The Moon Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Moon Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Connection is the lifeblood of the manifest 

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

The Moon is the archetypal matter of everything, whereas the Sun is the archetypal spirit of everything. The Sun is the dominating life force that is showered on nature. The life force is connected to the manifest world by the Moon. 

The Moon represents all things dealing with matter, the manifest world, the measure, the mind, personality, connection, fame, and fertility. It is the manifest principle and compliments the non-manifest principle of the Sun. All the planets are important for the life cycle, but the Moon is extremely important in the manifest world given that it bonds the life force, the Sun, with it. 

When all the life cycles are analyzed at once through a quantitative lens, one will see that the Moon's climax point will be the combined life cycle's high point in nature and the same can be said for the Moon's anticlimax point and middling points. This means, the Moon will mark nature's climax, anticlimax, and middling points. This shows that indeed, the Moon is the measure. For example, the face will be a strong indicator of what is going on in the body more than any other body part. If a person is sad, happy, in pain, in pleasure, etc., these states are most easily seen on the face. Also, a facial picture is the most common form of identification for a person. 

The Moon becomes manifest at 3 degrees of Taurus (commonly known as the Moon's exaltation degree) just twelve days before the spring reaches its climax. During this time, the ground is soft enough for the seeds of production and connection to be planted with the sowing of seeds and the cattle set out to graze in the fields. The nurturing of the Moon will occur from 3 degrees of Taurus to 3 degrees of Leo. This also happens on a daily basis with rush hour commutes connecting the workforce with their vocations and coworkers to begin another productive workday. In the human life, prepubescent children start to discriminate and make their first significant connections with their peers. 

Twelve days before the climax of summer, the Moon comes into its peak period using its attributes to lift nature up to its peak. By this time, the Moon comes of age in the range from 3 degrees of Leo to 3 degrees of Scorpio, and gives the day, year, and human life what they need to reach a climax of production with its power of manifestation and connection. The busy part of the day is in full swing in the afternoon, the annual growing season is at its peak thriving in Moon produced humidity, and an adult being highly fertile and having a robust network at this prime time of his/her life allows for a climax of procreation. 

At 3 degrees of Scorpio, the Moon has completed its peak and is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or outcome, of its connecting, fame producing, and fertility functions. Here, the daily work has ended and people are relaxing in the comfort of their home; the annual harvest is being distributed in the markets; and the intense part of adult life finished with retirement fast approaching. Life becomes ever more private at this point. One will begin to see the results of their actions when he/she begins to descend from the peak of his/her life. This quarter for which the Moon gives its results runs from 3 degrees of Scorpio to 3 degrees of Aquarius. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is in the thick of the non-productive period of a workday, year, and human life. One will see what he/she has reaped from his/her sowing. The results of fertility are seeing children come into their own; the result of fame is legacy. Fertility, connections, and fame will decrease as the ability to procreate and connect weakens. 

When the Moon reaches its anticlimax point of death at 3 degrees of Aquarius, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again at its manifestation. This quarter will span from 3 degrees of Aquarius to 3 degrees of Taurus. It is a time when people are in deep sleep from the mental fatigue of the day’s work and play, when the fields cannot manifest life, and humans become disconnected from the manifest world and the people in that world. People will retreat from life in the winter of the day, year and life before being brought back to another cycle of connection, fame, and fertility in its next productive cycle. 

The Moon rises to allow nature to form fertile networks that bring about fame and procreation. After it is nourished from spring climax to summer climax, it turns on its creative and emotional power to bring forth a bountiful harvest with whatever one is creating and building. In the maturing of the Moon, networks retreat and nature turns inward. As the Moon comes into its anticlimax there is an opportunity for space in relationships that have run their course. Nature comes back to one. 

Image Source: By AnonMoos [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Saturn Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Saturn Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Disintegration allows room for new life.  

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

The Sun and Saturn are one of the three pairs of visible planets that have antithetical functions to one another. Saturn's functions include darkness, cold, unconsciousness, and disintegration. These functions are antithetical to the Sun's functions of light, warmth, consciousness, and life. Both antithetical qualities are needed in nature, for their differences keep nature in harmony with their rhythmic back and forth. When one is resting another is working; when one is being nourished another is distributing its results. 

