Posts Tagged Mars in Cancer

Astro4Business Month Ahead – November 2009

Solar_system

AUDIO VERSION: Month Ahead November

Hello, everyone.

Let’s take a look at the month ahead, November, and see what the planetary influences are and how we can work with them.  We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not change from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  Last we’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in each sign for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.  We don’t include the Moon in the monthly forecast because it changes signs every 2.5 days, travelling the breadth of the zodiac each and every month.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring fundamental change to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, banks, industries, transport systems.  It carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto in Capricorn exposes what is hidden, for better or for worse, and usually now, at the beginning of the cycle, we become more aware of the worse rather than the better.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, so it will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will go ahead and die, including old business models, practices, and products.  These are formidable energies, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Resistance is futile!

 Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve been experiencing a forceful, heartfelt global consensus regarding the equality of the common man, shared responsibility to the group, ascendancy of people and nations based on the power of knowledge, the right of all nations to progress technologically, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.  

The best way to work with this energy is to allow the realm of the rational mind to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends. 

Uranus in Pisces

The Uranus in Pisces (see category at right) transit from 2003 – 2010 is bringing innovation and invention to the toppling of hierarchies.  It is loosening all types of boundaries and enhancing global transactions and interactions.  We are all experiencing many variables in play simultaneously, and working with moving parts which connect and disconnect frequently, including projects, alliances, and workforces. 

How do we work with Uranus in Pisces?  Product diversification, committee leadership, and collaboration, as well as global connection, and dissolution of hierarchical structures – any one of these is a good place to start.

Saturn in Libra

Saturn has entered the sign of Libra, where it is exalted.  When a planet is exalted in a sign, it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  I’ll write a longer post on this important planet in the coming days.  But in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support. 

Jupiter in Aquarius

Jupiter is in Aquarius from January 2009 until January 2010.  This transit brings benefits through large projects and social reform.  We see the propagation of revolutionary ideas, such as liberty, democracy, anarchy, and socialism that can topple traditional institutions.  Learning and advancement comes through deliberation about the nature of one’s responsibility and contribution to the group.   

Mars in Leo

When Mars is in Leo our assertion of will power becomes focused and controlled.  Mars in Leo (see category at right) loves to lead and gives faithfully and generously to those who follow.  When Mars is in Leo our tendency is to be honest, direct, and fully dependable.  The sign Leo is also creative and artistic, so at this time we may love performance and display. 

The best use of these next eight months? Make your light shine with dignity and strength.  Lead with steadiness and authority.  Throw yourself into creative activities.  Secure and enjoy the limelight. 

Venus in Libra/Scorpio

Venus is in Libra until November 7 and then spends the rest of the month in Scorpio.  When Venus is in Libra, we experience a time when our social instincts are fair-minded and our business relationships intellectual and rational.  This is a good time for hashing out contracts with everyone’s best interests in mind.

Venus in Scorpio is a very different energy.  Scorpio is secretive and emotional, passionate and aggressive.   The people around you (and you, too) may feel self-protective and insecure.  Long-lasting contractual or financial agreements can be gained at this time but may contain an element of intrigue and the possibility of betrayal.  Review everything carefully and if there are unspoken emotional undertones, make sure you get them out on the table before you commit.

Mercury in Scorpio/Sagittarius

On October 29, Mercury entered Scorpio where it will stay until it enters Sagittarius on November 15.  Mercury in Scorpio brings a “fierce acuteness of mind”, according to famed astrologer Isabel Hickey.  At this time we are farsighted, clear-sighted, and great at research and detective work. 

When Mercury enters Sagittarius, we may find our minds becoming more scattered, especially compared to the previous focus of Mercury in Scorpio.  It’s a time we may miss the details of the present because our minds are captivated by the future.  Try to count to three before making any snap judgments.  On the plus side, communications will tend to be sincere and honest.

Sun in Scorpio/Sagittarius

With the Sun in Scorpio, we can exhibit great creativity and resourcefulness, and our strength comes from service, compassion, and humility.  This is a good time to be clear about your financial strengths and weaknesses and to make a plan to address any shortfalls.

The Sun moves into Sagittarius on November 21.  This is a friendly, outgoing, optimistic time, the beginning of the holiday season.  In fact, we may tend toward over-exuberance as we know we are sliding into the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.  Increased sales are favored under Sagittarius and a generosity of spirit with employees and coworkers is a great use of this energy.

