Good morning readers, this is an excerpt from today’s Planet Waves Astrology News. The article is about Mars retrograde in Leo, but today’s Sun-Nessus conjunction in Aquarius reinforces the theme. This excerpt looks at the relationship between Leo and Aquarius, and points out how the social rules that seem to run our culture work, or more appropriately, do not work. –efc
Leo is opposite Aquarius. These two make an interesting pair, having lots to do with the intersection of the individual and the collective: that is, the many places in astrology where I becomes We. If that we is any form of social group, its rules can be harsh and in many cases not openly stated. Many of those rules set a low tolerance for individuality and the expression of curiosity, no matter how ‘progressive’ the social group in question may fancy itself being.
Artist's conception of the Phoenix Lander arriving at Mars. Credit & copyright: MAAS Digital, SVV Project, NASA.
True, Leo is associated with kids, though the Sun (which rules Leo) is associated with adults and expressing adult power. Those who devote themselves to creative process need to be in contact with both the adult and the child aspects of Leo at the same time: the child for curiosity and inspiration, and the adult for guidance and boundaries.
This is not so easy for most people, who tend to be in parent/child mode: for example, needing to be told what to do, feeling powerless or over-controlling, or being unable to handle their whims.
Aquarius presents another aspect of the challenge. This sign represents the psychological tension between an individual and a group; or an idea supported by a group. Aquarius is the sign of individuality, and also the sign of rigid conformity, often to the notions of people who have unusual influence. It reminds me a little of the Army, which sells itself as elite and individualistic, but it’s really about doing exactly what you’re told. To break out of that takes self-awareness and a deep, soul-felt desire to individuate.
Nobody is advertising that product these days. Our current social language lacks the words and phrases for this process of becoming an individual; it used to be called self-actualization, individuation or waking up.
Today we think of it as having your iPhone set up perfectly. We think of it as knowing exactly what kind of Honest Tea you like best. Marketing culture has in many ways ruled the Western world since the 1960s, but it’s never been this bad; we have never had our minds colonized with so many contradictory messages to conform.
We do not recognize this as the psychological abuse that it is. In fact, most of us see it as a benefit, because as long as we play along, then in theory we don’t have to worry about what we might really want, or the consequences of not snapping into line. The current conjunction of the Sun and Nessus speaks of this collective abuse of individuals and individuality by various collective forces. Do these forces con us into being thought for, or do we willingly give up our power? Well, it’s a lot of both.
Mars retrograde is an impulse to reach inside for one’s own desires, needs and creative impulses regardless of what others might say, think or make a drama out of. It is an opportunity to be conscious of your tendencies to play along with the game the crowd is playing, and make another choice. Yes, there is a risk involved, but most of it is in your mind. Most of the risk that is not in your mind involves how to deal with hypocrisy; that begins by being aware of it when you see it.
