2023 :: Special Alignments :: MARS

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This update covers the Special Alignments happening in 2023. Each and every year has its own flavor and specific activations to deal with or navigate. This year, Jupiter will move from Aries-to-Taurus & North Node will move from Taurus-to-Aries so both of these Energies & Lessons are up for us socially & collectively, throughout the year of 2023. Their lessons always have to do with you, the individual, and your personal values & priorities and how all that guides your choices & actions along the way.

Jupiter has a 12-year cycle that moves in 3-year increments, moving our education & consciousness along. While the North Node is a 20-year cycle that moves in 5-year increments, moving our life path & direction along. Being at the beginning of the zodiac also indicates a huge re-set for the social/collective levels (and of course, anyone with these Signs activated). This also indicates that the next 3-5 years are anchoring the bigger cycles of 12-20 year – all tied to how we navigate the social realms in particular, what we believe to be true or possible for ourselves and which choices take us in the direction of our chosen goals. Mars moves the fastest and will have the most contacts with other planets in a way that will shape & direct your personal year.

Finally, I cover the general vibe on the 2023 Energetic Overview HERE, so here, I only cover how they interact with others during 2023. For our purposes, I will go over them in the order they happen and I will synthesize them along the way.

MARS Activations:
Here I cover the Initiations (conjunctions) because they are the most rare, only happening every 2-years, and the Tests (squares) because they will be the most impactful & obvious. However, Mars will have several sextiles, which are opportunities to gain traction and it will have trines with the Social/Collective Planets, which are ease & grace that can be worked with consciously too. They will be covered in the regular Weekly Forecast throughout the year but I wanted you to have a heads-up on the special ones. Co-creating with Mars is about getting to know your own desire nature, what motivates you to the choices you make & actions you take – it is your Inner Masculine that knows how to negotiate on your own behalf, get your ideas in the world and hold good boundaries. Following who it interacts with will have a unique alchemical mix of energies only available in 2023. We’re also kicking it off as it hits Cancer, after Retrograding in Gemini, lingering Aug 2022-March 2023.

Mars Enters CANCER: 3.25.2023

3/30 :: Mars (energy & drive) ~trine~ Saturn (stamina & patience):
This is a delicious & potent combo! This is like a great Father/Son working on a project type of energy. The Son has all the muscle, energy & enthusiasm and the Father is the brilliant, steady man who directs that energy and teaches in every moment. Internally, this is your Inner Authority guiding your innate desire nature to the tangible results it so craves. Saturn brings the long-term goals to the table and Mars’ energy can fuel your efforts creating amazing results. This energy enables you to focus longer, attend to the details better, overcome obstacles, and get more tangible results of your actions & choices. Normally, these two get together and it is more the ‘tortoise and the hare’ energy, which can be frustrating for some. However, they are in an easy-angle here and if there is any major project which needs your attention, now is the time you will likely be in the mood to tackle it and be completely supported.

4/29 :: Mars (action) ~sextile~ Uranus (breakthrough):
This energy gives you the inspiration & original ideas that will fuel new action steps in your personal life. Patience & discipline are not the theme when these two get together, so beware of any urge to change just for the sake of change. But if you’re ready for a radical shift within or around you, then this activation could give you the clarity to breakthrough any long-standing blockages. This energy, when consciously directed, can actually break you out of any ‘ruts’ that you’ve been in, inspire and motivate you to authentic change. You have energy and the illuminating ‘a-ha’ moments which will propel you to a new, enlivened state of being, although it may upset folks around you who would rather you keep things status quo. Think outside the box, improvise, try something new (or a new way), engage in activities you’ve never tried and try to connect with a new & different circle of people.

5/15 :: Mars (desires & actions) ~trine~ Neptune (dreams & visions):
This energy is good for spiritual exploration, digging deeper into your place in the Cosmos and in relation to others. Your energy is best turned inward, as you find just how much who you are and what you want has changed over recent years and using this energy to infuse more depth of soul into your heart’s desires. By infusing your dreams & visions for your Self, you naturally bless Others & the Universe. You may feel inclined to help others, but always balance that drive with some objectivity (are those you’re helping just as dedicated as you are to the common cause?) This is a very laid-back energy that allows you time to take effective action on behalf of your dreams and/or spiritual growth, more than outward action or specific steps. Enjoy it!

