by Robert Wilkinson
This is the third and final waxing Mars square to Saturn in this cycle! As it will be in full force for the next few days, today we see what it means and how to deal with it.
This cycle began when Mars conjuncted Saturn at 1 Aquarius at the end of March 2020. The waxing (lower) square marks the first point of “emergent redirection” away from self, with the challenge to ground the growing form in a way which isn’t damaged by forces outside that form. Mars square Saturn shows a conflict between that which is initiating movement in every moment (Mars) and the resistance which insists on a patient and organized process (Saturn).
The First Two Squares
The first two waxing squares happened when Mars in Aries squared Saturn in Capricorn in late August and late September, with Mars direct in the first one and retrograde in the second. As Mars also squared both Jupiter and Pluto between early August and late October, we confronted two different forms of conflict between Aries and Capricorn, one when Mars was direct and the other when Mars was retrograde. These challenged any planets in the last half of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, as well as the life areas associated with the houses where these occurred in our charts.
As both Mars and Saturn were in their own signs, it was extraordinarily powerful in generating tension. Because the voids were thrown into Cancer and Libra, we learned how to take defensive measures, protect what needed protecting, let go of feeling touchy, found our emotional and mental balance, and saw a new standard of proportion and new sense of perspective. The first square helped us all strengthen our contact with the World Soul, thereby assisting the integration of our personality on individual and spiritual levels, as well as helping us pay dues in some way to repair something on the same levels.
The first set of squares in August showed us what had to be changed, what resisted the new cyclic expression, or how to implement the new structures we had built up to that time. Then Mars went retrograde, where it returned to a) renew those fights; b) undo the results of old decisions and actions; or c) wreck everything because it cannot “win” whatever conflict was set into motion in July and intensified in August. In the second square in late September Mars was in a second challenging phase relative to the Capricorn energy and “frustrated in expression” due to the retrograde. Those squares anchored the general conflict between early August and late December. You might say that Mars was forced to adapt its methods in order to express the best of what Saturn had to offer.
The Square from Taurus to Aquarius
This is the third and final square between Mars and Saturn in this cycle, but this square is from Mars in Taurus to Saturn in Aquarius, amped up by the Mars conjunct Uranus and Jupiter conjunct Saturn. While both of these are unyielding in their fixed qualities, Mars in waxing square to Saturn and Jupiter holds the promise of things to come, once we get past this time of extraordinary tension, friction, and conflict. And yes, because we are in the midst of an insurrection, it makes perfect sense given Mars and Uranus are in conflict with the emergent Jupiter and Saturn energies.
Interestingly, in the first 10 days of January 2013, we also had a waxing Mars square Saturn in early Fixed signs, but that time Mars was in Aquarius and Saturn was in Scorpio, close to the same zones where the 2021 square occurs. As I noted then, the current square could mean trouble if you have a planet that’s maladjusted somewhere between 1-7 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius. That includes everyone born the last weeks in January, April, July, and Oct.
How To View The Problem and Solution
The problem and solution to any square is shown by the voids opposite the signs of the planets in square, in this case the first decan of Leo and Scorpio. If you’re dealing with inflexible or stubborn forces, or people who are vindictive or excessively controlling, then be sure to have courage, and if necessary eliminate whatever it is which is threatening or excessively egoic. Cultivate the good qualities of Leo and Scorpio this year, since Saturn will be squaring Uranus pretty much the whole time.
Right now, don’t push and don’t get overconfident about plans, since there may be a fundamental flaw. This square requires positive and productive Scorpio and Leo energy to balance out. Be courageous, loving, straightforward, focused, playful, and creative. Don’t let stuck energies get to you, and refused to push beyond safe limits. Even if things don’t feel like they're moving forward very quickly, it doesn’t matter, since staying focused on the prize and staying centered in your heart power will help you release any stuck energies you’re dealing with.
The specific voids created by this square are at 3 Leo and 3 Scorpio. The themes related to these degrees involve seeing our independence as a function of our mature experience, and valuing what we’ve achieved as a result of our slow, steady growth in cultivating our individuality. While Saturn indicates that some will step away from old social rules and roles, others will join together in great building enterprises.
