The Theory
Many astrologers run charts for their own, and for their clients, Mars Return. Commonly used, this is a chart of the exact time that transiting Mars returns to its original natal position. This happens about every two years. However, as explained in Part 1 of the Mars Cycle, the far more important Mars Return event occurs when transiting Mars returns to the natal degree when closest to the date and season of one’s birth. In the previous article we discussed how synodic planetary returns are part of the great ancient Hermetic and magical project of discovering and discerning how seemingly irrational cycles can reduce to whole numbers. Let us now explore how this works for Mars.

The Data
Unlike the elegance and relative simplicity of the Venus cycle and its synodic return pattern that is created by the nearly circular orbit of Venus, Mars presents us with a very different situation due to its extremely elliptical, eccentric and variable orbit. Mars makes its closest approach to earth, at opposition. The closeness of Mars to Earth can vary from 34,603,000 miles at its closest to nearly doubles the miles of 62,930,000 at its most distant.

The current Mars cycle (that started in March of 2012) is about as far away from the Earth as possible. Looking at the years from 0  to 3000 AD, Mars is furthest away from Earth in 2832.  The closest approach of Mars to Earth was in 2003 and won’t again until 2287 (according to the tables of astronomer Jean Meeus).

Because of this variability, the pattern established by successive synodic cycles, of 779 days or a 26-month average, rarely if ever appears in the same season, let alone within a few days of a target birthdate. With Venus, remember the synodic return is within 2 days every 8 years!

Mars does have its own unique pattern.  It’s roughly 15-17-15-17 – with certain years way closer than with others. After 7 synodic cycles, at age 15, Mars will return pretty close to its original degree in the same season and near the birthdate. This averages, over a long period of time, about 20 days before any one target date or birthday.  Because the synodic cycle before and after the 7^th synodic cycle are quite similar, it’s also possible to have the synodic return within 20 days of the birthdate at age 13 and age 17.  However, the center point of the Mars return process is at age 15 as described in the pattern of 15-17-15-17-15-17 when Mars returns within 20 days of the birthday. With this pattern in mind here are the dates for the synodic Mars returns.

13, 15, 17, 30, 32, 45, 47 49, 52, 64, 77, 79, 81

Of these returns, the closest happens at age 47, occurring within an average of 8 days of the birthday, and at age 79, occurring within an average of 3-4 days after the birthday.

After working with this over 20 years, the returns at age 15, 47, and 79, are absolutely prime and major. From ages 30-34 and 60-64 the Mars returns are also of great importance along the Timeline of our lives. Some individuals will experience the Mars return at age 30 to be closer than the one at 32 and vice versa. The same is true for the age 60 to 64 Mars returns. However, due to the synodic return of Venus at age 32 and 64 we have a special reason for considering the Mars returns at those ages as having more importance. Naturally more experiential research on this is needed.

Meaning and Practice
Since becoming aware of the synodic return, I have incorporated it into my practice in a variety of ways. Should a client be in the vicinity of one of the magic age zones for Mars, the Mars Return process takes center stage at the highest level of interpretation. Remember that the length of the Mars synodic return cycle lasts for the entire 26-month (average) time period. (See Mars Part 1)

A client in the prime ages listed above may be anywhere in the synodic cycle of Mars from the beginning to the end. This means the client’s exact birthdate exists somewhere within the larger context of the 26 month synodic cycle of the Mars quest. The intention for Mars on the natal chart exists within the greater “story” of the unfolding Mars cycle playing out on the world stage (see Mars Part 1).

Mars Overtone
As discussed in Part 1, the synodic cycle of Mars begins at opposition and the sign Mars is in defines the dominant archetypal theme of the entire cycle. The sign Mars is in at the beginning of the synod is referred to as the overtone, similar to the family or clan. In March of 2012 Mars reached opposition to the Sun and was in Virgo. This means the overtone or clan or family of this 26 month Mars cycle is Virgo.

Taking this a step further, everyone has a personal Mars placement, and they also have a synodic overtone (or clan), that describes their synodic story at birth. For example, I have Mars in Scorpio on my natal chart, however, at the day and year of my birth, Mars was in the Leo overtone synodic cycle.  Each synodic cycle will have a different overtone, progressing through the zodiac.

See Mars Table Below to find your Mars Overtone

These are the dates Mars rises in the East at Sunset defining the Overtone of the Mars Cycle

Only after 7 synodic cycles, is there the possibility of the same overtone clan reoccurring.  Due to the erratic nature of the Mars orbit, the overtone is not always the same at the 7^th synod.  There is a greater likelihood of the same overtone occurring at the Mars synodic returns of age 47 and 79 than the other ones.

So far in our research, the original (birth) overtone carries through the entire life.  But if there are differences in a later synodic return, there is a sense of the evolution of the overtone clan over the course of a lifetime.  For example, my natal Mars is 25 Scorpio with the overtone at 28 Leo.  Each person can explore their own pattern of Mars returns and note what their experiences have been.

In Shamanic Astrology the archetypal sign of the overtone is used to help understand the larger cultural/global context of a 26-month time period. Unless a person is in a synodic return, I don’t usually integrate the overtone meaning into a reading. For practical purposes, the sign and aspects of the natal Mars works! But it can be very fascinating indeed to see where you are in the overall story of your Mars clan, or overtone, throughout a lifetime.

Mars Return for Men
The meaning and purpose of the synodic Mars cycle is different for men and women.

For men, this is when the primary archetype of the Masculine (natal Mars) that is intended for the current life, reconstellates or “drops in” at a deeper and more comprehensive level. It is important to note that nature of the initiatory process will differ depending on the age.

For example from age 13 to 17 the Mars return occurs around puberty.

An entire article could be developed describing just this Mars return time. Shamanic Astrology envisions a wide variety of Rites of Passage at puberty, each based on the specific archetype of masculinity arising from 13-17. For example, a boy with Mars in Aries or Leo, might desire to excel at a competitive sport or get the lead role in a school play. If Mars is in Libra, this might be the time for an early soul-mate projection that could dominate their experience. The Rite of Passage for a boy with Mars in Cancer might be to take care of a garden, or the family pets.

