How the 2006 Sun-Mars Cycle Has Manifested in my Life since that Conjunction

by Robert Wilkinson

Yesterday I briefly mentioned that the Sun is now closing in on Mars, and will conjunct it in December 2008 at 15 Sagittarius. Wherever it falls will be the focus of much activity in the next 2+ years, as with all Sun-Mars cycles. So it'll definitely impact 2009-2010. Today we'll take a look at the rapidly ending Sun-Mars cycle and how it affected me personally.

They last conjuncted at 30 Libra in October 2006. The Sun made a waxing, or lower square, to Mars from 25 Virgo to 25 Gemini in September 2007. The Sun opposed Mars retrograde in late December 2007 from 3 Capricorn to 3 Cancer, and the Sun made a waning, or upper square, to Mars from 10 Aries to 10 Cancer in late March 2008. This generic cycle based on transit to transit positions marked a general process. However, this is not the same as when Mars made squares and its opposition to the original conjunction point.

Apart from the general cycles, there are other ways this impacted us based on where the original conjunction fell in our charts. Though some of this may seem technical, by knowing the general principles we can all figure out some things about our next cycle of activity beginning December 2008 by examining the past cycle of activity that began October 2006.

So today I'll give you an example of how astrology timing works, using my own experience of what's been happening since the last conjunction of the Sun and Mars. In my chart the Sun-Mars conjunction fell exactly on my IC (4th house cusp), showing home affairs would be the focus. Since then I moved 800 miles to a new home in a new state.

Venus, ruler of my IC and therefore my home affairs, was also conjunct the Sun and Mars within a degree and forming. Venus was exactly lower square the conjunction point when I first set foot as a visitor in the place I would later make my home. The waxing or lower square marks a point of first emergence. I began negotiations when Venus opposed the conjunction point. The opposition represents a surfacing of the process in the public realm.

By early June Venus was upper square the conjunction point, and I had closed escrow and was beginning to pack. The waning or upper square represents the fulfillment of the process. Also, by late June 2007 Mars was opposed the conjunction point and we were making final arrangements and getting ready to pack the truck. Everything quickened at that time of the Mars opposition.

After bringing the first truckload to the new place, we realized we would have to bring the rest of our stuff in stages. We completed moving the last of our belongings out of our old home by early December 2007, the point at which Venus, ruler of my home, returned to the conjunction point at 30 Libra.

Mars also had its own part to play in the timing here. The lower square fell in late February 2007 while Mercury was retrograde. We began discussing whether we wanted to stay where we were, or actually think about investing in the property that was 800 miles away. With Mercury RX, we did research that led us to placing our bid in March when Venus was opposed the conjunction point. (No, I didn't plan this timing per se; it was more just the natural rhythm of the process.)

As noted, when Mars opposed the conjunction point we were on the verge of packing the truck for the first stage of the move. Mars upper squared the conjunction point in early May 2008, which is when I got to plant the garden, thus culminating the final part of shaping the property. It will move across 30 Libra in early October 2008, marking the end of the October 2006 cycle while on its way to its next conjunction with the Sun in December.

While each responds differently based in where these conjunctions fall in the chart and the ruler of this process may or may not be different, this is only one way that a cycle like this can express itself. I'm sure each of you have interesting correlations with the turning points of this cycle, whether the general cyclic shifts or specific to the ruler of the house where this fell. The aspects to planets in your chart also can provide important information about what has been stabilized, what has been thrown into upheaval, as well as other aspect qualities.

At this point, I'll only add that you can best understand how this cycle has worked by examining your own experience. I cannot possibly explain all the possible manifestations or go into any detail about personal chart experiences since there are too many variables. Reflecting on your life changes over the past 22 months will teach you more than I ever could here.

Copyright © 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[DianatheHuntress]

Hello Robert.... so good to see you back, and hope that your 'sabbatical' was regenerating, dear friend..... did you spend time on the enchanted mountain? I am there now.... and though the path has had it's twists and turns { ;) } I am truly amazed at the last 22 months' journey! This Mars cycle with my second Saturn return rolling up has been, and IS, an ongoing challenge..... thanking Jupiter for the unfailing wisdom, and that grounding trine! The best is yet to be, and looking forward to direct motion there.... what do you see for a Jupiter return (24' Cap)..... hope springs eternal.
Thank you for the heads up in this article, as we move into December.... need any firewood?

