Mars Enters Cancer

As the planetary ruler of war, Mars is used to wearing armor and wielding swords, so when the Crab directed him to don an apron and get cooking, the stew wasn’t the only pot to be stirred.

In a matter of minutes, Cancer’s cozy cookery was transformed into Hell’s Kitchen as Martian anger shattered the domestic bliss the Crab had worked so diligently to cultivate.

As the ruler of Aries, the warrior’s relationship with Cancer is by nature a stressful one, which means that unless Mars finds a healthy was to relieve his tension the next six weeks will be punctuated by domestic disturbances.

Fortunately, Mars loves a challenge.

With Mercury retrograde until August 26 and in the shadow until September 9, there is a greater likelihood for misunderstandings while Mars is in Cancer, and since this fiery planet energizes whatever it touches, emotions are intensified.

Although Mars will defend and protect the family against any and all external threats, he is likely to be the cause of many of its internal arguments. 

After all, Mars is renowned for his courage and confidence, not patience and tolerance, and given the planetary energies this month he is going to have to dig deep to avoid an all-out war.

Negatively, our fury is easily ignited, and as Mars engages Uranus, Pluto and Saturn at various times this month we will need to exercise serious self-restraint if we wish to avoid a full-blown eruption.

A positive use of this Martian energy would be to channel it into a productive outlet such as making physical changes in the home.  Whether it is redecorating, making repairs, building a deck or some other home improvement project, Mars can be counted on to do his share of the work.

Mars is also known for his leadership abilities, and while in Cancer he immediately takes charge of the household.  Consequently, during this time we may feel motivated to play a more active role within our own tribe.

Finally, while Mars is in Cancer our physical appetites are also likely to be stimulated.  Some of us will crave food but most of us will crave intimacy, and when Mars is involved the odds of attaining our desires are vastly improved.

Of course, attainment and fulfillment is not necessarily the same thing.

An ego-driven sign, at any other time Mars wouldn’t notice the difference and even if he did, he wouldn’t care as long as his own needs were being met.

However, while immersed in Cancer sensitivity Mars experiences an emotional need to nurture someone else.

For Mars, who beat out every other sign for the nickname “I, I, I, me, me, me,” this is not a comfortable position.

Likewise, it may not be comfortable for us either.

Nevertheless, like Mars, we too must rise to the challenge and try to strike a balance between satisfying our own ego and meeting the needs of another.

And even if we lose, Mars will still be proud as long as we go down fighting.