Mars Enters LEO: 5.20.2023

5/20 :: Mars (desire) ~oppose~ Pluto (transformation):
This energy is higher will versus lower will, an opposition which always brings tension and the need to balance & integrate whatever your dealing with at the time. It’s not a good time to be selfish, go it alone or let your ego lead. Something you did not consider may become obvious and force you to change in some fundamental way. You may have to decide if the path you are on at this time is really going to lead you to the destination you originally chose. If you have been clear about your desires and willing to sacrifice, work hard (and consistently) this energy will activate a turning point. You will have access to energy and passion that propels you forward when based in love, light & truth. However, if your ego has been leading, you may find yourself at an impasse. This energy is all about power and with that power comes great responsibility. Be very careful of abusing that power as it will likely backfire on you.

5/23 :: Mars (passion & desire) ~square~ Jupiter (enthusiasm & excess):  This energy can be expressed one of two ways (like most) – you can over-extend your Self and your resources being overly optimistic without actually doing any planning or work, relying on luck alone and unfortunately, this expression will basically make you pay double (in more ways than one) down the road. The better way to express this energy is to think of what you are doing today that can benefit you in the future. You have access to foresight, so use it to foresee what your ultimate goal is and what steps you can take today to make that happen. Focus on what can be, rather than what is right now. You also have access to increased energy and desire to push your own limits (consciously or not), which can be useful but not if you overdo it, then you defeat the whole purpose. Calculated risk is okay – impulsive reactions – not-so-much. This is also the energy of when things are good – they are very good but when they are bad, they are terrible! So keep it positive, stay focused and balance your input with your output – mentally, emotionally and physically.

6/26 :: Mars (action) ~square~ Uranus (freedom):
This is the “Rebel” energy – what’s your “cause”? If you are clear about your own authentic Truth & Purpose, then this energy is refreshing and uplifting. You acknowledge that change is necessary (and inevitable) and you co-create with this energy to transform your current life. This is a rebirth energy too and being “reborn” is never easy. Worth it – but not easy. However, if you are NOT clear about who you are and what you’re capable of, this energy shines a light on that aspect of your life which you instinctively already know needs an overhaul but for whatever reason you are still holding onto the old habits & negative patterns. Unwilling or unable to embrace change at this time, you only increase the feeling of being restricted by external energies. Your life is a direct reflection of what’s going on inside you. How’s it lookin’? Check your ego, recommit to your Truth and remember that change is GOOD! And if you don’t go voluntarily (read: consciously), then you’ll get dragged to the new level, kicking and screaming and you’ll be so exhausted when you get there that you may miss the beauty in evolving to the next level. (This IS what you’ve been working toward, correct?) Remember, conscious, effective action creates freedom.

Mars Enters VIRGO: 7.10.2023

7/20 :: Mars (energy) ~oppose~ Saturn (stability):
This energy is a mixed blessing so watch any extreme swings one way or another. Mars is all about energy, passion & movement and Saturn is all about stability, structure & foundation. When they are opposite each other, there can be a beautiful blend of energy & passion behind solid, productive work that yields long-term benefits. However, if you swing to petulant Mars, “I want my way!” ~ then Saturn’s response is, “It will be done the RIGHT way or not at all!” This energy brings lessons either way, usually around anger issues or long-standing upsets. You may feel “held back” although nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that you have to do certain ‘first things first’ and if/when you do things in “order”, success usually follows. If/when you rush and do things without thinking or planning, then mistakes inevitably follow and you have to do things over again. This is also the half-way mark of a 2yr cycle that gives you the opportunity to check in and see how things are progressing and make any necessary adjustments so that you are successful at the culmination of the current cycle. (Look to the signs for more specifics.)

8/1 :: Mars (energy) ~trine~ Jupiter (enthusiasm):
This energy is generally positive as you are combining your energy & desires with an expansion of consciousness. It’s especially good for anything physical and bodes well for outcomes to any competition. You will be channeling more energy than usual so be sure to check-in with your body and stay grounded. Jupiter often brings blessings that others may perceive as ‘luck’ but it is more of an alignment between inner & outer. Even if things are hazy or crazy, do your best to visualize success and put your Self in the picture ; -) You will have a great overall perspective of the “big picture” and can plan accordingly. The only caveat with this energy is to avoid being OVERLY confident where you feel invincible. Be confident, but not cocky. This energy is very good for knowing what you need and being capable of making succinct decisions about the course which will get you there. Calculated risks are the name of the game!