The idealistic intention is to recognize and honor the specificity and diversity of the archetype of Mars.  A one-size-fits-all approach would not work in supporting the activation of the individual Mars expression. For example, in some patriarchal African tribes, the puberty Rite of Passage sent all boys to the jungle with the instruction to bring back a Lion. Return to the tribe was not permitted unless this was accomplished. In a culture that desires to have only warriors this was an extremely intelligent technique! However, this also weeded out many other authentic expressions of masculinity.

I love how the pattern of the significant Mars synodic returns also tracks the Saturn return and Saturn opposition as demonstrated in the above table.

Therefore, for men, the synodic return cycle of Mars wonderfully articulates the developmental process of becoming an adept in their intended archetype of masculinity as it unfolds along the Saturnine structure of the generational timeline.

Mars returns for Women

For women, the Mars synodic return cycle primarily involves, at first, a relationship with the projected “other” without reference to gender.  Her natal Mars represents her relationship to the outer “masculine.”  Eventually, the cycle necessitates the internal incorporation of this masculine archetype. This is a process in Shamanic Astrology called the “Sacred Marriage” and parallels the Venus synodic return for a man. For women, the Mars synodic return process is a most potent time for creating inner wholeness or an inner marriage with the “inner other” with or without a partner.

The previous schemata for men also applies for women as far as the life phases, but with a few additional features as described in the table below:

Everyone’s journey to wholeness is different, and the above is a very general map.  Some “get it” sooner than others. With the exception of age 13-17, the sacred marriage potential of the Mars synodic return process can occur anytime. Each synodic Mars Return offers very real conditions and experiences for powerful inner work.

Interpretation
When I first started working with the synodic return cycles, in my usual idealistic way, I thought this was invariably a great and enjoyable cycle. I have learned this is not always the case. After years of experience with this, what I have noticed is that if the natal Mars position is relatively free of challenges, then the cycle IS enjoyable. This is also true if there are no challenging dynamic aspects happening to Mars during the return cycle. Natal challenges to Mars appear to be amplified at the synodic return, and if there are dynamic transits to Mars at the same time, then the synodic return cycle is a maximum intensity initiation event.

I have also noticed a certain somewhat “spooky” reoccurrence of the same themes that keep coming up again and again at each Mars synodic return. (This is very much the case with synodic Venus Returns as well).  Each return offers up an opportunity to handle and perhaps even resolve the issue. Yes, the planet is very strong, and it is also encountering its primary challenges and possibilities.

Thoughts About Age 2
Even though the synodic cycle will not arrive back to the vicinity of its starting point, until the 6^th and 7^th cycle (age 13 and 15), something worth adding to this exploration is what happens with the first Mars Return after birth.

The cultural story identifies this time as the “terrible twos.”  The astrological correlate that happens around age two is the first Mars Return. Because the average synod of Mars is 26 months, it does not necessarily return all that close to the birthdate (certainly not within 20 days).  However, when and how the “around age two” Mars return occurs seems to relate to a process that psychologists call “rapprochement”.

This is the time when the toddler develops an initial urge to separate from mother and tries to get away from Mom. Some children will get very far away from, others not so far, before realizing that they can’t yet make it without Mom. The theory is that the distance of separation before needing to get back to Mom becomes the spatial and psychic distance that will exist throughout the life, with reference to personal and intimate relationships.

One can easily see how the sign of Mars and its aspects at birth can magnificently describe the nature of rapprochement in each individual chart. I suggest looking at your own age two Mars return, noting when and how the first return happened for you. You are looking for the time when natal Mars first returned to its sign degree, even if it’s some weeks before or after the actual 2^nd birthdate. Be sure to check the transiting aspects and remember to include the natal Mars aspects as well, particularly with reference to the archetype and sign of the Moon. You may find this to be very illuminating.

This view of the first synodic Mars cycle, while not actually a true synodic return, demonstrates the added importance of the time period of 13-17 as being the actual initiatory window of separation and individuation from mother and father.

Final thoughts
The use of the synodic planetary cycles is relatively new in modern astrology (not in ancient astrology). Because of this much of our understanding is experimental. In the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School we are learning more about these cycles all the time. Please do share your feedback and any findings either from your own life or work with your clients.  Thanks!

On the evening of March 3^rd, Mars will rise in the East, just as the Sun sets. Technically, this is called the Acronychal Rise similar to when the Full Moon rises in the East as the Sun sets in the West. In this case it is Mars rising in the East as the Sun sets in the West or stated another way it is the Sun/Mars opposition. This year on Mach 3rd, the Sun/Mars opposition is occurring at 13 Virgo 47.

This also happens to be the point in the Mars synodic cycle when Mars is closest to the Earth. In contrast Mars was furthest from the Sun (aphelion) on February 15, 2012. Two days after opposition, on March 5^th, Mars is closest to the Earth, about 63 million miles away and is also in its brightest appearance from the Earth’s perspective.

Mars Opposite the Sun
During the March 3^rd, 2012 opposition, Mars reaches a magnitude of -1.2, only slightly dimmer than the bright star Sirius. It is interesting to note that Mars is at its least bright appearance during opposition to the Sun since 1995. In contrast, the Mars opposition to the Sun in 2003 saw Mars radiate at -2.9, more than 5 times brighter than the current cycle and at that time was even brighter than Jupiter can ever be.  Mars is always retrograde when it is opposite the Sun and is usually retrograde for nearly three months. This year Mars is retrograde in the sign of Virgo for 81 days from January 23 to April 13, 2012.

When looking at the synodic cycle of Mars from opposition to the Sun to the next opposition to the Sun the average length of the cycle is about 26 months.  Mars has an eccentric orbit creating considerable variability in each cycle with regards to length, distance from Earth, and brightness.

