Valor In the New Year
As I’m going through the astrology for 2025, I’m struck by just how intense this year is going to be. It might be the most active astrological year I’ve ever seen.
I’m also struck by just how strong Mars is. In Part of this Mars Retrograde period, Mars will be what we call “out of bounds”. Which means he operates out of the bounds of what we’d normally associate him with. Power, domination, assertiveness, strength, courage, etc. Signaling that now is the time to redefine our relationship to these things, and give birth to a new version of Mars energy.
For years, our society has given deference to the weakest, most vulnerable among us. While I believe this was a necessary part of our evolution. We gleaned compassion and awareness of trauma, the need for healing, and power dynamics; the shadow of this development is that we demonized strength and rightful power.
What I’m hoping we will see is an exaltation of right relationship to power. The ability to hold the quality of courage and strength without feeling guilty. Or apologetic.
The word that comes to mind here is Valor.
Valor is a noun that means the strength of mind or spirit that allows someone to face danger with firmness and bravery. It can also mean honor and dignity, especially in the face of danger or on the battlefield.
The word valor comes from the Latin word valorem, which means "strength, moral worth". The sense of "courage" was added later.
Valor is intimately tied into morality. Not an old sense of morality, but one we are in the midst of redefining.
So when we see our country, community, or family acting with “Valor” we should encourage that. Not feel intimidated or victimized by it.
We must move out of this period of ALWAYS giving deference to the weakest among us. I’m am not saying “bullying is back” in style, or that this is a permission slip for aggression.
No, it’s a permission slip for us to step into the most empowered embodiment of who we are. To not feel ashamed of our confidence, or guilty about our privilege and strength. But to carry our privilege and strength with Valor.
In fact, when more of us are operating with Valor, this inevitably helps the weakest among us.
This is the year we are going to stop navel gazing and *only* nursing our wounds. We are not setting ourselves aside with our “traumatized specialness”, and spiritual egos… but will move firmly and confidently within the world as it is. Joining in with others. Meeting reality where it’s at. We are giving birth this year to a whole new paradigm.
I think we will find that the energy is ripe for finally claiming our right to be here. To claim this one, precious incarnation, to take up space, and to make the most of the time we have left. For us, and for the generations behind us.
To exalt valor. To exalt strength. The kind of strength that protects what matters most. The kind that is connected to the heart of compassion.