Love you, Robert......

Diana } ---- *

[Kohl Girl]

Robert, as Saturn is in Virgo at the moment and will be for a while, what is the effect on me if I also have Saturn in Virgo in my natal chart?

[danae]

ooh, I have natal mars at 16 Sag, and not at all surprised that there'll be a solar conjunction there, with mars showing up in all sorts of ways (including Solar Return Ascendant, Venus Return Midheaven, by progression, solar arc etc).

thanks for the great articles Robert, you rock :)

[Liz]

Robert, this is fascinating and a new way for me to understand the impact of these astral events. Thank you. I see now that in Oct 06 the conjunction took place in my first house and coincided with the purchase and set up of my own first home after my mother's death. Now, the Dec 08 conjunction will occur in my 2nd house almost on top of my Saturn (Sag 13'32) which says to me that the focus will be on generating income and keeping my home going. My question is, with Saturn in the mix, must I assume a difficult time of it? DOB 4/23/57 5:35pm Summit,NJ

[Matt]

Hello Robert,

This was a great article. I am curious about one thing, though: how would you integrate/reconcile this mundane cycle with one's own personal Mars cycle set off every 22.5 months (approx.) by a Mars return?

Thanks,
Matt

[Robert]

Hi Diana - I owe you an email. Didn't really spend enough time with the mountains, but did in fact find at least part of my center which got dropped by the wayside during my 3 solid years of working 6 or 7 days a week. Actually, beginning my second Saturn return has brought me a great sense of authorship and experience that is exciting given the implications. Jupiter return begins a new adventure, so enjoy! You've already been given a front end view, so enjoy reaping the rewards AND the momentum!

Hi Kohl Girl - You're having a Saturn Return, like me and Dianna above! Please read this linked article I did on the Saturn Return, since it can help you understand and navigate this extremely important time of free will and choice how you want to live in the future.

Hi Danae - Looks like your Mars-related sectors will be in major focus for a couple of years. Pay attention when Jupiter moves through the septile to sextile to quintile and back in 2009, since it disposits your Mars. And of course you're most welcome. Am rocking and bopping till I drop....

Hi Liz - I figured it might help a lot of people figure out an important timing cycle that many overlook. Saturn isn't necessarily difficult. It may mean money or assets that show up in Saturn forms. They could be the most responsible and stable things you've ever known!

Hi Matt - They are two entirely different cycles. One is personal (transit to natal) while the other is impersonal and generic (transit to transit.) Any points of contact or convergence show important times testing "right action."

[s]

Ah, this will be interesting, I'm sure. The upcoming Sun-Mars conjunction will happen just 2 degrees off my ASC. I'm going to assume that the next two years will bring changes to my public image. Working to build a new 'me'.

[Robert]

Hi s - The Asc deals with self image, not public image (10th). You'll open to a new you. If in the 12th, new motives, new view of the movie of your life. If in the 1st, more personal, physical, and much expanded view of self in the world as you see it, not as they see you. Education and travel are featured, as are spiritual breakthroughs.

[Matt]

Hi Robert - Thanks for your reply. I guess my question arose from where you remark: "Wherever it [Sun-Mars conjunction] falls will be the focus of much activity in the next 2+ years, as with all Sun-Mars cycles." I was under the belief that whichever degree is "returned" in the Mars return will be the focus of much activity for the next 2+ years. Is this true? If so, which dominates?

Thank you,
Matt

[Robert]

Hi Matt - I was specifically referring to the transiting Sun to transiting Mars cycle. However, yes, when Mars returns to its natal place it also creates a 2 year cycle. They are equally important. The former shows the "light of Mars" in the various houses these Sun-Mars conjunctions fall in that are stimulated for 2 years. The latter shows "the actions of Mars" in the natal house. Sort of like a "check-in" with oneself and how one expresses Mars. Obviously both affect the houses Mars rules, but the Sun brings light through the house with Leo that impacts the houses with Aries and Scorpio. Also of note is the period between the Sun conjunct natal Mars and Sun conjunct progressed Mars, since that illuminates the span of experience from birth to how we express Mars now. The Mars return only impacts the houses ruled by Mars via the natal position of Mars, though modified in expression by the progressed Mars position via the same general principles as when the Sun does its thing.