Even with the variability each synodic Mars cycle will always have the same phases and the same developmental processes relative to the observer on the surface of the Earth using naked eye. It helps to understanding the phases of the Mars cycle by understanding the phase of the synodic Moon cycle or the observable phases of the Moon (over 29.5 days) from New Moon to New Moon. Each month (moonth), the Moon cycles through all her phases, including the First Quarter Moon, Full Moon Last Quarter Moon back to New Moon and all the phases in between.

It is important to know that the pattern and meanings of the phases of Mars (as well as Venus and Mercury) are completely unique archetypal expressions of that planet. The cycle of Venus, Mercury and Mars all have specific phases and meanings associated with each phase. The Moon also has its own equally unique pattern that repeats itself every 29.5 days.

Mars in Shamanic Astrology
There are many possible meanings and interpretations of Mars from different forms or schools of astrology.  In the Shamanic Astrology paradigm, Mars by sign primarily represents the specific archetypal expression of the masculine principle (the animus) for both men and women. For men, Mars symbolizes the archetype of the masculine or the intended current life expression of the new “god”.

For women, initially, Mars represents the projected externalized imagery of the masculine or the beloved. The intent for a woman is to eventually internalize and integrate her Mars in the psychological/spiritual process of the Sacred Marriage. This is when a woman develops the capacities and ability to take responsibility for her own Mars, ultimately creating wholeness.

Shamanic Astrology recognizes 12 organically evolving and ever changing core archetypal expressions of Mars (and 12 archetypes of the feminine for Venus). This represents the full spectrum and wide diversity of each possible expression. These energetic patterns are found to have more essential value and significance than the more popular and more culture-bound definitions of masculinity (or femininity). Therefore, Mars is not to be identified with men per se (or Venus with women) but rather is the archetypal expression of masculine and feminine.

Mars in the Current Culture
The Shamanic Astrology Mystery School continually questions and exposes the cultural and historical biases and assumptions regarding gender. We are quick to admit that human beings are pretty confused these days about masculinity and femininity and it seems culturally we have far more clarity about what they are not.  This is a subject that I am exploring in greater depth in my new book.  However, the 12 signs, or archetypes of Mars, contain extremely useful and quite specific instructions for exploring our intended purpose as men and women at this time in history.

The synodic cycle of Mars through its 26 month phase process, describes the currently unfolding story and journey of the masculine principle through its 12 unique archetypal expressions. On March 3, 2012 a new cycle begins bringing the Virgo masculine archetype to center stage in the theater of life.  The following is a proposed structure for understanding and participating in this journey as the Mars in Virgo god steps onto the world stage.

Where Does the Mars Cycle Begin?
The first consideration is to determine where the cycle begins. Unlike Venus where there exists a variety of historical and traditional precedence (Babylonian, Sumerian, Mayan, etc) that uniformly placed her cycle as the beginning of the Heliacal Rise (currently being used by the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School), no known tradition exists for Mars.

Shamanic Astrology places great importance on direct observation of the visible planetary cycles. For this reason, the Heliacal Rise of Mars has been ruled out as the starting point of any Mars cycle, because it’s at that phase of the cycle Mars is so faint and difficult to see it is hard to pinpoint a starting point through visual observation. Over the last 20 years we have found the acronychal rise of Mars (Mars opposite the Sun) is the most dramatic and useful starting point from a visually oriented perspective.

At opposition, Mars is:

1. Brightest
2. Closest
3. Retrograde (Shamanic Astrology views the retrograde phase of any planet as the time when metamorphosis occurs, or when complete archetypal change takes place shifting from one sign to another.
4. Mars remains in the same sign for 6-8 months

Note:  Similar conditions also apply to the synodic cycle of Venus at her Heliacal Rise or the starting point of a new Venus Cycle.

The Six Phases of the Mars Cycle

Phase Zero: Conception, Gestation, Incubation, and Metamorphosis
November 11, 2011 – March 3, 2012

Although the synodic cycle actually begins, or births, at opposition (March 3, 2012), there is a preliminary phase just prior to opposition. This is something like an initial dream or vision that occurs as Mars enters into the sign of the next opposition. Mars also begins the retrograde phase during this time. It’s here that the new archetype is actually conceived. During this phase, Mars rapidly increases in brightness, dominating the late evening and morning sky.

November 11, 2011   Mars entered Virgo

January 24, 2012    Mars stationed retrograde

Phase One: Birth/Emergence/Youth
March 3, 2012 – May 29, 2012

This phase, commencing with the Acronychal Rise, includes the birth, youthful education, and the onset of puberty of the new “god” Virgo. It concludes with something similar to a strategy council or a specific period of training before embarking on the intended quest.

March 3, 2012    Sun opposite Mars - Birth of the new archetype

April 14, 2012   Mars stationary direct  - Mars at puberty

May 29, 2012     Mars reaches the degree of the opposition - Training and education is complete

Phase Two: The Labors of Mars
May 29, 2012 through February 3, 2013

During this phase, are found the late teenage and young adult challenges. Each labor carries the “god” Virgo to a new place of additional knowledge and greater experience. This phase describes how the new expression of Virgo can rise to meet the challenges. There can be 7 to 10 conjunctions of the Moon with Mars during this phase that illuminate this journey of Mars as he travels across the evening sky from east to west. The constellations and signs he passes through articulate the nature of the challenges encountered.

May 30, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #1          Virgo

Jun 26, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #2          Virgo

Jul 24, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #3          Libra

Aug 22, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #4          Libra

Sep 19, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #5          Scorpio

Oct 18, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #6          Sagittarius

Nov 16, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #7          Sagittarius

Dec 15, 2012   Mars conjunct Moon #8          Capricorn

Jan 13, 2013   Mars conjunct Moon #9          Aquarius

Phase Three:    Mars in the Underworld
February 23, 2013 through June 20, 2013

In this phase, Mars enters into a 15 degree orb with the Sun and drops below the horizon into the underworld. This is the where Mars exists the world stage and undergoes a variety of initiatory experiences appropriate to the underworld including chaos, surrender, and conditions beyond one’s control. Spiritually, this phase can be perceived as a kind of sundance or okeepa, a spiritual trial that is ultimately undergone in service to the people and the greater community. At this time, Mars is totally invisible and located at the other side of the sun.