Saturn’s exaltation degree (the point at which it becomes manifest) is at 20 degrees of Libra and about three weeks into the fall season. Planets get their characteristics from the seasonal environments in which they are born. The fall season, a time when temperatures drop, light wanes, and disintegration abounds in nature, nurtures Saturn at its birth. In fall, productive and abundant nature breaks down as the fruits of the current productive cycle are distributed. Mercury puts the life support system into place before Saturn comes through to inhibit nature from any more growth, so the foundation can be laid for a new productive cycle. The old must give way to the new. Saturn rises in Libra, which is the opposite of the Sun’s rise in Aries. Libra is also the opposing sign of the Sun's manifestation and the reason why these planets are antithetical to one another.

Three weeks deep into winter, Saturn comes of age in the range from 20 degrees of Capricorn to 20 degrees of Aries. With its full force and capabilities, Saturn will decimate nature through most of the winter season and twenty days of spring in order allow nature to rest and recuperate for another productive cycle. Saturn reins through the peak of non-productivity. Most people are fast asleep during this time of day, the fields lay barren, and humans are resting in peace and experiencing the bardos. 

Three weeks into spring, Saturn has completed its production. It is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or results, of its productive season through its functions of darkness, chill, unconsciousness, and disintegration. At this time, the Sun has just awakened, and the productive period of a day, year and life is beginning. This quarter for which Saturn gives its results runs from 20 degrees of Aries to 20 degrees of Cancer. Results are often associated with a tangible, positive thing. Saturn’s harvest could be termed as a “negative result/harvest” because Saturn’s job is to disintegrate and tear down the past in order that space can be left for a new future. Thus, in a huge chunk of this quarter in Saturn’s harvest period is the beginning of the grand productive life cycle for a workday, annual growing season, and birth-childhood period of a human. This is when humans are given new life with the previous incarnation left behind, become school children with new inspiration, and sow the seeds for a new productive season. Saturn’s harvest distributes the space that allows for fresh, new growth, and experiences.

In the beginning of summer, when Saturn reaches its anti-climax point of death at 20 degrees of Cancer, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to sleep until it will rise again. This quarter spans from 20 degrees of Cancer to 20 degrees of Libra. The Sun, the life giving force, has matured to adulthood; it holds the full capacity of consciousness, allowing nature to be infused with light, heat, and consciousness powering the peak of productivity. This is the time of year when a growing season is at its peak and ready to show promise.  In the human lifetime, we are most capable and experiencing the prime of life and all the things the world has to offer while creating and procreating. People are ready to realize gains and independence. Saturn rests to recuperate its life destroying power while the Sun reestablishes abundant life in nature with its energy. 

Where the Sun’s efforts create nature’s life force, Saturn tears it down. The Sun is conscious; Saturn is unconscious. The Sun is light; Saturn is dark. The Sun is hot; Saturn is cold. Sun and Saturn rein in the respective extremes of nature: the Sun in summer and Saturn in winter. After Saturn is nourished in the early fall and winter, and productive in the early winter and fall, it distributes its results of destruction and death through the early spring and summer, so nature can have the space and ability to restart a fresh productive season. When Saturn rests in the early summer and fall, life is productive, abundant, and free, creating a new world of ideas and products. Early fall then has Saturn rising to be nourished throughout the weakening and stripping down of nature at the beginning of life’s non-productive period. 

Image source: By Jean-François Millet - http://alexlazar.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/death-and-the-woodcutter-jean-francois-millet3.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10307117

The Sun Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Sun Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

What gives life inhabits all life, but is not affected by life. 

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

The Sun is the archetypal spirit of everything. The importance of the Sun is demonstrated by its prominence in our solar system. All the other planets revolve around it. With its functions of light, heat and consciousness, it is the source of energy and life.

The Sun represents all things heavenly and divine. It is the non-manifest principle from which the manifest springs. All the planets are important for the life cycle, but the Sun is extremely so given it is the root of all other functions. It is the hub of the wheel, while the other planets are the spokes.