8/16 :: Mars (courage & passion) ~trine~ Uranus (freedom & individuality):  This is a powerful combo, however, it has to be integrated and consciously expressed to yield the best results, otherwise you may miss an opportunity for a major personal breakthrough. Mars gives you the courage and Uranus awakens new possibilities within. This is an easy alignment of your actions and your individual brilliance. You may even discover some new gift or talent that has been dormant for a while, but is now beginning to come to life. This energy pushes you to try something new that liberates you in some way you that you may have previously felt daunted by in the past. Because of the easy angle too, this new evolution to the next level should not entail you having to annihilate any other aspect of your life, you will just intuitively know that it is time to change. It won’t matter what others think or say either, because the prompting for change comes from within so take advantage of this time to experiment. You never know where it will lead.

8/22 :: Mars (actions & desires) ~oppose~ Neptune (faith & vision):
Mars rules your ability to act on your own behalf and Neptune is the planet of dreams, visions & spirituality (among other things). One is very personal & direct and one is very general & elusive. When these two are opposite eachother, there is a push-pull between the actions you want to take and the actions you believe you are capable of taking. Often, this activation helps you balance faith & action, that is, if you can be clear about who you are, what you want and what you believe is possible. It can also activate irrational fears & unfounded doubts. Oppositions always require balance to be useful & effective, even though we usually have to go through the experience of extremes to figure that out. These are two very diverse energies that have to compromise in order to strike a balance that will facilitate flow. It may be hard to decide what you really want and communication with others tends to go awry. This energy obscures things right in front of you, but can make very clear that the current consequences are related to your past choices. It is best to own your choices and/or mistakes and do whatever damage control you can at this point. The one thing that this combination of energies is favorable for is working in solitude on a project that needs completion. This will give you the energy to go the distance, as well as the tenacity to overcome obstacles which delayed you previously. If you end up in this mode, do your work, put the final touches on everything, but then wait a week or two before sharing it with others.

8/24 :: Mars (energy) ~trine~ Pluto (transformation):
This is an active, transformative energy that will help you to change your life in a healthy, positive way. You may have the energy & inclination to make major personal (and permanent) changes to who you are and what you want on a deep Soul level. Because it’s a Trine, it promises more ease than is usually associated with Pluto, and in this case, makes transformation smoother. You may be especially focused on what needs to be done or changed in your life at this time. You will want to take action and the Universe supports that decision, as long as it is righteous and not totally self-serving. This is a good time to get moving, take action regarding your long-term goals – and you will be able to create some momentum. You may realize some of your recent actions or choices do not necessarily support your deepest drives or desires. As you get in alignment within & without, the results can be miraculous. Be creative ~ be brave!

Mars Enters LIBRA: 8.27.2023

10/8 :: Mars (lower will) ~square~ Pluto (Higher will):
This is a test of what you are made of, on the deepest core level, and will require surrender and a degree of self-awareness to navigate. This energy challenges you to evolve and will make you want to push through any obstacles but you must be careful not to be so aggressive that you are stepping on anyone to get where you’re going. This is a potent energy that can facilitate major transformation in your life if you know who you are, what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice to get there – that includes parts of your Self that may need to shift in order for you to be more effective in life. This energy can bring power struggles, within or without, so be mindful because this energy is affecting everyone at this time. This is the time to tie up any loose ends if you are close to beginning anew. If you do not finish what you already have in the works, it may get in the way of things you want to do in the future. It is time to align your true inner power with balanced outer actions & choices.

Mars Enters SCORPIO: 10.12.2023

10/13 :: Mars (energy & drive) ~trine~ Saturn (stamina & patience):
This is a delicious & potent combo! This is like a great Father/Son working on a project type of energy. The Son has all the muscle, energy & enthusiasm and the Father is the brilliant, steady man who directs that energy and teaches in every moment. Internally, this is your Inner Authority guiding your innate desire nature to the tangible results it so craves. Saturn brings the long-term goals to the table and Mars’ energy can fuel your efforts creating amazing results. This energy enables you to focus longer, attend to the details better, overcome obstacles, and get more tangible results of your actions & choices. Normally, these two get together and it is more the ‘tortoise and the hare’ energy, which can be frustrating for some. However, they are in an easy-angle here and if there is any major project which needs your attention, now is the time you will likely be in the mood to tackle it and be completely supported.