[Damien]

I keep losing...myself, friends, piece of mind, confidence...loss has definitely been the keynote.

[s]

Ha! Yes, my bad. Too often I assume that how I see myself (that ol' merc/sat square working overtime) is how everyone else sees me, too. Hence the slip up about my public image. It'll be in my 1st house--hooray! Education? Travel? Opportunity for new spiritual experiences? Sign me up!

[larissa]

Hi Robert - does it mean that my initiation will have no support if Sun is closing on Mars? How December of 2008 will affect people like me? Willikt be the time just to sit and collect results? Thank you.

[Robert]

Hi Damien - Yes, I also have lost more than most could imagine, and no one would want to lose what created my greatest sorrow. But every end is followed by a beginning, and emptying the glass means it can be filled anew. Clean out old perceptions, and open to new ones. It really can be quite refreshing.

Hi s - Welcome to a new self image that will open many doors. Should be great spiritually.

Hi Larissa - No. It means closure and finalizing or securing old Sun-Mars related things until then, new openings after then. It will affect "people like you" ten thousand ways, depending on what you're doing and the choices you make. You're still dealing with the old cycle. Look at how that has manifested, since it provides clues for the next few months.

[Liz]

Robert, thanks so much for your response. I had forgotten to mention that the recent lunar eclipse landed smack on my natal moon(Aquarius 25')in very late part of my 4th house. Does this bode well in relation to the upcoming conjunction and what (sorry for my ignorance) would be examples of "Saturn forms" when you talked about money or assets showing up? Thanks.

[Robert]

Hi Liz - Your Moon will be developed by the qualities of the Lunar Eclipse over the next 12 weeks. There are many possible ways Saturn can manifest in forms. Old people, building construction, authority figures, and others. You may want to do deeper study on the associations with Saturn, and see for yourself how they might manifest in your particular circumstances.

[Sue Moon]

Good Morning Robert,
This Sun/Mars conjunction will be over my natal Moon 19 Sag in the 11th House,and it looks like transiting Mercury at 19 Sag will be helping all around also. My question is how best to utilize this energy? I am ready for a miracle in my life.
Jai Bhagwan Sri Robertji

[Jeremy]

Hi Robert
First I’d like to say I’ve been enjoying your website for a couple years now and much appreciation for all the wonderful insight you have given me. With interest I’m reading this article regarding the conjunction of Sun and Mars at 15 Sagittarius in December. My MC is at 14 Sagittarius and so I’m assuming this is going to fall right at the beginning of my 10th house. Just wondering if this could be destiny for a new path in life maybe regarding career or also wondering if it being on the cusp of my 9th house will it affect this as well (perhaps some journey relating to career?) With fear of throwing too much at you, My Jupiter (thinking ruler of Sagittarius/10th house) is at 14 Aries in my 1st house (towards end of 1st - 2nd starts at 19 Aries). Just wondering if I should get ready to hold on to the reigns!
Thanks - Jeremy

[Alison]

Hi Robert. I am the Pisces with the Leo partner who has left. At the end of September 2006, we moved miles away so I could start college in October - that Sun/Mars conjunction fell exact on my 9th house cusp, so that seems pretty fitting! I am not sure I can return to do the third and last year of the degree this October becuase I am short of money, now that I live alone. The December conjunction falls exactly on my 11th house cusp, exact sextile my Uranus in the 8th and square my Sun at 18 degrees in the 2nd. I find it hard to grasp 11 house issues in my chart. I haven't yet decided whether to go back to college or not, but I worry if I do I am facing financial ruin for the next year or two!?

[magenta]

Hi Robert, thanks for your personal tale ! I wish all of us had the ability to navigate and translate the heavenly symbols as well as you do - but then we wouldn't be here reading you ! which would be a great loss.