The Sun becomes manifest at 10 degrees of Aries (commonly known as the Sun's exaltation degree) just ten days after spring begins. Being born in the spring gives the Sun its qualities of warmth, beauty, and manifestation. Light, heat, and life gain a foothold in nature at this time. Temperatures start to rise, light increases, and more activity is afoot in our hemisphere. 

Ten days after spring is complete, the Sun goes forth into summer, using these attributes to lift nature up. It blazes nature with heat, light, and consciousness, laying the foundation of its productive cycle. By this time, the Sun comes of age in the range from 10 degrees of Cancer to 10 degrees of Libra, and gives the day, year, and human life what they need for peak production. The busy part of the day is in full swing in the afternoon, the annual growing season is at its peak baking under the hot summer sun, and an adult is most conscious and free at this prime time of his/her life. The Sun makes nature alive and conscious. 

At 10 degrees of Libra, the Sun has completed its peak and is ready to bestow and distribute the harvest, or outcome, of its light, heat, and consciousness functions. Here, the outcome of the day, year and life will be evident with the daily work ending, the annual harvest being gathered up, and the intense part of the adult life of raising children and physical work winding down. One will begin to see the results of their actions when he/she begins to descend from the peak of his/her life. This quarter for which the Sun gives its results runs from 10 degrees of Libra to 10 degrees of Capricorn. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is in the first quarter of the non-productive period of a workday, year, and human life. One will see what he/she has reaped from his/her sowing. Light, heat, and consciousness will decrease in nature as darkness, cold, and unconsciousness increase in nature. 

When the Sun reaches its anti-climax point of death at 10 degrees of Capricorn, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again at its manifestation. This quarter will span from 10 degrees of Capricorn to 10 degrees of Aries. It is a time when people will descend into sleep from the mental fatigue of the day’s work and play, when the fields cannot maintain manifest life, and humans become unconscious and unmanifest through death. They will retreat from manifest life in the winter of the day, year and life before being brought back to another cycle of radiant, warm, and conscious life. 

The Sun rises to allow nature to have the building blocks of life and a consciousness that will inhabit the vessels of nature. After it is nourished in spring and productive in summer, it becomes unmanifest revealing the results of its actions. The Sun rests ten days after winter begins when life has died and is hibernating in the abyss. The Sun rises again for nourishment ten days after spring starts to infuse the day, year and lifetime with raw energy and life. 

Image Source: By bazaar arts - http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_500back/vedas/surya/surya.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45318523

The Mercury Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Mercury Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

There are three pairs of visible planets that have antithetical functions to one another; Venus and Mercury are one. Mercury's functions include discrimination, wisdom and legacy. Although not apparent on the surface, its functions are antithetical to Venus'. Carnality, passion, and materialism are more of the domain of Venus; whereas, Mercury deals with cerebral, levelheaded, and non-materialist matters. Venus is the passionate hero; Mercury is the wise sage. Both antithetical qualities are needed in nature, for their differences keep nature in harmony. 

Mercury’s exaltation degree (the point at which it becomes manifest) is at 15 degrees of Virgo. Summer is cooling down and fall is a mere two weeks away. Planets get their characteristics from the seasonal environments in which they are born. Late summer, a time of reaping, commerce, reflection, and relaxation, nurtures Mercury at its birth. This season, where we begin to see the results of our actions and reap what we have sown, imbibes Mercury with mercantile savvy (at a time of selling crops), discrimination (and choosing the best of them), understanding, and legacy. It provides Mercury with the qualities we use to transfer resources, power, and legacy to another day, season, and generation. Mercury rises in Virgo, which is the opposite of Venus’ rise in Pisces (the opposite of Virgo). Virgo is also the opposing sign of Venus' manifestation and the reason why these planets are antithetical to one another.

