Third Quarter Moon March 14, 2012

Brother and sister Ares and Athena, children of Zeus and Hera, both ruled over all things war for the Greeks. Athena enjoyed the strategic aspects, the maneuverings, and planning, while her brother was all about the force and combat. Athena would and could be satisfied with a crafted treaty to end a disagreement but Ares would settle for nothing less than total, all out, bloody victory. Though brother and sister, they chose sides and squared off against one another in the Trojan War, Ares doing battle with the Trojan's and Athena lending herself to the Greeks. The Ram vs. The Owl.

It's no surprise really that these siblings were so fond of war or that they would ally themselves on opposite sides of a bitter rivalry. Their parents did not exactly provide the most stable environment...Zeus (The Roman Jupiter) and Hera (Juno) remained married despite Zeus's constant philandering with gods and mortals and Hera's retributions to him and his consorts.  Despite all the hostility between the two, who were also brother and sister by the way, Hera remained faithful to Zeus and was considered the model wife and partner.

The dynamics of this sordid family affair, save for Jupiter whose off with his daughter Venus (father daughter dance??), are highlighted in this Last Quarter Moon as the asteroid Pallas Athene opposes Mars, still retrograde in Virgo, and they disperse their energy to their mother's asteroid Juno, conjunct the North Node in Sagittarius and the focal point of a T-square. This phase of the moon cycle was referred to by Dane Rudhyar as the crisis in consciousness as it is a necessary reflection period to take inventory of the results of the new moon intention. So this is a naturally reflective period of time with plenty of starry support to do so. 

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Ares was on the losing side of the Trojan War and  it looks like he may not be in the best position at this time either. Mars is much like Ares: it requires essential freedom to accomplish whatever it is it wants, it is a forceful, masculine energy that prefers to act first and investigate later. Mars is the energy that we all use one way or another to accomplish or fulfill our will.

Ares/Mars is in some trouble right now. Mars is retrograde, turned inward, reflective like the time period. It is a necessary period of restriction of the action principle. Not only is it retrograde but it is in Virgo and therefore tempered further by the grounded (Virgo is an earth sign), thoughtful, yes, reflective, feminine energy. Please be aware here that I am not making any judgements, good or bad for Mars, retrograde, masculine or feminine, simply noting the manifestation of energies within energies.

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Besides being the goddess of war, Athena was the honored goddess of Athens and brought to the good people there knowledge of the arts, great wisdom, healing psychic powers, and stately poise. Wherever the asteroid Palas Athene travels she carries this energy and these possibilities with her...and there is usually a fight.

They are both square to Juno who as we discussed earlier was the honored and revered wife and mother. The asteroid Juno can represent what or where we are "married" in our lives. It can also represent, I feel, the correct use and direction of anger. Remember that Hera took an awful lot of anger out on Zeus's lovers rather than Zeus himself. Also, as beautiful as it is to be resolutely committed to someone or something, how far does one go in their dedication? What are the limits and boundaries in relationship? These are questions to ask when Juno is in the region. 

Clearly this is a very powerful feminine energy here opposed to the masculine energy of Mars.Oppositions require give and take, room to maneuver, possibly compromise. If utilized well a very powerful energy can be created.  If not, frustration, stagnation, and confusion can follow. The choice is each of ours to make.

So this is a T-square: an opposition, in this case Pallas Athene in Pisces opposed to Mars retrograde in Virgo, both squaring Juno conjunct the North Node in Sagittarius. In an aspect such as this the energy is funnelled to and through the force that is squared, which in this case is Juno. I think what this aspect is asking us is are we serving ourselves and others well through our thoughts, actions and commitments. Are we married to the right projects? Are we acting with integrity to our principles? 

Big questions for sure but ever important. Don't forget that Mercury has gone retrograde further drawing us inward. There is a demand for reflection!! Personally I think we should immediately suspend all work, commerce, everything for 3 days, use our emergency supplies, and spend the time in the woods. Everyone. 

Thanks for reading and I haven't mentioned it but feel free to comment.  

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