Of course, I’m talking about Mars marching into Leo today, where he stays until around the middle of August. It promises to be a dramatic, and hopefully enjoyable, Summer (northern lands).
I might be overstating the case but has this year has had a rather depressive, introspective feel to it so far?
With Neptune seeking ever more mystical ways of contemplation in Pisces, and with Saturn and Pluto slowly coming together in Capricorn, along with Uranus moving into Taurus, threatening to destabilise political and financial structures generally, I sense a very serious atmosphere.
Then along comes Mars marching into Leo, promising to let us off the leash for a time.
Flaunt it
Even with Jupiter in his own sign, who is retrograde at present, that’s all very well if you are keen on developing an inner philosophy right now. That’s boring, right? Mars in Leo insists you get out there and flaunt it.
So what do we have? Mars is energy, primal energy essentially. Leo is creation, kids, kicking that football.
Surge of creative energy
It should be a good time for playing sport, being creative, joining a drama group…
For more especially Leonine types, they will feel a surge of energy they will want to use, as indeed will the other fire signs, Aries and Sagittarius.
Aries will be up for enjoyment, expending energy in all these creative pursuits. Sagittarius may feel even more like travelling than normal, perhaps doing some long distance hiking, for example, or visiting some very distant, very different cultural hot spot.
Beware of agitation
Aquarians, for example, though they too might feel their relationships invigorated, should be aware of agitation.
In fact, that would be the general cautionary word in regard to Mars in Leo – yes, get out there and enjoy yourself, but don’t overdo it.
July 4 is rapidly approaching and as mundane astrology is one of my most favourite fields within the discipline, I thought it about time to take a look at the ‘birth chart’ of the most powerful country on the planet – The United States of America.
Now in any birth chart the exact time is critical and the timing of this event is disputed. Independence was formally declared on July 2 1776.
So which chart?
What did occur two days later on July 4 was that Congress finally approved the declaration’s wording, possibly around 5:10 PM in Philadelphia. This is the information often used to calculate the USA chart. However, it would appear that the actual signing took place on August 2 1776. So what do we use?
I’m going for the one that I’ve seen most commonly used and am most comfortable with, July 4 5:20 PM in Philadelphia.
On this chart, the mutable fire sign Sagittarius is rising.
Go West
I think this is quite fitting, Sagittarius likes to push boundaries, always moving on and exploring.
It also suits many of the national myths, the Louisiana purchase, the pushing westward, the continual expansion of states, plus America’s strong interest in the world – and beyond. It also suits the nation as a whole, being a ‘nation of immigrants’ so to speak, with a vast mix of cultures and peoples. Very Sagittarian.
Family Values
Nevertheless, the ruler of the chart, Jupiter, is in Cancer in a very full 8th house. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and is also conjunct Venus, bringing images of happy, emotive and serious patriotism, and a love of home and family – and Mom’s Apple Pie.
This could explain the enduring sense of pride most American’s have in their homeland, despite more modern trends.
Investment of Sentiment
The full 8th house also includes the Sun and Mercury in Cancer. This indicates just how deep these patriotic sensibilities go, that much time has been invested in this over two and a half centuries. American identity is very much wrapped up in this.
Interestingly too, the strong 8th house emphasis in a wider sense is indicative of America’s strong involvement in international finance and multi-national corporations.
Jupiter also rules the 4th house of this chart, showing that in areas like the rural and agricultural communities, there will always likely be a strong investment in the patriotic cause and the promotion of home and family values.
With all the Cancerian influence in this chart, a look at the Moon is essential. It’s in Aquarius in the 3rd house, which shows the ‘humanitarian’ ideals brought to bear in education, in local communities and the systematic promotion of the family and home.
The Patriot against Hard Business
However, there is a challenging square aspect between the Sun and Saturn in the 11th house. The overall course of the nation, this strong sense of patriotism, often clashes with more hard headed, conservative or otherwise, trends in the elected assemblies and legislature.
Neptune in the 10th house reveals the strong idealism of national aspirations, though it is in difficult aspect to Mars in Gemini in the 7th house. In diplomatic matters there often a tendency to high verbosity, which may not smooth the course of negotiations to say the least, and this would tend to clash with the higher ideals governmental institutions effuse. The latter also symbolises the kind of conversation going on at the time of the agreement of the Declaration text.
Intriguing future
Looking to the near future, transiting Pluto will soon complete its 248 year cycle in the 2nd house in Capricorn. In other words, it will be reaching the point it was when the Declaration was being created. Maybe it could symbolise the slow, albeit painful, rebirth of the nation?
It is quite clear that the next few years will be fundamentally difficult in governmental, financial and security issues and will mark a major turning point for the nation, with many changes, much intrigue and political skullduggery.Â
Even before then, sometime around January 2020, when Saturn and Pluto conjoin in Capricorn, it’s also likely to culminate in some major event or decision affecting these areas.
