EYE ON THE SKY: MARS CONJUNCT KETU —
EXPRESSING YOUR POWER WITH LOVE
Suppose you’ve ever watched young children on a playground. In that case, you’ll notice how naturally they express anger—they get upset, let it out fully, and then move on like nothing happened. Anger is a natural emotion, often signaling an unmet desire. While children release it easily, adults tend to suppress it—until it builds up and explodes. That kind of repression is dangerous.
Mars is moving toward a conjunction with Ketu in Leo. In the mean node system, the exact conjunction occurs on July 21, while in the true node system, it peaks around July 26. This energy will be strongly felt between July 13–31, as the two planets remain within 5 degrees of each other.
At its highest potential, the Mars/Ketu conjunction calls us to act on our highest ideals for humanity, especially through leadership in service to others, which Leo represents. But when these ideals are frustrated or blocked, it can give rise to anger and violence. As we’ve said before, don’t waste your energy raging at what you cannot control. Instead, channel your frustration into action: volunteer, serve others, or support causes that matter to you.
This transit blocks you to fell confident in your own power and leadership, especially if you’ve struggled to express these qualities—something particularly relevant for women at this time. If you’ve held back, this is your moment to step up.
The Mars/Ketu combination also favors disciplines like engineering and mathematics, so it’s a great time to focus on invention or structured problem-solving. For Scorpio and Aries rising signs, this alignment can foster spiritual breakthroughs and heightened intuition, as Ketu is the most spiritual of the planetary nodes. Consider a meditation retreat or deepen your daily spiritual practices. Other worldly pursuits may feel frustrating or unfulfilling.
On a broader scale, this conjunction can be volatile for the planet and is often associated with violence and terrorism. Notably, the race riots in St. Louis and Milwaukee, as well as the 9/11 attacks, occurred during Mars/Ketu alignments. While we hope this time around things remain calm—perhaps even too cold for unrest—this is a reminder to find constructive outlets for your emotions. Write letters, post thoughtfully on social media, or contact your representatives. Avoid bottling things up.
On the extreme end, this energy can manifest as accidents, fires, burns, and explosions. Be extra cautious at home and on the road—not just for your own safety, but because others may be careless or distracted.
The silver lining of this conjunction is the opportunity it provides to confront and transform your unconscious fears and repressed anger. If you have Leo or Cancer prominent in your chart, make time to exercise or engage in healthy competition—it’s a safe and effective way to release pent-up stress.
In the collective, this energy can fan the flames of irrational fear, often amplified by the media. The situation with ICE and deportation policies is likely to escalate, as are efforts by opposition groups. Stay grounded and don’t let yourself be swept up in hysteria.
From a global perspective, based on natal charts in our database, this Mars/Ketu conjunction in Leo will likely have a stronger impact on North Korea, Spain, Canada, and Yemen than on the U.S.
While yoga and movement are usually great tools to stay balanced, be gentle with yourself—excessive exertion can aggravate the Vata (air) element, leading to more anxiety. Just take the Mars-inspired advice from Nike: “Just do it.” This transit can bring a sluggish, stuck feeling, but even small actions will help move energy. The mutual house exchange between Saturn and Mars, both tamasic planets, may further contribute to inertia—so fight that by taking initiative.
This transit will especially affect those with key planets between 21-30 Leo or Aquarius, and those running Mars/Ketu or Ketu/Mars dasha periods, particularly if those planets occupy the 4th, 6th, or 8th houses for Taurus, Pisces, or Capricorn ascendants. If so, take extra care while driving and avoid unnecessary risks. Otherwise, there’s no need for alarm—just stay alert and emotionally honest.
To quote Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” Some pieces this season may be sweet, others hard to chew. But don’t let the Grinch steal your joy this holiday. Express your emotions in healthy ways. Be kind. Give back. Donate to your favorite charity. There’s so much need in the world right now.
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