A quick note: I took a look at Joe Biden's B.D. in the ephemeris - no wonder I like him ! That dogged persistence, ability to resurrect after adversity, loyalty, straightforward no-bullshit talk with an ability to stick his foot in his mouth on account of passionate expression; I imagined he was a Scorpio and now it is confirmed. Sun conjunct Venus in late Scorpio, Merc. in Scorpio and Mars in Scorpio - with an Aries moon. He's a powerhouse... 11/20/42 Scranton, PA

[Robert]

Hi Sue Moon - Thank you for your kind salutations. Namaskar to you as well! The conjunction shows your Moon will become the focus in 2009-2010 in the arena of group work and greater service involving the expression of Mercury, Solar, and Mars energies. This will affect your view of the house ruled by Cancer and any planets in that sign. If the Sabian Symbol is in fact 19 and not 20, you may be in for a move, or find yourself concerned with long term urgencies. Same if it's 20, but with more of a synthesis of coordinated foresight. Examine the aspects to see what other parts of you are affected in different ways.

Hi Jeremy - Thanks for your appreciation for the work. This shows a very public focus in 2009-2010, and much activity in the professional/career sector. It may or may not be "new," but it will be pushing up and out any flowering Self that's been waiting for its turn on life's stage. You may show a more spiritual Self publicly, or maybe a new knowledge that others will recognize. Trine your Jupiter is exceptionally favorable, and promises great heart strength by combining work and play, letting your heart out in dramatic forms that show your potential for noble service.

Hi Alison - While I usually don't suggest anyone go into debt, sometimes we must in order to set ourselves up for success in the future. School debt, while never a good thing to get in over your head, sometimes is the only way to ensure that a degree plan doesn't get lost in time. Remember that Jupiter is favorable for you this year, and will cross your Sun in 2010. If your degree could lead you to long term major opportunities in less than 2 years, you may want to consider soldiering forward. But of course, only you can make that decision, and much depends on your professional prospects related to the degree you're pursuing. When I went back to school and took out loans, in a strange twist of fate I wound up with more work than ever before during my year of study, and made plenty of money so that repayment happened long before I got hit with major interest. 11th house is goals, ambitions, friends, and one's larger "world service."

Hi magenta - Well, I figure that if I can translate the abstract into the concrete, maybe that will stimulate imaginations so that other lives will make sense and timing can be anticipated. While anything will be better than Bush/Cheney, Mr. Biden is still a major insider. Good choice for the ticket, the machine loves him, and he has better cred than any Repub Veep prospect. In any case, I believe his motive to be more altruistic than BushCo, and he is a model of determination to do his best Self despite impossible losses that would have crushed other beings. Thanks for the birth info. Will probably do some kind of chart analysis on the coming election over the next few weeks.

[magenta]

Robert, thanks for your response. Not wanting to start any political conversation here, but I'll just respond briefly: My sense is that it is very important to have someone who IS on the inside and has knowledge of how the machine works and how it DOESN'T work, so that things GET DONE and
the broken parts can be FIXED. At least that's my hope... Hugs, M

[Micheline]

Robert, wow wow wow, my natal sun is exactly at 15 d's in sag, and the sun rules my first house as you might remember or not (i don't expect you to remember of course), but guess what????
okay I went home to Canada for the first time since 2001, I know thats seems like a long time but one of my family members was here from 2001 to 2006. My family situation is such a long story I could write a book on it. So, I am not going to explain. Unless someone asks.
But when I went home. My sister with whom I was staying with had a huge gathering of family and friends on my next day of arrival. It was really lovely and heartfelt and made me feel very loved. I was very touched. My family wants me to come back home. I was thinking this last year that I would like to go and live somewhere like Turkey. Of course at my age this is not realistic considering my finances and my future retirement which will not happen for years and years. I am only 44 but ya its time to stop and think. But thats not the only thing about this visit that was interesting. It was my feeling that I do want to come back. I am still a bit at odds with the idea of living in Canada. I do love the country. I would be relocating back to Toronto, I used to live in Vancouver for a few years. By far thats a nicer option in many respects but very far away from the folks and they are not getting any younger. I will miss the ocean as well. I really want to relocate one day closer to the ocean. I know that with global warming thats silly but I love the ocean. At least I would like to live close to some form of water. There is lake ontario. So, I guess thats a plus. Toronto is right now lake ontario.

