Astrology Stress Zones Predictions for November 2007 Pt. 1 - Mars in Cancer Going Retrograde with a lot of Irrationality and then a Balance Shift

by Robert Wilkinson

Mars triggers whatever happens of note in our charts. In November 2007, Mars moves from 12 degrees of Cancer to its stationary retrograde at 13, then moves back through the same small span through the end of the month. The second half of the month will mirror the first half, just as December will mirror October, and January will mirror the last half of September, so get used to familiar lessons repeating themselves from a variety of angles.

The first half of the month, Mars is completely unafflicted by other planets, making only a major biseptile with Mercury on its direct station. Since it's a waxing biseptile, there will be some interesting karmic balancing events during this times wherever this falls and rules in our natal charts. Early November continues the sequence begun in late October when the Sun and Mercury also made biseptiles to Mars.

All septiles, biseptiles, and triseptiles show forks in the road forcing choices and changes, where pretty weird stuff is in the air and things aren't very rational. They are also associated with minor and major obsessions, good and bad, or sometimes compulsive behaviors in others. As we're also finishing up the Jupiter biseptile Saturn through the early part of the month, it lends another layer to the on-going Grand Irrationality that Neptune and Pluto are setting into the hologram. As I've noted,

Regarding the on-going Grand Irrationality created by Neptune septile Pluto, all septile series aspects indicate strange choices, crucial decisions, and general edginess and the sense that forces beyond our control are at work. Not necessarily bad, as long as we remember that we may not be able to reason our way through what's happening and the energy doesn't get too crazy or destructive.

This aspect set moves us to make choices that affect our potential "higher destiny." The days when the Moon moves through the 7 trigger zones of the Grand Irrationality will be points when the generic weirdness is triggered, and bring decisions that may not make much sense but have to be made anyway.

Mercury's stationary degree being biseptile Mars will fuse this late Libra "hot zone" that will be triggered every time the Moon crosses over it. This long term influence will bring forth ideas and perceptions directly related to when it originally crossed late Libra just before the Autumnal Equinox followed by the Sun illuminating the nature of the biseptile.

This late part of Libra is said to expiate old karmas and reconstruct the balance of things on the social, emotional, and cultural levels of our lives, so I suspect our emotional alliegences are now shifting, as are our relationships, responsibilities, habits, and our sense of how our needs are or are not being fulfilled. We'll definitely re-work a lot of how we do our daily lives over the long run as a result of this configuration.

The two irrationality patterns at play in late October and early November involve areas ruled by Mercury and Mars, as well as Jupiter and Saturn, showing many have been under heavy non-rational pressure. These rule 8 signs and occupy Libra, Cancer, Sagittarius, and Virgo respectively, thus affecting a total of 10 signs. That's a lot of our reality under pressures that are shaping our "destiny" for the rest of our lives, since character choices do tend to create major effects.

The Moon will trigger the Mercury biseptile Mars effect on Nov 3 in Virgo before it conjuncts Saturn when it biseptiles Jupiter, and then again when it passes over Mercury's stationary degree point Nov 7-8 and then septiles both Jupiter and Saturn. Expect forms of widespread life choices to take shape.

The middle of the month shows a square from Venus in Libra, which should help put some grace in the Mars station. It will certainly stir up new identities and perspectives, "bombs" will go off or get defused depending on how frustrated or impatient energies are, all of it challenging self-transcendence. Venus is the stronger of the two, in its home sign of elegant balance and style, and shows emergent social energies grounded in a deeper rhythm of feeling.

The second half of November, the only afflictions are sesquisquares from Sun and Mercury in late Scorpio, producing agitation bookended by trines and biquintiles. The joker in the mix is Venus going over the Mercury stationary point the end of November, triggering the biseptile to Mars retrograde, put into focus when the Moon is in early Virgo Nov 30/Dec 1.

