Mary Jo Wevers

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Mars, Planetary Ruler of Aries

The astrological sign of Aries is ruled by the planet Mars. The “Red Planet” is the first planet beyond earth in our solar system. Named after the Roman god of war, its glyph resembles the shield and spear of Mars ♂.

Mars represents the masculine, yang, or outwardly directed movement of our personal energy that propels us into action. In physics it is understood that movement creates energy. When we move our physical body, or use it to create movement, we generate energy. We channel our energy through our actions. We feel vibrant and alive. Mars rules our basic needs and primal urges to achieve our wants and desires.

In the astrological chart Mars represents our desire or urge to take action and wield our life force and vitality in the world. The sign of the planet Mars and the house it occupies in your chart shows the manner and ways you are inclined to act. Mars defines how we feel vigorous, exuberant and dynamic. It indicates how we take initiative, assert our will and exert ourselves. It shows how our enthusiastic, pioneering, adventurousness spirit is expressed. It describes how we can feel potent, bold, take risks and be confident and self-assured. It delineates where we have the courage to be decisive, spontaneous and to take action.

Mars is forthright, insistent and determined. When meeting with resistance or conflicting desires, it uses its force to assert itself. Mars represents our aggressive urges and both our external and internal conflicts and struggles. Mars rules war, the forceful power and will to overcome opposition and rivals. It shows the ways we can be impulsive or impatient, reckless and rash, destructive and accident-prone, consequently causing physical harm to our self or others. Mars is associated with burns and fevers, accidents, trauma, pain, inflammation and arthritis.

Mars rules our need for physical excitement and stimulation, including physical activity, competition and exertion. Mars describes how we use our physical body and defines our stamina and energy levels. Mars drives our primordial need to physically connect with another on a sexual level. It describes what we find physically attractive and sexually exciting in another person.

For the next two months the planet Mars will transit the sign of Capricorn, giving it a more goal-oriented, grounded and practical expression. Mars in Capricorn asserts itself through concrete achievement requiring diligence, perseverance and hard work. It is interested in activities that are practical and create social structure and organization that have lasting value and provide stability and security. This month, the solar energy of Aries is channeled through Mars in Capricorn, directing us to use our will to act responsibly, with self-discipline, and to honor the past as we build for the future.

“Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.”     – William Bridges 

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Neptune, Modern Planetary Ruler of Pisces

The modern ruler of Pisces is the planet Neptune. This large planet is surrounded by a thick atmosphere of gases, water and ice. Neptune’s atmosphere is known for its active weather patterns and storms, driven by the strongest winds of any planet in the solar system. Neptune is named for the Roman god of the sea. Its glyph is the sea god’s trident.

Neptune spends approximately 14 years in each sign of the zodiac, taking about 168 years to orbit the Sun. Considered the second transpersonal planet, it’s transit through a sign affects an entire generation, and represents their idealistic wish to rise up to a higher plane of existence.

Neptune was discovered in 1846 when it was in the final degrees of the sign of Aquarius. Soon afterward it entered its own sign of Pisces and the United States entered into Civil War, in large part due to collective efforts to end slavery. We will undergo our country’s Neptune return soon, and civil rights issues, which stem from our country’s economic foundation in slavery, are being revisited. This is a time to heal the wounds from our past.

In the astrological chart, Neptune symbolizes the need to experience suffering in order to atone for our sins and become more compassionate and empathetic towards others. This is referred to as the “path to redemption.” This path to redemption often creates unhealthy perpetrator/victim/savior dynamics in our relationships, resulting in compulsions, co-dependencies and significant psychological problems for us.

Ultimately Neptune directs us to have compassion for ourselves without martyrdom. It asks us to form universal emotional connections with others through hope, faith, forgiveness and unconditional love. Through sacrifice of our ego needs we redeem ourselves, transcend our material existence, and are reborn again into the human condition transfigured.

Neptune in Pisces

Neptune was in the sign of Pisces during 1848-1863. Since then it has traveled full circle around the Sun and is once again in the sign of Pisces, where it will stay until 2025.

What can we expect during this current 14 year transit of Neptune in Pisces? What collective experiences will we have that will deepen our empathy, compassion and universal love? Must we re-experience the divisiveness  in our country that lead to our Civil War, or can we move forward from a higher spiritual awareness? As a country, can we transcend racism, sexism, “other-ism” and come to appreciate our connections with everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation?

On the personal level, how do you need to retreat from the material world to revitalize and replenish your connection to your soul? What spiritual practices will support your own spiritual development? Use this 14 year period to create a deeper sense of your own inner divinity and connection to all of humanity.