As Mercury nears winter, it comes of age in this range from 15 degrees of Sagittarius to 15 degrees of Pisces. Here, it allows the day, year, and human life to retain what was achieved in order to sustain itself through the coming night, winter and death. Because of Mercury, the next day, year and life can draw from and build on what came before. Mercury thrives most during this quarter of non-productivity with its job of keeping an intact legacy from one productive period to another. At this time, it passes on knowledge and wisdom to future days, years, and generations. Here, we move into the peak period of rest and rejuvenation; the annual harvest is vigorously being distributed; and an elder is about to close out her life while her children start to retire, and her grandchildren begin the peak of their lives, employing her legacy. Mercury sustains nature while Venus sleeps. Without Mercury, we would always be reinventing the wheel and starting from square one. We would never be able to build on past achievements in order to makes larger achievements. There would always be a repeating of mistakes.  Mercury is essential for building on past achievements in order to reach higher achievements. Where Venus ends, Mercury begins. Where Venus creates, Mercury refines. Venus is the carnal and material, where Mercury takes us to the subtle and sublime. 

About two weeks before spring begins, Mercury has completed its production. It is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or results, of its productive season through its functions of discrimination, wisdom, and legacy throughout nature. At this time, Venus begins to wake up, and the dawning period of a day, year and life will begin again. This quarter for which Mercury gives its results runs from 15 degrees of Pisces to 15 degrees of Gemini. A huge chunk of this quarter is the beginning of the productive life cycle for a workday, annual growing season, and birth and childhood period of a human. This is when humans wake up with new inspiration based on what came before; start to sow the seeds of last season for a new productive season; and are conceived, born, and nurtured with Mercury’s wisdom of old. 

In the late spring, when Mercury reaches its anti-climax point of death at 15 degrees of Gemini, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to sleep until it will rise again. This quarter spans from 15 degrees of Gemini to 15 degrees of Virgo. Venus, the vessel, has matured to adulthood; it holds the full capacity of consciousness, allowing nature to complete the tasks of the soul's urges. People are ready to realize gains and independence. This is the time of year when a growing season is at its peak and ready to show promise.  In the human lifetime, we are most capable and experiencing the prime of life and all the things the world has to offer while creating and procreating. Mercury rests with its indifference, etherealness, prudence and wisdom while Venus reestablishes desire, carnality, abundance, and foolishness. 

Where Venus’ efforts create nature’s wild passion and vitality, Mercury carries the worthy legacy of Venus' efforts for another productive period. Venus is foolhardy; Mercury is discriminating. Venus is vigorous; Mercury is frail. After Mercury is nourished in the late summer and fall, and productive in the late fall and winter, it distributes its results of discrimination, wisdom, and legacy through the late winter and spring season, so nature can learn from its mistakes and builds on its past achievements for a more intelligent, wise, and refined world. When Mercury rests in the late spring and summer, life is productive, abundant, and free, creating a new world of ideas and products. Late summer then has Mercury rising to be nourished during the collection of life's gains and wisdom to be distributed throughout nature at the beginning of life’s non-productive period in the fall. 

Image source: By user:Tomisti ([1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Venus Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Venus Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

Venus primarily represents a vessel for consciousness, such as the body. It provides a healthy body for one's soul, beauty throughout nature, and vigor to accomplish one's tasks in life. Without Venus, one could not have a body to hold the soul on Earth, nor have enough energy to complete tasks, nor experience inner or outer beauty. 

Venus becomes manifest at 27 degrees of Pisces (commonly known as Venus' exaltation degree) just as spring is about to commence. The season a planet is born into nurtures the planet with that season’s own characteristics. Spring bestows Venus with its qualities of warmth, beauty, and new life. It is a time when fresh bodies are born into nature.

Once spring is complete, Venus then goes forth into summer, using these attributes to lift nature up, gracing it with beautiful vessels to hold nature’s abundance. Also thanks to Venus, there will be plenty of energy for all the work that needs to be done. By this time, Venus comes of age in the range from 27 degrees of Gemini to 27 degrees of Virgo, and gives the day, year, and human life what they need for a peak productive period. The productive part of the day is in full swing in the afternoon, the annual growing season is at its peak baking under the hot summer sun, and an adult is at his/her most vigorous and able to accomplish his/her tasks. Venus allows the consciousness of nature to express itself via vibrant, strong, beautiful bodies. Without Venus, there would be no vehicle or physical form for consciousness in nature to express itself. Life would be flat, ugly, unrefined, and lazy.  