November quickens the Plutonic energies as Jupiter draws near the conjunction in December. Mars is out of range of the opposition to Pluto, but various Mars oppositions will return full throttle and dominate the atmosphere from mid-December on, making for very volatile circumstances. So take this month to enjoy, consolidate, and become strong and flexible, since December's oppositions will bring a rough ride to many while bringing new decisions, powers, and beginnings into major focus.

The favorable aspects to and from Mars this month include a trine from the Sun the first part of the month and a biquintile toward the end, a tredecile then trine from Mercury the first three weeks of the month, a quintile from Venus early, a quadranovile to Jupiter, a sextile to Saturn, a trine to Uranus, and a biquintile to Neptune. Quite a string of favorable, specializing, gifting arrangements and relationships. Things we've been dealing with that were difficult will become easy if we did what we had to up front. You can find more about the quintile series aspects at the link.

When Mercury forms its brief tredecile to Mars around Nov 9-13, we should get some brilliant flashes of insight or coordination of life affairs, final insights into the recent past, and a new take or two into how this combination of aspects has worked in the past few weeks to bring forth a generally productive and unique time when gifts fit circumstances, and circumstances fit gifts between our Gemini/Virgo sectors and our Aries/Scorpio sectors.

We're now stalled in the middle phase of the Sun-Mars cycle that began October 23, 2006 at 30 Libra, a degree of philosophical completion. After the opposition of Sun and Mars just after the Winter Solstice, we should experience things picking back up again, accelerating in late January and resuming course in March after Mars crosses over its stationary retrograde degree.

Another important cycle began in December 2006 with the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter at 4 degrees of Sagittarius, marking the end of the last Mars-Jupiter cycle that began at 1 Libra in late September 2004. The cycle that began in December kicked a new period of expanded activity into motion through February 2009, when they will next conjunct at 10 Aquarius. These larger cycle conjunction points are important in showing us where our outreach will occur in the future.

As noted earllier, Mars sits in early middle Cancer all month long. When it left Gemini it moved energies out of the Act of Differentiation (Aries through Gemini) to the Act of Stabilization (Cancer through Virgo). As I wrote about this last month:

When in Cancer, Mars is in a zone whose keywords are "Decision" and "Expansion." Dr. Jones terms this span Sustaining, Critical, Universal, and Specializing in physical, social, and spiritual ways. It will be in the first half of Cancer through the end of the year, so figure the Cancer keywords and qualities will dominate through then.

We will be dancing between Gemini and Cancer until March 2008, so get used to learning a lot about how these energies relate to each other. Gemini energies will be dominent again in January and February 2008, as it retrogrades back into Gemini December 31 at 8:01 pm PST. Keywords for the last half of Gemini are "Restlessness" and "Exteriorization." Dr. Marc E. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, says this span is Manipulating, Practical, Ingenious, and Generalizing. It retrogrades back to 25 Gemini, goes stationary direct January 30, and resumes its forward motion in Gemini through March 4th, when Mars again re-enters Cancer and resumes its present Cancerian qualities.

From October through December, we'll see the Cancer terms and keywords working most clearly in the Aries and Scorpio houses in our charts, as well as wherever we have Cancer by house. In January and February, the Gemini terms and keywords will be seen working most clearly in the Aries and Scorpio planets and houses and wherever we have Gemini in our chart.

In September we got a first look at what we'll have to revisit and master in January and February. We moved through diversity, multi-tasking, new curiosity and new discoveries that led us to major decisions in October that won't be finalized until March 2008.

We're now over 3/4 of the way in the important Mars-Saturn cycle. As noted in past articles, their last conjunction in June 2006 at 9 Leo indicated

...this 2 year cycle is about authenticity, creativity, play, and reconnecting with our enthusiasm in mature and measured ways wherever we have early Leo in our charts... simplify, stabilize, and see a bigger picture to move into a broader cooperative group purpose. Be a gentle angel, cut back on extravagances as well as pessimism, and find ways to enjoy life without overdoing it... For eleven months, Mars has developed the promise of whatever that conjunction portended for us. The growth process quickened in December... January 2007 showing a natural self-expression of the truth of this cycle... This stabilized the turning point in the larger “destiny cycle” in late November at the biseptile, where important decisions were made and meaningful actions were taken.

