Mars conjunct Neptune

Sunday’s Mars/Neptune conjunction starts a new, 2-year cycle between the planet of ambition and drive and the planet of dreams and creativity. Occurring in the 2nd to last degree of Pisces/the zodiac, it’s a potent test of our ability to embrace faith and surrender to inevitable change. Mars/Neptune is widely considered an “uncomfortable” pairing, but it doesn’t have to be if we adopt the right mindset towards change.

Tarot Majors include The Moon (Pisces) which can indicate uncertainty/anxiety about a situation, The Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter traditionally rules Pisces) reminding us change (and along with that growth) is the ultimate constant. The Tower (Mars) and The Hanged Man (Neptune) are the key players – and are both “co-rulers” of this conjunction (Neptune is the Modern ruler of Pisces and Mars is the decan 3 ruler of Pisces) These two cards reiterate that change is inevitable, and seeing things from a new and enlightened perspective can help us embrace any “Tower moment”.

The Queen of Wands holds dominion with Mars/The Tower over Pisces decan 3 (her shadow decan – she also passionately and courageously rules decans 1 & 2 of Aries). Along with the 10 of cups the decan Tarot trio speak of creatively focusing our passions to achieve fulfillment and prosperity – happy “endings” are an illusion because nothing ever ends, but we can and should still strive towards building our dream life with integrity.

The I Ching hexagram is 25 (Innocence) – Heaven over Thunder, Line 1 which alternates to Hexagram 12 (Standstill) – Heaven over Earth. These two hexagrams encourage utilizing common sense, faith in divine timing and a pure heart in times of impending change.

The Sabian Symbol for Pisces 29 is A prism which Burgess describes as “We do not know God only by surrendering the self, we need also to express the self creatively.” How perfect for a Mars/Neptune combo! I’m reminded of the Octavia Butler quote: “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change.”