January 25th-31st
The Red Garter
The lunar month climaxes this Saturday (Friday night) with a big Full Moon in Leo right on top of Mars retrograde. The Sun and Venus both entered Aquarius last week, putting them both on a crash course for opposition with Mars in Leo. Venus opposes Mars on Tuesday and the Sun opposes Mars on Saturday, the same day as the Full Moon. Even though Mars has been in Leo since mid-October, and retrograde since late December, the spotlight’s been stolen by the complicated configurations of the last month. Now that Mercury’s no longer retrograde, Jupiter made into Pisces and we’re past the penumbra of the eclipses, Mars will get all the attention it deserves.
The Red Lady
The Full Moon in Leo drops right on top of a retrograde Mars in Leo, sending the Red Ladies dancing their way through the aethyrs, their Gnostic flesh afire. Red Tara, Brigitte, Babalon, and a devil girl or two all make appearances in the dream time. Who invited the Women of the Red Tent, the order of warriors and the temple whores, the goddesses of Love and War, Love-in-War and War-in-Love?
Now, there are those who look into the red eye of the planet see a warrior wink back. A bellicose man. A walking chariot of armor, weapons, and training. Ares, Mars, Ogun, Skanda, Nergal. But not all who’ve met the gaze of the red one see a man stare them down. Even the Greeks had a name for when a woman that winks back. Enyo was the name they used, reportedly either the mother or sister of Ares, and she was pictured naked and covered in blood. Enyo has no known myths, but she has her place in the prayers and invocations. Enyo, Ares, and his Terrible Sons Phobos and Deimos were all invoked by Alexander before the Battle of Gaugamela.
In retrograde, or the period leading up to the retrograde, it is the shadow of a Planet’s archetypal complex that is activated, the flipside, which usually goes unrecognized and unexpressed. For Mars, it is natural that the feminine aspects of the complex of aggression, protection, and physical sexuality are the less seen side of the equation, likely both because of their inherent resonance as well as a series of cultural filters.
Thus we see the Red Lady, naked and bloodslick, the sexual joy of battle unmitigated, unarmored and unashamed. No sacred weapon, no holy armor but her body. This is the unapologetic revel, the intimate seduction wherein the line between the dynamic of love and war collapses. The tower falls, and the boundary is broken. Enter the nightside of war, where territorial objectives are forgotten in the trance of Mars, and one can lose oneself in the dark bacchanal of battle and orgy as one.
What is the point of being led here?
We are led here to find our strength (VIII), the Lion pictured in the Tarot card, the embodiment of raw vitality. The unconstrained nature of the psychic space allows the emergence of hidden energies. But it is oh so easy to be overwhelmed by the passions. There must be a goal, the vitality of the lion must serve as a vehicle. The Venus Mars opposition and then the Full Moon in Leo highlight this. The rest of the lunar cycle will be about applying the detached understanding of the planets in Aquarius to the passionate but unrefined strength that the Mars retrograde in Leo unleashes. The passions must be refined in order to become virtues, lest their strength devour you.
Beneath and behind the roaring flames is an intelligence guiding you towards a more coherent and connected sense of self. The power that proceeds naturally from this unified self is the sacred weapon of the Mars in Leo cycle. The drama has a purpose, work with it.
Horoscopes/Future-Crack:
January 25th-31st
Note on Horoscopes: 12 Fold horoscopes are a way to assess the general condition of the splayed rays of the zodiac. Although not without value, they are a blunt tool, and can only describe the archetypal activity in each power-zone. In order to sharpen the accuracy of the horoscopes, read your Sun Sign if you were born in the day-time, and read your Moon Sign if you were born at night. Reading the Sign in which the Ascendant is placed is also advised.
For information on where the Ascendant and Moon are in your natal chart, check out the accurate, free, chart calculation programs at astro.com and khaldea.com.
Aries: The Ram
The Full Moon in Leo, conjunct Mars retrograde, highlights the stress between your creative work and its reception within a larger community. It may also tension between friendships and romances. The key here is to harness your creative passions to a more objective angle on your work.
Taurus: The Bull
This is a big full moon for Taureans, especially for those born around May 1st. The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars is likely to light up living space issues and family conflicts, while the Sun and Venus in Aquarius highlight bold professional experiments. The fires beneath your feet my prompt a courageous leap that would otherwise go unmade.
Gemini: The Twins
The Moon and Mars in Leo ignite a need to gain face and representation in the little world around you. Meanwhile, the Sun and Venus in Aquarius counsel a more detached and philosophical view, pointing towards the bigger picture and the longer term. The key is to figure out how to fit actions in your immediate circle into the bigger plan.
Cancer: The Crab
The Full Moon and Mars in Leo are quite likely to light up your finances, and may well set fire to your mood. The Sun and Venus in Aquarius counsel that you look to business partnerships and other collective arrangements in order to address problems that arise with your own resources.
Leo: The Lion
The Full Moon in your Sign brings a sturdy silver spotlight directly to bear on the issues you’ve been dealing with the last few months. Who are you? What the hell are you doing? What in Jesus’ sweet name is going on? That kind of thing. This Full Moon will be a climax that for many will transform your understanding of the confusing passions that have characterized the last few months.
Virgo: The Virgin
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars highlights the raging inferno of self you are usually too polite to introduce to people.
Libra: The Scales
The Full Moon in Leo highlights the importance of a presence and face in larger social circles. In order to engage this unfolding energy, it will require the courage to face the possibility that NOT EVERYONE WILL LOVE YOU. Scary, right?
Scorpio: The Scorpion
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars highlights the increasing need to make your professional presence known and appreciated. You won’t get what you want by whining about it, but if you listen to your own whining, you might learn something about what you really want.
Sagittarius: The Archer
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars retrograde highlights your unfolding desires to travel, kick ass and follow your bizarre dreams to their awesome conclusion. Tend the bonfire of passion, but don’t let it get out of control just to watch a cool explosion.
Capricorn: The Goat
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars retrograde highlights the strength to be gained by pooling resources with other people. You simply can’t conquer the world alone. You have to rely on other people. Even if they’re a noisy pain in the ass. For now at least. Later, when the time is right, when you can ruthlessly dispose of them and seize the dark throne for yourself. Patience Capricorn, patience.
Aquarius: The Water Bearer
Happy birthday to those ejected from the womb this week! The Baron’s special gift to you is a special alchemical version of the standard water bearer’s jug. You fill it full of the liquid distillation of human delusion and vice, put it on “transmute” and in less 5 minutes, you’re looking at the sweet nectar of the gods themselves- ambrosia.
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars retrograde emphasis the importance of being able to handle conflict in relationships, and reminds you that you aren’t detached and objective when people get close enough. You’re people too, Aquarius, and having that revealed might actually make you stronger.
Pisces: The Fish
The Full Moon in Leo conjunct Mars retrograde emphasizes the importance of your work ethic. There’s all sorts of power waiting to be placed into the work before you, you just have to prime the pump, or suck the siphon hose, or whatever metaphor you prefer. Do it.
Consultation Services: If you’d like a personal consultation with the monkey behind the mask, you can get ahold of the Baron’s mortal vehicle at xroadsconsultations@gmail.com. You can find a list of prices and services here.
COPYRIGHT DARK SUN ASTROLOGY 2010
Sol in Aquarius, Luna in Gemini