February helped us adjust to prepare for whatever surfaced the second week of March when Mars opposed the original conjunction point. This provided us a sense of what needed to change, what has been coming to importance, and what we can expect for some months to come, relative to the lessons that have been presenting themselves since June 2006 in the early Leo area of our charts.

In March, things cut loose in ways that began to bring Spirit to matter, and challenged us to be eager in learning a greater way to live and not take anything for granted. Appreciation was the big keyword, and that theme will continue to be important in June and July 2007 as the gifts continue to come from Spirit. September through December 2007 will be a big time for those who are open to the blessings we've been promised, and followed through on the Neptunian lessons.

This month will feature powerful changes in almost every area of our lives due to the forks in the road prominent the first half and end of the month, with Venus square Mars helping us continue to adjust the focus, ideal, balance, or rhythm of events. The patterns were set by late September's tremendous pressures to change directions, shift gears, or do something different in the areas ruled by Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces due to the T-square. Some things may have fractured in a big way, but we had excellent opportunities to cultivate faith, trust intuition, and say goodbye to old inefficient ways.

October should have brought us harmony in many areas of our lives, with the inspirational Fire of Jupiter and Pluto fed by the Air of the Sun and grounded in deep feelings of connectedness brought by Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn all favorable to each other from Earth and Water. Mercury's influence should have brought us reunions with all kinds of people and feelings, along with a mutation allowing us to show a new heart strength.

This month, enjoy the flow of the Grand Water trines from Sun and Mercury to Mars and Uranus and the quintiles of Sun and Mercury to Saturn in early Virgo. All in all, it should be a month of continued progress, even if things get weird and edgy. Shift social gears, don't get deflected by short term distractions, make sure you're using the right means to achieve your ends, and keep a lot of things in motion through fitting it all into a wide, long term perspective. You'll certainly see what needs to be eliminated to further the flow, and what needs regenerating or renewing to keep your life moving in the direction already established.

In Part 2 we'll explore how the Mars stress zones are affecting each individual sign.

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[mary]

Dear Robert,
Great to wake up today and read your most ellucidating exposition of mercury's current stationing in the hot zone of late libra.
- For me, this after a most cataclysmically (sorry spelling) eventful week relationship-wise,as mercury approached station at this point, - A week during which I amazed and shocked myself by solidly demandly that an old friend (of 22 years standing) look at serious imbalances in our friendship which I experienced as demeaning and not respectful nor balanced. Funny thing was/is, that despite the fact that this enduring friendship is now very much in the balance, I still feel so sure of what I asked and ready to risk loss of all (including the loss of this very old friendship) because I know in every cell I am following whats true and right in the way I now want and need my relationships to be.
This friend has her birthday tomoro - 3rd Nov, and I am compassionate for her knowing that chiron stationing has been diffultly and painfully squaring for many scorpios and that my crucial and painful notification to her of an urgent and necessary turning point in our relationship is climaxing on her solar return tommorow.
So far she appears closed down and non-communicative about it. But I am keeping an open mind as to what the future will bring.
Thankyou Robert for allowing me to relax into and be supported by the Astrology surrounding the relationship earthquakes I have been/am in the midst of.
(Talking of relationship earthquakes: I must tell you that the crucial turning point for me came on last Saturday 27th - the day after full supermoon - when Transitting Venus had just conjuncted my Natal Saturn widely conjunct my descendant, and was about to cross my descendant, opposing Uranus close to my Ascendant.

All very interesting and amazing.

