The spring and summer of 2003 promise to bring some unprecedented astrological events which involve Mars, Uranus and Saturn. Corresponding events on the 3rd-dimensional Earth plane are sure to follow the pattern set by these mid-solar system protagonists. Mars is associated with fire, aggression, war, blood, weapons, independence and initiative. At the time of the Challenger breakup, Mars was directly overhead and less than 2 degrees away from the eclipsed spot of December 4, 2002, which was 12 degrees of Sagittarius. At the time of the 9/11 attack Mars was at 0 degrees of Capricorn, opposite the eclipsed spot of 0 degrees of Cancer.

In the near future, Mars will exhibit extreme behavior when it passes "out of bounds" (when it exceeds the 23 South 26 declination) – which means its orbit goes further south than the ecliptic average extreme. The war drums will be beating hot and heavy, and especially on the intense day of March 4 as Mars returns to the 0 degrees of Capricorn spot for the first time since the 9/11 attack. Mars will then remain “out of bounds” until March 21.

It is important to understand that eclipses are considered the harbingers of change. Whenever there is an eclipse, the degree of the eclipse becomes marked as a sort of "hot spot". When transiting planets make aspects (especially in conjunction and opposition) to one of these hot spots, then the influence of the eclipse is felt once again via the transiting planet.

Mars, in particular, is notorious for triggering events. In general, astrological degrees stay hot for the same number of years as the previous eclipse had a total number of minutes. This is usually an influence of two or three years. Already, Mars seems to be making headlines with the current run of news items: 1. A teenager is given the wrong blood type in a transfusion during a heart and lung transplant and dies. 2. 96 people died in a nightclub fire when fireworks set a wall and ceiling on fire. 3. 21 people killed in a stampede in Chicago nightclub. 4. Tanker caught fire off New Jersey. 5. At least 133 people die in a fire in the Taegu underground subway in South Korea. All these incidents are Mars related, through their relation to either fire or blood.

But the action really starts when Uranus enters Pisces on March 10. The last time this happened was March 31, 1919 (remember WWI?). A lot has changed over the last 84 years, but the “Heavenly Man” Uranus still brings his traits of sudden upsets, quantum shifts and breaking of tradition and the established order. Uranus has been in its ruling sign of Aquarius since April of 1995. Since then we have seen the rise of the Internet and the proliferation of cell phones. Who can guess what he will bring in the emotional, universal sign of Pisces?

The sign Pisces is the last of the zodiac and represents the closing of this 84-year cycle. It is associated with the paying off of accrued karma (because there are no signs left before the new cycle begins) but also with the final stages of realization through mysticism and universal compassion. It's payback time for social institutions, and perhaps even those who exploit the environment. Everyone will be stimulated to learn to live with his/her own past karma in a sudden and provocative way.

Now, Uranus in Pisces would be jolting enough, just by itself. But now we’ll be adding to the power of this tension the approach of both Mars and Saturn to their perihelion. The “perihelion” is a planet's closest approach to the Sun in its physical, elliptical orbit. As planets move faster as they approach perihelion, this also tends to intensify their influence.

For Saturn, this happens once every 29.5 years, while it happens every 2 years for Mars. Saturn reaches its perihelion on July 26 with the effect being felt over an entire year; while Mars is closest to the Sun on August 30. The last time these two planets reached perihelion in the same year was 1915 during World War I.

With this backdrop of historical information, the picture of Mars' summer activity becomes even more ominous. Uranus turns retrograde on June 7 and moves backwards towards the onrushing Mars. Uranus and Mars approach conjunction like a pair of long-lost lovers leaping into each other's arms. Even an ordinary, vanilla Uranus-Mars conjunction is a volatile, high-energy combination, kind of like a high-speed crash on your bicycle. However, this conjunction is more like a high-speed freight train derailing in a crowded city.

June 19 is an especially interesting day; it is when the Moon, Mars and Uranus are all within 1 degree of each other. Because this conjunction is in Pisces, it is likely to bring unsettling energies to the public eye, perhaps even in a dramatic way. The exact conjunction occurs June 23, a day that also features a Sun/Saturn conjunction. Perhaps on this day, our leaders will be called upon to account for themselves. We can only hope!

On July 29, Mars turns retrograde just 3 days past Saturn's perihelion. Classically, Mars retrograde periods have been associated with outbreaks of war. The Falkland Islands dispute and the Kosovo strife both occurred under retrograde Mars. The Gulf War of 1991 commenced just 3 days after Mars finished a retrograde period. Now we have Mars turning back to re-unite with his cohort-in-chaos Uranus. Remember, Uranus has been retrograde this whole time.

On August 28, Mars will reach its closest approach to Earth in 73,000 years. Just two days later, Mars reaches perihelion, and this will be the closest Mars has been to the Sun in 300 years. These phenomena are exceptional, both physically and because of the fact that Mars and Uranus are only 4 degrees apart at the time. The saving grace of the whole configuration is that they are both trine to Saturn, indicating that a certain amount of restraint will be present. Saturn is in Cancer, the sign of the people, and perhaps public dissent over war will be the only thing that averts it.

Mars stands direct at 0 degrees of Pisces on September 27. He never does catch up to the elusive Uranus, who is just half a degree away at 29 Aquarius 27. However, they do get close enough to make for potential upsets. We have to wait until May 15, 2005 for the next conjunction. All told, Mars is in Pisces for 6 months, which is an extraordinarily long time when you consider that it takes this planet only 2 years to do a complete circuit around the Sun.

How the interaction of Mars and Uranus will show up in earthly events is highly conjectural. Pisces is associated with glamour, illusion, drugs, oil, cinema, and acting, and rules the feet in the human body. Despite the stereotype of the "otherworldly" Pisces, in this sign our feet touch the ground and allow us to move forward. This is where the "rubber meets the road" and dreams either crash or become reality. By nature, Pisces is a very gentle sign, abhorrent of any conflict, much less an all-out war. As a sign there is a lot of emphasis on behind-the-scenes activity and undisclosed, back room discussion. Perhaps the real intensity of this interaction shall never meet the public eye. We certainly hope it doesn’t play out in physical warfare.

The triumvirate of planets that is Mars, Saturn and Uranus is collectively known in classical, European astrology as "the malefics". This terminology has fallen out of favor with astrologers who realize that all things are part of the Divine, creative matrix. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that this trio is tough on laggards who cling to ego-oriented perspectives, while it also can reward those soul-oriented light-warriors who can hang on and keep their eyes focused on the higher path. The high road may be hardest to climb but it always gives the best view at the end.

Pisces is like the ocean, so deep that a red-hot rod disappears into her depths with just a little hiss, and so sensitive that the slightest breeze will ruffle her surface. With both Mars and Uranus in this sign together, it is like placing two boxers into a perfumed, silk bag. Perhaps they will turn their energies to poetry instead of pugilism. Saturn, the third actor, is the voice of reason and the "reaper" of karmic rewards. Saturn returns to the Sun of the USA chart on October 23. The last time this happened was the day Richard Nixon resigned his presidency!

Perhaps Saturn will again return to cut out that which no longer serves the whole of humanity and our world. As we know, all these planetary forces act upon each individual on the Earth, but as a collective, we see their effects on cities, states and countries. Regardless of the outcome, the summer of 2003 shapes up to be one for the ages. It's best to just worry about your own karma and not so much the karma of those who get all the ink in the tabloids. I'm reminded of a Native American truism that speaks to the idea of each of us tending our own garden. It is here in the garden of our own heart that our own soul flourishes.