|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A CALL TO ARMS?
by Annabel Burton (API Diploma holder)
We all have all the planets somewhere in out birthcharts, and these represent
our psychological drives. Each planet is a symbol of a different type of energy
and if you imagine them as lightbulbs, some function at 150 watts, beaming out
for the world to see and some are barely flickering. It is possible with awareness
and practice for all our planets to light up like a Christmas tree!
As Aries is the sign that is the beginning of the Zodiac, we will look at Mars,
its ruler. This energy is associated with the fight or flight mechanism, action,
ssertiveness, the power to make things happen and also anger, rage and frustration.
If your Mars is acting without your conscious awareness you may have a temper
that is hard to control or possibly resort to violence to express your rage
and frustration. You may also be very sexually active! In an emergency, this
planet acts as your survival instincts on an elementary level. Fortunately,
we are not faced with fighting woolly mammoths every day of the week any more,
and yet aggression and over reaction is around us all the time. If Mars is used
a little more creatively, we have the ability to stand our ground and assert
our needs without anger. We become goal orientated and work towards achieving
our aims through the right direction of energy. You may be aware of times when
you have worked towards a certain direction and your efforts have paid off,
bringing the rewards you deserve. On the highest level, Mars is seen in the
hero or heroine, using courage and action to save or protect others. In this
sense Mars becomes creative and life-saving. The energy is fearless and focused,
and the adrenaline rush brings right action. Quote:"Most people think that courage
is the absence of fear. The absence of fear is not courage:the absence of fear
is some kind of brain damage. Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of
the fear, or in spite of the pain. When you do that, you will find that overcoming
that fear will not only make you stronger but will be a big step forward toward
maturity." M. Scott Peck. Now at the time of writing, we have just witnessed
the worst terrorist attack ever on America. The world is poised on the brink
of change, and is likely to go through some turbulence for some time to come.
The right use of Mars seems highly appropriate just now, as action follows thought
and we are in a position where our fundamental values and belief systems are
being challenged . The Pluto/Saturn opposition crosses the signs associated
with thinking and thought processes. It is on this fundamental level we are
being forced to contemplate new ways of being. There are those who are against
new thought who will hang on to traditional values at all costs, and so depending
on which side of the fence we choose to remain on, the other side will represent
the enemy. But we can see ourselves reflected in others' response to us. We
must recognise that we live in unprecedented times, where our achievements have
never been greater, but our ability to destroy is ever more devastating.
With Pluto and Saturn opposing each other until the Spring in 2002, we need
to employ our Mars potential with care. Complacency and non-action is not always
the solution, and yet the need to put right the wrongs in the world through
non-violent action has seemed the modus operandii since the devastation of the
last world war, at least by a fair few of us. Prior to the attack in September
2001, I selected a very strong image of Archangel Michael from some Angel Cards.
The idea of an Angel wielding a sword seemed somehow incongruous and yet, in
many ways that facility to cut through tangled webs, and the use of surgery
in order to heal are Mars
images. It would be wise to ponder as much on the energy of Mars in these times,
as on the healing powers of Venus.
