I have been thinking a lot about motivation recently. There are times when I find it extraordinarily difficult to achieve what I want, especially in my work. I have good intentions and great ideas about what I’m going to do and when, but sometimes things just don’t happen. I can be extremely determined and then fear, doubt or apathy stops me dead in my tracks.
As an astrologer, I recognise this in my own chart as an opposition between Mars and Saturn. Mars is the planet of action, the warrior with the gung-ho attitude who charges in to battle, brave and raring to go. Saturn is Old Master Time, sombre and slow, who points out our limitations and sets up roadblocks, and whose nature is gloomy and pessimistic. It’s a constant push-pull and is exhausting when you’re caught in the middle.
The key to an opposition in astrology is to harness both sets of qualities and have them work in unison. Mars and Saturn together are a formidable duo, strong, courageous and enduring and if anyone can make things happen, this pair can. Plus they have staying power and commitment in spades.
However, maybe the real goal is to stop battling and let things be. Isn’t it true that the more you try and do, at times the less you achieve? It’s when you feel in tune with life and yourself that your actions evolve organically. Progress flows and feels easy. You are open to new possibilities in your life, and opportunities and offers come your way rather than having to chase after them.
The pressures of modern day life are stressful for many people. A lot is asked of us constantly at work, in our relationships, in our friendships, in our communities and in our world. All the things I do in my own life that allow me to slow down, like meditation, yoga, walking the dogs, cooking, gardening help me feel balanced and less driven. It’s from this calmer place where I enjoy being creative and source what I do best.
The Mars-Saturn opposition in my own chart means I can be my own worst taskmaster but my experiences of life and my work as an astrologer have helped me understand how to motivate myself. We all need markers along the road to remind us who we are and to help us discover how to live our lives as best we can.