You can't shake hands with a clenched fist - Indira Gandhi
It is easier to point the finger than to offer a helping hand - Anon
The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation. The hand is the cutting edge of the mind - Jacob Bronowski
The lonely one offers his hand too quickly to whomever he encounters - Friedrich Nietzsche
Every 2 years or so, Mars goes retrograde (backwards) in the heavens for some seventy five days. Of course, planets don't actually travel backwards, it's the view from our perspective here on Earth that makes a planet appear to be doing so. (We know that so much of life is about perspective and astrology is no different!)
Mars is the planet that shows how we manifest ourselves out in the world in terms of ego, energy, push, ambition, passion, aggression and anger. Mars goes retrograde on November 15, and for several days it stops in its tracks, and, in a week or so, it will start to move backwards through the zodiac. The Sabian Symbol for the stationary Mars is Cancer 13: A Hand Which is Held Out Receptively, is Remarkable for the Suggestion of Character in its Prominent Thumb.
Mars' energy is rather tightly bound up in our forward movement and in our modern society we're often not very content with moving sideways (Cancer), let alone backwards (retrograde). It's also a bit antithetical to emotions and caring about other people's feelings.
Mars can feel very frustrated when retrograde. Here he is, in this illustration, home from battle, stripped almost bare and sitting in contemplation. This is a very Mars in Cancer image... he still has his weapon in his hand, but his whole demeanour is one of repose - hardly ready for battle in his nakedness.
Cancer 13 is an interesting Sabian Symbol: A Hand Which is Held Out Receptively, is Remarkable for the Suggestion of Character in its Prominent Thumb. This Symbol speaks of reaching out to others, offering a handshake, being receptive, trusting, diplomatic, approachable and friendly. Mars can have problems in these areas, and these more admirable traits may express themselves more in withdrawing emotionally, sulking, rude responses, defensiveness, insecure feelings, being unsure and introverted.
With self knowledge, of course, none of these things are inevitable, but one could experience some of it in the outside world. Politically speaking, this degree shows problems with diplomacy and the current situation with the United States and their standoff with Iran is one example. There is also Pakistan and Burma. (See the Indira Gandhi quote above). Further, this degree has very strong Masonic connotations - 'the handshake'.
An excerpt about this degree from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With the Sabian Oracle:
Although a degree of flexibility needs to exist in this situation, it will, inevitably, be strength of 'Character' and a willingness to extend one's self to others that will enable you to succeed. Being in control of oneself and one's environment is an effective and lasting expression of power. It is also important to note that this Symbol is about strength of will and character, and that being receptive does not weaken this. In fact, it is by being receptive that we can truly be powerful and have a positive influence on those around us. The 'Prominent Thumb' can show a strong sense of determination and a desire to impress others. However, if this sense of strong determination does not come accompanied by the ability to compromise and listen, it will only create the potential for problems. This can also apply to groups of people and also to elements of your inner self. Reaching out and extending your 'Hand' 'Receptively' to others may be what's required. Show that you are approachable and caring, and you'll most likely see the situation resolve itself naturally. When the time is right you will be able to 'grasp' what is needed.
Witness the fact that the degree before this degree (the 'karmic condition' of Cancer 13 and also the degree that Mars will pass slowly over in both early and late November) speaks of, amongst other things, monks. The Sabian Symbol for Cancer 12 is A Chinese Woman Nursing a Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him to be the Reincarnation of a Great Teacher. This degree tells us to be mindful of the greatness in others, that even 'young' people can bring us amazingly insightful messages.
Here, I'm also thinking of what's been happening in Burma with the monks in the streets, standing up to the military dictatorship (fighting for their homeland - very Mars in Cancer) and, also, I'm foreseeing that there is likely to be something happening with the Dalai Lama and Tibet and China during this 75 day long Mars retrograde period, especially as Mars, just as it's about to go retrograde, comes right up to the degree that is the 'karmic condition' (the degree before) of the Dalai Lama's Sun degree of Cancer 14: A Very Old Man Facing a Vast Dark Space to the Northeast. This degree is quite astounding in the light of the fact that China is to the 'northeast' of Tibet... the 'vast dark space' - emptiness, desertion, abandonment - these being the more 'negative' interpretations of that degree. I should mention that Cancer 14 is also the degree of the Sun of the United States (the American Indians were the 'very old men facing a vast dark space to the northeast - Washington) and G.W. Bush also has his Sun degree on this degree.
