by Daniel Giamario

Some initial thoughts

With the imminent Mars/Sun opposition on April 8, 2014, heralding the beginning of a new synodic cycle of Mars, it’s time to consider the implications. Mars entered Libra on December 7, 2013, and remains in Libra until July 25, 2014, almost an entire 8 months.  It is important to note that Mars always stays in a sign a long time when a new synodic cycle is beginning. This happened in 2012 when Mars began a new cycle in Virgo and in 2010 when Mars began a new cycle in Taurus.
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PART ONE by Daniel Giamario

The New Mars Cycle of Libra to Begin April 8^th, 2014

On the evening of April 8th, 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 April 8th, the Sun/Mars opposition is occurring at 18 Libra 56.

This also happens to be the point in the Mars synodic cycle when Mars is closest to the Earth. In contrast Mars will be furthest from the Sun (aphelion) in May-June, 2015. Six days after opposition, on April 16th, 2014, Mars is closest to the Earth, about 57 million miles away and is also at its greatest brilliance from the Earth’s perspective.
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