Monthly Recap

Against the backdrop of massive global changes to the structures in our lives, we are inspired by and engaged with the global community as never before.  With Jupiter and Saturn both in air signs, we find our footing in the realm of social ideas, such as responsibility to each other and to the wider public.  We want to toot our own horn but may feel held back this month by feelings of self-protection and insecurity in our relationships with others.  Our minds move from clarity of focus to “spread too thin”, as we begin the holiday season and approach the Solstice.

 

Let me know how your month plays out!

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Just for Fun – Eat. Play. Nap.

What's next?

What's next?

OK.  I take everything back I said was hard about Mars in Cancer.  Now I get it.

Like the Moon, the ruler of Cancer, life can be simple if you respond to its rhythms.  When it’s time to eat, you eat with gusto! 

Yum.  Oatmeal and bananas.

Yum. Oatmeal and bananas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutest boy ever!

Cutest boy ever!

 

 

 

When it’s time to play, the simplest object delights. 

Play time.

Play time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nap time.  Grandma gets to blog.

Nap time. Grandma gets to blog.

 

 

 

 

When it’s time to nap, Grandma gets to blog. 

One hour here, 45 minutes there, and the entire week’s posts are done on time. 

Rocking a resistant baby to sleep:   time to think about the meaning of the astrology signs and business. 

Baby playing happily in playpen:  gather research for next day’s blog. 

Everything gets done, everything in its own time, everything on time. 

Cool.

 

Do you have any images you’d like to share for Mars in Cancer or Retrograde Mercury?  It would be fun to share images as well as words.  I’d love to post them here!

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Mars in Cancer – Underwater

Cancer astrology sign on the ceiling of the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. (Source:Wikipedia)

Cancer astrology sign on the ceiling of the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. (Source:Wikipedia)

Is anyone else having trouble with Mars in Cancer, besides me?  Aarrgh!

Since I began writing this blog, Mars has been in the previous sign, Gemini.  Gemini, an air sign, is the sign of writing and communications and applying my energy in this way was like taking an easy stroll on a well-maintained forest trail, lots to see, a clear path ahead.  In my natal chart Mars is in Libra, another air sign, and I have always been very comfortable applying my energy to mental endeavors.

In the dark

Now that Mars is in Cancer, a water sign, I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark, blind to the way ahead, swimming in muddy water.  My normal clarity has deserted me.  Occasionally, like this morning, I wake up inspired about how to proceed but all day yesterday I could only wait.  I did some research and tried a little stream of consciousness writing, but even that wasn’t productive.  My stream had nothing in it.

My mind usually operates in a very linear way.  I can map out and accomplish my goals in a step by step fashion, easily recognizing what is the next right action to stay on a productive course.  With Mars in Cancer, which is Moon ruled, the thought-waves in my mind are like the Moon, waxing, waning, hard to see, hard to trap.   Like the crabs in the ocean that constantly evade my Labrador, my thoughts scurry away to hide in seaweed and mud, camouflaged so effectively they elude me.

How are you doing with this transit, which lasts until mid-October?  I am surprised by how front-and-center this shift in energy feels, and the impact it is having on my business.  Because of some travel in the next few weeks I had a carefully charted plan about how I was going to keep posting to this blog every day and keep in touch with my clients.  As soon as Mars moved into Cancer, my plans fell apart, family matters impeded, I fell behind.

Mars through the elements

I suspect I am having a hard time with this shift because my natal Mars is in an air sign.  Air signs, such as Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, prefer activity to be precise, planned, organized, predictable, timely, and balanced.  People with Mars in the water signs, Cancer as well as Scorpio and Pisces, are motivated by feelings, sensitivity, inspirations, natural timing, and energy ebbing and flowing in its own rhythm.

I imagine those with natal Mars in a fire sign, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, are also having a hard time with Mars underwater.  Mars is in its own element in the fire signs, and people with Mars in fire signs are used to inspiring and motivating themselves and others through challenge, aggression, and speed.  This dynamic energy is not a good match for the empathic, interior, home-based Mars in Cancer.

People with natal Mars in an earth sign, Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, are probably a little more comfortable with Mars in Cancer as they too can be a little slower to react and more rhythmic in their energy flow.  But Mars in earth signs wants to be productive in practical, useful ways. They are interested in setting goals and applying themselves to results and outcomes.  Mars in Cancer is not outcome oriented.  This is a period when activity is based on cycles and phases and the ideal outcome is one that brings people together to form family-like bonds.

More empathy?

Every sign has its place in our development, and every season has its lessons.  What will be the lessons of Mars in Cancer?  As surely as it came, it will leave again in mid-October.  For two months every two years, those of us with our natal Mars in other elements have to be more intuitive, more empathic, more willing to be motivated by interpersonal connection than our own goals and accomplishments.  I guess that’s not a bad thing, as uncomfortable as it feels right now! 

