Over the next few days Mars in Aries will be aligning in a challenging square formation to Pluto. As I wrote yesterday, Pluto is particularly powerful right now since its motion has stalled as it changes direction to travel retrograde for the next six months.  Mars fuels our desires and the expression of our needs – it inspires and motivates us and provides the enthusiasm that helps to keep us going.  In its own sign of Aries it is most powerful, and the desire nature is very strong right now which makes the square to Pluto that much more challenging.  Pluto says “Whoa! not so fast there buddy.  You can’t have everything you want, and I’m going to make sure of it.”

Because Mars and Pluto both deal with personal empowerment – Mars on a personal level and Pluto on a transformation level – any conflict between these two planets can cause us to feel blocked and our anger and frustration can become intense.  I love the way astrologer Dipali Desai puts it: “Instead of fighting & amplifying the inner battle, then exhausting yourself. Be still and the path opens up to you.”

So today’s inspiration comes from Sarah MacLachlan from the song “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy”, one of the most spine-tingling songs ever:

All the fear has left me now
I’m not frightened anymore
It’s my heart that pounds beneath my flesh
It’s my mouth that pushes out this breath

And if I shed a tear I won’t cage it
I won’t fear love
And if I feel a rage I won’t deny it
I won’t fear love

Companion to our demons
They will dance, and we will play
With chairs, candles, and cloth
Making darkness in the day
It will be easy to look in or out
Upstream or down without a thought

And if I shed a tear I won’t cage it
I won’t fear love
And if I feel a rage I won’t deny it
I won’t fear love

Peace in the struggle
To find peace
Comfort on the way
To comfort

And if I shed a tear I won’t cage it
I won’t fear love
And if I feel a rage I won’t deny it
I won’t fear love
I won’t fear love
I won’t fear love…