Mars Mandala

May I invite you to take a moment to gaze at this image? It is, like us, is a work in progress! Sharing it, honours the process. As judgements, criticisms and comparisons come up, nod to them and let them pass.

Allow yourself to feel into the energy of the mandala.

At first glance, we could be forgiven for thinking that the image represents the Venus cycle as she orbits the sky – an image even more wonky than the first Rose of Venus drawing that I shared with you at the last full moon.

In a way we have come, like the moon, full circle since then.

This image, (my rendition of one produced by computer software Sirius) represents the Mars mandala – the trajectory of Mars as he travels through the sky.

In a class I took, Heather Ensworth, smilingly said, “just looking at the Mars orbit says a lot!”

And it does!

What do you see?

How does the trajectory of the Mars journey resonate or catch with you?

I can recognise the asymmetry, the trial and error, the abrupt turns leading to something more even, smooth and expansive, or to a dead-end, only to start once more with another round that mirrors but doesn’t exactly replicate what has gone before!

I’m thinking back to when my oldest son first learned that all important word “No”, followed by “Matty do it”. And then he would determinedly work out how to pull on that sock or fasten the seat belt! In his growing realisation that he was separate from me, he wanted to do things himself, his way! He was stepping out, as all toddlers do, into his Mars orbit – his hero’s journey of individuation.

We start at such a tender age!

Just as The Rose of Venus metaphorically speaks of the initiatory journey, the Mars orbit also tells this story from the more familiar perspective of the masculine.

The initiate hears the call and sets out, leaving behind all that is familiar and comfortable. His journey of exploration and self-discovery takes him through a series of trials and challenges, exquisitely designed to help him to develop and recognise his uniqueness and giftedness.

Somewhere along the way, usually at the point of near despair, he has an encounter with Source, The Divine, with Soul.

For the planet Mars, this moment of revelation and illumination comes when he is opposite the Sun, his source.

Mars realises that, whilst unique he is also intimately connected to Source and part of the Oneness of all things. As such, he has an essential part to play in the evolutionary impulse of the cosmos.

On integrating this encounter and his earlier experiences, he returns to community, to share his gifts for the benefit of all.

Astrologically, Mars is thought to represent our personal will, our assertiveness and the action we take in the world. Whilst he’s recognised as the god of war, I believe we can look beyond any shadow expressions, towards the essence of his archetype.

Let’s consider Mars as an expression of the masculine or yang principle.

In its war-like lower octave (or shadow or immature expression), it can be competitive, domineering, egotistical, aggressive, reactive, extreme, violent in its striving for power and control.

But at a higher octave, this same energy can support us to excel, to go beyond our personal best, to realise our gifts, act courageously and deepen our sense of inner sovereignty or authority. It breaks us from inertia and is seen externally in all the ways that we act in the world.

According to In-the-Sky.org[i], Mars will be closest to the earth on 12^th January – just a day before the full moon and and directly opposite the sun on 14th or 15th January.

How wonderful!

Double illumination!

Currently retrograde, Mars seems to be moving backwards in relation to the earth.

I’m told that many approach retrogrades with a certain dread or fear – an annoyance that there might be some disruption to the usual flow of life. And I can understand that! I can acknowledge the frustration of my stomping inner child aspect and now I recognise him (or her!), my adult aspect can usually soothe and distract him with something more fulfilling.

Worse than annoyance though would be to approach retrogrades (and all astrology for that matter) with fear – because if we fear that the planets are doing something to us, we stay trapped in a victim mentality, giving away our authority to something outside ourselves. And victimhood keeps as far from any expression of our authentic selves.

Astrologers Heather Ensworth, Pam Gregory, and I’m sure others are suggesting that a good way to use the retrograde energy would be to go back over or re-view the way that we act in the world.

Depending on your time and inclination, perhaps take a look back over the past two weeks – to the new moon on 30^th December 2024.

Ask yourself

What intention did I set at the new moon on 30^th December?

In what ways are my actions in the world in line with these intentions?