10/28 :: Mars (desires & actions) ~oppose~ Jupiter (expansion & learning): This energy is perfect for working on your “grand vision” and that is exactly what you’ll “feel” like doing under this influence. Anything or anyone that blocks you from that should be consciously (and kindly) dealt with and then get to it! Mars is action and Jupiter is expansion and they are dancing together. It can be a selfish, undirected dance where no one wins or it can be the beginning of something huge! You are using this energy to access the single-mindedness of Mars to accomplish the huge goals of Jupiter. The downfall of this energy is to allow the Mars ego (Edging-God-Out) to lead when it serves a better purpose being the strength, not necessarily the strategy. And allow Jupiter’s connection to the Higher Truth for you, guide you on your Path. The Jupiter in you sees the bigger picture, your infinite potential that it longs to fulfill. Get out of your own way. Watch the inclination to “overdo” EVERYTHING – spending, physical activity, over-promising/under-delivering etc. Stay within your physical limits but expand the limits of your consciousness. Robert Hand says, “The sense of timing of your actions may leave you and others amazed and sure that you’re lucky. But really you have succeeded because you have a complete understanding of the situation.”

10/28 :: Mercury (thinking) ~oppose~ Jupiter (learning):
Any opposition requires us to work with two distinct energies and get them to work together for the good of all involved. It is also a MidPoint which allows you that 180* view from the other side of your starting point (roughly 6-months ago). Mercury & Jupiter are working out the push-pull within you between your Mind & Consciousness, between your Thinking & Beliefs, between your Thoughts & Imagination, between the Tedious Details and the Grand Vision. Because of all this, it would be tremendously beneficial to play amongst a group of like-hearted souls with varying points of view, mavericks who following their own intuition as well as humble healers who also buck status quo by following their intuitive knowing within, something we all have the capacity for. This is great for what I call *Jam Sessions*, when my colleagues & I get together to discuss our ideas & insights about our professional goals, something like that is a great use of this energy: plan, strategize, discuss with others, get input and feedback, bounce ideas around and be open and receptive to others’ points of view (they may think of something that you didn’t). Make sure it is a Circle, where all opinions are valued even if not shared. This is a good one for learning something new and looking at things from another angle, completely.

10/29 :: Mercury (thoughts) ~conjunct~ Mars (energy):
I have to preface this with two things: (1) is when Mercury is involved, it is a relatively fast-moving energy. (2) is when Mars is involved, being the lower version of power (Pluto being the Higher version), reminds us that with power, also comes responsibility. Now, that all said, the positive expression of this energy is that you can control your mind and direct it with passion, getting tangible results. This heightens your intellectual ability and mental capacity (for better or worse). You will be able to clearly articulate your thoughts and you should have quick, effective responses. If you maintain your integrity, this is an excellent time to ‘fuel’ any major creative expression. If this energy manifests its negative side, it can make you petty & combative, arguing over nonsense and wasting precious time & energy in ego control-dramas. And if it is not coming FROM you, it is just as possible to be coming AT you (from others). This is the best time to put your energy (Mars) behind your thoughts, ideas and words (Mercury) and get creative. The power of this pairing is that they are occupying the same space, essentially energizing each other and initiating a new 2-year cycle.

11/11 :: Mars (energy) ~oppose~ Uranus (radical shift):
This is a mixed blessing. On one hand, this energy can bring on impulsive, reactionary behavior. You can have sudden outbursts of anger or frustration with a strong need to be ‘free’ from whatever you are perceiving as a limitation or holding you back (person or circumstance). The best use of this energy is to consciously direct your energy to free yourself from any restrictions – self-imposed or otherwise. This is a time when you will be extremely motivated to do whatever it takes to live freely (by your own definition). Do not suppress this energy as that will only make it blow up in your face, at a most inconvenient time. Use this activation to check your Self and determine what you deeply desire, what your definition of freedom really is and what you are willing to do to live a more authentic life.

11/17 :: Mars (desires & actions) ~trine~ Neptune (dreams & visions):
This energy is good for spiritual exploration, digging deeper into your place in the Cosmos and in relation to others. Your energy is best turned inward, as you find just how much who you are and what you want has changed over recent years and using this energy to infuse more depth of soul into your heart’s desires. By infusing your dreams & visions for your Self, you naturally bless Others & the Universe. You may feel inclined to help others, but always balance that drive with some objectivity (are those you’re helping just as dedicated as you are to the common cause?) This is a very laid-back energy that allows you time to take effective action on behalf of your dreams and spiritual growth, more than outward action or specific steps. Enjoy it!