By seeing the forces in conflict (Idealism and resistance to that idealism, heavy handed or selfish misuse of power, feeling blocked in attaining our ideals) we can maintain our view and understanding of the big picture, see what is emerging of a greater good, and feel secure within the Light field we share with our Spiritual Brothers and Sisters.
Mars Square Saturn Cautions
As Mars is how we “attack the problems of life,” then when Mars squares Saturn it’s time to slow down, take it easy, don’t get overextended, and see what’s important and what is not. This aspect can accompany things and people “misfiring” in unexpected or wrong directions, and radical corrections may be needed during these aspect periods.
This is said to be one of the most "dangerous" aspects, in that it pits impulsive and combative Mars against determined and authoritative Saturn. Grant Lewi says this is an aspect of "bad judgment," where we must take a look to see if we're "out on a limb," and need to back off and stop pushing forward in that direction. Take a look at possible flaws in "the plan," or fallacies in judgment, reasoning, or expectations. If you're tempted to burn a bridge, reconsider the wisdom of such a thing, or at least the technique you plan to use.
This aspect is said to be one of overestimating or underestimating something or someone. Given the square is from Taurus to Aquarius, keep it simple and pleasant as you secure the basic values and resources of whatever collective Saturn energies are emerging at this waxing square. Don’t push too far, but do what you must to turn the corner and move the new Aquarian ideal into substance.
When Mars is square Saturn, especially with Mars also squaring Jupiter, try not to react or overreact when confronted with things skewing in unexpected and over weighted directions. Focus your courage and heart strengths, your creativity and Soul Fire, along with a focused courage to keep moving into the unknown, shedding all the outer forms you no longer need. Knowing what matters and is and is not needed will help to navigate this gear grinding energy.
It's exact for the next few days, so heads up! Even if you have a planet that’s not maladjusted, that planet and what it means to you will be challenged by Mars for the next week, and by Saturn all year. When Mars and Saturn are in square, it tends to jam the gears of whatever else is conjunct, square, or opposed those points. Show restraint, and if you’re out on a limb, just crawl back and crawl down and live to gamble another day.
To Keep In Mind
Transit to transit aspects show us the atmosphere of our times. While we cannot take them personally, we must learn how to manage the frictional energies when we’re in the middle of the collective agitation. Mars conjunct Uranus with both in square to Jupiter and Saturn certainly describes why things are so restless, so agitated, with lots of movement some of which is more than a bit confusing. Some of the global developments can be directly seen in this light, where there are assertions that then must be countered and/or corrected, stubborn defiance in the face of extraordinary violence perpetrated by right wing groups, and realizations about misguided actions which require reversals. This is an aspect of “running into the streets during an earthquake,” something completely at variance with what one should do!
Do not get lost in disputes and quarrels which really don’t concern you, or just deflect you from your best efforts. If someone is not cooperating, or misdirecting the energies, or charging out on a limb they shouldn’t, be a restraining influence if you can, while not participating in whatever is beyond its depth.
Go slow. If something’s offered, see if there isn’t a fundamental flaw. If there isn’t, then keep things focused as you substantiate the new Aquarian forms coming into focus. Again, keep it slow and steady, focused and loving, as you move into a greater “healing” or integration phase of expression.
I’ll close by offering that one antidote to the current conflict is gratitude. Gratitude for the gifts we’ve been given and are giving. Gratitude for the stability we have. Gratitude for the sustainability we achieve. Gratitude for our connectedness in the midst of forces of violent separation. Gratitude for our ability to outlast and outlive the chaos and irrationality of our times. Gratitude for all that protects us and our loved ones. Gratitude for an ever-unfolding better future if we welcome it. Gratitude for our Spiritual Sisters and Brothers, who remind us that we are all one Life together, forever immersed in a universe of Loving Light.
Riders on the storm ridin’ the storm out in the Winter of 2021…..
© Copyright 2021 Robert Wilkinson
Thank you Robert, this is so well said beginning to end! gratitude in these trying difficult times, sending love, Mary
Posted by: Mary Therese Wright | January 12, 2021 at 06:41 PM