“Compassion is more important than intellect in calling forth the love that the work of peace needs, and intuition can often be a far more powerful searchlight than cold reason.”

– Betty Williams

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Uranus, Modern Ruler of Aquarius

Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus, known as the Great Awakener. It is the first of the transpersonal planets in our solar system, those which lie beyond the orbit of Saturn and are not visible to the naked eye. As a transpersonal planet, Uranus compels us to move beyond our ego identification and connect with the universe on a soul level. It propels us to new levels of consciousness and being.

Uranus was discovered in 1781 by telescope maker William Herschel. Uranus is unique having the coldest planetary atmosphere in our solar system. It is also unique because its axis of rotation is tilted sideways. Its north and south poles lie where most other planets have their equators.

The discovery of Uranus coincided with political and social movements towards liberty around the world, including the American and French revolutions. Uranus is associated with the urge toward freedom, independence, originality and individuation. It is the breaker of traditions and established order. Its urge is progressive and futuristic. A lightening rod to the masses, Uranus rules group experiences. It represents the principle of evolutionary change, both for the individual and the collective.

The force of Uranus destroys the old to make room for the new. Uranus shakes loose the constricting influence and crystallizations of Saturn. It displaces and overthrows established attitudes and structures that have outlived their usefulness. It is the unpredictable hurricane-like force destroying that which no longer serves us, or limits our freedom to grow. Uranus bestows “divine discontent,” an inner urge that propels us towards our next growth opportunity, or towards greater personal freedom. It pushes us to create change and excitement in our life.

The influence of Uranus is often unpredictable. It rules sudden, unexpected changes of a radical and shocking nature that shake our foundations. It stops our world as if to say, “Things have to change!” The force of Uranus rushing through our lives and disrupting our routines can feel disquieting, unsettling, even traumatizing. Its purpose is to take down whatever structures have outlived their usefulness. It liberates us from the confines of convention and urges us to create anew. Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters are ruled by Uranus.

In astrology Mercury rules the lower mind’s cognitive processes, while Uranus rules the higher mind: intuition, innovation, and creative genius. Uranus governs the part of our intellect that enables us to make connections and associations between pieces of information, and recognize patterns and gain insights. Uranus as the “voice of God” symbolizes intuition in the form of lightening fast insights, bright ideas, and eureka moments. The medium for Uranian creative intelligence is electromagnetic energy. It is etheric and electric in nature. When we tap into Uranus we receive flashes of insight and spontaneous downloads of understanding. By tuning into Uranian energy you can develop your latent creative abilities.

On March 13, 2011 the planet Uranus began its seven year journey through the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. It will complete its transit of Aries this coming May. This has been a cosmic new beginning, ushering us into the 2000 year Age of Aquarius. In the sign of Aries, Uranus encourages and inspires us to become more confident, self-aware, self-contained, and action oriented. It urges us to embrace our independent, pioneering, assertive energy and take risks in life. It fills us with new energy, vitality, courage and creativity as we embark upon the New Age of Aquarius. We are only at the beginning of this exciting phase of human evolution. We will have centuries to explore and deepen our understanding of Aquarius through our collective experience.

“True originality consists not in a new manner but in a new vision.”
– Edith Wharton

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Capricorn: Becoming Your Own Authority


Capricorn is grounded in the material world. The key phrase for Capricorn is “I Use.” In order to manifest our visions we need to be prudent, pragmatic and realistic with our resources. We overcome obstacles through diligence, endurance, and careful economy.

Capricorn works within the constraints of time and matter to turn visions into reality. The contracting and crystallizing forces of Capricorn help us define our dreams in concrete ways. We must delineate our objectives, set goals, develop plans and schedules, and do the work. Like the sure footed mountain goat climbing upwards, Capricorn teaches us to use our stamina, drive and ambition carefully and methodically to be successful and reach our goals. In time we achieve our dreams.

Having practical wisdom gained from experience in the real world, Capricorn is a capable and competent business manager. It is focused and productive. It respects boundaries and knows limitations. Hierarchical, it delegates tasks to others in order to make wise use of time and resources. As a business executive Capricorn is principled and has integrity. It is dependable and reputable, accountable for its actions and achievements. Through enterprise and hard work Capricorn builds wealth and earns the respect of others.

Capricorn uses the resources of our material world to build foundations and infrastructures, and to create organizations that provide long-lasting security for society. It honors tradition and the past. Loyal and committed, it is dedicated to family and community, where it demonstrates social responsibility. The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers is a living example of the essence of Capricorn. A group of highly respected elders, leaders in their own communities, these women have come together to defend the land and protect, heal and teach its peoples and preserve ancestral cultures.

