The Sun-Mars Conjunction ©2010 by Richard Nolle

As seen from Earth, Sun-Mars conjunctions happen approximately once every 25 months or so, on average. At this conjunction, Earth, Mars and the Sun are all aligned, with Earth and Mars on opposite sides of the Sun. This puts Mars at its annual nominal apogee position; i.e. the portion of its orbit where the Red Planet is farthest from Earth.

As with all superior planets (those outside Earth's orbit), Mars is always direct in apparent motion when it is conjunct the Sun. As seen from Earth, Mars is always retrograde when opposing the Sun, but never retrograde in conjunction with the local star. The solar conjunction represents the ultimate diminution of a superior planet's potency in the annual cycle. At such times, the conjoined planet rises and sets completely hidden by the Sun, and is invisible in the night sky: it has, literally and effectively, disappeared. Its astrological meaning is completely subsumed by the Sun. (Sun-Jupiter conjunctions are a special case.)

There are 4,683 Sun-Mars conjunctions in the 10,000-year period from 5400 BCE (Before the Common Era) to 4600 CE (Common Era). During this period, more conjunctions occur in Cancer (479) than any other zodiacal sign, with Leo a close second (475). August (506) has more Sun-Mars conjunctions than any other month, with July (497) close behind. Conversely, the fewest conjunctions occur in the signs Capricorn (305) and Aquarius (304), corresponding to January (298) and February (268). The reason for this variability is largely a function of orbital dynamics.

Earth's perihelion (closest approach to Sol) falls in early January at present, which means that in modern times our home planet is at its peak orbital velocity in January, when the Sun appears to be in Capricorn. The Sun's apparent motion is faster with Earth at perihelion, which means Sol spends less time in Capricorn - leaving less opportunity to align with Mars (or anything else) in that part of the annual cycle. Earth being at aphelion (maximum distance from Sol) in July means that the Sun's apparent motion then is slower and its stay in Cancer is longer, allowing more time for Sun-Mars conjunctions in that sign. This would account for a Cancer peak/Capricorn deficit in Sun-Mars conjunctions currently (since sometime in the 13th Century CE, actually). Earth's perihelion precesses on a cycle of 111,700 years. Over the 10,000-year period covered in these tables, perihelion occurs anywhere from about 8 Virgo (5400 BCE) to 28 Aquarius (4600 CE). (See Earth's Orbital Parameters.) Consequently, the sign distribution of Sun-Mars conjunctions shifts over time . . .

Examples of people born under the Sun-Mars conjunction include baseball greats Hank Aaron and Tom Seaver, singers Desi Arnaz and Eddie Money; actors Bridget Fonda, Shirley MacLaine, Jane Russell, Jill St. John, George C. Scott and Peter Sellers; composer Hector Berlioz, Nero Caesar, musicians Pablo Casals, Xavier Cugat, Alannah Currie, Sandy Denny, Keith Emerson and Liberace; supercomputer inventor Seymour Cray, artist Salvador Dali, actors Bruce Dern and Keir Dullea, spoon-bender Uri Geller, US Presidents Warren Harding (#29) and Lyndon Johnson (#36), sexy spy Mata Hari, long-time Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, singer/actor Kris Kristofferson, philosopher Bertrand Dussell; authors William Saroyan, Upton Sinclair, Gay Talese and Alan Watts; film director Steven Spielberg, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, and designer Diane von Furstenberg.

Richard Nolle, Certified Professional Astrologer consultations/orders (MasterCard/Visa only) 1-800-527-8761 data/fax 480-753-6261 - email rnolle@astropro.com Box 26599 - Tempe, AZ 85285-6599 - USA on the World Wide Web at http://www.astropro.com