The Fertile Dark

...on the Mars/Saturn sextile in the Dark Moon

art by J-Edward Niell

This isn’t meant to be a dark piece, but it does explore the dark.

We are in that time of the month again where we find ourselves suspended between what just happened and what happens next.  The moon is no longer in the sky.  Balsamic and waning in the darkness, there is a translucent quality of transformation stirring.  We call this the Dark Moon.

From this internal gravity, we can nearly see Mars continue to push out of this darkness into the morning sky and Saturn steadily headed into it from the early evening.  Cycles within cycles, yet it's important to know when a dark phase is upon us.  Mars and Saturn—our pair of lovely 'malefics '- also make an aspect to one another today: a sextile (4º Capricorn/Pisces).  Something is under construction. Do we have access to the plans?

The dark has much in common with Mars and Saturn; they are usually considered 'bad' or 'dangerous' and are—in turn— misunderstood. All it takes is a minute of deeper reflection on the nature of the three to realize there is more light to them than meets the eye. Without the dark, there is no light. We can't see stars.  Seeds won't sprout and mycelium won't run.  In Alchemy, without the nigredo phase, the ego would never sink into the weight of its earthliness and clear the way for the next stages of transformation to occur.  It's similar to the 'malefics.'  Without Saturn, there are no morals or ethics.  We don't sit straight or ever consider doing the right thing; without Mars, we are left without desire—no movement, no aim, just free radicals floating, breeding resentment.  We need them all. They are necessary.  There is light to be found.

With the Mars/Saturn sextile, we are witness to one who is green, the other slowly turning black.  Mars is recently inspired by a clarion call for adventure—fresh footed, boots to be broken in, with no clue really of where this goes. Green.  For Saturn, who lurks in the West each night after the sun goes down, it's near closing time.  Last call and the hauntings of all the lessons we've been present with since his ingress into Pisces back in March.  Longing for the light and a cazimi moment, it's Saturn who has us reflecting deeply on the past year even though this one has already begun.  In other words, they are on opposing sides of the fertile dark, yet they are great allies today due to their sextile.

Occurring on the 4th degree of Capricorn/Pisces, snug within the 1st decan of their respective signs, a transmission can be picked up related to the body.  Just as the ego must sink deep into the earth during nigredo, for true healing to happen, we must do the same with our bodies.  We feel it, but can't see it.  Just like we can't see our insides, we have a sense of what is off when balance is lost.  This temporary alliance has much to do with building as well—especially the first steps which include the blueprint and a list of materials needed.  The 'blueprint and materials' will look different for all of us, but the universal truth is that it's helping us construct a plan.

And so, as we descend deeper into the dark of this Moon, maybe this brief harmonious touch between Mars and Saturn will bring forward a clear plan of how to work not only with this Capricorn lunar cycle but with our life ahead. May the dream turn into a vision, then eventually, finding a stunning reality.

Facts:

Mars sextile Saturn: Jan. 10th (4º06' Cap/Pis)

Capricorn New Moon: Jan 11th (20º44' Capricorn)

Mars soon to return to the morning sky

Saturn leaving by mid-Feb

• if you'd like to learn more about these cycles, I have many classes and readings on my website about the subject.

Eudaimonia,

Adam

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