by Lynn Hayes
So I’m in Jamaica for my tenth anniversary and the day I left, Saturn made an exact square to Mars in my chart. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile you may remember that over the past couple of years Pluto has been transiting my Mars, and that’s been quite an interesting ride.
Astrologers like to say that a challenging transit of Saturn (restriction, limitation, confinement) to Mars in the birthchart (drive, desires, action) is like driving with the brakes on. We want to go, we make plans to go, but we can’t go. Those brakes are on, and the car won’t budge.
For the past week or two it has been extremely difficult to move. There I was, just days from a bathing suit vacation, with no energy to go to the gym. Very challenging.
If Saturn has to square your Mars, it might as well be on vacation when you don’t really have to do anything. If you can’t drive with the brakes on, you might as well stop trying to go anywhere. Wash the car, detail it, maybe change the upholstery. But give up the idea of going anywhere until the brakes start working again and can be released.
We are spending the week at a resort with a great gym, so Rich and I have been working out every day. My goal, with my Capricorn Mars, is to go home in better shape than the one I came with. Rich’s goal, with his double Pisces, is to be able to eat more.
Working out has been difficult – it’s hot and humid, and yesterday I developed heat exhaustion (Saturn’s putting the brakes on). So today, I decided it would be better to be the tortoise than my usual hare. I took my time and didn’t push myself, and ended up doing 45 minutes on the cardio eqiupment rather than my usual 30, with the added bonus of noticing that the usual pain in my foot was missing. I felt GREAT, and exhilarated. Finally I listened to Saturn and slowed down.
Under Saturn’s pressure we often find it tempting to just give up. It can be just too hard. But if we persist and keep pressing through, we are rewarded with progress and wisdom.
posted November 8, 2009 at 11:18 am
Glad you are OK from the heat exhaustion, that could put you out. I’ve never been to Jamaica but in NYC I worked with many native Jamaicans who loved their Regay music and other Island treats. Have a great time.
posted November 9, 2009 at 11:39 am
What if your Saturn & Mars are permanently conjoined? (12/17/51,9:11, Philly) and all your nice trines are headed for squares? Hope in growth and stamina & courage?
posted November 9, 2009 at 11:43 am
That’s PM. BTW i’m an avid follower of your column and learn so much from your simple, common sense explanations.You de-complicate the very complex.z3cyph
posted November 9, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Yo’ Lynn!
Lighten up! You’re on vacation for your Anniversary on an idylic Carribean Island, not in boot camp. I propose that you work out when you feel positively motivated to do so, not out of compulsion unless you already have an established routine. Besides your Mars/Saturn/Pluto considerations, the Aquarian Jupiter is trining your Saturn/Solar/Neptune stellium in your 5th house. Also, as brief as you vacation will be, the transiting Venus is Conjunct your Mercury
and vice-versa. Doesn’t that give any ideas?
Get yourself a rum punch and enjoy a sunset under swaying palms as the sun sets and let those “brakes” contemplate how the fronds turn black as twilight proceeds to night. You’ll see Jupiter in the sky as bright as your engagement ring! You’ll be in your paradise! Happy Anniversary!
Enjoy!
posted November 9, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Enjoy, enjoy Lynn. And take some hints from your relaxed & comfortable Pisces (I’m one) he’s got the right idea!!! Stay encouraged and lighten up!!!! Miss you so hurry back.
posted November 9, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Dear Lynn, I can well relate to your experiences with Saturn, Pluto, Mars. When I was born Saturn and Pluto were conjunct squaring Mars and Venus conjunct. The hammerfall of Saturn’s lessons resound throughout my chart and life.
So what to do with the intense harmonic restrictions? The answer is to exercise. What kind? I’ve tried many forms: aerobics, using steps and weights. Running, training for a 10 K [Canada] at the age of 55. Throughout the years of ‘beat-me-up exercise’ I kept the thread of yoga going. As the body pounding exercises took the toll, I realized yoga kept me stronger and more balanced in every way. I have come to hold the study and practice of yoga in highest regard. For me it offers freedom from stiffness and rigidity, the qualities of Saturn that appear so often in my life.
