Mars, the planet that is associated with our movements and passions, moved into the mutable waters of Pisces last night. This is an interesting placement for Mars because Mars is associated with autonomy, ruggedness, survival instincts, aggression...it is the planet that motivates us to ACT. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, the archetype associated with rest, recovery, completion, endings - Pisces isn't concerned with acting on anything...Pisces wants nothing more than to sleep or get lost in their daydreams. So you can see how when Mars enters Pisces, our instinctual drive to move ahead and pioneer is diluted and watered down. This could be experienced in a number of ways - due to the mutability of Pisces and need to sacrifice, we could find ourselves moving in multiple directions, becoming overwhelmed by our scattered actions, adapting to the slower pace of those around us, and allowing our individualistic wants to take a backseat.
Mars is the planetary ruler of Aries and traditionally, Scorpio. Both signs embody the passionate energy of Mars, just in different ways. Aries is passionate to embark, trailblaze, conquer. Scorpio is passionate to merge, pierce, transform self and others. Aries is an individual sign. Scorpio is a social sign. Mars' assertion is needed both individually and socially - stand up for yourself and stand up for others. We need both of those internal warriors.
When Mars is in Pisces, we're boldly stepping forward towards Unity - our passions are to merge with the divine and let go of our rugged individualism. This could be a time when you welcome more flow into your life and release desires for an autonomous win...the wins during this time are better suited for the whole! Lead yourself and others towards acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, and rest. Embody compassion. Our survival depends on all things working in unison.
Whenever Mars is in Pisces, I think of the Asian martial arts - especially the Japanese and Korean disciplines - where the practice is utilized as a way to attain mindfulness and is often described as a meditative sport. Though, we can find meditation in any movement we do - all we have to do is let go of any attachment to an outcome and allow our bodies to flow. Channel your frustration, aggression, anger into an ethereal, symbolic pursuit instead of dominating or conquering the will(s) of yourself or others...the Universe will thank you!
During the next 6 weeks, there will be shifts in how we experience the transiting Mars dynamic.
On April 19th, the Sun leaves the Mars-ruled sign of Aries and enters Taurus. That means until April 19th, our collective intentions and decisions will be motivated by our Martian desire to let go and unite with the divine. We may be making decisions to end something - a habit, an ideal, a dream, a creative or romantic pursuit - though, we are likely to be vague with our endings, and perhaps we just allow them to dissolve (undoing) or ghost them all together.
Allow some things to slip away - if you can, give them a proper goodbye, reflect on how they have helped with your survival, but don't get too bummed out about it because on May 10th, Jupiter enters Aries after 4+ months of Jupiter in Pisces. New frontiers are coming! The opportunities, expansion, and growth in our collective experience will be motivated by Mars (transiting Mars and your natal Mars,) so we can expect new and exciting rainbows to be visible over the horizon. The more you can clear away, the more room you will have to roam. The more you can spend time visualizing what it is you dream of doing, the more faith and trust you will have when facing the new journey ahead of you.
Here's a rundown of the major Mars in Pisces transits:
5/4 Mars sextile Uranus in Taurus at 14º45"
5/7 Sun in Taurus sextile Mars 16º50"
5/18 Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces 25º00"
5/22 Mars sextile Pluto in Capricorn 28º29"
5/23 Mercury Rx in Taurus sextile Mars 29º23"
If you notice, they are nearly all sextile (60º) angles - sextiles are between signs that have a similar polarity (active/passive,) but of different elements (Fire & Air; Earth & Water.) Each planet is exchanging something with the other that stimulates and excites them. The planets are literally sparking something within each other that awakens their curiosity and gives each an opportunity to broaden their awareness.
Mars sextile Uranus - Movements spark innovation, liberation
Sun sextile Mars - Decisions, intentions spark actions
(Mars conjunct Neptune - Pursuit of the Dream/Fantasy/Transcendence)
Mars sextile Pluto - Actions spark transformation, power shifts
Mercury Rx sextile Mars - A past idea is awakening our passion
Images for Integration:
Walking through water - an autonomous action, difficult to do quickly
Water Skiing - a collective action (someone is driving the boat that is pulling you) that, with a graceful bodily flow and an absence of fear, can glide you from one place to the next very quickly.
The Libra Full Moon on Saturn Day, April 16th, will be ruled by Venus in Pisces, but the opposing Sun will be ruled by Mars in Pisces. We feel the need for balance and cooperation, and in order to get that, we must accept people for who they are and not who we’ve imagined them to be. We need to broaden our awareness of the suffering of others - the sacrifices they have made and the limits of their bodies. We need to become comfortable with the changing tides - things are always in flux - there is no permanence - but we can all still reach our goals if we let go of our immediate selfish desires and instead collaborate - lifting one another up as we can. We must see that when one person wins, it isn't a loss to us, it can be a win for all if we open ourselves up to moving in union.
Mars in Pisces - Embody Transcendence