Later the Moon exalted in Taurus, once again trines Saturn dignified in Capricorn. This sounds reasonably positive, in a dour kind of way. As Taurus is the sign of money, finance and security, these issues could be affected more beneficially.
The general Taurean lunar mood will be of steadiness, encouraging us to appreciate the good things of life, though as the trine applies, maybe particularly for Taureans and Cancerians, there will be a more serious air as the weekend starts, which will encourage the acceptance of duty and conducting oneself in more responsible ways – not exactly weekend party time.
Loosen the air
Nevertheless, with Venus in Gemini and Jupiter retrograde in Sagittarius in their loose opposition, social conviviality, plus encouragement towards a more philosophical appreciation of life, will continue to loosen the air somewhat.
However, later the Moon trines Pluto once again; there is potential for more changeful happenings, maybe something ‘underground’ from fall out from political situations, which could easily turn out to be beneficial.
Mary Cassatt seated in a chair with an umbrella. Verso reads “The only photograph for which she ever posed. Courtesy of Durand-Ruel.” By Durand-Ruel –Â The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives., Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Although born near Pittsburgh, USA in 1844, Mary Cassatt spent most of her life in France.
For someone who came to epitomise the ‘new woman’ of the time, who never married, and developed a career of their own, it is perhaps no surprise that we find Aquarius rising in her chart.
Aquarius is independent, freedom loving and likes to break new ground, yet can remain quite conservative at heart. This is shown in many aspects of her life. One of her primary subjects was women and their relationship to children, a traditional, genre.
The new feminine
Interestingly as well, we find Neptune in Aquarius in the first house. Neptune I equate with femininity and in Aquarius this is coloured by looking at it in new, independent spirit.
She clearly identified with this. Neptune’s quite tight trine aspect with Mars in Gemini in 5th house, adds much creative flair to her artistic expression. It was fellow impressionist, Degas, who introduced her to pastel and engraving, both genres she went onto master, testifying to her latent abilities.
Mother and Child Before a Pool By Mary Cassatt – Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum; Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 46.106_transpc002.jpg, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Professional opposition
We also find Saturn quite close to her ascendant in opposition to the Moon in Leo in the 7th house. Saturn here indicates caution and her strong moral fibre, but the opposition to the Moon reveals troubles and frustrations in her life, particularly within herself, in relationships and professional life. The Moon in Leo in itself is naturally creative and artistic.
Both the Moon and Saturn are in good aspect to Uranus in Aries in the 2nd house, further supporting her kind of organic, sensible way of breaking new ground by truly living the part of the ‘new woman’.
Creative releases
Also, Saturn’s trine to Mercury in the 5th house, shows an easy creative release for her through something which is manually dexterous, like painting. Mercury also in good aspect the Moon in Leo supports this release function through some kind of creativity.
Finally, I come to Venus, essentially unaspected in Cancer in the 6th house of work. I found this a little surprising at first, though a prominent Venus isn’t a necessarily a prerequisite for artistic ability.
Enjoying work
Venus in Cancer is tender, likes the home and family and is another symbolic representation of what she painted a lot of, women and children. In the 6th house, this is a classic indication of working artistically, or simply loving work.
Also, an unaspected planet can often ‘shout’ to be heard, so to speak. It may well have spoken to her creatively, but is this Venus also symbolic of the fact that she never married, that she was tied to her work?
So in all, Mary Cassatt may have been something of an enigma. She lived the life of a ‘new woman’, widened the boundaries of art through her involvement in the impressionist movement, yet inwardly, she retained strong moral values and a liking for tradition.
Once more the Moon moves into the fixed earth sign of Taurus.
She is said to be exalted in the Bull, that is, she is thought to work at her best.
We could look at it as the Moon finding the most fertile ground for establishing her caring, protecting and nurturing qualities.
Fertile
Taurus, as the second sign, seeks to establish something permanent from the initial thrust of Aries. In the Ram, the Moon can be impatient, angry even.
In Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, things generally calm down and become more settled. A good time to plant and to grow, to get out into the garden, or visit a well established one. Put simply, enjoy the good earth for the next couple of days.
Bad moods
Right now though (am UK), the Moon in late Aries squares Mars in Cancer, causing irritation, exacerbating moods and the emotions, perhaps especially in the home, so best to keep calm about most issues.
Then, as soon as the Moon enters Taurus she squares up to Mercury in Leo, so there may be more than a sense of mental agitation around, probably showing up in areas like communication, the media, short travel.
And then later, the Moon conjoins Uranus in the Bull. Potentially there may be more sudden, even unexpected news about the financial and business world. Again, home and family matters also likely to be affected. Be prepared.
Ciscography 