At 62 years I can hold a headstand for 10 minutes, my spine is flexible enough to do a back bend, I can put my hands fully on the floor. I am as strong as I have ever been in my life. Nothing in particular bothers my body as long as I practice yoga. You see, maintaining flexiblity means you can care for your body yourself. If you can easily reach your feet for foot and body care, you will avoid using the services that rely on other’s ability, availability and expense. Is that not true freedom? Yoga is the practice of giving your body freedom on every level. Always with best wishes, Beaverlodge
posted November 9, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Hi Lynn,
Saturn/Mars — well deserved vacation as you mix Heat & Physcial Activity – good girl. And Good Husband to join you, oh yea! now you’re a Lucky Girl!
I am wondering. When listening to you on BlogTalkRadio, what audio equipment (mic) do you use?
Thanks for always showing up (:
posted November 9, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Beaverlodge has the right of it. I have been told over and over that I need to stretch, do yoga, and keep limber or risk joint stiffness and related problems. Then I learned I have Saturn in the 1st house. Well, at least he’s conferred strong teeth and bones, because I haven’t had a cavity in my entire life.
Under Saturn’s pressure we often find it tempting to just give up. It can be just too hard. But if we persist and keep pressing through, we are rewarded with progress and wisdom.
I hope so. Saturn has been grinding me down to a nub lately.
posted November 10, 2009 at 10:48 am
First of all, let me tell you that I love your blog….and astrology….and the knowledge that you share with all of us. Thanks.
I am not sure of my Saturn/Mars connection but I “think” Saturn is in my 2nd (?) house in Virgo and I also “think” that Saturn opposes my Jupiter in Pisces….so in my life I have had money issues but also had everything I’ve needed. It’s probably Saturn that has made me very frugal and has taught me to “squirrel away” for the proverbial rainy days. DOB: 03/28/51 Doylestown, PA, Bucks County @ 12:32 PM
Again….thanks for sharing your knowledge and enjoy your wonderful vacation…sounds so refreshing!
Barb in SC
posted November 11, 2009 at 8:01 am
Karen, that Saturn/Mars conjunction is very useful in your chart because it helps to ground your trines. Trines are indeed very “nice,” but because they tend to make life easier it can be more difficult to develop the inner strength we need to navigate difficult times. Saturn has already been making squares to your “nice trines” over the past few years, and you are mostly now in a breathing period, so just enjoy it. Saturn and Pluto will both square Jupiter in your chart in early 2010 and that is likely to foster change and that growth and stamina you are looking for.
posted November 11, 2009 at 8:05 am
Thanks all for your comments, and Barb – Saturn is actually in your third house, opposite Jupiter in the 9th. The Sun rules your second house, and your Sun is in Aries in the 9th house of adventure and optimism so I suspect that you do have a tendency to want to spend money but that retrograde Saturn is always working against Jupiter’s optimism and keeping the lid on which is what gives you issues instead of just a frugal nature. Still, with Venus in Taurus you do love the security of having that money squirreled away so it sounds like you’ve balanced your chart nicely.
posted November 21, 2009 at 12:48 am
hello
i am so petrified thAT this upcoming Saturn square my Mars will derails me from my online classes I have to take online classes, or move from my loved ones, —because I have some learning impairments that the online school accepts and waives other requirements It is a state school. But the physical school in my backyard will not accept any waiving of math requirements or substitutions at all! I am full of headaches, anger, and isolated because online classes are 3 x’s as hard as physical classes for me. Saturn will square my Mars and Mars rules my 6th house…and I am already battling nervous exhaustion constantly!
Any help? Taurus …Junior presently. FOrmerly A student now a C. and I have to go to graduate school! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
posted November 21, 2009 at 1:58 pm
RE – please post your birth data and we’ll take a look.