Now that we’ve come through the season of balance when day and night are of equal length at Equinox, and the season of extremes with both solar and lunar eclipses this month, next up in the sky scene is an encounter between two ancient rivals: Mars and Antares.
When you look into the southwest sky an hour before sunrise this week, you’ll see two red objects: the higher and brighter one is the red planet Mars; the lower and really flashy one is the red giant star Antares, in the heart of the constellation Scorpio.
The name “Mars” is the Roman rendering of the Greek name for the God of War, which is “Ares.” The star name “Antares” literally means “anti-Ares”, and this red star of the Scorpion has always been known as the rival of Mars for the love of Venus.
When these two are close, passions can flare. Think jealousy, possessiveness, obsession, even quick reactions and fatal blows. It’s lucky for us, then, that the sky holds a soothing promise to these two: Just left of Mars and above Antares the golden-orbed planet Saturn holds sway. Saturn bears the wisdom of time into the scene. He settles the reactive nature of Mars and Scorpio by revealing the consequences of reacting without stopping to consider things first.
And, earlier today and again on Tuesday morning, the waning gibbous Moon sweeps up this trio of Mars, Antares, and Saturn with her reflective glow, as though clearing the space you could say, for the dawning of the Spring Sun.
So if this week finds you short-tempered and confrontational like Mars and Antares, take a peek into the morning sky and cast your lot with the wisdom and glow of Saturn and the Moon instead. And remember when it comes to the stars, it’s always your own choice!