Semi-quintile Mars – Saturn

(Transit. Mars → Natal Saturn)

Avesalom Podvodnyi. Aspects

Tridecile of Mars: A barrel of luck cannot replace a spoon of conscience. This aspect gives a person the opportunity and desire to direct their energy through the areas of the Planet toward supporting life in the forms in which they are inclined to perceive it. Through active engagement in this life, self-expression successfully takes place—meaning external realization, and often incidentally also the shaping of inner life—which, when worked through, gives them a sense of belonging specifically to the human race, a rare and precious experience for the average person. The condition of the Planet makes the task of supporting life processes difficult, and Mars’ affliction brings coarseness to the person’s energy, yet at the same time emphasizes the tridecile as one of the paths toward its harmonization. Subjectively, this manifests as the person becoming softer and more delicate in the Planet’s spheres, without fully understanding why, as if someone constantly reminds them: “Careful, life!” (An attentive observer will notice the softening effect of the decile, quintile, and their derivatives in people who have fallen the lowest). If Mars is harmonious, the person’s energy in the Planet’s sphere will generally be directed successfully, supporting life (in the case of Mars-Pluto tridecile, through effective elimination of its parasites), which will seem entirely natural to the person, yet the result will inspire them more than they realize. Tridecile of Saturn: In seeking the meaning of another’s life, one may occasionally discover the value of their own. When worked through, this aspect gives the person the opportunity to offer deep and serious support to life in the Planet’s spheres, and in any case, a strong (often unconscious or repressed) desire to participate in this life, where they may find their self-expression—though this (in the areas ruled by Saturn and its aspects) is always limited and hindered. Generally, this aspect makes the person fearful, insecure, and extremely cautious toward any manifestations of life they perceive as intimately connected to themselves personally. In the harmonious variant, this insecurity quickly passes, but caution and conscientiousness remain, and combined with the depth of aspirations, often lead to full immersion in the life spheres and developmental fields of the Planet, excellent understanding of the corresponding issues, and constructive help in resolving them—if the person begins to engage with them. With Saturn afflicted, the person’s insecurity regarding themselves and the life areas of the Planet will be justified; initially, they will be very awkward and feel out of place, suffering as a result, yet at the same time (with the activation of the tridecile) will desire contact with this life and comprehension of its developmental challenges with redoubled strength. Working through the aspect will bring deep understanding, the ability to offer adequate help, and human satisfaction from it.