How are you doing with this transit of Mars through Cancer?  Can you feel it?  Did your energy shift last week?  Let me know how you are experiencing your motivation and productivity at this time.  It would be lovely to know your natal Mars when you respond.  If you don’t know it, send me an email to the address at the right, and I’ll draw up your chart and let you know.

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Mars in Cancer – the Pandavas in exile

The central figure is Yudhishthira ; the two to his left are Bhima and Arjuna . Nakula and Sahadeva are to his right. Their wife, at far right, is Draupadi. Deogarh, Dasavatar temple. (Source:Wikipedia)

The central figure is Yudhishthira ; the two to his left are Bhima and Arjuna . Nakula and Sahadeva are to his right. Their wife, at far right, is Draupadi. Deogarh, Dasavatar temple. (Source:Wikipedia)

When I was writing the forecast for this week and thinking about Mars moving into the sign of Cancer, I kept remembering the Pandava brothers from the Indian epic, The MahabharataThe Mahabharata is an awesome, complex story in which the righteous heir to the throne, Yudishthira, loses his kingdom in a game of dice to his evil cousin.  He and his four brothers are exiled from their lands for thirteen years with the additional condition that during the thirteenth year they must be kept completely hidden. If anyone located them, they would have to spend another 12 years in exile.

Yudishthira and his brothers were known far and wide for their stupendous skills as warriors and for their weapons which were forged by the gods.  One display of these famous weapons and their whereabouts would immediately be recognized.  So they stowed their weapons in a tall tree in a cemetery and went into disguise for the year.  Each brother adopted a different cover and dwelled in the court of a righteous foreign king. 

This story of the exile of the warriors and hiding of the weapons reminded me so much of Mars in Cancer.  For the next two months we will make very little progress toward new or competitive goals, so what should we do?  How can we avoid being frustrated by our lack of momentum?  I turned to the Pandavas to see what we can learn from them to apply to our business lives between now and mid-October – our “warrior in hiding” time!

The Disguises

Yudishthira, the eldest and most righteous brother, put on the garments of a mendicant, a philosopher, and an expert in the game of dice.  He offered himself to the king as his companion.

Bheema, the strongest brother and the one most prone to anger and temper, offered his services as the chief cook in the kitchen of the king.  Cooking had always been his hobby and he used this proficiency to his advantage during this time.  He also was put in charge of the king’s gymnasium where he trained youngsters in the art of wrestling.

Arjuna, the greatest archer of his time, had once visited his father, Indra, the king of heaven, and had been cursed by a heavenly dancing girl for refusing her offer of love.  She cursed the virile Arjuna to spend a year as a eunuch.  During their year of hiding, Arjuna took advantage of this curse.  Versed in the dancing, singing, and music arts, he offered to train the women in the king’s harem to be singers and dancers.

Nakula, the most sensitive and beautiful brother, was an ancient times horse whisperer.  He demonstrated his power to the king and the king put him in charge of the stables.

Sahadeva was the wisest and most diplomatic of the Pandava brothers.  He was talented at gently coaxing cows to yield the best milk.  Since the king’s chief wealth was his cattle, he offered these services to the king.

The Take-aways

Of course these classic stories are open to many levels of interpretation, but here is my take.  Generally each brother, upon relinquishing the weapons he normally relied upon, turned to another skill in their possession and brought it forward.  They set alternate goals to achieve success during the time.

Yudishthira became philosopher and teacher, and interestingly, taught the king the very skill, dice, that he had played so badly he had lost his entire birthright.  Take-away:  Use this time to hone a skill to perfection that has caused you trouble in the past.

Bheema offered a hobby he loved and also mentored young people in his skill as a warrior.  Take-away:  Focus on fulfilling an alternate pastime and use this time to mentor others in your primary skills.

Arjuna used the time to discharge a difficult karmic debt to his advantage by accepting the curse to become a eunuch and teaching music and dancing.  Take-away:  use this time to address a difficulty in your business that you’ve been putting off.  Find an area where you must acknowledge a debt and make it right.

Nakula brought his hidden psychic qualities to the fore and became head of the horse stables.  Take-away:  Embrace the passivity of the period and dream.  Bring forward and develop inner skills and qualities you can put to use when the energy thrusts forward again.

Sahadeva worked with the king’s cows to get them to produce the best milk.  Take-away:  Focus on one aspect of your business you usually don’t have time for, perhaps a research and development project, and see if you can really perfect the process or product.

Let me know how you plan to make the most of these next two Mars in Cancer months.  What alternate ways will you employ to keep you and your team motivated?

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