by Robert Wilkinson
Mars activates and accelerates the pace of events in our lives. People currently going through dynamic activity, a hectic fast-paced period, or having the hardest time in December are those born the second week of February, May, August, and November. These signs, as well as others, are affected in big ways during the next 4 weeks.
If you were born in these zones, focus on what constitutes responsible action, given these birth periods show more highly agitated energy than usual. Mars tests us to get a grip on our energy and shows us how well we are demonstrating self-control or not. Mars is our "fight or flight" principle, and symbolizes what aggravates us, so if you are affected by its transit, beware of hasty action, argumentativeness, or impulsiveness.
A way to use what I post here is that if you know your chart, examine the Mars effect in light of planets you have in the signs that are conjunct, square, or opposed to/by Mars. Because this month it moves forward from 18 to 20 Leo before going retrograde on December 20, that span is specifically activated. We then get Mars retrograding across that same span from December 20 through January 10, so that span is very active the next few weeks.
For instance, if you have Mercury between 17-21 degrees of a Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), examine the challenges relative to your mind, interpretations, or thinking patterns, as well as other planets influenced by Mercury. (Since Mercury rules travel, SLOW DOWN! Be careful of what you say or infer, don't jump to conclusions or get into arguments, and it's probably best to be quiet if you're agitated!!)
If you have Venus between 17-21 degrees of a Fixed sign, examine what is said in light of your likes and dislikes and other Venus-influenced areas in your chart. If you have Mars in those degrees of a Fixed sign, regard what is stated in the context of Mars-ruled affairs and activities. This shows an important shift in your Mars cycle, so heads up! You can also apply what follows regarding this month if you have an Ascendant (Rising sign) in that span of a Fixed sign.
Given that Mars is going retrograde, we'll all get a chance to re-do, re-work, un-do, or do something to prepare for a renewed effort beginning early March 2010 when Mars goes direct at 1 Leo. That implies that everything we've started since late October will slow down for awhile, and resume in early March.
In September, Taurus born in early May are seeing the first emergence of something begun in late June 2009. This shows a new life direction or the beginnings of new ways of expressing yourself, so get grounded, and remember that "as the roots, so the flowers.".
Effort now affects future success. Don't allow hassles or aggravations around the home or with family to put you off, and be a good communicator. You'll get new insights into how you view your early life and family situation. Just try not to get aggravated by neighbors and expect intense activity around the home.
Be less abrupt in communicating, less aggressive or hassled by neighbors, while moving into new initiatives. Avoid impulsive or blunt responses. Be open to alternative ways of understanding and communicating, as well as direct and straightforward in your interactions.
This period affects Taurus in their way of viewing their motives, sorrows, and the movie of their life, how they attain closure, and how their relate to partners, whether business or personal. They need to be detached, dispassionate, friendly, focused, and see what needs eliminating in order to regenerate or attract what they need.
In December, Leos born in July and the first half of August are going through the end of a 2-year cycle and beginning of a new one. Since Mars is going to retrograde back through the first 20 degrees of Leo, it's time to review recent endings and beginnings to complete whatever is needed.
Late July and very early August people are going to wonder whether they're going forward or backward, with some needing to go back to rework some things begun since late October, and others needing to finish up old karmas and motives. All Leos should plan to view what happens between now and March with an eye that nothing is firm until then. Leos born the second week of August will pick things up in late April or early May.
This fulfills a cycle that began May-June 2008, and represents the end of whatever was set into motion then. So this month both speeds things up and slows things down, requiring all Leos to apply new skills and strengths, and face a future that's already underway. Quickly finish what you need to, realize an old way of life is over, and there is a need for new effort and directions, along with patience at a slowed pace.
Since it continues to be a time of endings and beginnings, embrace the new, get ready for the pace to quicken, and try not to be too blunt, impulsive, abrasive, hassled, or leap before you look. Above all, stay simple and direct in your actions, and find the right concentration to do whatever you have to.
This primarily affects Leos in the areas of truth and philosophy, higher learning, home, family, and how they are affected by early life experiences. Take the initiative in ways that feed momentum and open enthusiasm, be bold, and embrace what's emerging. Leos need to stabilize and anchor new initiatives while focusing on what works and what doesn't so that this can externalize a larger ideal or group effort. Let go of old ways of doing things that don't work any more.
Again, since Mars is retrograde at 20 Leo, this indicates the fresh starts and initiatives of Leos born late July or the first half of August that began between mid-October and mid-December have to be slowed down, re-worked, undone, or redone in some way between late December and early March.
