Reconceptualizing Planetary Malefics

I’ve noticed that many people look to Astrology to tell them what is wrong with them. Seriously. It’s true that we have the traditional distinction of Planetary Benefics (Venus and Jupiter) and Planetary Malefics (Mars and Saturn), but those should be seen as two polarities within balance, not as extremes of Good and Evil.

I find this is a very Western way of thinking of polarities, that all things dark or negative are Bad and must be vanquished. ‘Evil’ things are abhorred and ‘Light’ or ‘Positive’ things must predominate everywhere. When we use this way of thinking, we are actually increasing fixations of loathing, hate, and distaste. In essence, thinking negatively about negativity expands negativity. If we go into our birth chart seeking to find the ‘bad’ planets and ‘bad aspects’ in our charts, we are expanding this thought field where we perceive ourselves as broken or damaged. Whatever we think, we create and manifest in existence. Not that fixating on ‘bad’ planets makes you become broken, but it will shift the reality that you are living in where the people and experiences you encounter will seem to ‘remind you’ of ‘how broken you are’.

I recommend thinking about the Planetary Benefics and Malefics with the Yin and Yang model framework. In the Yin and Yang circle, the Yin (Dark) and Yang (Light) aspects are two halves to a whole. We don’t have balance with just Yang, even though in our patriarchal societies, it’s been conditioned and taught that we must strive to only have Yang.

Let’s take a look at the potential positives of the Planetary Malefics - Mars and Saturn:

Mars- This planet gives us the energy and drive to take action. Without the function of Mars, we and our society would be passive, unable to take action on injustices or defend and advocate for those we love. People are typically self-conscious of their Mars placement and used it to derive a narrative of why they are acting aggressive or impulsive. This type of labeling system doesn’t lead to higher growth. From a mental health perspective, there is probably a reason people present with aggressive or impulsive behaviors and it often is due to not being in historic and present environments where they can safely express their needs and wants. A Mars that is not currently expressing itself in a healthy manner is more indicative of a traumatic history where people have learned that the only way they can express themselves or protect themselves is to be aggressive.

Saturn- This planet gives us structure and build discipline. It’s impossible to create anything that will last without Saturn’s gifts. People tend to notice the harshness of Saturn’s restrictions and rigidity. This is important to acknowledge. The presence of Saturn in our charts often is where we identify themes of loss and grief in our story. It’s important to incorporate the spiritual lesson of experiencing earthly griefs and loss. Every human experiences grief and loss. That is not meant to specifically single anyone out or punish anyone. As our souls prepare to incarnate into the Earthly plane, we choose certain themes and lessons we want to deeply experience. We choose the challenges that we will encounter and those challenges are the ones that highlight the need for a healing experience or lesson. AKA, we are the ones who choose our Saturn challenges. Without the experience of loss and grief, we never know how sweet it is to feel whole or feeling loved. Loss and grief, in this sense, is an experience that is facilitated by Saturn. Saturn also signifies a teacher or master archetype. Our teachers and masters are ones who have gone through significant challenges and hardships that have prepared them to become the seasoned experts they are now. So our grief, losses, challenges, and restrictions are actually preparing us to become masters in a healing lesson. When you acknowledge the pain and loss associated with a Saturn placement, you must also ask the other polarity question: “What does this loss guide me to learn?” A master baker is a person who has burned a bunch of cakes over and over again, felt their feelings of inferiority at baking, and yet resolved to master the discipline and skill of taking the cake out of the oven before it burns. This master baker can fully appreciate all the skill, sensitivity, and effort it takes to create a beautiful cake, because they have experienced the opposite experience of feeling a failure and eating burnt cakes.

As well, I have noticed that people will demonize particular Mars in Sign placements (ie: Mars in Scorpio) or Saturn in Sign placements. It’s as if thinking, “If my Mars is in Scorpio, this means I am definitely emotionally aggressive.” It is not Mars or Scorpio that has condemned you to emotional aggressiveness, it is your own words definitely declaring that you can only be that way. Again, there are healthy and unhealthy ways to express a Mars in Scorpio archetype. Demonizing any of the 12 Astrological signs is essentially discrimination.

Healthy expression of Mars in Scorpio: Is aware of their emotions and takes action to resolve the root cause of their emotions.

Unhealthy expression of Mars in Scorpio: Only knows they are angry or upset when they lash out on others. Justifies their emotional outburst on the basis that their Astrological placement conditioned them to be that way. Doesn’t take accountability for impact on others. Doesn’t take reflective or reparative steps to understand their outburst or reduce repeat incidents.

All your planetary placements give important information on your astrological makeup in this lifetime, just like your DNA. All aspects should be celebrated and honored. Maladaptive expressions of a planetary archetype are indicative of formative trauma that has repressed or villainized the healthy aspects of a person. There is frequently a deeper story there and I can support you as an Astrological therapist. If you would like to me to expand on any of these concepts, please leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to do so.