February 23, 2013      Mars enters the underworld

April 15, 2013         Mars conjunct the Sun 25 Aries

June 20, 2013          Mars leaves the underworld

Phase Four: Virgo Mars Rebirth and Growth of Wisdom
June 20, 2013 through October 15, 2013

During this phase, Mars is barely visible slowly rising from the underworld. For months, Mars is diffcult to see in the morning sky. Slowly moving through the signs and constellations, the Virgo “god” regains strength and grows in experience and wisdom as an initiated male. This phase completes with the entrance of Mars into the sign (Virgo) where the journey began.

June 20, 2013         Mars 15 degrees from the Sun in the morning sky at 14 Gemini

July 13, 2013         Mars enters Cancer

August 28, 2013       Mars enters Leo

October 15, 2013     Mars enters Virgo

Phase Five: Virgo Mars Maturity and Elder Knowledge - October 15, 2013 through December 7, 2013

Having now lived a long life with accomplishments, so many experiences, and overwhelming initiations, the Elder stage of the Mars cycle has arrived. Mars is now seen gradually gaining brightness in the morning sky. This phase represents the culmination and the assimilation of the entire journey of the development of the Virgo archetype. The mature wisdom as Virgo elder can now be disseminated.

October 15, 2013      Mars enters Virgo

October 21, 2013      Mars reaches previous stationary direct degree 3 Virgo 41

November 9, 2013      Mars reaches the degree of the opposition 13 Virgo 47

November 24, 2013     Mars reaches the degree of previous stationary retrograde degree 23 Virgo 06

December 7, 2013      Mars enters Libra; the sign of the next opposition and cycle

Phase Zero: Conception, Gestation, Incubation, and Metamorphosis
December 7, 2013 – April 8, 2014

This returns us back to Phase Zero, as Mars enters the sign of the next overtone highlighting the sign of Libra.  Included in this wrap-up of the Virgo journey is when Mars begins its retrograde motion in Libra and then completes the current cycle that begins March 3^rd, 2012 when Mars reaches opposition and the birth of the new god. The entrance into the next sign begins a renunciation stage, beyond the active elder, where the deepest inner work of the spiritual journey dominates.  At the Mars retrograde, the archetypal journey of the entire synodic cycle comes to an end, and the rest of this phase begins the metamorphosis into a totally new “god.”

December 7, 2013      Mars enters Libra

March 2, 2014         Mars retrograde at 27 Libra 31

April 8, 2014         Mars Opposite Sun at 19 Libra 00 – BEGINNING OF NEXT SYNODIC CYCLE

Speculations on the evolving expression of the Virgo Masculine Archetype

The synodic journey of Mars from March 3, 2012 through April 8, 2014 describes the larger storyline of the evolutionary journey of the masculine featuring the Virgo “god.” Every man or woman’s individual Mars placement can be located somewhere within the context of this larger story.

Note: Part 2 of this article will explore the ramifications and meaning of the synodic Mars return process with the special emphasis on persons turning 15, 30, 32, 47, 62, 64, and 79. 

In this current time, what can we expect from a Virgo Mars developmental journey? From the perspective of secular mainstream culture Mars in Virgo has been seen as a left-brain, work-oriented, non-relational expression of the masculine. This is often equated with two different types of impersonal workaholics.  The first type is a positive workaholic who totally loves what he does and can seldom be bothered by anything else. The second type is the negative workaholic who works all the time because there is literally nothing else he knows how to do, even if the work itself isn’t compelling.

Globally and historically, Virgo archetype shows up as renunciate, or a person who has little interest in householder, relational, or secular affairs. In masculine psychology theory, this is the “priest” archetype.  The idealization of this masculine function is as the sacred priest in service to a sacred work. Another way to frame this is to consider the primary inquiry for Virgo (also Venus in Virgo) and that is to answer the question “what is my sacred work and how does it serve Spirit?”

Virgo is an earth sign, and in the feminine archetypal category. It’s the sign that most connects to Gaia, or Earth-Mother herself. If we strip away the strange and damaging historical aberration of the last 3000-4000 years, that featured the union of patrialineal culture, hierarchical patriarchy, and monotheistic religions, it’s possible to envision a Virgo god that is radically different.

How about a Virgo god dedicated to a sacred work in service to the Earth-Mother, or in service to the living planet and her seasons and cycles?  This Virgo masculine expresses spirituality as a sacred ecology dedicated to the health and balance of the Earth.  And also participates with the feminine, and her priestesses in ceremony where Priest and Priestess working together as allies.

Although the Virgo “god” (or goddess) is seldom perceived as personal or relational, a new emerging archetype of the masculine is slowly revealing itself. So far, maybe 10% or so of men with this archetype have felt the birthing. This expression of masculinity is completely fascinated by the sacred feminine. He knows he cannot control her, or even understand her. And yet, he loves her complexity and ever-changing nature. He remains present in his body and heart, and intends to go where she goes and to know what she knows. For him, sexuality is always sacred. Additionally, as “sacred priest”, he is in service and support of Her.

One of the purposes of Shamanic Astrology is to participate in dreaming the dream onward. This kind of co-creation envisions the evolving masculine of this new Mars cycle supporting the revitalized sacred feminine. As her priest, he is assisting in the restoration of the Earth and her peoples to balance, harmony, and the vitality found in peace and cooperation.

A great homage to Virgo could be sung or spoken by the Virgo “god” through the words of the following folk song

There is a woman who weaves the night sky.
See how she spins, see her fingers fly.
She is within us, beginning to end.
Our grandmother, sister and friend.
She is the needle and we are the thread.
She is the weaver, and we are the web.
She changes everything she touches,
And everything she touches changes.
She changes everything she touches,
And everything she touches changes.

