Imagine trying to slice through something with a knife when suddenly the knife meets up with an unexpected hard object and gets stuck. It can send a shockwave through your body as you reverberate from the knife meeting an unexpected hard edge.
This is the energy that occurs when Mars, planet of drive and action, meets up with Saturn, the planet of limits and boundaries, which will happen on April 10 in Pisces (14º40’ at 4:36 pm ET).
As Mars and Saturn reset their two-year cycle, they invite us to consider a project on which we need to take disciplined, patient action that will see us to an outcome over a longer arc of time.
Collision of Opposite Energies
Among casual followers of astrology, Mars/Saturn aspects can provoke fear and dread.
Mars and Saturn are the two malefic planets of the solar system. Both are viewed as difficult planets. When they come together in a hard aspect — a conjunction, square, or opposition — the default thinking is to expect negative outcomes and challenges.
Mars and Saturn meeting up is like a collision of opposite energies.
Mars is the archetype of the Warrior. It represents the part of us that is motivated to take action. Mars is impulsive, and aggressive; it initiates, and wants to move fast. Mars is hot: it rules the fire sign of Aries, and can show up as anger and rage.
Saturn is the Teacher and Disciplinarian. It is cold and patient. Long believed to be the outer limit of the solar system, Saturn speaks to limits, boundaries, and restrictions. Saturn represents things that unfold over the long arc of time.
Where Mars says YES, Saturn says NO.
Where Mars wants to GO, Saturn says STOP.
Where Mars steps on the gas, Saturn puts on the brakes.
Mars is hot, while Saturn is cold.
Mars is impulsive, while Saturn is patient.
Mars can often burn out, while Saturn shows perseverance.
Each of us has both of these archetypes within us. When they collide, it can feel like gridlock. Getting stuck. Running head first into a brick wall.
There’s nothing worse than getting fired up about an idea, starting to take big action, and getting stopped in your tracks.
That’s the energy of a Mars/Saturn conjunction.
The Power of a Prioritization and Discernment
As frustrating as it can be to get stopped in our tracks, it can also teach us valuable lessons about how to work more sustainably to create better long-term results.
Mars and Saturn together, when supported, can be extremely effective, albeit in a slower way.
I was born with Mars in Pisces, and this is an energy I know well.
Mars in Pisces wants to do all the things, and all the things at once. That can be a recipe for burnout.
Saturn forces a necessary reality check. That hard limit forces us to slow down, set priorities, and create a plan.
Saturn isn’t saying we can’t do all the things. Rather, it reminds us that we can’t do everything all at once.
As one of my teachers says, even twins are born one at a time.
Saturn’s NO is not about denial or rejection. Rather, Saturn is the teacher that reminds us of the importance of prioritizing and the power of discernment.
Every NO creates space for us to say YES to what we really want.
Saturn reminds us that we can do many great things when we approach our work with discipline and patience and the tenacity to persevere over the long arc of time.
It encourages us to implement strategies, systems, and plans that can support us in doing everything we want to do, create, and contribute in a sustainable way, without succumbing to burnout.
Where Mars wants to rush to action and sprint through things, Saturn reminds us that “slow and steady wins the race.”
This collision reminds us to adopt a long-term view, especially when we feel a sense of urgency that might cause us to rush or try to fire in a million directions at once.
How to Maintain Focus on a Long-Term Project
The truth is that instant results are an illusion. All great work takes time, dedication, devotion, and discipline to see results.
We need the Saturn to temper the Mars: to help avoid burnout so that we can stay the course for the long haul.
As Mars and Saturn come together, it initiates a new cycle in which we are invited to cultivate discipline, determination, and endurance in pursuit of our greatest work.
This is a great time to think about your work, or a project that you want to take on, that will require a diligent and patient approach.
- What do you have to say NO to in order to maintain focus on this project?
- If you’re working on multiple projects, what boundaries do you need to create to help you give proper focus on each one?
- What systems can help you take daily action toward your biggest priorities?
- What systems and boundaries will help you stay focused on what is essential?
- What do you need to remind yourself when you don’t see instant results?
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