But that mars and sun aspect becomes exact on at 12 d's which is in an approaching conjunction to my natal sun in the later part of my fourth house. My fourth house is ruled by pluto and co-ruled by jupiter of course. My sun is closer to the fifth house. I wonder if I should consider if there are any ramifications to the cusp of the fifth house as well. Or is that conjunction going to move into my fifth house as well. I have to check. wait a minute

Thanks so much for this article, I was wondering am I going to really be going back home.... I know it is not going to be easy reajusting to life there but there are many things that living there are far better then living here. It is time to close down this experience here and restart my life in a new way.

okay let me check sorry this is long winded, i have been doing that a lot lately

also my solar return will have that mars and sun conjunct
but one degree apart but still mars will be approaching that conjunction... in the second house with pluto and mercury there...the fourth house in my solar return is ruled by uranus with neptune there at the start. Hmmm
The ac of the solar return is at 13 d scorpio which would has an approaching conjunction to my natal venus and seperating conjuction by one degree to my ic. Wow and the moon is in pisces in the fifth house of this chart. Wow. okay thats enough now.

[Stevo]

Hello Robert!

Pardon me for coming in a little late on this. But this article is a fine study indeed. 30 Libra is 4th house for me as well but not quite conjunct my Scorp Sun. It would seem that my Libra wife (Sun at 27 deg)faired better with this conjunction than myself. It's possible that this could've marked some sort of creative frustration. And if anything, I do appreciate how this point showed me your Mercury! Many thanks.....!!!

30 Libra does exactly square my Cancer AC and my prog moon would later enter late Cancer to lock horns with my progressed Venus in Cap now on my DC. The Venus in Cap transit in early 2007 was absolutely brutal. My Sat in Aries may have been the Godsend throughout.

But back to your observation. I'm real curious about the moon in your transition. With Cancer representing your Aries Solar 4th and I remember you having moon in Aqu. Plus, I don't suppose your were having a progressed lunar return? Were the lunar transits (perhaps during the conjunction) of any help to you? And I don't suppose your prog moon was anywhere near Ura in Pis?

[Robert]

Hi Magenta - Well, we can always affirm that Joe is the one who will calm the suits while the voice of change puts some into effect. But things are really broken...

Hi Micheline - It is time for all of us to be preparing for the future in many ways. Practically, emotionally, interpersonally. 44 is the vision, 45 the year to implement the action to fulfill the vision. I hear Canada isn't that bad, and in some areas is actually great. Yes, there should be some 5th house effects due to Sun being in the transition zone.

Hi Stevo - Glad this could steer you toward some correlations you didn't glimpse before. I had a Progressed Lunar return Sept 2005.

[Micheline]

Hi Robert, thanks, no need to reply to this of course. Yes, that makes sense, though I have been feeling like i was a bit out of visions, i have been having those both the kind that are great ideas and those in my dreams, but i would say that Canada is a great country, its a nice place to live no doubt about it, so its not living in Canada again, that scares me or anything, its other things, i will sort that out, great fifth house is nice, i need to figure out what i am doing with all this creative stuff inside of me just waiting to burst out like the sun at sunrise
thanks again

[Micheline]

hi, Robert i do have a question or two concerning the idea or how i would figure out lower and upper squares to a conjunction, should i erect a special chart for the sun/mars conjunction in december, using the location of where i am currently living????
thanks

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - Yes, the way to figure out an effect on a specific place is to cast a chart for that place. That's why eclipses have different ascendants, and therefore different house placements, for different places on Earth. If we have a Solar Return, it's different for Amsterdam than for Vancouver. Wherever we find ourselves when a conjunction, lunation, or whatever falls, that's where we are, and that's the chart that takes effect for that particular astrological initiator.

As for lower squares, they are waxing squares. The faster moving planet ALWAYS applies to the slower moving planet, unless it's a moving (transiting) planet to a natal or progressed position. An upper square is always a waning square. Sun in Virgo is in waxing square to Gemini - Sun in Virgo is in waning square to Sagittarius. After an opposition comes the waning aspects. Before the opposition are the waxing aspects. FWIW, these are extremely good questions.