Part Two coming soon…

Mars Journey through Virgo Data
March 3, 2012 to April 8, 2014

Mars Cycle Begins When Mars is opposite the Sun and is:

1)      Brightest

2)      Closest

3)      Retrograde (metamorphosis or complete archetypal shift from one sign to another)

4)      Mars remains in the same sign for 6-8 months

The Six Phases of the Mars Cycle

Phase Zero: Conception, Gestation, Incubation, and Metamorphosis – November 11, 2011 – March 3, 2012

Although the synodic cycle actually begins at opposition (March 3, 2012), there is a preliminary phase – something like an initial dream or vision that occurs as Mars enters into the sign of the next opposition. Mars goes retrograde during this time. So it is here where the new archetype is actually conceived. Mars is rapidly increasing in brightness, and dominating the late evening and morning sky.

Phase One: Birth/Emergence/Youth March 3, 2012 – May 29, 2012

Begins with the Acronychal Rise and includes the birth, youthful education, and the onset of puberty of the new “god.” It concludes with a strategy council or training before embarking on the intended quest.

Phase Two: The Labors of Mars May 28, 2012 through February 3, 2013

Late teenage to young adult challenges. Each labor carries the “god” Virgo to new knowledge and experience. This describes how the new expression of Virgo rises to meet the challenges. There can be 7 to 10 conjunctions of the Moon with Mars illuminating this phase of the journey as Mars travels across the evening sky from east to west. The constellations and signs Mars passes through articulate the nature of the challenges encountered.

Phase Three: Mars in the Underworld February 23, 2013 through June 20, 2013

Mars enters into a 15 degree orb with the Sun and drops below the horizon into the underworld exiting the world stage and undergoing a variety of initiatory experiences appropriate to the underworld including chaos, surrender, and conditions beyond one’s control. Spiritually, this is perceived as a sundance or okeepa, a spiritual trial in service to the people and the greater community when Mars is totally invisible and located at the other side of the sun.

Phase Four: Virgo Mars Rebirth and Growth of Wisdom June 20, 2013 through October 15, 2013

Mars is barely visible slowly rising from the underworld. For months, Mars is difficult to see in the morning sky. Slowly moving through the signs and constellations, the Virgo “god” regains strength and grows in experience and wisdom as an initiated male. This phase completes when Mars enters into the sign (Virgo) where the journey began.

Phase Five: Virgo Mars Maturity and Elder Knowledge October 15, 2013 through December 7, 2013

Having now lived a long life with accomplishments, many experiences, and overwhelming initiations, the Elder stage of the Mars cycle has arrived. Mars is gradually gaining brightness in the morning sky representing the culmination and the assimilation of the entire journey of the development of the Virgo archetype. The mature wisdom as Virgo elder can now be disseminated.

Phase Zero: Conception, Gestation, Incubation, and Metamorphosis – December 7, 2013 – April 8, 2014

This returns us back to Phase Zero, as Mars enters the sign of the next overtone highlighting the sign of Libra.  Included in this wrap-up of the Virgo journey is when Mars begins its retrograde motion in Libra and then completes the current cycle that began on March 3^rd, 2012 when Mars reaches opposition and there is the birth of the new god. The entrance into the next sign begins a renunciation stage, beyond the active elder, where the deepest inner work of the spiritual journey dominates.  At the Mars retrograde, the archetypal journey of the entire synodic cycle comes to an end, and the rest of this phase begins the metamorphosis into a totally new “god.”

Official Material of the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School © March 2012  shamanicastrology.com
Developed by Daniel Giamario, Created by Cayelin K Castell, and Data by Erik M Roth

One of the most important and unique features of the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School paradigm, is the understanding and experience of the synodic cycles of the planets. The foundational philosophy of “As Above So Below, As Within So Without” best expresses the soulful magic of the Earth’s cosmology.

The Impact of Multiple Planetary Cycles
The greatest revelation of meaning and purpose emerges whenever two or more planetary cycles correspond with each other. The discovery of this “mystery” confounded and amazed the ancients. This understanding forms the very foundation of the calendric wizardry of the Maya, among others. More recently, the eminent astrologer Robert Hand writes that what makes astrology really “work” is when one has the closest approximations of cycles corresponding to whole numbers.  The Shamanic Astrology Mystery School agrees with this understanding.

The Importance of Synodic Planetary Cycles
The synodic planetary returns are far more important than a regular planetary return cycle. A synodic planetary return occurs for an individual when a given planet revisits it’s natal zodiacal degree closest to the natal Sun, meaning the planet has returned during the same season it was when the person was born. This is because the Sun sign locates an individual chart in time, or places it within the yearly seasonal cycle. Therefore, a synodic planetary return cycle relative to an individual chart is the numerical replication of the planet’s original cycle with the Sun.

We know this is important because the ancients had a fascination with attempting to fit various planetary cycles “evenly” into the solar year. This brings us to the magic of synodic planetary returns. Below are examples of the ages when inner planetary synodic returns occur:

Venus—8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88 etc.

Mars—15, 32, 47, 64, 79 etc.

Mercury—7, 13, 26, 33, 46, 52, 59 etc.

One of the lesser known examples of synodic planetary magic relates to the cycles of Uranus and Jupiter. It turns out that exactly 7 Jupiter cycles of 11.5 years equals 83 years. This means Jupiter returns on the birthday very near the exact sign and degree it was in when a person was born. The first 6 Jupiter returns that occur in a person’s life do not occur at the solar birthday – meaning those Jupiter returns are not with the Sun so are NOT a synodic return. However, the 7^th Jupiter return occurs near the age 83^rd birthday within a day or so of being exact. Thus, this represents the synodic return of Jupiter.

