Aquarium Age

Aquarium Age: June 5 – 11, 2019

By Ralfee Finn

Mars moves into action this week and as the Warrior Planet calls the shots, daily life starts to unfold in a military rhythm that is certain to rattle the nervous system. The last two weeks were just a warm-up—yes, I know, impossible to believe but nonetheless true. The next several weeks up the ante and intensify the intensity—yes, I know, it sounds dire because it is. It’s not just the collective caldron that begins to boil over; personal situations are also inflamed by Mars, which makes finding a peaceful way through this mess a must. You’re going to need all your gear, so tune up the antennae on your multidimensional beanie, ramp up your meditation so you can listen with an even keener ear, and recommit to your stance as a spiritual warrior. Most importantly, be willing to discard old baggage that you’ve been reluctant to leave behind; you won’t be able to get through this next portal if you’re clinging to the past. The present moment is always where the power is—and that cliché has never been truer than now.

Mars signifies the ability to take a stand—it represents the physical muscles in the body as well as the emotional, mental, and spiritual muscle it takes to move in the world and actualize our intent. Mars is the arms and legs of the ego and its urge to assert. Anger rides that spectrum of self-assertion, the negative end of which is characterized by global rage and the need to lash out—guns, knives, bombs, bullying, tantrums and tirades, especially those born from the pernicious frustration of narcissism or endemic invisibility. But anger can also be a healthy response to the injustice of having a self, denied. Think the tantrums of a two- year old who has no agency and can only scream in frustration. On the positive end of the Mars spectrum, the power of self-assertion sharpens itself into self-actualization. This is the great gift of Mars: it allows us to build a personal self and then to transcend the confines of individuation to reach for something greater—a Higher Self that is unified with all selves. Think a shift in priorities: the needs of the one gladly transforming into the needs of the many.

On Friday, June 7, Mars begins its opposition to the Saturn/Pluto opposition. (Let’s just take a moment here to put our hands over our ears and moan for as long as we like.) While the Mars opposition persists until June 28, please don’t think of that as the end of this cycle. Because as soon as Mars moves out of its opposition to Saturn and Pluto, it moves into a square with Uranus. (More about that in columns to come.)

One of the astral signatures of Mars/Saturn contacts is the indefatigable strength to take on any obstacle and work through it. Unfortunately, when that strength occurs through an opposition, there is the temptation to resort to destructive behavior that just wants to fight its way through. This is where your commitment to being a spiritual warrior is a must: You can engage your “enemy” if you like, but any negativity is certain to be amplified during this interaction.  Remember, old habits aren’t going to make it through to the next plateau, so think before you come out slugging.

Perhaps the primary reason to be careful is the presence of Pluto. A Mars/Pluto opposition amplifies the tendency to use sheer brute force at any cost. Please beware of allowing self-righteousness to fuel your stand—Pluto extends the half-life of all selfish actions and you want to be wary of setting something in motion that could boomerang later.

Mars is currently transiting Cancer, the Sign of nurturing, so don’t be surprised if you or those you love require more than a little cuddling these next couple of weeks. Also anticipate a greater need for safety and security. I’m sure Mr. Trump and his Gang of Hungry Ghosts will try to exploit the agitated air, fostering and fomenting fear and paranoia, so do your best to stay grounded in your deepest spiritual knowing.

In my ongoing quest to identify positive manifestations of a Saturn/Pluto conjunction, I make the following offering: During the previous Saturn/Pluto cycle that began in 1982, which saw the conservative right put forth its religious agenda, the membership of Alcoholics Anonymous also burgeoned during that cycle, and with that expansion, millions and millions of people were able to find and establish a personal spiritual connection. During the cycle that began in 1947, as one reader put it in an email, the national security state was born, under which the House Unamerican Activities Committee persecuted people for their political beliefs. Yet under this same influence, Margret Chase Smith broke the gender barrier and became the first woman elected to the Unites States Senate and Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier.

