Ocean of your Deeper Self. Rest as necessary.

Gemini

Martian energy is directed toward aspirations and the freedom to act on them. What does gut instinct bring up about your hopes and dreams? Networking, social connections are generally part of Gemini’s world. Now feel the physical drive and personal Will to connect more actively with those groups with similar desires. Overall, physical energy  is strong and you have universal support.  End of February ignites ideas and your inner rebel. The result: awakened creativity and maybe some new like-minded friends.

Cancer

Mars in Aries will make a last quarter square to your Sun Sign, or if you have Cancer Rising, to your Ascendant. The timing will depends on the degree of the Sun or Ascendant along with other factors in the birth chart. This is fiery energy is focused on professional matters, status, as well as, home base matters. In general, physical energy is strong, so the drive to accomplish can produce good results. Over-confidence may rub others the wrong way and create conflict with authority.  Putting some energy into finishing a project or restarting a worthy one feeds the flames of accomplishment. Gut instinct sparks the drive to begin job hunts for some Cancers, for others, courage to take on a leadership role. Success happens when initiative honors the rules and respects others. Pay attention to your surroundings and your ideas especially around the end of February.

Leo

Like Leo, Aries is a fire sign, and in that way complementary to this Martian transit. Mars gives Leo, a steady burning sign, more initiative. This initiative can be directed to creative projects, to matters of the heart and to joy. Enjoy! You may be direct. You may lead. You may find an opportunity to mentor, teach or learn something new. Spontaneously recognizing another’s talents, does the Leo’s heart good. The end of February, local community contact is beneficial, though extra caution during travels is suggested.

Virgo

You know about spit takes? The comedian tells the ‘straight man’ a joke, and the straight man or woman, whose has just taken a sip of water or mouthful of guacamole, looks surprised and spits out the water? The first gut instinct may not be quite right. Martian energy actively desires a perspective change. This can be initiated in several ways. One is through matters of security, which for many, means financial matters. Intimate or contractual relationships may be on the receiving end of Mars in Aries tension. Virgo’s Earth energy is on Fire. Change of perspective clears the rubbish.

Libra

One wouldn’t want to directly suggest that Mars in the opposite sign of Libra means conflict, but one could suggest that Mars instinctively pushes issues that require decisions. The peak timeframe will depend on the degree of the Sun or Ascendant along with other factors in the birth chart. Likely those decisions will be relevant to you and someone else, perhaps related to a collaboration. The challenge is to dampen the desire to take initiative long enough to listen or pursue a compromise. Then breathe and feed the fire, knowing you haven’t made assumptions about what someone else needs. Another side of this transit, is that you may be completing a project or effort, in which case, good relationships with others can take your work to the next level, through promotion, sharing, selling and so on. Toward the end of February, the energy is particularly combustible which could lead to decisions that have someone running for freedom or finding harmony in mutual cooperation. Which will it be?

Scorpio

Putting physical energy into self-mastery is part of this Mars cycle. In general, hard work to improve is worthy. The wrinkle is— who is the primary beneficiary? It works much better if personal improvement is connected with a goal that serves another. Mars in Aries naturally has a me-first orientation, but if there is too much ME and not enough ANOTHER, situations of enforced humility may occur. Toward the end of February, be more careful in the work place, but also pay attention to inspiration from non-physical realms. This could be teachings through dreams, from ancestors, or spiritual lineage. If there is a Martian imbalance, fevers, inflammation and mishaps can happen.

Sagittarius

With Mars in a simpatico Fire sign, ohhhh, the fun you could have. The more fun, the larger the Heart. The more, the merrier. On one of the sides, there can be a focus on juggling calamities. On the other side, expressions of creativity or romance that stirs the masses, as well as, the lovers. Toward the end of February, combustible Sagittarius may go into overdrive heading toward either extreme. Heading out to a beach party to cool down? Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for out of control bonfires. Look both ways and enjoy the this most merry time. Seriously, find time to enjoy this period as a remedy to some of the seriousness and responsibility you may have experienced since Saturn entered your Sign or crossed your Ascendant.

Capricorn

Mars in Aries will make a first quarter square to your Sun, or to your Ascendant if you have Capricorn Rising. The timing will depend on the degree of the Sun or Ascendant along with other factors in the birth chart. The push to take action is high with emphasis on letting go of some structure or conditioned response/reaction to life. Mars conjoined your Sun or Ascendant between September 27 – November 8, 2016. Then there was an initial thrust to start fresh, and it was based solely on the desire to improve life or purpose. Now the Fire of Mars, considers the personal environment and security for some Capricorns and especially Capricorn Rising. Sparks emanate from unconscious places. Are the sparks angry ones or do they motivate? Toward the end of February unresolved anger could ignite emotional stress leading to a wake up calls about professional or environmental needs. Mars in Aries is motivating!

Aquarius

The day Mars enters Aries, there is a New Moon in Aquarius symbolizing an urgency to begin high energy communication projects. Technology is highlighted, but not every Aquarian is tech savvy. Some Aquarians have more connection with Saturn and the comfort zone of the past. A good ole fountain pen as a method of inspiration is just as good tapping out ideas on a laptop. Either way, the brain is active, and ready to react via tried and true neural pathways or entrain new ones. Because the natural energy of Aries is instinctive and can just as easily antagonize, the suggestion is, unless you have a compadre who enjoys a verbal battle, temper the flames by, at least, listening, to someone who might teach you something you had not considered. Mostly intellectual matters move along smoothly and physical energy soars. Toward the last days of February, expect the unexpected like impulsive travel or spontaneous insight. Take next steps to insure your vision of the future meets your need for freedom.

Pisces

Having the ability to move across borders as though they were non-existent can be both useful and mystifying. A clear notion of what your highest values are can be helpful especially when following your purpose. Mars in Aries reminds you about you want. Is what you want in each moment aligned with your deeper self? If you are not clear on highest values, then when the steam dissipates, you may find yourself with a pile of impulse purchases without value. Toward the end of the month, spur of the moment entanglements about who owns what, could lead to fiery, disruptive disputes or to awakening recognition of personal desires.