Said another way, 83 years later, Jupiter is near the same sign and degree on the exact date it was 83 years prior. For example, the table below shows where Jupiter and Uranus were 83 years ago and where it is now on or near the same date (one reason for the dates being off slightly is that 2012 is a leap year  and 1929 was not):

The table above clearly shows how the 7^th Jupiter return is a true synodic return. If you have an ephemeris you can try this out….pick any date and check the same date exactly 83 years later and you will see the wonder of it. Next, note how closely Uranus is near the same degrees as it was 83 years prior.

Jupiter and Uranus return together every 83 years
What we are seeing here is that 7 Jupiter cycles very nearly equal one Uranus cycle or Uranus return. It’s due to this remarkable correspondence that generated the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School insight that Uranus, is very much like a higher octave of Jupiter. We recently explored this subject in greater depth during the December 2011 Shamanic Timeline Intensive.

Over the years of looking at lots of charts, I have noticed strange connections between synodic planetary returns over the course of a person’s lifetime. One example is the “spooky” similarities people experience during the 60 day underworld periods that occur during the 8 year Venus synodic planetary return cycle.

The question then is what about larger planetary cycles with reference to the world? Decades ago, Mark Lerner was the one who alerted me to this phenomenon through his publication “Welcome to Planet Earth”. I hadn’t thought about this much in recent times until last month during the timeline intensive when we realized that 2012 is 83 years after 1929. That was the year of the biggest stock market crash in US history and the beginning of a twelve year Great economic Depression that affected all western industrialized countries.

This is worth noting as we enter into the long-awaited year of 2012 and are considering the impact of the galactic alignment, Mayan calendrics, and the Uranian/Plutonian square. Now we can add to this, as if the other events were not enough, the dramatic interplay of the Jupiter Uranus connection harkening back to 1929. As Mark Lerner suggested, it can be useful to compare newspaper headlines from 83 years ago to get clues about what may be happening now. I am open to your feedback and insights about what you come up with around this.

Note: For those who are doing historical research, don’t forget to compare the relevant 1929 dates to what is happening in 2012.

Teresa Kelly

by Teresa Kelly

December 2011 Solstice occurs on December 22 at 12:30 a.m. eastern standard time. It is the shortest day of the year. Solstice is the time when the sun appears to stand still for three days on the horizon. This pause feels like a still point, like the pause of a pendulum before it swings. Imagine how it appeared to the ancients as the sunlight slowly diminished and the sun appeared to be stuck in the same place on the horizon.  The ancients marked the seasonal points as the year turned and learned to have faith in the return of the light as part of the rhythms of the natural world. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as the return of the Sun. The ensuing gradual lengthening of days signaled all was well and the cycles of the seasons continued.

This year Solstice follows a remarkable full Lunar Eclipse during a Mercury retrograde. The energy is clearing and feeling accelerated as we approach the Winter Solstice window. Uranus and the Sun square the winter Solstice in 2011 and a Moon Venus conjunction follows marking the passage of the third Venus Gate and the reclaiming of personal power. In tandem with all of this, Pluto continues its steady march through Capricorn. How does this apply in day to day living?

With Pluto in Capricorn, we see the underpinnings of our corporate, government and social structure being churned up as if by a giant cosmic Auger. When was the last time our planet’s populations were so fraught with unrest? As the planetary collective is traveling thru the underworld, mining and casting aside dross, so are we as individuals. With this as the primary backdrop as Pluto transits Capricorn we experience the underground of the cycles and transits of the Earth and Sky.

While the collective is affected by this long Plutonian cycle of mining the diamonds of a new paradigm,  those with strong Capricorn influences in their natal chart are privileged to experience this phenomena on deeper a personal level as well. Capricorn holds the operating manual for the collective. The manual is in dire need of updating. Making this kind of shift at the root level requires drastic action as has been seen recently with uprising in countries fed up with their leadership and weather events cleansing the earth causing great pain, upheaval and renewal in all corners of the planet.

Recently Mercury in retrograde assisted in accelerating shifts in perceptions and communication, opening opportunities to experience new ways to perceive and process.  The Lunar eclipse gave pause in the chaos giving us the opportunity to evaluate the journey we are making toward our truth. What synchronicity is seen on the world stage as the Egyptians have reviewed their situation and decided while the major change they made a year ago was great, there is still some tweaking to do to reach what is right for them in the way of leadership, governance and way of life.

Approaching Solstice energized by new perceptions and personal truth, we are asked to recognize the old paradigm clinging in the shadows and to honor it for its service in the past.  The light returns, illuminating the parts that can be purged, creating space for the parts that worked, parts that can be reinvented, and parts that are yet to be created for use in the present in service to the next seven generations.

Sounds simple and methodical in theory. How do we navigate what looks hard on a personal level?  Help is in the transits. Uranus’s dance of radical, unpredictable, unexpected change fuel injected with the Capricorn Sun affects the contemplative and gratitude laced energy of the Winter Solstice.  Following Solstice Venus reaches the 3^rd Gate, offering the opportunity pass this threshold and claim our personal power.

Old Capricorn realizes change is needed and is clutching the worn, outdated and frayed pages of the operating manual because while it is torn and many pages have been ripped and rewritten, the old ways are familiar and the enormity of the task at hand is paralyzing.  The shifting of rich deeply rooted ways and means is difficult and requires events of extreme novelty to shake the pages loose. Fueled by the energy, wisdom and experience of the sages, the New Capricorn is bursting at the seams, ready to take the operating manual through another edit and celebrate with a grand release party.

Many of my friends and co-workers have been making huge changes from cleaning out the basement to changing jobs. In the process these changes often are painful, stressful and feel unbearable. Then just as it seems too much, a small sparkle appears in the dark.  Still buried, but a small glimmer of hope that this is the way and it is working.  It inspires and energizes and keeps us moving forward.

The time leading to Solstice gives the opportunity to reflect on what intentions are being brought to light.  Pluto asks us to review our own operating manual. Are we relying on the book our parents wrote for us? A teacher? Society? It is time to write our own book. It is time to tear out the pages that are old and out of date and write new entries reflecting our life experience alchemized for our life going forward. How can the wisdom of the past serve our future? What new ideas and ways can be applied to create our new life, the new world?

