When I was in Spain a few weeks ago, the evening sky devoid of city light, you could clearly see Mars and Saturn. Both were bright, unblinking, Mars its characteristic red, and Saturn just off to the left. Hovering nearby was the star Antares, forming a triangle in the night sky that was hard to miss.
This is the astrology of the ancients. You look up into the sky and you make a connection between the heavens. You see yourself in Mars and Saturn. You see your life reflected in those two planets and you either tremble or you stare in astonishment at how beautiful the world is.
Mars and Saturn have a bit of a reputation in astrology. To the classically minded they the lesser and greater malefic, which is to say that they are dispensers of ill fortune and calamity. I’m not going to whitewash Mars and Saturn; they are definitely powerful forces that have been known to trigger events. But I think their reputation stems the fact that we live in a causal reality and, as a result, they are the agents of effect.
So what is Mars and Saturn? What does the conjunction mean?
A conjunction is when two planets come together in the sky. In this alchemical marriage, their energy becomes one. It’s both a beginning and an ending.
In its highest expression, Mars is action, vigor, bravery. Saturn is maturity, responsibility, the wisdom that comes from age. Saturn takes the impulsivity of Mars and slows it down, shows it the big picture, gives it the staying power to climb to great heights. Yes, even two malefics can express themselves in positive consciousness. But Mars and Saturn can be militaristic, aggressive, cold, contracted, and ruthless in negative consciousness.
We’re starting a new cycle of work and achievement today, closing out a story that began in August 2014. This new chapter will activate the sign of Sagittarius. Over the next two years we’ll be doing heavy lifting on themes of faith, belief, meaning as well as education and justice. Mars and Saturn are demanding that you figure out what you believe in, even if its nothing at all.
This is a powerful conjunction. Use it wisely. Use it to build something new, to share your wisdom, to express your faith. Set out on pilgrimage, search for answers. Mediate today on what Mars and Saturn are trying to show you as well as where you need to work.