The Long Stay of Mars in Libra

One of the more interesting articles in the Astrological Association’s book “An Astrological Anthology” must be Dane Rudhyar’s piece on the long stay of Mars in a particular sign. This recurring 79 year cycle is divided into two periods of 32 and 47 years, so at these intervals we are able to observe the influence of Mars in a particular sign over a longer time span.  The important criteria is that Mars must remain, throughout the whole period, in one sign and not retrograde back into the previous sign. Mars’ last long time stay in Libra was from Dec. 16 1981 – until Aug 3 1982. The current long stay of Mars in Libra – will be from 7 December 2013 until 26 July 2014. Mars normally spends roughly 42 days in one sign, so there’s a huge difference between this and the almost eight month stay Mars is now due to make. The reason for this is the retrograde motion of the planet.

The well known English astrologer, Dennis Elwell – draws attention to the mid-point between the retrograde and direct motion of the planet, citing this degree as being particularly potent. So, Mars goes retrograde on March 1st 2014 in the 28th degree, and goes direct on 20 May 2014 in the 10th. So the potent area is around the 19th degree of Libra. According to Elwell’s theory.

While astrologers are keenly aware of the effect that Mercury retrograde has on our daily lives – much less has been written about the influence of Mars retrograde. This is surprising, since Mercury’s retrograde period is obviously much shorter lived!!  Mars is the principle of fight or flight, survival at an instinctive level. Mars supports us in expressing our individuality, but his style can be  a somewhat brash or egotistical. Mars is about energy and without it, we could not survive. Mars also imbues us with the desire to go-get. Me Tarzan. The willingness to fight for what we want. Healthy competition. On the other end of the scale we have, violence and war which are also faces of Mars.

When planets are retrograde, they appear from our terrestial standpoint, to be moving backwards. This is however illusory. Planets are unable to change their course. This suggests to me that when planets are retrograde, we are somehow being offered the  opportunity to re-adjust ourselves to the energy of the planet, being challenged in some way to pay conscious attention to it. We need to perhaps reallign and redefine the role this planet plays in our personal chart . An eight month stay of Mars is hugely significant. So, let me give you an example of how I think a long stay Mars works, using my own horoscope as  starting point.

In my horoscope, Mars is ruler of my ascendant which makes it a key player in my chart. Mars will be spending almost 8 months fluctuating between my eleventh and  twelfth house. Obviously I need to spend considerable time and energy preparing the ground for any future new growth (Saturn in transit through the first house). Mars also rules the sixth – so again – the theme of apprenticeship, ‘getting down to work’ and being prepared to play the recluse, when necessary, to get work done. One of my problems will be to learn to curb and discipline my radix Mars – in Aries – who is a rather unruly fellow at the best of time. My radix Mars is in Aries and it is focal planet in a t-square involving the Sun in Capricorn and the Moon in Cancer. The grand cross next year, in the cardinals, will challenge anyone affected by it, to be centered, grounded, and focused. The awareness of the long stay of Mars in my twelfth house, is very empowering, because it enables me to focus my energy, my go-getness in an area which has huge potential for my personal future growth. The 12th house, is very much an inner journey, where ones demons and dragons dwell. Mars suggests fighting on an inner level – to master (6th house) certain chart themes.

Where does this long stay fall in your horoscope? Certainly worth while to bring some awareness and focus to this area of your life.

Over Liz Hathway

Liz Hathway is a British born astrologer currently based in Amsterdam. Liz studied astrology at the Kosmos in Amsterdam, at the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London and with well known horary astrology John Frawley. Liz also holds an MA (with distinction) in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, from the University of Wales, in Lampeter, and was short-listed for the 2016 Alumni Association MA CAA Dissertation Prize.
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