[moon2lightshadow]

Namaste Robert,
Well, the oct. 2006 Sun-Mars conjunction fell in my 4th house exactly opposing my Aries Sun. At that date i was already divorced (it happened on may 2006). I did not moved from the house and place i was and i am still living, and nothing special happened in my career/workplace. Still nothing happened in dec. 2007 when transiting Mars was opposing transiting Sun on my capricorn Moon.
I am trying to understand what should have happened, or why i did not responded to the transits. I would like to ask you if we can analyze also aspects to houses cusps to these transiting conjunctions (sun/mars/mercury and+/- venus)or only aspects to natal planets?
Thank you.
moon2lightshadow

[Jeremy]

Thank you Robert for your comments on my post. In a great Sagittarian spirit, you are a true philanthropist of the cosmos. I am positive that your advice to a paying customer would merit more attributions than money could ever find value but it is within these comment streams that you rise above all to sacrifice your time and energy and show all of us that you are truly your brother’s keeper. Regardless of how the heavens dance among our lives, I hope that your life is greatly rewarded for all the beautiful gifts of insight you have given this world. As a matter of fact, I don’t have to hope, I know it will be. Many blessings my friend - Jeremy

[Robert]

Hi moon2lightshadow - Namaskar. I never use house cusps since they are variable and I use a system where there are zones of influence between houses rather than strict dividing lines. Only the angles are fixed by where and the time we were born. Regard the corners of the cycle as indicating ends of phases and beginnings of new ones. Cycles may or may not yield dramatic events, but you can bet evolution occurs whether we notice it or not. There is never a time when "nothing happens." Our recognizing what exactly happened depends on our point of view.

Hi Jeremy - Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. I suppose my Mercury and Mars in the Sag decan of Aries conjunct the MC and my Ascendant conjunct Pluto both in the Sag decan does yield a certain tendency to an abundant view. I endeavor not to play favorites. My personal readings deal with personal things, and yes, what I offer really cannot be equated with dollars (especially since the dollar is in the toilet!;-)). What I post here is what is common to us all, since we are all in this together.

I believe we shall see better days together once this spell of delusional separateness is past. Thanks for your good wishes, since all that benefits me will benefit all. I have been greatly rewarded through both tragedy and triumph, and these allow me to assist others through these weird scenes of the soft parade inside the gold mine. Now if only someone of means and vision would realize we work for all time, then we'd really see some great movement toward the new era, which is beyond most people's imagination and far more glorious than most suspect. Thank you for your words and friendship. We SHALL live to see a better world once this spell passes.

[Micheline]

Robert thanks once again, i went to that article on how different signs square and oppose each other, i knew about opposites but i was not sure how to work out the square thing, but it makes total sense to me now and i am interested in seeing if i can chart or interpret the future of event of my moving back.... its very interesting and i am learning alot about myself and i had a very nutty week, and lost control of my emotions and fell into a negative soup, found out that i still have some childhood issues ( i wont go into it not cause its taboo but its old territory and i am not inclined to disscuss it too much)
and learned that i loved far more then i tought i was
that i need TO LISTEN BETTER OR FIND A WAY TO KEEP MYSELF IN CHECK
sorry that was in big letters but its a real problem with me
i am hyperactive some people call it adhd i does not matter what it is called i have the responsibility to make sure i keep myself balanced but
what was wonderful about the silly stuf this week is that i was forgiven very easily and shown much love and i am so grateful

thanks again for the post and i am going to try making those other charts for the city i am in ectera......

phew what a crazy week it has been

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - Well, I figure when old painful feelings surface it's something in my subconsciousness resonating to something that triggered that cellular emotional memory. Then it's enough just to experience that roller coaster while doing as little as possible to aggravate whatever. I'm fairly "hyperactive" myself. If I weren't I couldn't keep up with my work load!;-) Glad you recognized the love and forgiveness and it inspired gratitude. It's a good thing when our perceptions are trained to recognize the blessings that come our way.

