Like many astrologers I am an observer of the world around me and am always on the look-out for how the world is relating to the planetary weather.

This particular time in history gives much to observe and ponder.  As discussed recently, Mars is the current dasa ruler for the United States and the current transit for Mars is taking place in Cancer, his sign of debilitation.  The debilitated Mars is being directly hit by exalted Saturn and Mars is aspecting the Saturn/Rahu conjunction.  It was inevitable that there would be bigger than usual news during this transit cycle.

Mars, is the planet of war and the drums of war are beating loudly at this time.  Mars is also weakened by being debilitated and his weakness plays a role in what is currently going on in Syria.  I believe that if Mars was strong at this time our country may have moved quickly towards a Syrian invasion but with the debilitation war has been either delayed or averted. 

Planets alone have their qualities but when involved by aspect with other planets the qualities and actions will be affected by the nature of all the planets involved.  Currently, Mars is weaker than the Saturn/Rahu conjunction and the war-like nature of Mars did not prevail.  Saturn,  the planet of patience and delay is currently exalted in the sign of Libra, and his influence becomes stronger than the influence of Mars.  Libra is the sign of politics and diplomacy and it does appear that diplomacy has the upper hand at the moment.  Saturn is also the planet of the “people” and, for the first time in many years, the “people” are being given a voice in this matter.  No matter how much many people despise Saturn for his slow movement and life lessons Saturn, often in the end,  brings justice and truth to the forefront. 

Of course, we can’t leave out that Saturn is also closely conjunct Rahu.  Rahu is an influence of  deception, illusion, surprises and chemical weapons.  We can be sure that there are going to be more twists and turns in the issue of Syria.  Rahu also has an influence on media and it can be important to not believe everything that is heard via the media at this time. Rahu does promise continued changes.

Many astrologers believe that Saturn is the strongest planet. I tend towards that viewpoint and have found if someone is at peace with the teachings of this planet life becomes much more harmonious.  Saturn is about stability, deliberation, hard-work, patience and truth.  Saturn is perhaps one of the few influences which can outweigh both Rahu and Mars.  In this current situation with Saturn being so strong in the sign of politics and diplomacy there is the possibility that he will influence the changeable nature of Rahu and the war-like nature of Mars towards solutions that might actually break the cycle of on-going war in the Middle East.  Perhaps the “people” have had enough and our leaders will find another way to solve what is truly a “world-wide” problem. Perhaps, here in the United States we might finally, after decades, see the international world step up to the plate.  Saturn can help us achieve that.  While we are not the people in power we always have the choice to project toward peace and not give into fear or aggression. 

Mars will enter Leo on the 5th of October and does gain strength again – if diplomacy fails it will fail after that date.  However, Saturn and Rahu continue to be stronger and it is possible that in all the twists and turns Saturn in Libra will prevail.

On a more personal level – wherever these planets fall in your chart the challenges will continue.  It is best to continue to use whatever tools are available to keep strong, focused and non-reactive.  For instance, the weak Mars is currently in my second house of writing and just the other day I tweeted that Mars was retrograde instead of debilitated.  This particular article has been a bit of a struggle to write – all I can do is not beat myself up and offer whatever words I can to give a bit of clarity.  The planets will move but the important thing is to flow with the movements.  The journey continues.

For those who know the tropical zodiac please remember that I use the sidereal zodiac and the planetary placements are different.  If I were working with a tropical chart Mars would be in Leo and Saturn/Rahu would be in Scorpio.  My interpretation would be different as I would read Mars as being very strong and war inevitable.

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