On August 2, warrior Mars returns to Sagittarius after spending nine-plus weeks in Scorpio (it was retrograde in this undercover sign from May 27 through June 29, and in direct motion since then). Having just spent so many weeks in the uncover/discover/recover sign of Scorpio, we've moved through the muck, dredging up deep feelings, hidden treasures, and secrets usually shielded from others (and possibly ourselves as well). It's been intense, it may have been hard at times, and yet, while we may have felt that we've been put through the mill, we're likely emerging with a greater depth of fortitude (Mars in Scorpio has a way of reminding of us the Nietzschian axiom "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." )

Now, with Mars moving from in-the-depths Scorpio to to-the-heights Sagittarius, we may find ourselves wanting to take flight, propelled by a desire to journey, explore, and further seek meaning. We could find ourselves feeling like a jewel just recently tumbled, a process by which we've lost some opaquity and are emerging with more clarity, notably clarity as to what it is that we believe in, and what goals we want to set upon our personal horizon. And while this process is an ongoing one—after all, we've got about one and one-half more years of Saturn being in Sagittarius—this connection to truth, this connection to faith, this connection to belief may be feel like it's what's serving as our personal rocket fuel during this time.

All that said, as we collectively ambulate on the avenue of personal truth, we do need to watch to not be dodged or directed by dogmatism, ours or others. It's one thing for someone to speak their beliefs, another to feel like they are stuck on a soapbox and can't get off. Be discerning to recognize the difference, as it seems like a potent time for people to be spinning even more stories than usual—and you don't want to get caught in the web.

And while Mars re/enters Sagittarius on August 2, it's here for a while, sojourning in the adventure sign through September 27. Not only that, it's quite an active force during this time. It connects to the Saturn/Neptune Square on August 24-25, when it may galvanize our further ability to recognize illusions, work through disillusionment, and take action in alignment with the dreams that move, touch, and inspire us. Mars in Sagittarius also ties into the Solar Eclipse Moon on September 1, messenger Mercury on September 12, the radiant Sun on September 13, and break-the-pattern Uranus on September 17.

If you're thinking that Mars in Sagittarius feels like déjà vu-esque, you're right. It's already spent almost three months here, in direction motion March 5 through through April 17 and retrograde motion April 17 through May 27. The path that Mars traversed during these months is the same that it will journey in August 2 through August 22. This period bodes to be one for possible déjà vus, or rather opportunities that allow us to show ourselves (and others) how our ability to move forward in pursuit of our beliefs and desires has evolved since earlier this year.

Mars in Sagittarius: The Pursuit of Adventure and Truth