Harnessing the sheer force of Saturn/Pluto takes enormous effort; aiming that power toward positive manifestations requires clear intent and almost superhuman effort, but it can be done. And truly, it must be done. In the ‘60s we sang, “We’re on the Eve of Destruction.” Our theme song now is “We’re on the Verge of Extinction.” All the consciousness raising of the last fifty or sixty years is required to shift out of our current situation and create a new one. Mr. Trump and his egregious behavior is a road map of what not to do and how not to behave. Rocket science is not required; we just have to break the old-white-guy-hungry-ghost-greed-and-cruelty barrier. It’s tougher than the sound barrier, but we can do it.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
As Mars transits your Solar House of the home, and part of you just wants to hunker down and stay cozy. But another part of you knows that it’s important to be out in the world—if only because active participation will keep your world from tilting on its axis. Honor your need for quiet time, but also acknowledge the need to stay connected to what’s happening around you.

Taurus April 20-May 20.
You’re attempting to synthesize past and present through conversations with family members. Mars could turn some of these discussions slightly testy, but only if you polarize and hold onto a point of view that blinds you to the perspective of others. Rather than begin the negotiations with a belligerent attitude, do your best to be genuinely interested in what others have to say.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Mars is in your Solar House of personal finance, a volatile position given that you’re already feeling overextended financially. The best way through this phase is to call “time out” on spending and go money-neutral except for necessities. I’m not suggesting you are in danger. This advice is aimed at helping you establish a financial balance that can endure daily stresses.

Cancer June 22-July 22
Mars is transiting your Solar House of personality, which amplifies the need to be your own person, regardless of the needs and expectations of others. This is no small feat, given that you genuinely care for friends and family. Rather than feel pulled in two directions—honoring your needs or the needs of others—try to see where you are aligned and make that shared ground your starting point.

Leo July 23-August 22
Mars could fool you into thinking that you don’t have enough time for all the things you need and want to do—it’s transiting your Solar House of the mind, a position that allows it to play tricks. Refuse to succumb to negative thinking, and instead, corral that Mars might into positive action—deepening your meditation practice or the beginning of a dream journal. Using its power wisely is up to you.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Mars is transiting your Solar House of community, a position that tends to manifest as external activity that could pull you away from creative endeavors. I’m not saying Mars has to interfere—you’ll likely only feel its pull if you’re already in conflict about where to spend your time and energy. However, this is a call to share your gifts—it’s up to you whether or not to participate.

Libra September 23-October 22
Transiting Mars is in your Solar House of career and recognition, intensifying your ambitions, yet at the same time, the Saturn/Pluto conjunction tethers you to a deep desire to go within, where you can feel stay safe and protected. There’s no easy answer to finding a balance between your external and internal worlds other than the realization that these may not be polarized urges.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
Mars is in your Solar House of belief systems and that translates into a lot of grappling with what you know to be true. Use this Martian presence to scrutinize why you believe what you do, and if you find that you’re building your beliefs on false assumptions, have the courage to admit the truth. Then use that same courage to explore new ideas.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
It’s a pop quiz on what you’ve learned about handling your personal finances, and Mars is grading your answers as it transits your Solar House of transformation. You’ve already done a lot of work trying to establish and maintain your financial equilibrium; if there are any rough spots still in need of attention, acknowledge that you have the tools to handle them skillfully.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Mars is transiting your Solar House of relationship—as if you need me to point that out—and as a result all your relationships, personal and professional, are edgy. Holding back may not be the best way to handle the intensity. Sometimes it’s better to say what’s on your mind and express your emotions so they don’t aggregate into ossified positions that won’t budge.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Mars is in your Solar House of getting things done, which translates into a lot of distractions, some of which are welcome and some not so much. In truth, you have a lot of wisdom to share—wisdom that’s much needed right now. So rather than hide away, allow yourself to be present where you are needed. Yes, you will encounter resistance, but that’s okay, you can handle it—easily.

Pisces February 19-March 20
With Mars transiting your Solar House of self-expression, you’re likely to find yourself making dramatic pronouncements, some quite personal and others, not so much. Wherever you find yourself along this spectrum of declarations, remember to hold fast to what you know to be spiritually true. That way you’ll be invoking the second rule of magic: choose your words carefully.

This article was originally published on June 5, 2019.