“The purification of the mind is very necessary. (72)”
― Swami Satchidananda
When the Moon peaks in the sign of neurosis (Virgo) on March 16, relationships could turn into anxiety-ridden critique fests. Mars is still out of phase in the sign ruling relationships (Libra), which certainly doesn't help the potential for negotiations. Why is Mars such an important player in this Full Moon? Here’s the quick version of the astrological tracing: Our Full Moon is in Virgo—ruled by Mercury—Mercury is Aquarius—ruled by Saturn which is in Scorpio ruled by… Mars.. which is in Libra ruled by Venus—- which is in Aquarius— ruled by Saturn which is in Scorpio which is ruled by… yes, Mars… so it all goes back to our beloved Mars! Personally I’ve experienced this particular Full Moon-Mars retrograde pairing like a 5-alarm fire going on in the nervous system. My head feels like the Tower card in the Tarot. Having Mars Retrograde moving in tandem with the North Node in Libra is a mandate: we must evolve in the world of relationships, justice and equality or there will be hell to pay. On a more personal level, it’s truly a wake up call to really look at our behaviors in relationships.
A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.
― Elisabeth Elliot
Mars Retrograde in Libra (embedded in the ongoing cardinal crucifixion) is about breaking through any passive-aggressive, noncommittal, wishy-washy, narcissistic, people-pleasing, co-dependent patterns. Mars and North Node in Libra shine the light on all of the lovely ways we may still be acting perfectly dysfunctional in our relationships: i.e: refusing to compromise, insisting it’s our way or the highway, acting like three-year olds when we don’t get what we want, pitching fits, throwing tantrums and ultimatums instead of “working through” the discord, punishing, playing the lone wolf, silent treatments, failing in our ability to manage impulse control or refusing to realize the importance of delayed gratification and the list goes on.
“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.”
― George Carlin
There is a lot of discord in the air as we now move towards the New Moon in Aries on March 30th (ruled by the Mars retrograde). Many people in relationships seems to be retreating to their own corner of the boxing ring during this seeming Mars-induced “time-out”. Many have decided to retreat from relationships altogether to return to Self during this time. And then there are those rolling up their sleeves, in the trenches and ready to do the work it takes to keep the dance going with some modicum of equilibrium and harmony. Nobody said it was easy. My mentor, Art Robbins has said “people don’t change because of understanding, they change because of relationships.” I feel this is the gift of the current Aries-Libra polarity which is quickly racketing up as we move towards the firework eclipse season— and of course the culmination of grand cardinal cross of April.
In a way fighting was just like using magic. You said the words, and they altered the universe. By merely speaking you could create damage and pain, cause tears to fall, drive people away, make yourself feel better, make your life worse.
― Lev Grossman
Okay, back to the Full Moon in Virgo energy before we jump the gun (Mars style) into Aries season!
The best way to work with this lunation is to consider it a time to purify our minds from the illusions and delusions of Pisces. Virgo asks us to take a critical and discriminating look at what works versus what's just a big mess when it comes to our partnerships. By paying closer attention to the details, we may be able to untangle and find new solutions to some of the more elusive patterns and problems.
Actually, the sign of Virgo has to do with reflecting back on Self. It's the sign of the Hermit (9th Trump in the Tarot) and more concerned with self-reflection and work than it is with getting lost in the needs of another person. We're now able to turn inward and trace the steps back to our inner home. Virgo likes to be of service, but in a practical and efficient way. There is a discerning eye to Virgo that prefers putting things in order rather than falling into the chaotic soup of illusion. On a very basic level we are balancing our need to work ourselves into oblivion with the need for the kind of sleep that puts you in a timeless coma. It’s all about finding the balance, purifying, recharging and returning back to Self. For those of us in the East, we’ve nearly survived the coldest winter of our lives. The Vernal Equinox is right around the corner. Rebirth is inevitable as hard as it may be to fathom after such a relentless freeze.
The current Mars Retrograde is really asking us to step up and work consciously with our inner masculine energy between now and May 19th. Thus, I am devoting the next Project 40 (starting right on the New Moon in Aries) on March 30th to our warrior planet. We will be working with our inner masculine energy, the animus (male side of the psyche in Jungian terms) expressed through the Mars energy of our horoscopes in astrology. We will be working with this potent force for 40 days and 40 nights. This is an initiation into all things Mars: raw instinct, courage, discipline, anger, aggression, action, daring, restlessness, activation, movement, slaying, forging, hunting, fighting, battling, competition, drive, sexuality, confrontation, physicality, war, cutting, attacking, penetrating, pursuing etc. By making this energy conscious, we eliminate the potential for the more destructive, depressive or oppressive side of Mars when we repress instead of express our anger or more primal energy. “Build a temple to the god’s that oppressing you”—Caroline Casey…
By giving daily conscious expression and attention to this energy, we will experience a tremendous surge of vitality, initiation and creativity in our lives. Please join us:
Project 40:::21: Mars & Integrating the Masculine.