Thankyou once again Robert, and for reading this, and I hope you are well,

All good wishes,
from Mary

[Alan]

Excellent article! Thank you :)

I wanted to also point out that the current Mercury-Mars biseptile is activating the March 18th 2007 eclipse... Working with the exact retrograde biseptile, the 7 points of the heptagon are: 28Pis02, 6Aqu36, 15Sag10, 23Lib45, 2Vir19, 10Can53, and 19Tau27. The March eclipse was at 28Pis07.

Also, The south node of the USA 1776 chart is 6Aqu36.

[Lori]

Hi Robert,

This morning I had an interview with a company in which I actually interviewed with 4 different individuals in 2 hours along with a tour of the facilities. How does my chart look? I spent most of yesterday preparing for this interview and I felt that things went well. I hope for good news to come. It is in the Legal profession by the way.

Thanks for being there!
Lori :)

[Jessi]

Thanks for the article Robert, as it sheds more light into the upcoming Mars Rx period. I personally have this going on in my 8th House, as my natal Mars is in 28degrees Gemini, conjunct my Jupiter at 1degree Cancer. From astro.com's long range transits I know it's gonna last until April 08 (!), and titled "Transformation". Seeing as my life has been transforming (although yeah, it's been like marathon in mud with added weights around the ankles too...oy vey...), could you pls enlighten me as to what other ways the transformations could potentially be manifesting? All I know is that this transit just amps up the crazy-lust-desire thing by, ooh, don't even wanna think about it! Hehehe... ;)
When you are ever visiting us in the Souther Hemisphere, let us know! Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give.

[Robert]

Hi Mary - Yes, it adds yet another layer to the ongoing irrationality. Things are swirling fast! I believe Saturn's entry into Virgo has ramped up the work situation for many, inner and outer, and showing us the significant forms resulting from whatever we learned about where our hearts are at when Saturn was in Leo. And of course, Venus is square Pluto right now. Mercury in Libra would help us take a new look at relationships and how balanced they are, and when juxtaposed with Mars stationary in Cancer, it seems that we're figuring out new routines and habits of view to take care of our needs. A Chiron square would put brakes on whatever it's squaring so that our Higher Self could come forth in Taurus and Leo ways. Her SR could be today, depending, and remember her Sun gets a trine to Uranus and a novile to Jupiter, itself in favorable configuration with Mercury and Neptune.

Hi Alan - Great observation about the common points, since this no doubt is activating elements of that eclipse in our charts. This is a perfect example of the ways that triggers happen across time, helping us to make sense of what was set into motion in the past and how it relates to the present. Those doing research on how this is activating your charts, give these hot points about 2 degrees on either side as an orb of influence.

Hi Lori - Sounds like you're on the way to employment, so stay focused. Virgos everywhere are reaping long term results of their discipline, diligence, and maturity. In your case, your Mercury will experience it before your Sun, so stay alert. Keep riding the Pluto squares, adapt, and meditate.

Hi Jessi - Well, you have the much larger influence of Pluto opposed your Mars and Jupiter, even as Jupiter approaches the same zone! The dance of transiting Mars with Jupiter and Pluto on your sensitive zone will show you new manifestations of your Mars-Jupiter conjunction. Mars conjunct Mars in Sept opened you to a new 2 yr cycle in all areas affected, but you'll have to go forward, then backward to undo or redo some things or methods before you're really ready to move forward in February. I would say don't get involved in struggles that aren't yours, refuse everything that is petty or petulant in self or others, and if called upon to do something, do it in grand style. Uranus and Saturn are both favorable with your Jupiter, and certainly Mars conjunct Jupiter could ramp up a new adventure, so explore these swirling beginnings, since late Feb and early March should launch something good for you. And someday I'd love to visit the beautiful continent down under if there's enough demand.

[Lori]

Hi Robert

Not only meditation but self healing as well. I know that the universe takes care of me in so many ways and I am grateful.

Sometime check out http://www.barbarabrennan.com - I've had this type of healing bodywork many times over the years and found it to be very helpful.