After that, whatever began this past Autumn will REALLY begin in March-April 2010. It may be that the Autumn is a type of "practice run," with changes introduced in January and February to make the "final run" beginning Spring 2010 more effective.
December fulfills an old cycle for Scorpios born the second week of November. This period is one of following through on what's culminating in your public or professional affairs in the cycle that began October 2008.
Learn as much as you can, prepare, then be willing to take responsibility, since this is a very high profile time for you. For Scorpios, this begins a phase of harvesting past labors preparing them for a new beginnings in September-October 2010. Be alert during the Mars RX period as there may be delays in harvests and completions. Still, by Summer 2010 things should be happening quickly.
Scorpios should follow through on what is culminating in their public and professional sector, take responsibility, do their duties, and remember others are observing them. They are primarily affected in their self image, physical bodies, health, work, and those in their service. They need to simplify while demonstrating detachment, dispassion, largeness of view, friendliness, cooperation, simplicity, and the ability to enjoy life.
During December, Aquarians born the second week of February are tested not to get aggravated, sidestep oppositional people, and decrease agitation or impulsiveness. This period is an opportunity to correct things that began February 2009.
Aquarians are moving through a period of tensions in relationships, and have had to shift in how they regard their health, work, or how to serve their world. If this applies to you, detach from relationship dramas that scatter you. Avoid unnecessary confrontations and don’t get hassled by impulsive, abrasive, aggressive or argumentative people.
For Aquarians in a relationship, it's an intense time for your partner. This is opening new doors of perceiving and acting with others where you are an equal rather than a follower or reactor to them.
What's surfacing relates to new forms of perceiving and communicating, new neighbors, new sibling relationships (literal or symbolic), new professional developments, a new public image, or a new sense of direction in your worldly affairs.
Embrace new ways of relating to others, since this time is a breakthrough in your way of being in relationships. Allow others to take the initiative in new ways of expressing themselves, and expect more assertiveness than usual. This is about taking responsibility and initiative for what is surfacing that will culminate in September-October 2010.
Aquarians can turn every opposition into new magnetism as they learn to flow into more enjoyable ways of living life. Both signs can break through blockages that may have been there for a while.
The next article in this series will deal with dynamic aspects of Mars that affect other signs, including Pisces, Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Capricorn.
© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson
Hi Robert,
While reading your article mentioning the position of Venus in the charts, I am curious about the Venus in my chart. Venus in Leo is at 29 deg 57, which is almost approaching zero deg Virgo. Since this is an anorectic degree, I get so many negative comments like there wouldn't be enough love in my life or so. So far, my love life has been a terrible one. Would like to have your comment on this. Would you please ?
Thanks as always.
Posted by: Mary | December 08, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Hi, Robert. I have my ac in leo at 23 d.
So, having mars run around my twelfth house and hitting my ac it seems has me being very argumentative with my
new relationship.
Only three months old and a bit. Poor guy.
Posted by: Micheline | December 09, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Hi Mary - As I wrote to someone else in another comment stream about anaretic degrees, many have a planet or point at the "anaretic" zone meaning either the last two or last degree in their chart. Me too. It has no more or less specific "meaning" or effect than any other degree, except that it marks the zone of fulfillment on whatever level the sign is operating on, and serves as a completion phase before entering the next sign. I would never characterize it as "negative." (Also remember that by progression it leaves the zone fairly quickly unless it's a generational planet, or a planet near one of its stationary points.)
In any case it does NOT mean you are doomed to a "terrible love life." It shows you came in with Venus finished with its Leo work, beginning its Virgo work, either to move into Libra this life or go RX, depending on when you were born. Our love life is ENTIRELY within our ability to shape in pleasing ways. It does depend on becoming the best "beloved" we can be, cultivating that which is true, good, and beautiful within and without. Then our natural beauty will shine through our eyes and deeds, and attract those who could be attracted by such things. Then we have to practice discrimination lest we fall for the seduction rather than the courtship of a true friend.
(ps - if you want some assistance, read "The Game of Life" by Florence Scovel Shinn. It will help you move your thoughts in productive directions.)
Hi Micheline - Mars in the 12th is helping you complete your old self image. When you feel edgy, go into meditation (however that's possible in that moment) and decrease agitation. Mars rules your Truth and anchorage in existence. Get grounded and find a wider view when you feel those urges.
Posted by: Robert | December 13, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Thank you so much for your advice and thoughts, which are always positive!!! Peace should always surround you.
Posted by: Mary | December 14, 2009 at 09:14 PM