Being self-reliant, self-sufficient, and focused on working its way to the top, Capricorn often feels lonely. It can appear aloof, shy or awkward in social settings. It has difficulty with feelings and can be prone to depression, doubt and pessimism. Like the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s novel, Capricorn can become severe, insensitive, grudging and miserly. Serious, responsible and reserved, Capricorn finds it difficult to relax, have fun and experience joy in life.

The mighty oak, a tree of great strength and longevity, is another representation of Capricorn. Its humble beginning is a small acorn. Like the acorn, the seeds we plant in the depths of winter will rest in the earth, grow roots, and finally sprout and emerge in the spring. If we tend them regularly with our ambition, dedication, diligence and perseverance, they will one day become our achievements.

Archetypes for Capricorn include Wise Elders, the biblical King Solomon, Father Time, CEOs and executives, and all authority figures. Capricorn rules government and business institutions and organizations. Parts of the body ruled by Capricorn include the knees, the skeletal system, ligaments, teeth and skin. The gem for Capricorn is garnet. Lead and pewter are its metals. Oaks, pines and holly are Capricorn trees and plants. The color for Capricorn is brown. Calendars and clocks marking the passage of time are additional Capricorn symbols.

     “You are here to shine your light from every pore of your being. Glorify your own nature, taking your power back and standing in your own spiritual light, a quantum consciousness of awareness. How are you using your gifts? How will you serve the planet? Are you walking your talk?”

                       – Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim

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Sagittarius: The Quest for Greater Meaning in Life

The positive polarity of Sagittarius gives it an outwardly directed enthusiasm for exploring the world and acquiring new experiences. Goal directed and far seeing, Sagittarius is the archer, setting his aim for the stars. An idealistic philosopher, Sagittarius searches far and wide for knowledge, wisdom and a higher perspective in life.

The key phrase for Sagittarius is “I Understand.” Through Sagittarius the intellect is illuminated by the light of spirit. Sagittarius asks us to expand our view, seek higher learning, and find a broader perspective. Sagittarius knows a problem cannot be solved on the level it was created. It needs to be approached from a higher level, where we have a larger and more complete point of view. When we see the bigger picture we can find answers and possible solutions.

A seeker of truth in pursuit of knowledge, Sagittarius rules religions, philosophy, and institutions of higher learning. It rules foreign countries and languages, and traveling long distances to explore other cultures. Through these avenues Sagittarius expands its understanding of the world and uplifts its personal beliefs and philosophy of life. In its search for truth, Sagittarius covers a lot of ground!

Sagittarius loves adventure, physicality, freedom, wide open spaces, and the outdoors. The natural world and animals, especially horses and deer, are symbols of Sagittarius. It rules outdoor pursuits such as hunting, natural history and the science of ecology. Sagittarius enjoy participating in sports for the physical experience and knowledge gained.

Sagittarius’ love of wide open spaces can cause it to become claustrophobic and commitment phobic if it senses it is losing the mental, emotional and physical freedom it craves. Always on the move looking for the next new adventure beyond the horizon, Sagittarius easily becomes bored and restless. Lacking patience and focus, it misses details and lacks the staying power to see a project through to completion. It prefers to see the forest, and not the trees.

Sagittarius is friendly, direct, and values honesty. It is generous and willing to share. Fun-loving Sagittarius has a sense of humor. It inspires others to lighten up and be optimistic, and to have faith and trust in the future.

The Sagittarius love of expounding on its philosophy can lead to preaching, close-mindedness and fundamentalism if unchecked. Problematic Sagittarius can become attached to being “right”, to being an expert, or a wise person or authority. In this way Sagittarius can cut itself off from exploring other points of view, beliefs or philosophies that might expand its own world view and spiritual vision of life.

Areas of life ruled by Sagittarius include our personal beliefs and philosophy, our vision of life. Religious institutions, practices, rites and ceremonies are Sagittarian. Moral and ethical standards, the law, legal affairs, and publishing are all ruled by Sagittarius. The higher mind and the ways we acquire wisdom, such as through formal education in a college or university, are Sagittarian. Venturing beyond our home to gain new experiences and long distance travel are in the domain of Sagittarius.

Archetypes for Sagittarius include philosophers, college professors and teachers, clergy, spiritual leaders, visionaries and shamans. Travelers, gypsies and wanderers, such as the cowboy riding off into the sunset are also Sagittarius archetypes. Parts of the body ruled by Sagittarius include the hips, upper legs and thighs, the pancreas and fatty tissues. The gem for Sagittarius is turquoise. Its metal is tin. Sagittarius plants are birch trees and dandelion flowers. Its animals include deer and horses. The color for Sagittarius is royal purple.

“Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”
– Edmund Burke