Mars – Part One: Desire – Recording Only

Webinar Description

Mars – Part One: Desire

In the first seminar we will explore the mythology of the Greek god Aries, the Roman god Mars, and the war-gods of other cultures, as well as Mars as he appears in the Kabbalah, the symbolism of alchemy, and the Major Arcana of the Tarot. We will then focus on what these images and stories might suggest about psychological patterns on both individual and collective levels, and what they can tell us about ourselves. This will include themes such as the relationship between anger and depression, between impotence and brutality, and between self-assertion and individuation. We will also consider Wrath, the Third Deadly Sin, and what happens when the war-god confronts the doctrines of dogmatic religions. The focus in this seminar will be on Mars in the natal chart, by sign, house, and aspect, and as the ruler of both Aries and Scorpio.
[Image: Statue of Mars Ultor, 2nd c. CE, Museii Capitolini, Rome]

Mars Webinar Series Overview – The Astrology and Psychology of ‘The Red One’

Mars, known as the ‘lesser malefic’, has always had a bad press. Astrological texts throughout history have associated the ‘red planet’ with rage, violence, war, brutality, aggression, and sudden acute and violent illnesses, accidents, and deaths. Yet Mars is also associated with valour, virtue, courage, heroism, and nobility, and was known as the Protector as well as the Avenger. In Western countries we are living in a climate where most Martial attributes – whether negative or positive – are no longer deemed of value. Anger is permissible as long as it is ‘justifiable’ anger on behalf of the ’right’ cause, when the rage, brutality, and dominance of Mars can be projected on a suitable external culprit; and acts of personal valour, courage, heroism, and justifiable self-defence are admirable in the superheroes of the Marvel Comic Universe but have no place in a civilised and ‘enlightened’ society in which all decisions should ideally be made by consensus.

In today’s unstable world, Mars is understandably viewed with suspicion. Yet Jung referred to the war-god as a symbol of the ‘principle of individation’ in its most instinctive and primal form. We yearn for a champion who can rescue us and fight on our behalf because we have forgotten how to fight for our own individual integrity, our own individual values, and our right to individual self-determination.  The war-god is a fundamental dimension of every mythological pantheon, and the planet is present in every birth chart. It may be wiser to try to understand this archetypal figure and work with it creatively, rather than ‘cure’ it, suppress it, or force it into the service of questionable agendas. Mars does not favour any political party, but he can be appropriated by any of them. We may fail to understand what happens, on both individual and collective levels, when we devalue, abuse, or attempt to appropriate an archetype. Perhaps astrologers need to ask the same question of Mars that Parzival was once required to ask of the Holy Grail: what and whom does it serve?

Will, drive, aggression, masculinity. These words often have negative connotations in our modern world. Mars is in crisis right now as we struggle with criminality, patriarchy and high rates of suicide. The warrior has been demoted to a safe fictional character or demonised in war, gang violence or as the sexual predator. Have we forgotten how to honour him?

In this re-evaluation of Mars, our driving force in life, we will look at why Mars is so important to every one of us and what terrible problems he can cause in life if we try and ignore him. How can we restore him to a noble figure?

---

About Liz Greene

Liz Greene founded the CPA with Howard Sasportas in 1983, and continues to be its Director. In 1996 she created the CPA Press, which publishes selected seminars offered by various tutors as part of the CPA seminar programme. She holds a doctorate in psychology and is a qualified Jungian analyst. She also holds a diploma in counselling from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology in London and the diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, of which she is a lifetime Patron.

She is the author of many books on astrological, psychological and mythological themes, which have been translated into a number of languages including Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil, Relating, Astrology for Lovers, The Astrology of Fate, The Mythic Tarot (with Juliet Sharman-Burke), and The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption.

The CPA Press has published Barriers and Boundaries: The Horoscope and the Defences of the Personality, The Art of Stealing Fire: Uranus in the Horoscope, The Astrologer, the Counsellor and the Priest (with Juliet Sharman-Burke), The Horoscope in Manifestation: Prediction and Psychological Dynamics, Relationships and How to Survive Them, Apollo’s Chariot: The Astrological Sun. These are now available from Wessex Astrologer.