The Sun has moved into Gemini today. This means we are now under the influence of the impending Full Moon and Mars’s initiation. It is a very serendipitous thing that these two events should occur at the very same degree at the same time. So on May 21st 2016, we will find the Moon and Mars at 1 degree of Sagittarius opposing the Sun at 1 degree Gemini.
Many of those interested in astrology are familiar with the Full Moon. It is a configuration that tends to dazzle our senses; even in our society where stargazing is lost on the majority of people, the Full Moon still speaks to many of us, still beckons an individual to stop, gaze in awe and appreciate what is happening at the present moment. The Moon has always been associated with time and time-keeping; it tends to aid in the proper timing of events with things “culminating at the full moon” and “beginning at the new moon.” And now we have this time-keeper syncing up with the initiation of the hero.
Mars is the hero, plain and simple. Yes, there are many psychological functions of Mars, namely, self-defense and aggression. Its true when Mars is retrograde, we may feel more short-tempered and frustrated with perceived obstacles. But I want see the mythic story behind these obstacles. So Mars is retrograde. And what this means astronomically, is the Earth is in-between Mars and the Sun. Because of this, Mars appears to us to slow down and reverse its journey across the sky. So to stargazer the question becomes why has the hero reversed their path?
Generally speaking, it is because of an obstacle. No self-respecting hero would turn around without good reason, unless that’s what you’re doing (wink). So something has come up in this journey. And I would like for you to take a moment to imagine your life as a heroic journey.
Who are you?
What is your mission?
[insert fantasy]
The next question that comes up is what is keeping you from this fantasy; what is the obstacle. Now of course, reality isn’t fantasy and usually its not a good idea to get the two confused. Our lives need not live up to our fantasies, but there are parallels. So:
In what way does your immediate life mirror your heroic fantasy?
We’re looking for any small strings of sympathy here. Any connections, specifically opportunities.
I want you to think of any opportunities that you’ve accepted or turned down recently. And just ask yourself why? And then ask yourself how this relates to your heroic journey. The big thing here is whether you are meeting your journey head on. Letting go of any purposes that aren’t true to your inner hero is a part of this as well as embracing the purpose that is of true heart.
So because the Hero has been retrograde, we’re all re-experiencing the purpose of our individual and collective journey of courage. For me it has felt like an internal hardening of the Will. Mars is very much associated with will and passion; unbridled they are deadly, but focused they become the force that creates conscious change. This is our test. Tomorrow, Mars opposes the Sun.
Retrograde planets have been associated with the underworld for a very long time (excuse my lack of references on this). Usually it is Venus and Mercury that are thought of this way because when they are retrograde they go combust, which means they are so close to the Sun that we can’t see them anymore. Because they are invisible, they are considered to be in the otherworld or the underworld. Underworld journeys are associated with initiation. Usually during personal initiations there is a painful journey down to the underworld and some part of us dies, but we are reborn stronger and wiser. However, Mars is not in the underworld when retrograde. Mars is blazing across the sky all night long. Mars is opposed the Sun and not conjunct. We learn something about Mars from this; his initiation is not deep and hidden and having to do with shamanic death. His initiation is about being a bright red star that burns all night, from the moment the Sun goes down to the moment the Sun comes up.
I feel strongly that this is a time to rise to the occasion. To your occasion. To your communities occasion. Someone once said, “all a Greek hero has to do in order to be considered a hero is to rise to their fate.” They don’t necessarily have to fight; they don’t have to even win. They just have to be open to the story that Deity has written.
How can you open your life to your larger story?
When Mars is initiated, he is opposed the Sun. You could also say, when the hero is initiated, he is opposed the source of all life in the Galaxy. But he is not hidden, he is not inside or in the underworld. He is far away from his Source, far away from his home, hes tired, facing the greatest test, maybe the entire purpose of his journey sits in front of him. All the people who he loves are waiting for him back at the root of his journey. But he is here now, and the hearts of all he loves are illuminating him from below. He remembers, in fact he sees now more clearly than ever, the true value of his home. Yet, he is here for a reason. Either to defend what it is he loves or to bring something back of vital importance to that great Source of spirit.