In what ways are my actions out of balance or incongruent with my intentions?

Or – go back over the last 5 years.

Today’s Full Moon is in exactly the same place in an astrological chart as the powerful Saturn-Jupiter conjunction was, (at 23⁰ Cancer) on 12^th January 2020. Right at the beginning of the Covid furore.

Take some time and allow your mind to wander back through the last five years. Perhaps return to the Mars orbit mandala and follow its trajectory with your eye or finger, or better still, create your own version.

And as you do so, ask the questions

In what ways are my actions in the world in line with my values and essence?

In what ways are my actions out of balance or incongruent with my values or essence?

A triple, purple, green and gold thread has just appeared in my mind – I’m pondering it as I write, whether to incorporate these colours into this weaving! Let’s see where we go!

Last November, Mars entered the sign of Leo – which is all about sovereignty, courage and being heart-led – quite yang! To me, a mature expression of Mars in Leo would exemplify the mature “King” archetype. According to Moore and Gillette, authors of King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, “[The King energy] comes first in importance and it underlies and includes the rest of the archetypes in perfect balance.” It

“. . . looks upon the world with a firm but kindly eye. It sees others in all their weaknesses and in all their talent and worth. It honours them and promotes them. It guides them and nurtures them toward their own fullness of being. It is not envious because it is secure, as the King, in its own worth. It rewards and encourages creativity in us and in others.” [ii]

On 6^th January, in his retrograde movement, Mars left Leo to return to the sign of Cancer.

Cancerian energy has a different quality to Leo energy. Cancer is described as nurturing, caring and emotionally sensitive – more yin.

Hold that thought while I digress a little and bring in some green, gold and purple!

I can’t help but notice the date.

Those familiar with the Christian calendar will know that 6^th January marks the beginning of the Epiphany season.

It’s the time when a new understanding of our royal and beloved natures is revealed to us.

And this year the start of the season of new revelation coincides exactly with the day that Mars retrogrades back into Cancer.

Hmm, I wonder . . .what might this co-incidence of astrological and Christian cycles show us?

Perhaps from the assurance of being beloved and of great worth, from the reminder that at the deepest level, we are each sovereign beings, we might be able to review our actions from a place of greater inner stability, security and calm?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to recognise and accept our weaknesses and vulnerabilities without acting from them or projecting them onto others?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to honour the struggles, weaknesses and vulnerabilities of others in such a way that we can act compassionately towards them?

Mars will swing back into Leo, in his forward motion again on 18^th April 2025, coinciding with the end of Lent.

So we have the beautiful opportunity to take a deep dive, to explore our shadows and to contemplate our actions.

Ask yourself

In what ways do my actions come from a place of fear, a sense of separation, of feeling superior or less than?

In what ways do my actions result in me being competitive, taking control, or keeping others down?

In what ways do my actions keep me subservient, compliant, “nice” or passive?

Invite your mature parent aspect to accept, nurture and heal these hurting inner child aspects.

Then ask:

In what ways do I honour myself and others in all our weaknesses and talent and worth?

In what ways do I nurture myself and others towards greater creativity and fullness of being?

In writing these questions, I realise their immensity.

I am reminded of a drawing I did in early 2022. It began with what seemed like an error, an inaccuracy, from which something of beauty emerged.

My journey over the past five years has taken me repeatedly to the murky depths of my psyche, where I have met many of my shadows.

In a recent dream, I saw them as beautiful, iridescent, benevolent dragon-like creatures, beseeching me to protect and value their primordial, fertile muddy waters. It is from these depths that the seeds of our shadow beliefs and actions take root, to grow upwards, towards the light, to bloom above the water line.

One of the things I love to do is to create opportunities to support others to grow and to blossom.

And so, if my words resonate with you and if you would like me to accompany you as you contemplate the questions posed above, please reach out to me – here.

Let’s make time and space for a beautiful underworld adventure together!

With love.

Be happy, be safe, be well,

Annie

[i] https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20250112_12_100
[ii] King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine” Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette