Mars cazimi in Sagittarius: The soldier in the heart of the king

For a good 48 hours from Thursday evening to Saturday evening (US East Coast time) this week, the Sun and Mars will be conjunct within 17 minutes of arc. Any planet so close to the Sun is called “cazimi,” or nestled in the heart of the king. It’s an exceptional honor for any planet, empowering it with a seal of approval from the monarch to do as it will.

We’ll see this conjunction in the very middle of the fire sign Sagittarius, compounding the heat for two already hot, dry planets. Mars has no particular essential dignity in this area of Sagittarius – it has more power in the next sign, Capricorn, where it is exalted – but the Sun has dignity by triplicity in fire signs, at least by day.

Lilly says of Mars dignified, “In feats of war and courage invincible, scorning any should exceed him, subject to no reason, bold, confident, immovable, contentious, challenging all honour to themselves, valiant, lovers of war and things pertaining thereunto, hazarding himself to all perils, willingly will obey nobody, nor submit to any, a large reporter of his own acts, one that fights all things in comparison of victory, and yet of prudent behaviour in his own affairs.” In short, a soldier through and through – but as it’s cazimi, one who is true to the king, not a rogue mercenary.

How to channel this high Mars energy? As Sagittarius rules the thighs, you might limber up and burn some energy on a long run or race-walking. As it’s a double-bodied sign, try diversifying your exercise routine through multiple channels, or start circuit training that spreads the energy around and trains several areas of the body. If you’re working on being more assertive, this could be your opportunity to take your complaint to the very top, or, as Lilly advises, to be “a large reporter of your own acts” – reminding your boss of your accomplishments, for example.

Just remember: with all that fiery energy going around, be careful of getting too hot under the collar.