At 27 degrees of Virgo, Venus has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or results, of its productive season through its functions of vigor and aesthetics in nature. At this time, the harvest of a day, year and life will be well underway with they daily work ending, the annual harvest being gathered up, and the intense adult life of raising children and physical work winding down. One will begin to see the benefits of one's labors from the productive part of life. This quarter for which Venus gives its results runs from 27 degrees of Virgo to 27 degrees of Sagittarius. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the first quarter of the non-productive period of a workday, year, and human life. One will see what they have reaped from his/her sowing. Vigor and health will decrease in nature as the ripe incarnations are distributed according to their value. 

When Venus reaches its anti-climax point of death at 27 degrees of Sagittarius, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again at its manifestation. This quarter will span from 27 degrees of Sagittarius to 27 degrees of Pisces. It is a time when people will sleep from exhaustion of the day’s work and play, when the fields will lay barren, and humans will die when their body can no longer endure to hold their soul. They will commit the final acts of the day, year and life before being brought back to another cycle of productivity and work.

Venus rises to allow nature to have a vehicle for its consciousness and provides it the vigor to complete its tasks. After it is nourished in spring and productive in summer, it distributes its results of ripe bodies and food in the fall. Nature can thus be sustained throughout the non-productive seasons. When Venus rests right before winter, when life dies, hibernating in the abyss. Venus rises again for nourishment right before spring, just before spirits are ready to reincarnate within various bodies that get the work of a day, year and lifetime done. 

Image Source: By Henri-Pierre Picou - http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=7062, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10733654

The Jupiter Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Jupiter Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's​ life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

​Of the seven visible planets, t​here are three pairs that have antithetical functions to one another: Sun and Saturn, Venus and Mercury, and Mars and Jupiter. (The Moon has a unique function that is not antithetical to any other planet, but is an extremely important planet in astrology as it is the archetype of the manifest universe.)

Jupiter's functions include pleasantness and wealth. Its functions are antithetical to Mars'. While Mars is lean and mean, Jupiter is fat and easy going. Mars is progressive, Jupiter is conservative. Mars is about survival, while Jupiter allows one to enjoy life with it comforts. Without Jupiter, we would​ never enjoy the results of our hard work or get any downtime. 

Jupiter becomes manifest at 5 degrees of Cancer (commonly known as Jupiter's exaltation degree) when summer is just starting out. This is also the opposing sign of Mars' manifestation and the reason why these planets are antithetical to one another. The season a planet is born in determines how that planet is nurtured. Summer nurtures Jupiter at its birth with an environment of pleasantness, abundance, and productivity. This season of comfort and plenty imbibes Jupiter with pleasantness, products, and wealth. It provides Jupiter with the qualities we use to enjoy the fruits of our labors during the fall harvest. 

By the time Jupiter comes of age in the fall, the range from 5 degrees of Libra to 5 degrees of Capricorn, the planet gives the day, year, and human life what they need to relax and enjoy themselves during the first half of the non-productive cycle. The non-productive part of the day begins; the annual harvest is brought in; and an adult has made his/her contributions to society, is ready to supervise others, and go into retirement. In this quarter, Jupiter is geared toward non-productivity with its functions of pleasantness, comfort, and wealth. Jupiter fattens life up in order that life may be enjoyed and sustained until another productive season can begin. Jupiter sustains Mars’ past innovations and efforts. Without Jupiter, life would always meager and harsh. There would be no resting on one's laurels or stopping to smell the roses. Life would also be unforgiving, with a lack of reserves and support. Jupiter is essential for enjoyment, sustainability, and comfort. 

In winter, Jupiter has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its​ harvest, or ​results, of its productive season through its functions of pleasantness, comfort, and wealth throughout nature. At this time, the sleep period of a day, year and life will come to fruition. This quarter for which Jupiter gives its results​ runs from 5 degrees of Capricorn to 5 degrees of Aries. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the peak of non-productivity for a workday, annual growing season, and adult period of a human. This is when humans sleep, fields lay barren, and humans die.