Embrace the gift of unexpected change. What change are you fighting? Would perseverance or another perspective shine new light and provide new insight? Yes, the event may come as a death, it may come as a raise in salary, it may come as a blizzard, it may come as a grandchild. Whatever form it takes, Capricorn is fueling the energy of wisdom of the past for use now to benefit and support the future.

What does the death bring to light for you? Does it challenge your beliefs and ways?

How are you going to incorporate that raise in means? Expand into it? Apply old dysfunctional money beliefs, or try new ways to use your abundance? Recently this came into my life and there was a moment of fallback into old habits and lack mentality. It took an unexpected, inconveniently timed, temporary loss of income to shake me back to the present.

Does the blizzard bring opportunity to be still or at home instead of running? Does it catalyze another event? A few years ago a blizzard gave me pause to reflect on past experiences and remember the gratitude I have for them.

Does the arrival of your grandchild have you reflecting on the future of our planet? Of actions you can take to provide a safe environment for her generation?

And the purpose is not always immediately clear.  Our money crisis happened in the wake of great news of a raise. The raise did not appear as “expected” on the next paycheck because of late paperwork. The money shortage triggered a few weeks in the underground with Pluto, until I figured out that we had put the cart before the horse.  The resulting experience was a reminder of the past lack and bad habits. Our idea of unexpected change inducing events is often shattered. Unexpected blessings can be thought provoking and action inspiring as the stereotypical extreme event.

This year’s Winter Solstice auspiciously engaging the Uranus Capricorn square gives us the opportunity, the time, the darkness and the turning of the night into light to experience, reflect and offer gratitude and take action. The space to create a new sentence, a new page, or even a new chapter in our personal operating manual. We get to choose how we engage in the cosmic dance. And as we dance, our actions reflect above and below, within and without.  We dance with Venus through the 3^rd Gate, reclaiming personal power. What a blessed gift as the calendar year comes to a close!

Teresa M. Kelly Contact:  tmkelly1979@gmail.com
Teresa is a Certified Shamanic Astrologer (2006) and past president of the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School. She applies the principles of Shamanic Astrology in her coaching practice and in the realm of urban agriculture, food sovereignty and policy change.

This article is excerpted from the Celestial Timings. More info is HERE along with a very special offer.

Witnessing a Solstice Sunrise or Sunset is a powerful way to engage the energies being beamed in from the Galactic Center via the Sun. Wednesday, December 21, 2011 marks the exact Winter Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) and Hannukah begins. Here in Tucson, Arizona the sunrise is around 7:53 am depending on your horizon line and the sunset is at 5 pm also depending on your horizon line. Different latitudes will have different sunrise and sunset times. You can check your local newspaper or on-line to find out the time in your part of the world.

The Sun enters Capricorn at 9:30 pm, marking the exact December Solstice moment. Plus, the Sun is also square Uranus. (see Dec 22) Witnessing a Solstice sunrise or sunset is a fabulous way to engage the powerful light codes or energies being beamed in from the Galactic Center via the Sun, the primary source of light and energy for our beloved Earth. (Sunrise is 7:25 am and sunset is 5:18 pm in Tucson, Arizona. The time will vary depending on where you are located.) See YouTube of the December Solstice Sun on the Galactic Cross its about 4 minutes with sky maps etc…

The Sun is the seasonal metronome marking time via the four primary Solar Gates located at the Solstice and Equinox points. Ancient cultures understood the importance of these gateways and aligned with them through ceremonial intent, building monuments in stone to capture these seasonal gates in the Sun’s rising and setting points.

The Sun is the source of light, life, energy, and health as well as letting us know what time it is during the day as it rises and sets and in the year as it reaches the seasonal gateways. It is fascinating to consider how we have been programmed to fear the Sun as the source of skin cancer and aging of the skin increasing the experience of depression for those who avoid the Sun.

Ultimately, the Sun carries vital life force and light information to our bodies (scientifically proven to be our primary source of vitamin D). Research suggests a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes a day of sunlight on our skin and through our eyelids feeds and nourishes the physical body including converting the light into life enhancing Vitamin D as well as other essential nutrients. Plus, sunlight helps to attune (or entrain) our bodies to the light frequencies of planetary ascension. It also aids in dispelling depression when used wisely. One of the greatest things about basking in sunlight is it is a free restorative energy source when used wisely.

At the Winter Solstice the days are shortest (the least amount of light in a day), representing the turning point symbolized by the return of the light and the time when the days begin to lengthen. The solstice window lasts three days (the day before and the day after the exact Solstice) marking a seed point or an intentional choice point, in the annual completion and renewal of the Sun’s yearly cycle.

Additionally, zero Capricorn (or the exact moment of the December Solstice) is now aligned on the Galactic Cross near the Galactic Center where the Sun sits for three days. Said another way, the Sun is on the Cross for three days, symbolizing more than ever a galactic perspective that is outside our fixed experience.

This alignment takes place every 26,000 years and lasts for at least 72 years and it’s probably more likely is that it lasts for at least 144 years. The center point of this alignment occurred in 1998 and continues to influence us for many more years. December Solstice 2012 is not any more special than the December Solstice of the last few years. Many have argued that last year’s total Lunar Eclipse within a few hours of the exact Solstice was more spectacular than next year’s December Solstice 2012. And this year’s December Solstice square to Uranus is also more spectacular, meaning we are definitely already well into the time of prophecy and have been for many years.

This Timing is a portal that has the ability to take us beyond our middle world reality where we have access to the part of our self that knows – an inherent knowing or intelligence that is receiving an acceleration or evolutionary energy via the light codes that are beaming our way from the Galactic Core at this time. It may be subtle. It may reorient your whole perception of reality. It may expand your Earthly and Galactic Consciousness and further activate whatever awakening is already happening for you. It may feel like nothing you have ever felt before. This is about being open and receptive to the incoming heightened light energy.

