A CALL TO ARMS?

by Annabel Burton (API Diploma holder)

We all have all the planets somewhere in out birthcharts, and these represent our psychological drives. Each planet is a symbol of a different type of energy and if you imagine them as lightbulbs, some function at 150 watts, beaming out for the world to see and some are barely flickering. It is possible with awareness and practice for all our planets to light up like a Christmas tree!

As Aries is the sign that is the beginning of the Zodiac, we will look at Mars, its ruler. This energy is associated with the fight or flight mechanism, action, assertiveness, the power to make things happen and also anger, rage and frustration. If your Mars is acting without your conscious awareness you may have a temper that is hard to control or possibly resort to violence to express your rage and frustration. You may also be very sexually active! In an emergency, this planet acts as your survival instincts on an elementary level.

Fortunately, we are not faced with fighting woolly mammoths every day of the week any more, and yet aggression and over reaction is around us all the time. If Mars is used a little more creatively, we have the ability to stand our ground and assert our needs without anger. We become goal orientated and work towards achieving our aims through the right direction of energy. You may be aware of times when you have worked towards a certain direction and your efforts have paid off, bringing the rewards you deserve. On the highest level, Mars is seen in the hero or heroine, using courage and action to save or protect others. In this sense Mars becomes creative and life-saving. The energy is fearless and focused, and the adrenaline rush brings right action.

Quote:"Most people think that courage is the absence of fear. The absence of fear is not courage:the absence of fear is some kind of brain damage. Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of the fear, or in spite of the pain. When you do that, you will find that overcoming that fear will not only make you stronger but will be a big step forward toward maturity." M. Scott Peck.

Now at the time of writing, we have just witnessed the worst terrorist attack ever on America. The world is poised on the brink of change, and is likely to go through some turbulence for some time to come.

The right use of Mars seems highly appropriate just now, as action follows thought and we are in a position where our fundamental values and belief systems are being challenged . The Pluto/Saturn opposition crosses the signs associated with thinking and thought processes. It is on this fundamental level we are being forced to contemplate new ways of being. There are those who are against new thought who will hang on to traditional values at all costs, and so depending on which side of the fence we choose to remain on, the other side will represent the enemy. But we can see ourselves reflected in others' response to us. We must recognise that we live in unprecedented times, where our achievements have never been greater, but our ability to destroy is ever more devastating.

With Pluto and Saturn opposing each other until the Spring in 2002, we need to employ our Mars potential with care. Complacency and non-action is not always the solution, and yet the need to put right the wrongs in the world through non-violent action has seemed the modus operandii since the devastation of the last world war, at least by a fair few of us. Prior to the attack in September 2001, I selected a very strong image of Archangel Michael from some Angel Cards. The idea of an Angel wielding a sword seemed somehow incongruous and yet, in many ways that facility to cut through tangled webs, and the use of surgery in order to heal are Mars images. It would be wise to ponder as much on the energy of Mars in these times, as on the healing powers of Venus.

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