In the spring, when Jupiter reaches its anti-climax point of death at 5 degrees of Aries, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again. This quarter spans from 5 degrees of Aries to 5 degrees of Cancer. It is a time when Mars inspires people to innovate. People are ready to wake up and start another productive day at school or work. This is the time​​ of year when a new growing season is kicked off.  In the human lifetime, we​ are nourished and supported by our parents in order that we may be productive in our adult years. Jupiter rests while Mars reestablishes innovation and purpose. 

Where Mars wakes and sleeps early, Jupiter is the late riser and late sleeper. Where Mars’ efforts create nature’s wealth, Jupiter gathers those fruits and uses them to sustain us through nature’s non-productive periods. Mars is harsh and revolutionary, while Jupiter gives comfort and cushion and keeps things conservative. After Jupiter is nourished in the summer and productive in the fall, it distributes its results of pleasantness, comfort, and sustainability through the winter, so nature can make it through the non-productive cycle of life and be ready for a new fertile season. When Jupiter rests in the spring, life is invigorated and inspired to produce again. Summer then has Jupiter rising to be nourished for sustainability, pleasantness, and conservation in the peak of life’s abundance. 

Image description and source: Bronze bust of Jupiter, Roman copy (2nd century AD) after Greek original (2nd half of the 4th century BCE. khm.at 

The Mars Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's​ life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

Mars' functions in the life cycle include initiation, inspiration, innovation, and purpose. From these key concepts, it is clear that one needs Mars to get anything started and to leave old ways behind. Without Mars, one would​ remain adrift in a sea of purposelessness and archaism.

Mars becomes manifest at 28 degrees of Capricorn (commonly known as Mars' exaltation degree) when winter is well underway. The environment a planet is born in determines​ the attributes it will espouse. Winter nurtures Mars in its infancy with an environment of freezing temperatures, barrenness, and lack. This season of survival imbibes Mars with its attributes of meanness, leanness, discipline, inspiration, and the will to live. It hardens Mars with the qualities we need to sustain ourselves through harsh winters.

By the time Mars comes of age in the range from 28 degrees of Aries to 28 degrees of Cancer, the planet gives the day, year, and human life what they need for a productive period. The productive part of the day begins, the annual growing season is started, and a child is infused with inspiration and purpose. In this quarter, Mars is geared toward productivity with its functions of discipline, inspiration and self-preservation. Mars breaks down the past so a new productive and innovative future can be established. Without Mars, the current state of affairs would flounder in the past, and new innovations would not see the light of day. Mars is essential for people to adapt to life's changes ​​by turning toward inspiration and purpose.

At 28 degrees of Cancer, Mars has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its​ harvest, or ​results, of its productive season through its functions of inspiration, drive, and​ purpose throughout nature. At this time, the purpose of a day, year and life will come to fruition. This quarter for which Mars gives its results​ runs from 28 degrees of Cancer to 28 degrees of Libra. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the peak productivity period of a workday, annual growing season, and adult period of a human. 

When Mars reaches its anti-climax point of death at 28 degrees of Libra, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again. This quarter will span from 28 degrees of Libra to 28 degrees of Capricorn. It is a time when people are not inspired to innovate. People are enjoying the harvest of the day by relaxing at home or enjoying some entertainment. This is the time​​ of year where we​ exchange​ gifts and shop more than usual. In the human lifetime, we​ retire​ and enjoy the fruits of our lives. It is all about resting on one's laurels. 

Mars is the early riser and the early sleeper. With the larger life cycle that Mars plays one-seventh of a part in, it rises to inspire and invigorate nature to break away from the old and establish the new. After it is nourished in winter and is productive in spring, it distributes its results of inspiration and purpose in the summer, so nature can be revitalized for a productive season. When Mars rests in the fall, life relaxes and we ​enjoy the fruits of its hard work. Mars rises again for nourishment in the barrenness of nature​ as life itself sleeps or ​dies in the winter. 

Image description and source: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e4-19f1-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99