On the heels of the April 8 solar eclipse, we have another very significant event in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, for 2024. Mars joined Saturn in Aquarius on March 15. Now, they are drawing into very close proximity. As the two great malefics in Vedic astrology, Mars and Saturn in Aquarius together is akin to driving with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brakes simultaneously. With Mars and Saturn, fire and ice collide. Historically, Mars and Saturn together have produced global conflict, political tension, and natural disasters.
The stage is set for the biggest battle of the year in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish – a Mars Saturn conjunction in Aquarius. In Jyotish, we call this alignment a graha yuddha or a planetary war. A planetary war occurs when two planets are within one astronomical degree of each other.
Mars (or Mangal) is the hot planet of aggression, ambition, competition, action, and conflict. Saturn (or Shani) is the cold planet of obstruction, challenges, delays, discipline, responsibility, and adversity. Mars represents your siblings and Saturn denotes your subordinates.
Mars (Mangal) and Saturn (Shani) are incompatible roommates who both want things “my way or the highway”. Neither wants to budge and both feel they are right. Mars likes to be daring; Saturn is cautious. Mars needs to be in charge. Saturn shuns being told what to do. Saturn is slow, strategic and seeks safety.
Mars and Saturn in Aquarius create a determination to get things done. There’s a drive to accomplish things on your time frame and only as you see fit. This can literally wear you and others out trying to meet the deadline of having it done “by yesterday”. The result could be long-term health problems.
Symbolically, Mars represents the armed forces, police, militia, and those who are “bearing arms”. Thus, it can personify people in places of power. Mars is aggressive in nature. “The red planet” often acts without thinking when passionate emotions arise. Saturn can signify people who are in service-oriented positions or those of lower socio-economic classes. Saturn is mythologically depicted as dark hued, thus representing people of color, as well as foreigners. Ongoing global tensions could escalate.
THE BATTLEFIELD OF AQUARIUS
Saturn is the planetary ruler or the “landlord” of Aquarius (Kumbha rashi), so it is quite strong there. Mars is fired up living in its enemy’s home.
Aquarius is a fixed, air sign, which likes to analyze and intellectualize. Air signs are associated with Vata. The symbol of Aquarius is the water bearer. Aquarius is associated with groups, social clubs, hopes, dreams, aspirations, gains, and income from career.
Mars and Saturn are both “bhumy karakas” or significators of “earthy” matters and property, so these could be adversely impacted as the planets grow closer. We have been having a number of significant earthquakes lately, so these could intensify.
Additionally, Mars and Saturn signify technology. There could be issues with data breaches or security leaks, particularly for institutions associated with “groups”.
As Mars and Saturn represent the blood and muscle tissue, respectively, in Ayurveda, you’ll feel a greater urge to be active. Be careful of injuries which can result from recklessness. Pushing yourself relentlessly can push Pitta (Mars) and Vata (Saturn) out of balance. Use Ayurvedic tonics to support the circulatory system and to ease fatigued muscles.
STRATEGIES TO HANDLE MARS AND SATURN IN AQUARIUS:
- Resist the temptation to think that you are right about everything
- Be vigilant about your health. Avoid exhaustion
- Ideally avoid confrontation, but if you must engage, pick your battles
- Select a middle path rather than an extreme
- Be judicious in your choice of words and activities as Mercury is also debilitated and retrograde now
- Worship Hanuman and Ganesh, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays (days ruled by Mars and Saturn)
- Be willing to walk away from a situation rather than be victorious
- Focus on what is working rather than what isn’t
- Do not enter into any new alliances or sign important contracts during the Mars Saturn planetary war in Aquarius
- Make time for meditation and spiritual practices
- Take herbal supplements to calm the mind
- Chant a mantra for Saturn if you are in a Saturn planetary cycle
- Chant a mantra for Mars if you are in a Mars planetary cycle
- Chant to Mars and Saturn if either or both are in natally in Aquarius in your Vedic chart
- Set clear and uplifting intentions for whatever you do
- Consider the long-term impact of your choices and actions
TIMING OF THE PLANETARY WAR
The Mars and Saturn planetary war is from 2 AM Pacific time on April 9 to 2 AM Pacific time on Wednesday, April 12th.
Astronomically, Mars “wins” the war due to its magnitude, but as my Jyotish teacher is fond of saying, “Both parties in a war are bloodied”. Protests and uprising are likely to spring up again, so be cautious as you exercise your free will. Mars leaves Sagittarius on April 29th. Saturn will soon turn retrograde in Sagittarius.
The planetary war comes on the heels of the solar eclipse. There is already a great deal of planetary intensity which sets the stage for this quarrelsome post-ecliptic battle.
Additionally, Mercury retrograde changes signs on April 9th at around 12:45 PM Pacific time. It moves from Aries into sidereal Pisces, where it joins a recently eclipsed Sun, North Node Rahu, and an exalted Venus. Mercury is debilitated in Pisces, so it will be very nuanced by being debilitated, retrograde, and sandhi (at the junction of 2 signs). All these factors add fuel to the planetary battleground.
The battlefield for the war with Mars and Saturn in Aquarius is the nakshatra or constellation of Purva Bhadrapada. Purva Bhadrapada is symbolized by the front legs of a funeral cot, or a man with 2 faces. This can indicate a person who has a personal side which they don’t share with the world, as well as a public side. Or, it can indicate someone looking forward and reviewing the past. Purva Bhadrapada is often associated with rage, frustration, and a feeling of limitation. It’s the volcano which bubbles and then eventually erupts. With Mars and Saturn here, it becomes an extremely volatile situation for world matters. For yourself, watch your own tendency to vent or blow up; think of the long-term consequences.
On an individual level, those in a Mars or Saturn planetary cycle will be most impacted. You also want to consider what house of the zodiac Aquarius represents in your Vedic astrology chart. This can be a very intense period. If we better understand what is happening astrologically on both a personal and global level, then we are empowered to be more discerning, follow our highest dharma, and have greater empathy. We always have free will to choose wisely, to select where we put our focus, what we say, and how we act.
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Om shanti, shanti, shanti.