(Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in Vedic and western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most western astrologers.)
Mars has been transiting in Aquarius since April 7, 2022. On Tuesday May 17, a few minutes after midnight Eastern Time (early morning UTC), Mars will transit out of Aquarius and into Pisces, where he will remain until June 26.
Mars in astrology characterizes our energy, personal power, and capacity to deal with problems and conflicts. In mundane astrology, Mars is the planet that deals with strife and specifically issues with police, law enforcement, and the military, violence, mobs, riots, aggressors, sedition, political fanaticism, rebellions, and attacks.
On May 15 and 16, Mars is transiting at the 29th degree of sidereal Aquarius. This degree in any sign is called anaretic, meaning “that which destroys form.” It often represents the end of a cycle but also can carry a sense of either “too little too late,” or of being “at the end of one’s rope.”
Mars signifying our energy and will power acts in a somewhat restrictive manner to block progress when it is in the anaretic degree. But fortunately, it’s just transiting here for two days. It is often very difficult when we see an anaretic Mars in a natal horoscope, as it can suggest low self-esteem, anxiety, or vulnerability and a chronic sense of being under attack or victimized.
Mars is also transiting in mrita avastha, the last 6 degrees of an odd sign and first six degrees of an even sign (according to Vedic astrology), from May 10-25. This is a point of weakness which can in some instances reflect heightened recklessness, frustration, burn-out, and violence.
Mars in Aquarius = (lower expression/shadow issues): militaristic, criminal and police conflicts, dictatorial, gets into disputes, enraged and violent
Mars in Pisces = (lower expression/shadow issues): overdrawn financial reserves, impetuousness, erratic, doesn't follow through, emotional, full of doubt, or lethargic
From May 4-22, Mars is also transiting in the incendiary and radical Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra which extends from 20 degrees Aquarius to 3 degrees and 20 minutes of Pisces.
From May 11-24, Mars is in conjunction with Neptune (using a 5-degree orb for applying and separating). The conjunction will be exact on May 18 in the navamsa of Cancer where Mars is debilitated (weak) and can indicate threat of fires, militant emotions, violence, personal or interpersonal strife, or demagogy.
This conjunction of Mars and Neptune in its lower expression can point to confusion, delusion, paranoia, and misuse of energy (poor decision making and choices, and not taking responsibility for one's actions). It can feel lazy, unmotivated, foggy, or just blah. This can be especially true for Mars ruled people: Aries and Scorpio ascendant, Sun, or Moon, or for those in Mars dashas. Yet, this conjunction in its higher manifestation can also enhance spirituality and creativity.
Around May 23-24, Mars will conjoin the ill-reputed fixed star Scheat which lies at 5 degrees and 30 minutes longitude in Pisces. Scheat is a corner star in the Great Square of Pegasus constellation which borders Pisces. Pegasus is named after the flying horse who was born out of the Gorgon Medusa’s blood after Perseus decapitated her. The conjunction of Mars with Scheat can be associated with evil actions, bad judgment, extreme violence, and accidents.
The Birth of Pegasus, oil on copper painting, attributed to Geex de Lavallée
From May 27 through May 30, after its conjunction with Scheat, Mars will be in a planetary war with Jupiter. This is known as graha yuddha in Vedic astrology. In times past when we have had this combination in Pisces, there were more warlike events than usual, as well as fires, explosions, and accidents. Mars will also form an exact conjunction with Jupiter at nine degrees of Pisces on May 29. This is also called a Guru Mangala yoga in Vedic astrology.
In a birth chart, Guru Mangala yoga can reflect great intelligence, enthusiasm, dynamism, and potential for leadership. However, when it is afflicted by being in a difficult house or ruling difficult houses, or along with certain challenging aspects and conditions in a horoscope, this combination can suggest criminality and depraved and vulgar behavior, as in the birth charts of American televangelist and convicted fraudster Jim Bakker, and German Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring.
Using a five-degree orb of aspect, the Mars-Jupiter conjunction will be in range from May 20 to June 6. Mars and Jupiter form a conjunction every few years, and the last time they did so in Pisces was in May 2011. For those birth charts having the ascendant, Sun, or Moon in the constellations of Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces, or Aries, the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter forms a raja yoga which implies some potential for power and purpose, positive energy, and success in range from May 20-27 and May 31-June 6.
Even though some like to rally around the popular meme, "We're living in unprecedented times," I hardly think that's accurate. The current Neptune-Mars conjunction in Purva Bhadrapada nakshatra (Aquarius and Pisces) occurred in Aquarius a few years ago. And, it does indeed have a precedent in recent world history. The last time this specific conjunction occurred was in 1859, when various events fueled the fires leading into the American Civil War of 1861-1865. Before that, there was also a conjunction in 1857 during the "Indian Mutiny," a widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in India.
Neptune in mundane astrology relates to collective idealistic enterprises. Mars and Purva Bhadrapada also represent rebellious forces. Mars-Neptune-Purva Bhadrapada in their lower expression also relate to dangerous political propaganda and mass media deception.
I pray that the transit of Mars in Pisces will be peaceful and auspicious for all beings. If you are having some difficulties with your Mars energy and these Mars transits, here are some suggestions: Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge, meditation, sacred scriptures, etc.); all forms of physical exercise; prayers to Archangel Michael; chanting Shiva mantras, Mars/Kartikeya or Baglamukhi mantras, or the Hanuman Chalisa; sublime energetic healing of the manipura chakra; Red Coral gem elixir; herbs to calm down an overheated and aggravated Mars: for instance, this formula called Stress Free Emotions (and if you use my MAPI referral link you can get 25% off); or foods and herbs to boost energy if Mars is weak, like Ceylon cinnamon, black pepper, saffron, turmeric, astragalus, and ashwagandha.
The remedies that will be most relevant for you depend on many factors in your astrological chart. As always, I am available for astrological consultation which can be booked through my website.
Salutations to the son of the Earth-Om Mahisutaya namah!
Salutations to the auspicious One-Om Mangalaya namah!
Salutations to the brave hero-Om Mahasuraya namah!
Salutations to the son of Lord Shiva-Om Subrahmanyaya namah!
Salutations to the One who gives boons-Om Varadaya namah!
Salutations to the One who is without fear-Om Vitabhayaya namah!
Salutations to the One who removes fear-Om Bhayaghnaya namah!
Salutations to the One who dispels misery-Om Duhkhabhanjanaya namah!
Salutations to the One who purifies consciousness-Om Sucikaraya namah!
I offer my obeisance to Sri Mangala. Jai Mars!