On June 26, Mars becomes the fifth retrograde planet (joining Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto) when it stations at 9°Aquarius. Now with the planet of action in this status through August 27, mundane life may seem like it has slowed to a crawl, or that it is nearly impossible to launch new projects. If we resist this change of pace, we could become frustrated or attempt to force things, a strategy usually fraught with undesired consequences. However, if we consciously work with this bi-annual retrograde phase of the Mars cycle, traction can be made. More importantly, if we make an effort to focus our self-determining energies in the arena of life Mars is currently transiting in our natal chart, it can be life changing. Mars takes two years to travel through the zodiac and only retrogrades once during that time, spending approximately five months intensifying a very small degree zone it would normally take three weeks to traverse. Looking at how this affects us archetypally, we could experience a greater than normal sense of limitation in how we assert ourselves, how we go about getting what we want, and how we create who we are in the world. This is an uncomfortable condition for the warrior planet that represents our fighting spirit and the creative force of emerging life.
Mars in Aquarius archetypally looks into the future and leads us along the road to the collective betterment of humanity that allows maximum freedom of individual expression. During the Mars retrograde period, we may feel increased pressure to fight against anything that is not “right” from our perspective, no matter the consequences. The key here is to be brutally honest about our motivations. If they are self-serving, the cost may be high. Caution is advised therefore, particularly due to the long-term square Mars is making to Aquarius ruler Uranus that will remain in effect through the summer. As mentioned in the AstroCastthat covered the first square on May 16, Uranus entered resources-focused Taurus for a seven-year stay simultaneously in square to Mars, setting the tone for an aggressive re-evaluation of where our resources, natural and otherwise, are best put to use. The urgency to act over what allows us to emerge into a sustainable life will be highest around the next exact Mars/Uranus alignments on August 1 and September 18. This Big Reset period can awaken something truly new in us, so rather than focusing our precious energies on things outside our control, let us start the revolution at home, i.e. within. During the Mars retrograde, we have the opportunity to review how we express our driving Martian force and how we can harness the Uranus openness to radical change in order to create a groundbreaking way to assert ourselves in the world. This is a revolution of one that will have a ripple effect on the many.
The Full Moon in Capricorn on June 27 brings to a peak the current lunar cycle, the theme of which is moving from an incessant quest for information to receiving wisdom through inquiry. This annual face off between the Sun and Moon along the Cancer/Capricorn axis highlights the polarization between the needs of family and the needs of society. Certainly the immigration crisis comes to mind as a global issue reaching critical mass. The Moon represents our intuitive, feeling nature and is in the earth sign of personal integrity. The Sun, symbolizing our will and purpose, is in the water sign of Cancer, which represents our sense of belonging. The Moon is the ruler of Cancer, so the Sun answers to its need for family security. However, retrograde Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, conjuncts the Moon and has its exact opposition to the Sun, also on June 27. Thus Saturn is the dominant force to reckon with here. Whatever reaches a climax at the Full Moon could manifest as a sobering reality check. Personally, if we have been experiencing a lack of clarity on something, it may rise up unavoidably in our face so we can see it for what it is. Depending on how well we are managing the Saturn archetype in our lives and how we feel about all those family and societal responsibilities in relation to our own personal needs, will determine how severe or rewarding any events that unfold will be. This Full Moon occurs at the midpoint of the annual Sun/Saturn cycle so whatever happens now will act as a progress report for the last six months on how completely we are taking responsibility for who we are – what we think, say and do, all of it, without blaming anyone or anything. At its highest expression, the Full Moon conjunct Saturn would rather take a stand alone in its integrity shoes than hide behind a finger pointed at the most convenient target.
Correlating to a shift in the way we perceive and the quality of our communication, Mercury leaves the highly sensitive and deeply personal water sign of Cancer on June 28, and moves into creative and noble Leo. Mercury will be in Leo for ten weeks due to its July 25 to August 18 retrograde, thus giving us an opportunity to play with words and enthusiastically express what is in our heart all summer long. If we keep it simple and ensure our motivations are deeper than just the desire for attention, we can provide true leadership with the creative ideas coming through. Maintaining that state of mind will also leave us open to receiving inspiration to channel our inner orator to rousing effect.
On June 30, Mercury forms a square to Uranus in Taurus that has the potential to provoke alternative thinking and originality in expression. With an uncanny ability to tune into the zeitgeist, the Mercury/Uranus planetary pair observes trends in a scientific way and therefore can anticipate the logical next step. Mercury in Leo may lean towards the dramatic to emphasize a point but Uranus will call out any pretentiousness. New ideas presented with unassuming authenticity have the greatest chance of being truly influential.
Here’s the data (Pacific Time, rounded to the nearest whole degree unless otherwise noted):
June 26 – Mars station retrograde at 9°Aquarius at 2:05 p.m.
June 27 – Sun opposite Saturn at 6°Cancer/Capricorn at 6:28 a.m.
June 27 – Moon opposite Sun (Full Moon) at 6°Capricorn/Cancer at 9:53 p.m.
June 28 – Mercury at 0°Leo at 10:17 p.m.
June 30 – Mercury square Uranus at 2°Leo/Taurus at 6:01 a.m.
Kimberly, this is a wonderful post. Chock full of relevant information and synthesis of these dynamics and eloquently expressed–many profound and profoundly beautiful phrases. Much appreciation.
Brilliant, Kimberly! As usual… Thank you! ?