[Micheline]

thanks Robert..... well it is important to learn self forgiveness otherwise you can not forgive others.....
i do have another question cause i need to clarify something, like you said in this article that your ic or fourth house is ruled by venus, i am not sure if you said it was on the ic, mine is within two degrees of the ic, my ic is at 12 d scorpio, so my fourth house where my sun in sag lives at 15 d is actually ruled by pluto, because this next conjunction will conjunct my sun which as you said is in the later part of my fourth house, that i will be both fourth house and fifth house issues, aside from being close again to my loving family and our newly formed and healed relationhips there, i would love to also start a romance that would last, get into a relationship and have that intimacy i miss very much, i have not been in a relationship for a long long long time, but thats not too important, my art is also important to me, thats also an issue, because i am thinking of doing a degree in ethnomusicology, ,but aside from all my dreams and wishes or lusty desires (hahahaha!!!),

i am wondering if i should look for the lower squares/opposition and uppersquares from the transitin sun to that conjunction point, because primarily it is my sun that will be affected or do i look if it will aspects to pluto,, i think i just answered my own question ha
so i do indeed need to look only at the transiting sun and mars that apply those lower squares/oppositions/upper squares for timing right?
i was telling someone about this article and she has saturn and uranus but both uranus and saturn are pretty slow moving, it has to be the sun and mars.

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - You're welcome. I have 30 Libra on the IC, thus Venus rules it, even though I have Scorpio intercepted within that house. Mars rules your IC/4th house. Jupiter rules your Sun. As an aside, according to the ancient systems, Mars is the ruler of your 4th, while the Sun is "Lord" of the 4th. (Pluto only rules your 4th in the realm of spiritual affairs, just as it does the house with Aries on the cusp). And yes, if the next Sun-Mars conjunction falls in the 4th, then it shows an intense focus in your family affairs over the next two years.

As for romance, please do NOT desire that for its own sake. Get focused on attracting a friend who you could love and who could love you, someone with whom you can play and work and dance and meditate, someone to talk to and be silent with. Then you'll have a romance that will last. Look to transits to your 7th house and its ruler regarding mates.

[Micheline]

Again Robert thanks so much. I don't understand how the sun can be the lord of my fourth house? I thought that job went to the ruler of sign of that house. As for just pure romance. No, of course I do not just want that. I want a loving relationship and partnership. I just can not meet anyone here to start one. I have had really no luck here in Japan for that. It gets me down. Its not that I am not attractive. I am pretty good looking apparently, interesting, intelligent. I think I am not that approachable and I do the saturn in aquarius in my seventh house thing (seems I have been doing it all my life), i push people away without realising a lot of the times. I am really picky. I do not want to be with just anyone. I have been looking Robert trust me. I try not to focus on this. I am learning that it is better to become love then to try to immerse oneself in the feeling of emotions and the getting of love. Love will come I guess one day just when I do not expect it not when I am looking for it. Well, I am not sure but neptune is starting or is (i have to recheck) transiting my seventh house. But neptune seems to have such a bad rep. So, I am not sure what to think. I probably should get some consultation.

[micheline]

no wait a minute i am not unapproachable i put that down the wrong way, i am totally approachable, a bit reserved but very social, people call me a social butterfly but i am also very deep and loving, the thing is that when people try to get close not all people....argggg
this is some big issue with me and its too complicated to talk about right now. i should consult properly

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - I explained that according to the ancients, the sign on the cusp indicated the ruler, but a planet in a house was said to be "the Lord" of that house. We ALL want a loving partnership that also includes romance. But sometimes we fall into thinking we can catch trout in a bass pond, as the old saying goes. Some places are not suited for all things. We get what we get and then move on into the next chapter. Saturn in the 7th often delays marriage, or indicates marriage to someone older, more mature, powerful, or wise. Picky is good if it indicates Divine Discrimination, since we're better off by ourselves than in a relationship inappropriate to our Spiritual nature. It may be helpful for you to read or reread "The Game of Life" by Florence Scovel Shinn to break the discouraging plates in subconsciousness. Neptune transiting 7th shows you could find a "dream come true" if your imaging is accurate. And remember, Jupiter will enter your 7th in 2009, showing great expansions in understanding and widened opportunities wherever it transits.

