When the Fire Goes Out: Sun in Libra and Mars Cancer
...and what this transit might mean for you
On Wednesday, October 16, the Sun will move into Libra in the Sidereal zodiac.
In both traditional Western and Vedic astrology, Libra is considered the most challenging sign for the Sun. The Sun stands for leadership, vision, vitality and authority. It is a fire planet, which means it is action-oriented and decisive.
Libra, on the other hand, is the sign of balance and diplomacy; it gives you the ability to weigh all options and come up with an answer that works well for everyone.
Libra is Saturn’s sign of exaltation: it’s a sign that helps temper Saturn’s harsh coldness and bring in a sense of fairness and justice. This is democracy at its best, where ideas and policies are slowly and meticulously drafted and each person is given a a yay or nah vote to decide whether they accept these ideas and support the person or party who promises to deliver them. This is a process that takes time, and as the slowest visible planet, the energy of Libra suits Saturns nature and speed.
However, Libra is more challenging to the Sun’s significations, which is why it is its sign of debilitation.
Sun in Libra energy is like a boss who struggles to make a decision because they’re trying to find a solution that will please everyone. Although not a bad impulse in itself, such a leadership approach can lead to delays and frustrations even if the intentions are good. This is why those with their natal Sun in Libra often struggle with vacillation or people-pleasing behaviors.
Mars and the fire element challenge
The Sun takes its journey through Libra every year, so this is not unsual in itself.
However, this year is particularly challenging in terms of the fire element because Mars, the second fire planet, will soon be out of commission as well.
Mars stands for assertiveness, drive, will, energy and action. It is aggression and anger, but also courage, protection and strength.
On October 20, Mars will move into Cancer in the sidereal zodiac.
Moon-ruled Cancer is Mars’ sign of debilitation. On the one hand, Mars in Cancer is a child throwing a temper tantrum at a store, hitting their mother with soft, flailing arms, while tears of anger stream down their cheeks. On the other hand, it is the coward too afraid to stand up to the school bully. It is the intensity of a shark, lurking in the dark of the deep sea to wait out its next victim.
Those who have Mars in Cancer in their natal chart often have issues with defensiveness. Emotionally intense, this have a tendency to lash out in anger and may have difficulties getting into action. On a more positive note, they are adept at fighting to protect those who are most vulnerable and have a strong desire for nurturing.
So what does it mean that the two fire planets are taking a hit?
Mars and the Sun will both be out of commission–and with them the fire element–from October 20 and November 15, 2024.
What this means for you personally will depend on your chart. However, in general, this is a period when you may:
have low energy and vitality
find it particularly difficult to get into action
struggle with making decisions more than usual
be prone to emotional intensity and/or have a have a particularly strong impulse to nurture
Agni (the fire element) also rules digestion, so having it out of commission during this period could also indicate digestive issues.
When this is the case, sports that get the blood pumping or warming, agni-stimulating herbs like ginger, cumin, tumeric or cardamon can help.
The US election
The US presidential election will take place on November 5, when both Sun and Mars are out of commission.
This lack of the fire element could lead to indecision, weary voters and a lack of clarity or moving forward.
Mars in Cancer in particular could speak to some voters taking action out of emotional anger, while others mobilize and find energy in the fight to protect mothers and reproductive rights, moon/cancer-related topics that are very much at stake during this election.
Mars will retrograde in Cancer this year, and not move out of the sign for good until the Spring of 2025. I’ll go more into what this might mean in a later post, so stay tuned.
Michelle R. Dean is a Vedic astrologer and writer based in Berlin. To find out more about Michelle, swing by here.