A recurrent question I hear lately is, “WHAT is going on these days?” This refers to all the troublesome activity in the world as well as personal turmoil. One reason for the heightened state of tensions is that Mars is blazing brightly in Capricorn. Capricorn is Mars’ sign of exaltation or greatest strength in Vedic astrology or Jyotish.
Qualities of Mars
Mars is the warrior planet, active, adventuresome, and ready for battle. The “red planet” is bold, impulsive, fiercely opinionated, critical, and brash. It is quick to take charge and see its overly ambitious plans to completion. Mars in Capricorn fuels it with greater determination to prevail.
Mars leaves its fiery mark in Capricorn every year. Typically, Mars stays in a sign for six weeks. However, Mars is turning up the heat in Capricorn with its extended stay until November. The Sanskrit name for Mars is Mangal (mun-gull). It means “the auspicious one”. Jyotishis refer to Mangal as “vakri” (the crooked one). This appellation derives from its very irregular pattern of movement and retrogression. Mars is also associated with Tuesdays, known as Mangalvara.
With Mars in Capricorn, this forms a Ruchaka yoga by transit. Babies born with Mars in Capricorn and certain rising signs will have a Ruchaka yoga. According to an ancient Jyotish text, “The person born with a Ruchaka yoga will have a strong physique, be famous, well-versed in ancient lore, equivalent to a king, confirming to customs and traditions. He will have a ruddy complexion, an attractive body, charitable disposition, be wealthy, long-lived, and be the leader of an army.”
Mars rules (is the “landlord”) of the signs Aries and Scorpio. For Aries ascendants in Vedic astrology, Mars will be exalted in their 10th house of career. This can bring leadership opportunities, career prominence, as well as conflicts in the workplace. This is particularly the case for those in a Mars planetary cycle. Sidereal Scorpio ascendants should be careful of conflicts with siblings or neighbors and not overly tire their hands or arms.
Health concerns with Mars in Capricorn
As Jyotish and Ayurveda are sister sciences, Mars represents the rakta dhatu or the blood system in the body. Depending on what Mars is doing in your birth chart and the three corollary health charts, it can be helpful to balance your blood at this time. Mars also is connoted with Pitta dosha in Ayurveda. With exalted Mars in Capricorn, watch out for inflammatory conditions and overheating. More so if you already have a Pitta imbalance. Pitta is also prone to becoming elevated during hot summer months.
What to expect with Mars in Capricorn:
- Heightened political tensions
- Greater government factions
- Increased battles for land with bloodshed
- Widespread fires
- Heat waves
- Vehicular accidents and injuries on the rise
- Poorly strategized and impulsive battle plans
- Corporate takeovers
- More erosion in the earth’s surface due to drilling, earthquakes and seismic activity
Trained astrologers always examine what a planet is doing in your natal chart as well as what is activating by its current movement in the sky. Vedic astrology also provides the added tool of dashas and bhuktis (planetary time periods) to see what cycle is activated and when for each individual.
Strategies for dealing with Mars in Capricorn:
- Don’t make hasty decisions
- Avoid the need to prove your point at all times
- Establish a regular meditation practice
- Monitor your blood pressure
- Reduce spicy food, citrus, and fermented foods
- Do an oil massage with Pitta balancing oil
- Take digestive supplements to assist with heartburn and acidity
- Use Pitta calming essential oils
- Worship Lord Ganesha, Shri Hanumanji and Durga Mataji on Tuesdays
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Saturn is currently retrograde, making both malefic planets strong. This can lead to greater calamity. In July, 2018, Mars is closest to the earth than it has been in since 2003. This will magnify its impact on world events.
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