Serious Spotlight on Passion: Venus & Mars Meet in Leo
Before a spotlight can shine, the scene must be set.
In the heart of Cancer season 2021, the Moon met with the Sun for a New Moon before moving next to Leo. There, they passed over Venus and Mars who were directly conjunct in the Lion’s Den at 19 degrees. In the very early morning hours of darkness on July 13 with Gemini rising, the Moon shifted from Leo to Virgo, making an immediate opposition to Jupiter in Pisces and throwing a sextile behind them to Mercury in Cancer. Jupiter was already retrograde, preparing to shift back into Aquarius, where Saturn was also retrograde. Mercury had just entered Cancer after a long two month stay in Gemini with a retrograde cycle. Highlighting this entire interaction is the overlaying aspect for all of 2021: Saturn in Aquarius squaring Uranus in Taurus.
We see the pieces carefully placed. With such fixed pressure, this energy has staying power in its own right. To place punctuation on these placements, I ritually created a talismanic blend of herbs and essential oils. Fresh basil and rose petals are nestled in grapeseed oil, and it contains hints of cinnamon, lavender, and rose geranium essential oils. A red wine infused candle was burned for the entirety of the night’s work. It is meant to be used topically and never taken internally. All ingredients were carefully sourced or gifted and steeped together for five days starting from the New Moon in Leo on July 9 until the Venus and Mars conjunction on July 13.
It’s a luxurious blend that will certainly heat up a situation. While it was created at night to be as embodied as possible, it certainly does not have the night’s cooling effect. This combination speaks in shiny iridescence on bright red. These invigorating essences come together to inspire a vibrant urgency that wants to be sustained. This oil in use feels sultry, peppery, headstrong, zesty, profound, blazing, revealing, earnest, determined, fiery, seductive, expressive, and devoted. When used in excess this energy can feel heady, stubborn, dominant, and intimidating; it’s important to exercise discernment and use small amounts at a time.
The fire that we feel when challenges arise stokes the passion to make things happen. It is wholly possible to reach that point with ease. However, it is more hard earned when forged through provocation. Sometimes, the show doesn’t go as planned. Perhaps a cue is missed or a prop is incorrectly moved. An actor can’t throw in the towel and stalk offstage. They have to grit their teeth, doll it up even more, and persist to commit fully.
In the way that this fixed Saturn/Uranus square will be remembered for its disruption of tradition, this Venus/Mars conjunction adding fuel to the interaction will be remembered for the oomph it gave to ignite action. Without any additional placements adding layers to the tone of this aspect, a Venus/Mars conjunction is hot and saucy. And in Leo? Make it a show. We have flirty Venus batting her eyelashes while aggressive Mars smirks his grin. This aspect invites spicy sexual play, making that first move, diving deeper into intimate relations, and an openness about exactly what one truly desires. Layered with extra fixed energy is the invitation to keep all of the good things cooking.
This chart depicts the moment in time with both its bright positivity and its intense squeeze. Saturn is the malefic contrary to sect, meaning it’s the most challenging planet in the chart. Saturn’s whole sign opposition with Venus and Mars in Leo is a key factor in this election that I ultimately decided was vital to its potency. Realistically, Saturn still has to go somewhere in a night chart, and being in the 9th House means this blend is not ideal to be utilized in educational endeavors. In the midst of expressing what you are pining for, I see this as a reminder to be unbending when expressing your wants. It is not prudent to talk about what you want if you’re only doing that to please someone else or cater to their understanding. While we should present our desires in a way that makes sense to a potential partner, we cannot shape our will to fit someone else’s narrative. True pleasure occurs when we practice radical authenticity in all ways, but especially about our sexual desires.
I recommend using this oil blend during night hours, while the Sun is below the horizon. It was purposefully created at night because Venus and Mars are of the night sect, meaning Venus is the most favorable planet and meaning Mars is not as harmful as they could be. The Moon is on the move, shifting from Leo to Virgo and thus shifting from the 3rd House to the 4th House in this chart with whole sign houses, and this adds extra benefit to the use of this oil while at home. Venus and Mars are placed in the 3rd House, emphasizing the communication of desire. The 7th House is ruled by Jupiter in Pisces in the 10th House, putting those desires on full display to a partner. This will embolden your voice to speak up for what you want and be unyielding in your efforts to get it, perhaps going so far to incite haughtiness if left unchecked. This brings forward the playful and serious side of sensuality.
The show will always go on, despite any hiccups or miscommunication in meanings. The deserved intensity will always find a way to shine. The lion’s love breathes fire into relations.
This is the first astrologically elected magical material that I’m publicly sharing, both to keep me accountable and to track my growth. Feedback always welcome!
<3 MRM
