It is probably because the Mars/Jupiter cycle is so short (approx. 22 months) that mundane astrologers take virtually no note of it. However, in his book “Cosmos and Psyche” Richard Tarnas does have the following words of advice with regard to the effect Jupiter has when joining up to form a new cycle with another planet. By applying this principle to Mars we can see what we come up with:
“When Jupiter and a second planet enter into cyclical alignment, the coinciding events suggest Jupiter’s archetypal influence to be one of magnifying and supporting the second planetary archetype with an expansive, elevating quality – ‘crowning’ it, as it were – granting it success, honoring it, bringing it to fruition, mediating its positive unfolding, its growth, its fulfillment, its enrichment, its cultural ascension, with a definite potential for excess and inflation”. Page 294
Mars – is the ancient God of war – and is known to be a malefic planet. Mars is hot and dry and currently in its own sign Aries. We have double fire here. Malefic planets are related to troubles, damage and loss. Jupiter on the other hand is known to be a benefic – and is linked to optimism. Jupiter amplifies, expands, increases, and is linked to experience and knowledge. So in some respects we could say that Mars and Jupiter are uncomfortable bedfellows.
The last Mars/Jupiter conjunction was on February 18th 2009. At that time Australia was experiencing the worst bush fires in the country’s history. 173 people were killed. Mars always carries with it the potential to cause disaster, but this potential to cause damage will be amplified by Jupiter. Mars/Jupiter suggests a HUGE amount of energy – when nature gets caught up in the maelstrom – it literally runs amok. The last conjunction was in the air sign Aquarius – and then as now – there were a lot of other supporting actors. Mercury, the North Node, Neptune and the Sun were also all in Aquarius. In fact when the conjunction is set for Perth, Neptune and the Sun are conjunct on the IC – suggesting huge losses on the house front. I do think however, that these are disasters of a different scale to the disasters we attribute to Uranus. Uranus is an outer planet – with a much longer cycle that Jupiter – Uranus brings considerably more weight to the table and exceeds in the sudden and total wipe out – for which we cannot ever be prepared. After all, the US has a hurricane season, and most years Australia has bush fires. However – the amplification by Jupiter of some recurrent violent (Mars) act of nature, could very well be linked to the cycle of Mars and Jupiter.
Horoscope Mars/Jupiter conjunction 2009
The current conjunction falls together with several other Mars/Jupiter cycles. At present there are an astounding six planets conjunct in Aries. See yesterday’s post for more information. Uranus, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Mars and Jupiter. So again we find ourselves with an overdose of planets in fire and Mars in Aries rules all of them. The attack (May 1st – US time) and declaration of the death of Osama Bin Laden – seems to support Richard Tarnas’ assertion that Jupiter brings success to the planet it conjoins. In this case the big news is a military success story. Jupiter rules the US ascendant – Mars rules the army and Aries is a symbol of fighting spirit. The conjunction squares US Mercury – ruler of its seventh house of open enemies.
However, another Mars/Jupiter story has also been in the news – and it too concerns the US. Holy Smoke! Super (Jupiter) man (Aries/Mars) – the comic hero – has it seems renounced his American citizenship. Our hero has opted to fight (mars) crime from a global (Jupiter) perspective!