[Micheline]

Hi, Robert thanks so much again for answering me. I really do appreciate it. I definetely agree. Someone wiser would be fine, someone older I am not sure about that. I am pretty young for my age so this person would really have to be able to keep up with my high level of energy not just mentally but especially physically, my first love in life is dance and as well as music and singing and writting.....But wiser is good.
Yes, I kind of like powerful men. I tend to run away from people who have trouble with their self confidence. I am not judgemental but I like being around people who are not afraid to assert themselves with me.
I am picky for good reasons. Like you said, I would rather be alone then to be unhappy and be with the wrong person. Its all good. I am not complaining. It is an issue though that I definetely need to attend to and look at more deeply. I stumbled upon a rather wonderful book recently, I got the audio version which I highly recomend because John Izzo is a superbly sincere speaker and knows on to get the his points across eloquently and powerfully. The book is entitled Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. It started out as the wise elders project. The idea here was to interview as many older people (which ended up being from 59 to 105 years of age) and ask them what they felt mattered in life. The book is the result of the interviews and he carefully selected 5 principles life concepts worth relooking at. I feel this is a book that is totally changing my life right now. I know I was in need of some kind of intervention. I highly recomended it and I have a feeling you will like it.
I will look for the Game of Life by Florence Scovel. Thank you again for your advice and comments on my question. It is greatly appreicated and I feel very grateful when someone helps me better understand the world around me and myself.

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - I've heard that book has some very good wisdom. I'm sure you'll do just fine as you elevate your self awareness and do whatever personality integration you need to in order to become what you've already set in motion.

[Micheline]

Hi Robert, I think house rulership and lord of the house gets mixed up and has been used interchangebly a lot. Not by you of course. But there problem is that my sun is in the fourth house is not the only planet there. I have venus conjucting the ic at 14, my ic in scorpio is at 12 and then neptune is there also at 18 not too far away from venus, and then the sun at 15 d sag....closer to my my fifth house cusp which is at 20 sag. I think I am confused about the term "Lord", does the lord of the house only refer to where the sun sign and in which house it would be sitting, or is that there is another lord for my fourth house. I definetely feel I am being elevated and I think the reason I found this particular book is that I have something to learn from it. I thank you for taking the time to answer my own questions. I know you have a lot of people you answer. You are really very generous.
thank you again

[Micheline]

Hey Robert you don't need to answer this question. I think I figured it out. All three are lord of the fourth house.

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - You're right in that many astrologers don't know the difference, and it's a vague obscurity anyway. I mean, what is the difference between the "lord" and the "ruler" of a house? Without going into a long dissertation, the first is what determines most of the functioning of the area of life, whereas the second is what governs the affairs while yielding to whatever is going on with the "lord." One rules the sign, whereas the other actually dominates the affairs, since it's a part of our inner makeup rather than how we regard that area. Talk about splitting hairs!;-)

Actually, the ancients were fairly clear about what happens when we have more than one planet in a house. The Lord of that house is whatever is the dominant planet, which has a lot to do with what sign/decan it's in, whether there is a "dignity," and all that obscure stuff. While many modern astrologers in fact do approach the subject from a less focused and learned angle, it's easy when you've studied the source material.

Let's take your situation. Neptune wasn't known to the ancients (except the Initiates) and so therefore wasn't a consideration. Venus is in a debility sign in Scorpio, since it's the sign of its "Exile," never considered strong by the ancients. However, your Sun is in the Aries decan of Sag, one of the 2 extremely strong sectors of that sign. That makes your Sun the Lord of the 4th. And truly, thanks for noticing that I am in fact here to serve the best I'm able, within limits I've been shown by Those who teach me.

[dottie]

30 libra is nada for me...well somewhere in the 9th house....but 15 sag is near my moon-neptune conjunction in the 11th house. i already know i'll be looking for a new job, possibly a new geographic home, and i'm getting married! jeesh i wonder what that 30libra cycle was all about?

[Robert]

Hi Dottie - Well, examine what happened in the light of the facts of the circumstances, and find correlations. Congrats on your coming marriage.