11/21 :: Mars (desire & action) ~sextile~ Pluto (purification & transformation):   This is lower will meets Higher Will ~ within you! Mars is your Inner Masculine and therefore helps you take action & make choices according to who you are and what you want. Pluto will ensure that you come from the purest place within (Soul-level), which often entails a cleansing of the non-essential and over-growth of the last cycle first. Luckily, this is not a “hard/bad” activation but an opportunity to connect with what you really want, at the deepest Soul-level, which will naturally lead to whatever is blocking that and its ultimate release. Keep in mind that those who are more out-of-touch with who they are and what they want tend to explode & implode when Mars & Pluto get together, even in a positive aspect like this one. This is a potent and (thankfully) positive mix of energy & power coming together, direct it wisely on your own behalf. This activation is a great opportunity for substantial forward movement, however, nothing worthwhile comes without conscious effort and sacrifice. (With Pluto involved there is always a sacrifice.) In this case, the sacrifice will likely be where your vision of the final outcome is concerned. Your desires can/will be fulfilled but they just may not “look” like you thought they would. Remember, when it comes to “wanting” anything, stay in touch with the “feeling” that your desire brings rather than the physical appearance or manifestation. You always want to set your intentions, do the work, then allow Spirit to breathe LIFE into that vision.

Mars Enters SAGITTARIUS: 11.24.2023

11/25 :: Mars (anger) ~square~ Saturn (restriction):
This is the energy of action being restricted and the anger or frustration that follows. You can either be angry and feel restricted, limited and unable to move … or you can see this energy as an opportunity to define the right actions to take and strategically plan to take them when the Universe is more supportive. This energy requires us to slow down and double-check The Plan. If you proceed consciously, your plan has a better chance of success than if you were reckless & impatient. You may experience a blockage of some sort, internal or external. You may feel this tremendous urge to change or move forward in your life but seem to find blockages and limitations with every effort. That is likely your perception, so it is good to ask yourself if some part of you may feel inadequate to the task at hand. What are you afraid of? Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real – release fear and choose to be responsible for creating your life. If you don’t, your outer circumstance only becomes a reflection of your inner belief. You will attract criticism and repel support. Take your grand vision and figure out three small steps you can take on this restricted level that is still taking you in the direction of your goal. Don’t try to initiate at this time, this is a time for cultivating, planning, working behind the scenes, doing the detail work and foundational work (grunt work) that is NECESSARY to support the grand vision when the time comes to fully express it.

12/28 :: Mars (action & desire) ~square~ Neptune (dreams & illusions):   This can be an annoying energy, to say the least. Basically, you may be confronted with challenges which are a direct result of earlier choices. These are the kind of choices you eventually realized were wrong and “hoped” the consequences would somehow pass you by. Not-so-much. You may feel very discouraged, possibly depressed, and be filled with fear & doubt under this influence. The key to getting through this energy is to take a step back, reflect on your choices and what led you to this point and, as objectively as possible, evaluate what went wrong. The tendency with this energy is to want to give up completely on the path you have chosen when all that is probably necessary is a little tweaking. Try to identify the aspect that is causing the conflict. If you don’t feel that you can be objective enough or that you struggle with identifying this aspect, enlist two other people to give you their opinion and then follow your gut-instinct on the direction to take from there. The other temptation with this energy is to be deceptive – either to your Self or others. Either way – don’t give in – it will only come back to bite you (harder) later. Your physical energy is likely to be low as well. Do not force your Self to do anything you are truly not “feeling” right now. Instead, meditate on what action may be necessary when your energy returns. Be still. Avoid confrontations with others as it is just the energy pushing you out of comfort zone, into new territory. This is a test of sorts and the best way to deal with it is to face your fears and clarify your desires. My personal two-cents about these two planets (Mars & Neptune) in a difficult angle, is to reflect on what actions (Mars) have been taken (and NOT worked) toward the fulfillment of your dreams (Neptune) – and start your “tweaking” there.

Mars Enters CAPRICORN: 1.4.2024

2023 Energetic Overview POST HERE
2023 Special Jupiter Alignments POST HERE
2023 Special Mars Alignments POST HERE
2023 Special North Node Alignments POST HERE

Relevant Reflections:
HERE :: Pluto in Aquarius: 2023 – 2044 by Rose Marcus
HERE :: Pluto in Aquarius – Liberty, Equality, Fraternity by Michele Finey
HERE :: Pluto into Aquarius: A Changing World Order by Anne Whitaker
HERE :: Pluto in Aquarius 2023-2043 – Part 1 / by Lorna Bevan ($12/US)

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