Mars in sidereal Aquarius, sitting with Saturn: March 15 (8:39am) – April 22, 2024 (23:09pm eastern time): STEADY STEPS TOWARDS CHANGE

Mars (the planet of action, energy, courage) will be in sidereal Aquarius for the next 5 weeks, where it will sit with slow and steady Saturn the entire time, and will be traveling alongside Venus (love, partnership, creativity) for the rest of March. Aquarius is a humanitarian at heart who wants peace, freedom, innovation and to be left alone to express itself. Mars in Aquarius puts its energy into new and inspired ideas and ways of being. This planetary combo is nudging us to go beyond what’s been done, beyond the status quo – within ourselves and in our world – towards a bigger vision where we consider others and how our actions affect those beyond our immediate sphere. Mars in Aquarius will encourage us to step out of our comfort zone, and to take actions towards change. Thankfully, it has steady Saturn by its side making sure it’s following the proper steps toward the goal at hand and not cutting corners. Mars and Saturn in Aquarius tell us to take the first step!

Mars has the courage of youth while Saturn has the wisdom of the elders. Being able to honor both of these energies is key to managing this special transit successfully – and collaborative Venus should help smooth out these initial kinks. However, Mars with Saturn can also feel like simultaneously having one foot on the gas (Mars can be reckless and like to go go go!) and one foot on the break (Saturn can be overly-cautious and likes to take it slowww). This start-stop energy can be frustrating as Mars wants to be done yesterday, but Saturn simply won’t allow this. The remedy: defer to Saturn who demands a plan of action to hand off to Mars who can then get busy making the change we want to see.

And anyway, Saturn will always “win” in the end so it’s best to keep this in mind: Mars, Venus and Saturn are all in Saturn’s sign for the next 5 weeks, so it naturally has more influence. Saturn (service, stability, time, lessons, limitations) is considered to be the “greatest planet of all,” albeit highly misunderstood and even villainized as it makes us put in tremendous effort, can put obstacles and delays in our paths (making us more experienced and humbler in the end… yet tired!), and makes us prove ourselves over and over again, sometimes to the point of exhaustion or wanting to quit. But Saturn does not make us work for naught; it lets us work out our karma, gain expertise and patience, and gives us our well-earned gifts and authority that cannot be taken away. Mars (prana, energy, drive, desire, courage, trailblazer) is the planet that just won’t quit, so this combo can be highly effective *if* we are able to lean into the tasks that Saturn is presenting us, follow the rules, and create a solid plan for Mars who just wants us to put him to good use. (Otherwise, he might get busy creating friction and fights.)

Questions to consider:

1.     What makes you feel free?

2.     Where are you putting your energy?

3.     What’s motivating or driving you?

4.     What steps are you taking towards your goals?

5.     What new, alternative or even eclectic ways are calling you?

6.     Is your next step outside of your comfort zone?

7.     Do you have a good plan in place?

8.     Does this next step give you more strength and energy for the long term?

9.     What personal practices are you committed to?

Tips for this Mars shift:

1.     When Mars and Saturn come together, they both like to: Keep it simple! Keep it accessible! Keep it short! Make it happen!

2.     Make your daily TO DO list: Mars does not like to be idle, and Saturn wants us to keep plugging along.

3.     Do not overthink it. Focus on what actions can be taken and move things forward. An inch will become a mile with time and effort, but that inch is the most important!

4.     Guard against burn out during this time as both planets in Aquarius can put work and actions towards the higher good above its own wellbeing. Prioritize movement and spiritual practice, like mantra and yoga: Mars likes movement and can be loud (!), while Saturn wants discipline, meditation, and stillness. One seamlessly moves into the other with Vedic practices. While Venus is with these two, creative outlets are also encouraged.

:::PEACE:::