Thanks for being there!
Lori

[Larissa]

Hello Robert - am I/Aries going to be invisible from Nov 15 till Jan08? Out of power? No energy? No new projects? :-(

[Larissa]

Hi Robert - I don't quite like those times when Mars goes retro. It is frustrating not to be able to act, or waiting; or ist it mostly will involve matters around the house? Thank you

[ANU]

I am a third decanate pisces rising, sun in early leo, moon in cancer, mars in gemini, neptune 8th house,11th house saturn and jupiter in 12th house . Date of birth 29-7-62 at New Delhi.

From Sept 2006 onwards my husband moved on with someone, my marriage is suddenly over, my job has gone to my ex,I am kinda jobless, am completely alone , have always been a loner but now everthing has dissolved. Why is this? What is my karma? I am empty handed. am at standstill zone. Please help me to decide which way I should move forward? And why is it I have not a single friend ? Even my family, sibs don't want to have much to do with me.I am willing to change in every way yet...?

[ANU]

Dear Robert,
thanx in advance.
My dob: 29-7-62
Time 9.29 pm
Place New Delhi

[Robert]

Hi Lori - Meditation IS self healing and creates physical effects on levels usually unnoticed.

Hi Larissa - No, though you do need to slow down and take needs and habits into account before you resume speed in Feb. New projects will probably be delayed somewhat, or their unfoldment won't be as quick as you'd like. Home and family are accented, since it falls in Aries 4th house and is in Cancer.

Hi ANU - Too many significant questions for a comment stream. If you've read the eclipse articles, everyone got to "escape from a narrow destiny," and for many that meant people breaking up or breaking free of old circumstances. Especially with your Pisces rising, the eclipse directly affected you. You're protected, and if you can just open to a wider vision and renounce ALL self-pity and procrastination, you'll find doors flying open. Sept showed you the next two year cycle beginning, and now you have to retrace some steps before moving forward. Still, Mars is very favorable to your Jupiter and Asc right now, as is the Sun. Mercury is favorable to your Saturn, as is Jupiter. With Jupiter at the top of your chart, there is no reason you cannot find professional expression that perfectly suits you. As for friends, be willing to try something new, open to the promise rather than the old sorrows, and stop clutching at old habits and hurts. Be your sensitive and kind nobility, be the future oriented visionary you are, and renounce excessive defensiveness or touchiness. Learn how to express your caring side, and you'll be surprised how many friends you have by this time next year.

[Shash]

My DOB is: July 01, 1953. Time of birth: 21:34.
Place of birth: Allahabad (India)
I am a little worried about my career, wanting a change from the current job since the present group I am working in is making me stressful. Times are looking uncertain too - job-wise - in the place where I live. Can you please advise what direction is my career headed.
Much appreciate your views.
Regards.

[Lori]

Hi Robert,

I agree with you. Meditation is vital, it brings one into balance on so many levels.

Blessings,
Lori

[Robert]

Hi Shash - Many things are uncertain these days all over the world. Professionally, you should do something involving writing, speaking, or media. With Neptune on your Asc, no wonder you're unsure. You just started a new cycle, but must slow down, review and redo some things and wait until March to push major new initiatives. That said, your career should take a turn for the better in December. See the bigger picture, think in the future, and be willing to reorient.

[Shash]

Thank you very much, Robert, for your insightful words.
Regards.
Shash

[ANU]

Dear Robert,

Thank you.Thank you again. May the Spirit bless you for your selfless interest in helping people. I hope wonderful wonderful energy enters your life too.

You do have visionary ability to see through the orbs and bodies.You got through to my essential problems: touchiness and defensiveness.

Yes, I have your advice printed and taped to my desk.

I hope I can do something for you too in life.

[Robert]

Hi ANU - You're most welcome. Glad to be of service. I'm sure your aspiration will be met with opportunities, whether connected to me or other worthy altruistic intentions and efforts. Ask and you will receive.