” Understand that thou art a second world in miniature, and that the sun and the moon are within thee, and also the stars.”  Origen, Homiliae in Leviticum

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and has the largest dust storms in the solar system. The iron oxide dust on its surface gives it a reddish appearance, hence our “Red Planet.” Egyptian priests named Mars “The Red One” and the Hebrews reportedly called it “The One Who Blushes.” This planet came to be associated with anger, bloodshed and war, We’ve thought of Mars as a dangerous place, what with our imaginations colored by scary green men and alien abductors along with the fact that less than half the missions to get there have been successful (though we hope to land an astronaut on the surface by 2035). We’ve often asked, Is there life on Mars? or Will we someday move there? The latter question seems hardly probable since the atmosphere is too thin to take a breath and the average temperature is a very cold -81 degrees. As for the former question about life on Mars, scientists are beginning to answer it for us and the excitement is mounting. We now know that the two polar ice caps on Mars consist of frozen water.

 NASA’s Curiosity Rover recently found ancient water hidden in a rock along with organic molecules hospitable to microbial life! As recently as March of this year scientists discovered an ancient ocean which once covered a fifth of the planet’s surface to a depth of a mile. It’s prescient that NASA’s Mars exploration program is known as “Seek Signs of Life.” I’m cheering them on!

Mars with wolf and shield at L’Hotel Des Invalides in Paris where works and objects of French military history are exhibited.

 

The planet is named after Mars, Roman God of War (Ares in Greek myth). Mars was the son of Juno, Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, As the story goes, she conceived by the touch of a magic flower and this, most likely, contributed to early associations of Mars with plant life and agriculture. Mars presided over battlefields and all the emotions leading to war. Rallying troops and driving them forward to secure peace was his specialty. Because he was the father of the twins Romulus and Remus, Mars was considered the divine ancestor of the Roman people. They called him Mars Pater (Father Mars) and his name was given to the month of March (Martius) and to the day Tuesday (Martius Dies).

Warrior though he was, Mars could avert war and maintain the civil order. On this early Roman coin, we see him with his sword pointed downwards, holding an olive branch of peace. As “Marti Pacatori” he was a great subduer and bringer of peace, a savior of cities. His symbols are the wolf (one suckled Romulus and Remus), the woodpecker and the iron lance. This god of the golden helmet is the patron of soldiers, armed guards and policemen, surgeons, athletes, martial artists and even lawyers ( legal battles).

And, yes, there is a Roman goddess of war and destruction – Bellona. The  Latin word for war is “bellum.” She accompanied Mars in battle along with Nerio (valor). These female companions represented  Mars’ vital power and capacity for self-assertion.  Pictured is Bellona with her spear and helmet in a painting by Rembrandt. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Mars and Venus had a storied love affair. And oh, how we’ve romanticized their passion throughout the centuries! The two archetypal figures represent powerful feminine and masculine psychic energies to be balanced in each of us. The image below of Cupid with Venus and Mars is a first century A.D. floor painting from Pompeii. One child of the romance was the beautiful Harmonia – a true fruit of the marriage of love and war – of the balancing of attraction and assertion. The couple bore other children as well: Phobos (fear), Deimos (terror) and the cupids with their wings and arrows.

Of course, all did not go well for long in their paradise. Vulcan, God of Fire and jealous husband of Venus, heard of the dalliance from the Sun who spied on the lovers. Vulcan forged a metallic, almost invisible net to ensnare them. Caught in the act, they were humiliated and laughed at by the other gods on Mount Olympus. Our star-crossed lovers embraced calamity!

The potent, masculine principle of Mars complements the affectionate qualities of Venus. Mars is considered an archetypal knight and hero. When we spontaneously take action to assert ourselves purposefully into life’s battles with courage and fearless self-expression we’re exhibiting the vital energy of the archetype. It represents our drive to defend ourselves, compete and achieve (victory) in all we do. We grow to be bold and decisive, passionate, strong and brave in our actions. But living this out can be awfully difficult all the time. We may have stumbled to find the negative face of Mars if we’ve seen ourselves to be aggressive, cruel, violent, confrontational, and quarrelsome – or even find in ourselves a weakened milquetoast! (Time to clean our mirrors again.)

In astrology, Mars rules the sign of Aries (imaged by the ram). Look here for psychological qualities of an enthusiastic, daring and adventurous spirit. The planet also rules the sign of Scorpio. where we may find deep passions within, determination and hidden strength.

A 16th century engraving by the German woodcutter Hans Sebald Beham.

 Who would I say in popular culture represents Mars? It’s not a dragon slayer that comes to mind but the Lone Ranger! How I loved listening to the stories of him on the radio (and a “little later” the TV). He was the only one of six Texas Rangers to survive a murderous onslaught from the marauding Cavendish brothers. Tonto found him alive and nurtured him back to health. Legend has it that Tonto recognized the Lone Ranger as the one who had once spared his own life from death. Leaving behind a marked grave, the Lone Ranger remained secretly alive beneath a black mask fashioned from the clothing of his brother who was killed earlier in the skirmish (both black and red are colors that correspond with Mars).

My hero fought with virile courage against those who perpetrated violence against people and property in the lawless West. Like a knight in shining armor, he left peace and righteousness in his wake, along with our hearts of wonder as he rode away – “Hi Yo Silver!,…..Who was that masked man”?

How have you shown courage? What bold actions have you taken lately?

O that we would assert ourselves with wise, skillful and compassionate action that brings with it no harm to others or to ourselves.

I’ve loved the I Ching image of sitting by the river waiting in silence for the right time to take action that flows in alignment with an inner source of wisdom. Sometimes’s it’s necessary to take bold action, at other times, waiting at the shore of a stormy sea may be the best course, even retreat or no action at all may be advisable. This approach surely asks of us a quiet and attentive heart as we live and move in the rhythm of Divine harmony.

When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists – as it surely will. Then act with courage. Ponca Chief White Eagle

May wisdom abound in all you do, dear friends, and laurels of peace be wound around you,

Mary Catherine