I want to end with some brief horoscopes:
Aries & Aries Rising:
This heroic cycle bears the test of the journey for truth. Seeking far away knowledge to bring back to the home of mind. Expanding the horizons of experience through travel, teachers, and organized spirituality will bring your own inner mind a sense of ease.
Taurus & Taurus Rising:
The heroic purpose of journeying into the heart of something outside yourself. Seeking to merge with another. Bring the resources found in the depth of another back to your own sense of self. See what the reaction is; deep merging with something outside of what you call your own will reveal the value of what you do call your own.
Gemini & Gemini Rising:
The heroic purpose of rising to the outside world. Facing the projected image of self and facing the reality of what really isn’t self. Reaching out to other people; engaging with the outside world, engaging with a partner through heroic purpose will give your own outlook on life something special.
Cancer & Cancer Rising:
The heroic purpose found in everyday experience. Seek health in an integrative way; health being the daily experience of life; the heroic journey to engage in this process of true vitality is active now. This vitality in engaging with the necessity of everyday life will give something to your deep inner world.
Leo & Leo Rising:
The heroic purpose of self-expression. Seek the divine emanation of self through creative outlets. This expression of being, if it be pure of heart, will bring your community much joy.
Virgo & Virgo Rising:
The heroic experience of the journey home. Seek the deep inner purpose; connection to roots and family. The hero who seeks the inner truth will bring something back through their role in society. This exploration of the past, will bring your public work a new direction.
Libra & Libra Rising:
The heroic journey to a truthful tongue. Seek the truth in your mind, your personal altar, the house of the Moon Goddess. The journey to a personal truth is something to share with a larger community. The hero who has found honesty will shed light on the loftiest ideas.
Scorpio & Scorpio Rising:
The heroic experience of possession. Seeking the true possessions; how does one own truly? What is there inside yourself, that is of true value? The hero’s journey to find this possession of personal gold will bring merging (Love) with something outside of yourself.
Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising:
The heroic pursuit of life itself! Seek whatever it is you believe needs to be sought, Sagittarius. The hero is pursuing the dawn of consciousness; what is the true meaning of the Sagittarius spirit? Adventure, truth, heart, will, optimism, these are all key words, but I would encourage you to do some reading and think about what it means to you to be Sagittarius. Seek your true expression; your highest consciousness. This will bring your relationships what they need to survive and it will bring opportunities.
Capricorn & Capricorn Rising:
The cultivation of the inner hero. The spiritual awareness of the Sagittarius principals; and the heroic pursuit of remembrance of freedom and truth. Seek this inner, spiritual awareness, and your rhythm in daily life (health,vitality) will receive its blessing.
Aquarius & Aquarius Rising:
The heroic pursuit of community. Seek the cultures of community; seek to be the embodiment of group ideals. Seek contribution and identification with the group to better understand your own self-expression. The hero who fights alongside her friends and her community will find something of importance to creatively express.
Pisces & Pisces Rising:
The heroic pursuit of societal purpose. Seek the higher contribution, seek the truer role. Where are you meant to be, what are you meant to be doing? Align with that upper world modality of higher purpose to bring back that knowledge to the deep inner self. That deep inner self will be nourished by the rekindling of higher purpose. It may even be a blazing fire. Idealism is strong, devotion is stronger.
This Pisces horoscope reminds me of the strength of the 6th ray in the stars right now. Devotion, Idealism, Fanaticism. Use them wisely and with love. We can align with a real strength of purpose right now.
I want to thank some of my recent teachers for passing on their knowledge and inspiring me: Joseph Crane, Donna Woodwell, Daniel Giamario, Adam Gainsburg, Mykol Radziszewski, Melissa Rosenburger.
If you would like me to send you a podcast I did for these events, please send me an e-mail at jrtrimbach@gmail.com

This painting is a re-do of a William Blake painting (not by me).