Dear Friends
From now in a few hours and until February 18th, 2006, planet Mars will be wandering through the sign of Taurus. This will now radically change the climate and set a whole new tonality. Two memes or images: Think Bulldozer hitting brick wall, or think bull grazing in the pastures... pick a good choice!
Usually, Mars spends about six weeks in one sign, and it takes more or less two years to move around the whole Zodiac. Once every two years, Mars takes "a break" so to speak and does its retrograde "loop". Last time it did that was in Summer 2003, in Pisces. Remember that time? We were seeing the red planet come ever so close to earth and things were a bit slower, maybe more metaphysical sort of and more calmed down.
Mars moves to 9 degrees Taurus by August 13th, and on then to 24 degrees Taurus until October 1st, and then grinds to a standstill, as seen from earth. The retrograde period of Mars this time - in Taurus - will be from 2nd October to 11th December. It moves back by 11th December to 9 degrees Taurus. Note those two dates in your agenda: Aug 13 and Dec 11. So the shadow loop of Mars in Taurus is the sector 9-24 degrees Taurus. See in your birth chart where that zone falls into. Mars will again reach 24 Taurus by 1st of February 2006, the 3rd date to note in your agenda.
During that time, things will get somewhat slower than slow, maybe even stuck in the mud, if we apply the Taurus energy. But, I say right now, that Mars in Taurus has its beautiful side, as it certainly accentuates sensuality and strengthens the practical side of our nature. We will assert ourself in a very down-to-earth, patient as well as persistent, even determined and very hard-working manner.
The energy of action orientated Mars when in material-orientated Taurus is channelled into manifestation in 3rd dimension, and into very worthwhile tasks, which will produce practical and useful results. Primarily, these qualities are then used to ensure material or financial security, and a kind of "good life" generally. On occasion we can become rather inflexible, stubborn and single-minded with this aspect.
Taurus is the sign "ruled" by Venus, and so you see, there is in there in the bull sign something pretty good to be looked for. Mars in the sign ruled by Venus is a very interesting position, but it has some difficulty functioning in this fixed sign. Venus now in Virgo will help Mars along and vice-versa. However, Saturn in Leo will somehow put the breaks on Mars very soon. Mars is not liked by Venus too much at times, and it has a difficult time when in this area of the Zodiac, but it will have plenty of "time" to get used to Taurean energy.
All earth signs among you, TAURUS (little brother are you listening ;-) will have a really good time ahead now. Virgo immediately gets a massive practicality boost now, and Capricorn people born December 22nd to January 11 will also see themselves unusually "enhanced" by this transit until early February. The Mars nature is - as is - very forceful and direct, but Venus now in Virgo is rather serviceable, tactful and refined.
As a result, we may be slowed down by obstacles and limitations, causing some of us to be slow to act, and maybe even slowed down mentally, as we will be tempted into lazying around and being idle. This need not to be perceived as negative. Maybe some of us do need a break, and best indicated are pursuits in the nature, and activities dealing with "hands-on" type result-orientation. Building earthships and natural shelters would be VERY well indicated. Anything practical and useful as well as also artistic is well aspected for over half a year now.
There is likely to be considerable frustration because both Venus and Mars are rather slow to respond to eath others demands or requests. These two planets have much to do with sexual relations of course, but with Mars placed in this setting there can be some jeolousy, stubbornness, power and mind games coming up. As I said, Saturn will have none of that while in Leo. Saturn is kingpin now.
However, Mars becomes even more difficult to control as the appetites are only enhanced and a form of greed is maybe also amplified. There will be a sense of willfulness against considerable opposition. For women, there is often difficulty in relationships with men, because to women it appears that men are unwilling to change and will not consider other possibilities. Men on the other hand, with this position in transit now, will often feel like nothing they do will matter, and that they are continually banging their head against a wall.
Venus and/or Jupiter later in Libra - witnessing Mars here in Taurus - will help make things more pleasant. So no love is lost ;-)
During the retro phase (10/2-12/11) Taurus Mars becomes more placid and controlled, and action will be a tad more considered and thoughtful, or practical by necessity, more so than by choice. As a result, relations with the opposite sex are being "readjusted". The word of caution is only this: Do Not even think of starting a new enterprise between 10/2 and 12/11, you can mark a giant red stripe over these ten weeks.
However, during the red stripe phase other things can be done: There may be talent or an art or hobby to be pursued and (re)-developed, but there will be a much greater difficulty in all of these things because Saturn happens to be saying: Back to the drawing board. And after October 26th, Jupiter moves into Scorpio, to oppose Mars from the other end of the heavens, bringing all this out to extreme levels. There will be some obsession in the air by then - no doubt, and we will visit this messy subject again at that time.
Try be nice to one another and have a good time.
Peace
M StC.
The rest.... GRAND CROSS in FIXED SIGNS ;-)
see here ==> http://Astro11ogy.blogspot.com