With Mars going retrograde right near America's and GW Bush's Sun degree (Cancer 14), something is bound to give in terms of the war and the 'war on terror' - these being cooked up reasons for filling corporate coffers.
My keywords from 360 Degrees of Wisdom for Cancer 13:A Chinese Woman Nursing a Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him to be the Reincarnation of a Great Teacher.
Nurturing innocence and its rewards. Reincarnation and past lives. Charisma and presence. Channeling entities. Tibetan mysteries. Monks and the Dalai Lama. Ancient knowledge. Child prodigies. Seeing greatness ahead of its time. Indigo children. Discovering latent talent. Visions. Holistic perceptions. Potential. Nurses. Nannies. Finding "the one". Auras. Special people.
So, it appears that what we have to do with Mars retrograde is to reach out to others, to see the greatness in others regardless of their position in life, their age, their abilities or what they can do for us. Mars will be testing us to see how we go. When we meet up with someone, we should look them in the eye, extend a hand to them, recognise their potential and respect who they are. Otherwise, Mars will make a meal (Cancerian keyword there) of our relationships, our lives, our domestic situations, our own potential.
Further, Mars is in a closing square to Venus - which could have some people in a Mexican standoff - a deadlock - where nobody wins. Venus in the Mars retrograde chart is on Libra 8: A Blazing Fireplace in a Deserted Home. There could be feelings of loneliness, desertion, abandonment and wanting to fill a void. Many, many people are lonely, or, at least, desiring some romance in their life. The trick here could be to light a candle and place it somewhere in your home, office or wherever to remind you of love and to invite it into your life. Fireplaces, candles, campfires, all can serve in this way. Lighting a candle and putting it in the window can signal one's desire to not only bring back romantic love, it can be a signal to loved ones and family members to 'return home'. A bit of 'all is forgiven, please return'.
The theme of the empty nest is somehow reinforced by Mercury, the planet of communications and journeying, being on Scorpio 6: The Gold Rush Tears Men Away From Their Native Soil. This degree speaks of the desire to rush off to places (often previously unknown) that may hold the promise of a better life, more fun, more reward, to find the 'gold' that's missing from their lives. Rewards are promised in this degree, but sometimes people just find themselves a long way from home. The trick is to enjoy the journey, to enjoy the ride, to be welcoming whether you're the one who's journeying or the one sitting at home with the candle in the window.
As I write this, I'm reminded of all the people that are without a safe, secure, loving home. So many people, all over the world... all the way from the service people in Iraq and Afghanistan to the Iraqis that have been pushed out of their homes to the starving millions in Africa sitting in refugee camps.
The Moon in this Mars retrograde chart holds another promise. It's on Capricorn 23: A Soldier Winning Two Awards For Bravery in Combat. Obviously, this is quite a Martian degree. My keywords and Cautions from 360 Degrees of Wisdom:
Keywords: Desperate striving for recognition. Rewards coming for involvement in tough situations. Medals and trophies. Tributes, acknowledgments and benefits given or showered. Award ceremonies. Posthumous awards.. Giving thanks. Compensation. Insurance and legal claims. Recompense for taking action.
The Caution: ‘Awards’ as Band-Aids to assuage guilt produced in war. Expecting money or other rewards for doing anything that one doesn’t want to. The ills, social and otherwise, of
combat fighting. Neurotic seeking of praise or acknowledgment. Rejection lines. Bribery.
A quote to illuminate this degree: When someone does something good, Applaud! You will make two people happy. Samuel Goldwyn
Last, but not least, is Saturn on Virgo 8: A Young Girl Taking Her First Dancing Lesson. It seems that we're learning some tough love lessons, even if we felt that we'd learnt enough by now... we know that the learning goes on and on. Perhaps we need to learn to follow and not always be leading - perhaps we need to start leading and not always be following... whatever it is, we would do well at this Mars retrograde to listen to music, move our bodies, light a candle or two, keep the home fires burning even as some of us strive off for foreign lands, objectives or new careers, all the while learning how to make ourselves and our relationships happier, more rewarding and more inviting.
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