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now, you've heard all about it - from the conventional news media, from
astronomers and from astrologers. Anyone who is interested in our solar
system and who is not living in a cave or on a mountain top knows by
now that the planet Mars is making a relatively close approach to Earth
(on August 28) as this issue of Echo* newspaper hits the newsstands.
The estimates as to how often such a close approach (called a "double"
perigee in traditional astrology) to Earth happens - I've read from "more
than 2,000 years" to 70,000 years - but we don't really know, for a
certainty, precisely where Mars was in its orbit 70,000 years ago
or where it will be that length of time in the future. This is not
because today's astronomers and astrologers don't have computers accurate
enough to predict such an event in the distant past or future. Rather,
it is because a cosmic event such as the nearby passage of a rouge comet
or a body as massive as a star or a large asteroid striking Mars could
alter the orbit of Mars or Earth's orbit during such a large
expanse of time.
Part of the hype of this exceptionally close minimal perigee is that such
an event is so rare. The truth of the matter is that Mars makes a very
similar close approach to Earth every 79 years, the most recent examples
being August 22, 1924, August 18, 1845 and August 13, 1766. How do I
know this? Because I am writing a book on the astronomical periods of
the planets and one of the phenomena that I am researching is the periodicity
of Mars' perigees. In fact, Mars reaches a perigee, on average, every
25.6 months but only every 79 years and only in August or early September
does it make a minimal perigee. The minimal perigee of Mars on August
28, 2003 is less than one twentieth of the average distance between
the Earth and Moon closer to Earth than the 1924 minimal perigee - not
a difference worth all the hype accompanying this event. Since no great
Martian calamities befell the Earth when Mars made minimal perigees
in 1924, 1845 or 1766, it is reasonable to conclude that the effects
of the minimal perigee this August will be no more remarkable than its
predecessors. The loop that Mars made in the sky at the time of
this very close approach to Earth is shown below with the astronomical
and astrological events of that period.
For the technically inclined among my readers, here is a key to the above
graph: <AS = less than average speed, >AS = greater than average
speed, T = Sun trine Mars (there are two), SR = stationary retrograde, Q =
Sun quincunx Mars (there are two), HGL = heliocentric greatest celestial
latitude, GPL = geocentric peak celestial latitude, Pg = perigee (closest
approach to Earth), Op = Sun opposite Mars, Ph = perihelion (closest approach
to the Sun), and SD = stationary direct.
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Hebes Chasma is a canyon on Mars that is almost 8,000 meters (1¼
miles) deep, where water is believed to have once flowed. The
dark blue area is the deepest part of the canyon. This is a
closeup of a portion of a 3-D image taken on September 16, 2005 by the
European Mars Express spacecraft. Courtesy of ESA/DLR/FU Berlin
(G. Neukum). |
The biggest electrical blackout in U.S. history, which affected 50 million
people on August 14, 2003, was unlikely associated with this close approach
of Mars because Mercury, Uranus and the Sun are associated with electric
power, not Mars. However, this blackout was related to Saturn conjunct
the Sun (power and control of power) in the U.S. chart and, interestingly,
transiting retrograde Mars was in a maximum intensity square to Uranus
(electricity) in the U.S. chart the day of the blackout! So while the
alignment of Mars at that time (it squares U.S. Uranus every year) was
possibly a contributing factor or trigger of the blackout, the proximity
of Mars to Earth was probably not a factor.
What we can expect from any retrograde Mars (it reaches perigee,
labeled "Pg" on the above graph, while retrograde) is that activities
and energies, both Mars keywords, will slow down. This is
undoubtedly uncomfortable for those accustomed to immediate
gratification. Because of the close proximity of Mars, this is an
unusually short retrograde period, only from July 29 - September 27,
though the effective period extends before and after this time frame.
In addition, Mercury is retrograde from August 28 - September 20
and we will feel the effects during all of August and September.
One thing I've noticed about this Mars retrograde
period is that the Universe is tempting me to get angry and bent out of
shape (Mars) about clients canceling at the last moment or not showing (both
retrograde manifestations) for appointments. It is rare for me to have
a cancellation or no show but I had three in one week of August. Although
I couldn't help but get mildly upset, I remembered that everything in
this world changes all the time and, happily, the only client who owed
me money (several hundred dollars) paid me the same week! Mars retrograde
in Pisces has to do with trust and faith in our actions, despite appearances.
It is also an opportunity to make amends or atone for past actions about
which we feel regret or remorse. Our karmic chickens come back to roost
and don't be surprised if you have to do something over again. Fatigue
is a consequence of Mars retrograde and, since this one is in Pisces,
getting enough sleep is essential. Pisces also rules nighttime dreams,
which are likely to be more disturbing during this retrograde. For some
people, it could mean eluding an action they need to take, for others
it could mean defending some spiritual principle.
During September, retrograde Mars forms an opposition to Jupiter from
September 1 - 15. This is a time of exaggeration, high
expectations, the need for freedom, overestimation, and encouragement
from our teachers. It can mean enlightened self-interest by
helping others in need and, in helping them, we help ourselves.
It can also mean good timing that results in success. Mars
is also conjunct Uranus from September 1 - October 4, which signifies
a period of sudden surprises, impulsive behaviors, and events happening
without warning. Freedom and independence are paramount so
resistance to U.S. control of Iraq will likely escalate. That war
for non-existent weapons of mass destruction is apparently not over.
Carelessness or rash actions can lead to accidents or electrical
shocks that could have been avoided with caution and attention to
detail. Avoid driving while angry. Try innovative or new
approaches to solving old problems.
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*Echo is a monthly newspaper about community, the
environment, health, cuisine, and spirituality that is distributed in
central Virginia.
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