One way to do this is to be a part of a living ceremony with the intention to align with the evolutionary energies available now. Ceremony is a way to focus intention. It may simply be that all you need to do to focus your intention on this time is to have the intent to be witness to what is taking place. Said another way, a visible or non-visible connection with this celestial alignment through our intention and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation is a ceremony in itself. When we have a sacred intent and then find ways to energize that intent in the world of form we are in the realm of Living Ceremony. Calling in sacred space, setting up an altar, drumming, chanting etc are also ways to engage this time if that helps you to focus your intent and feel like you are participating with this time. It isn’t necessary to do any of these things or anything for that matter. However, sometimes doing these things can help us connect more deeply. Let your heart be your guide.

Note: The Celestial Timings are written each month from the space of Living Ceremony with an intent to invite, through invocation, the energies that are present to co-creatively express with our personal intent as it harmonizes and aligns with the emerging New Earth energies. Reading the Celestial Timings is also a part of that Living Ceremony supporting the intention to inform as well as be informed by the mysteries and I thank you all for joining me in amplifying this sacred intention each month, each day and each year.

…the Gift of Ceremony
Not the sterile barrenness of repeated sameness…
As a stagnant ritual,
Rather the Living Ceremony…the Ceremony of Life…
the Ceremony of NOW….

~ Galactic Shamanism the Star-Stone Ones by Mary Saint-Marie/Sheoekah
http://www.marysaintmarie.com/artist.html

December 22, Thursday.  The Sun (0 Capricorn 43) squares Uranus (0 Aries 43) at 2:14 pm. This is the closest Uranus square to the Winter Solstice that will happen for 84 years. In 2095 Uranus will be at almost 2 degrees of Aries during the Winter Solstice and in 1927 Uranus was still in the last degree of Pisces. That means this is the closest square of Uranus at the Zero Aries (the Spring Equinox Point) to the exact Winter Solstice alignment from 1927 to 2095. This suggests it is especially important to acknowledge the initiatory energy of Uranus at this seasonal gate.

Uranus is the revolutionary change agent catalyzing unexpected change. Last March Uranus was conjunct the Sun at the Spring Equinox in the closest conjunction since 1927 and closer than the conjunction that will take place in 2095. At that time the first waves of revolution were becoming evident as the people of Tunisia and Egypt and the state of Wisconsin and other countries began taking to the streets. That was the beginning and certainly not the end of the revolutionary energies that will continue to grow and gain momentum over the next few years. (See audio overview of Uranus and Uranus in Aries audio too…)

The Sun and Uranus at the zero Aries point (Spring Equniox) in March and now square at the December Solstice further fuel the changes already in process. This is creating an additional dislocation of the old hierarchical assemblage point for the purpose of creating greater freedom for all life on planet Earth.  Said another way all the old regimes and control programs are destined to fall.  Aries is willing, and committed, to do what it takes to make sure this happens. Uranus is the great disruptive catalyst producing events of extreme novelty that are beyond human control creating a tidal wave of sweeping innovative and revolutionary change. Uranus in Aries is a magnificent force fueled by the quickly spreading Occupy Movements along with protests around the world. All those involved in the protests are demonstrating through their actions that they are ready for change. They are demanding change and they are saying:  “Bring It On!”

Plus retrograde Jupiter (O Taurus) is trine the Sun (0 Capricorn) entering the Still Point of the Jupiter station direct on December 25. (See Dec 25 for more on the Still Point)

Waning crescent Moon passes 2.7 degrees SSW of Mercury (9 Sagittarius 11) at 7:10 pm and the Moon is 4.2 degrees N of Antares (9 Sagittarius 48) at 8:00 pm. This of course is not visible in the evening sky in the western times zones but the Moon is visible approaching Mercury and Antares in the early morning sky and will be past Antares by tomorrow morning. (See Dec 3 and 23)

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The December 2010 Winter Solstice was highlighted by a Total Lunar Eclipse just hours before the exact Solstice. This represented a maximum synchronization of Solar and Lunar cycles as described in Daniel Giamario’s article last month. In 2010 the exact Solstice was at 3:39 pm Pacific Time on December 21.

Witnessing a Solstice Sunrise is a powerful way to engage the energies being beamed in from the Galactic Center via the Sun. This year we have the extra special and unique situation of a Full Moon that has just gone through a Total Eclipse setting on the Galactic Cross located at the Galactic Edge at 7:39 am (again, Tucson, Arizona time) within minutes after the Sunrise. Witnessing these celestial events inspire awe and open our hearts, bodies and minds in ways that can assist us in aligning with the Celestial Magic of the Sun and the Moon on the galactic cross and how these events are supporting the fulfillment of the ‘original intent’ for our lives.

The Sun is rising on the Galactic Cross near Galactic Center in the East just before the Moon sets in the west

The original intent is not defined by middle world standards but rather by the part of our self that knows – an inherent knowing or intelligence that may simply be to embody love and compassion and/or kindness and caring and/or to be an anchor for the accelerating light codes of energy that are beaming our way at this time. It may be subtle. It may reorient your whole perception of reality. It may expand your Earthly and Galactic Consciousness and accelerate whatever awakening is already happening for you. It may feel like nothing you have ever felt before.

One way to engage a living ceremony around these events is to simply witness them with intention. Said another way, the visible and non-visible connection with these celestial alignments through our intention and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation is a ceremony in itself.

When we have a sacred intent and then find ways to energize that intent in the world of form we are in the realm of Living Ceremony. Calling in sacred space, setting up an altar, drumming, chanting etc are also ways to engage this time. It isn’t necessary to do anything but sometimes doing these things can help us connect more deeply. Let your heart be your guide.

This article has more on the Solstices

The Full Moon sets in the West near the Galactic Cross at the Galactic Edge a few minutes after the Sun rises in the East on the exact Solstice Morning