Why you Shouldn't Ignore your Mars Transits
If you’ve been studying astrology or see an astrologer regularly, I’m sure you’re familiar with your main yearly transits. Sometimes we’re going through a Pluto transit, or a Uranus transit, or a Saturn transit, and these tend to last months at a time thanks to the slow speed of these outer planets. It’s not often that we pay attention to the transits made by the inner planets, The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. These planets move at a much quicker pace, not impacting us for more than a day or two. So yeah, they easily get overlooked!
These transits also tend to be very subtle - except for Mars. I have recently learned this, not only from a personal experience, but also from talking to clients. It’s very common that on a day that an injury, accident, or combative conflict happens…it’s the result of a challenging Mars transit (when Mars is aspecting a planet in the natal chart in a conjunction, square, or opposition). How could we ever discount Mars who glows an un-ignorable forceful shade of orange in the sky and rules war, impulsivity, and the temper? I will not be any longer!
My recent experience with Mars will never let me take his power for granted again. It was the middle of the night, I was stumbling back to my room half-asleep when all of a sudden my left baby toe slammed into the corner of the living room woodstove. I have walked past this stove countless times in my life, never once had I been a victim of its harsh corner until that moment. I screamed and tripped forward, thankfully catching myself before face planting onto the hardwood floor. I looked down to see my toe bleeding and the pain was a sharp, throbbing sting. I was furious. Now fully awake, I spent 10 minutes trying to stop the bleeding and bandage up.
As I limped back to bed, I couldn’t resist checking my transits because this had to be the result of something affecting my chart! Sure enough, I let out a knowing “ you got me” sigh as I saw it was my exact Mars Return that was also being squared by Jupiter. The Mars return happens about once very two years when Mars returns to the exact same sign and degree from when we were born. For me, that’s 18 degrees of Libra. Not only was Mars being acutely activated in my chart by the return, it was also being blown up by Jupiter, the planet of expansion. As an astrologer, I knew that the Mars/Jupiter square was happening for weeks, but I failed to check the degree of the transit, and paid for it!
mars conjunct natal mars and squaring Jupiter
Mars is the planet of conflict, battle, aggression, intense urges and our ultimate drive to accomplish something. It’s the planet of action, speed, and sharp weapons. When we have a Mars transit (when Mars is aspecting a planet in the natal chart) this energy gets powerfully awakened and if we’re not aware, can result in accidents, injuries, intense arguments, even violent situations. Hence me stubbing my toe very badly in the middle of the night. These incidences are extremely likely when the other planet involved is Mars itself, Uranus (sudden change, disruption), or Pluto (destruction, transformation).
Another example of the Mars transit wrath…this Summer, I was reading for a client who had recently suffered a devastating hiking accident. She slipped and tumbled off the trail, breaking three ribs. When we looked back to the date of this accident, it was during her exact Mars square Uranus transit. She couldn’t believe it! Remember, this transit only lasts about two days, but it can certainly be forceful! Having the awareness of when these transits will occur, gives us a greater chance of avoiding damage or danger. Had this client come to me months prior and shared that she wanted to go hiking around a certain time. I could have checked her transits to see how the planets were aligning during that time. I would have seen that Mars/Uranus Square and advised her to wait a few days after it had passed. If she still had to do it on that day, I would have reminded her to be extremely cautious.
I share these cautionary tales, not to scare anyone, but to emphasize the true potential Mars is capable of when making challenging aspects (conjunctions, squares, or oppositions) to our natal planets. If I can spare anyone from an accident, big or small, or a heated conflict, I would prefer to!
Now, there is also the flip side, it’s also good to be aware of supportive Mars transits (trines and sextiles) as these transits can have an energizing effect. They can help us with motivation, initiation, decisiveness, and boosting our courage and confidence. For instance, a Mars trine to your natal Sun could be the perfect day to ask for a raise, finally launch that creative project, or have an incredibly productive workout.
If you aren’t presently aware, now is the time to get clear on your Mars transits for the year! To do this on your own, you need to be aware of aspects and know how to use an ephemeris to chart how Mars will be aspecting your natal planets. If that sounds overwhelming, you are welcome to book a clarity reading with me or a reading with another astrologer you trust.