A Literary Mars Retrospective

Mars is beckoning us at this moment, in a way it has not done in all of recorded history. True, it is only a matter of some numbers and a record - in actual appearance - it may not be so startlingly different from other favourable oppositions.

At the same time, we do hear of panic that seems to have been created in a lay person's mind at its remarkable brightness during its last really close opposition - in 1719. The simple change in its brightness from Conjunction to Opposition itself is something that is very noticeable, bringing Mars into prominence every once in a while.

The skies have lured all creative urges through out history. In particular, Mars, its hue different from all other Planets, its retrograde motion so much more noticeable than for other distant superior Planets - all of this has weaved itself into all creative arts, for these two Millenia, or more.

Oppositions are also the times when we see the retrograde motion of Mars.

From June to July Mars appears to move right to left or Eastwards against the background stars - its normal course of motion. By end of July this motion slows down, with Mars appearing to remain stationary as we catch up with it in our faster orbit around the Sun … move in the opposite direction for a while and resume its Eastward motion by September - forming a loop in the sky. This is the retrograde motion of Mars - all outer Planets show such a retrograde motion. Such motions have been noticed since ancient times. Planets were first noticed to be wanderers and then, in addition, it seemed that the outer planets like Mars had this additional, interesting, looped motion in the skies.

Kalidasa, in Malvikaagnimitram, refers to the retrograde motion of Mars. At the end of the third act of this play - the King Agnimitra is talking to his wife Iravati and has some misunderstandings with her - over his love for Malvika. The queen sweeps away from him after some arguments and Agnimitra's friend and courtier Gautama, advises him thus -

Let us make haste and move away from this place … before she may retrace her steps … like the Planet Mars in retrograde … returning to a given Rashi.

A forced simile, in the context of the play, perhaps, but testifying to Kalidasa's interest in the skies and to the fact of retrograde motions of Planets having been minutely observed and recorded, in his times.

Mars in Retrograde is also mentioned in Shakespeare's All's Well that ends well - in a conversation between Helena and Parolles

HELENA Monsieur Parolles, you were born under a charitable star.

PAROLLES Under Mars, I.

HELENA I especially think, under Mars.

PAROLLES Why under Mars?

HELENA The wars have so kept you under that you must needs be born under Mars.

PAROLLES When he was predominant.

HELENA When he was retrograde, I think, rather.

PAROLLES Why think you so?

HELENA You go so much backward when you fight.

PAROLLES That's for advantage.

HELENA So is running away, when fear proposes the safety; but the composition that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing, and I like the wear well.

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Sir. Walter Scott also mentions the retrograde motion of Mars, in Kenilworth

"Thus, in reviewing the horoscope which your Lordship subjected to my skill, you will observe that Saturn, being in the sixth House in opposition to Mars, retrograde in the House of Life, cannot but denote long and dangerous sickness, the issue whereof is in the will of Heaven, though death may probably be inferred. Yet if I knew the name of the party I would erect another scheme."

Angaraka or Mars - has fascinated us from the beginning of history. A historic occasion is ahead of us - let us keep our date with Mars! During July, You can see it after midnight in the southeastern direction. Closer to the Opposition, it will be rising earlier in the evenings as a really bright object in the southeastern skies. For those not aquainted with the skies, here are some pointers for locating Mars with ease, between July and September.

After rising, Mars will be the brightest object in the South-South East direction in the sky - as it is currently surrounded by rather faint constellations - no other object in this part of the sky will compete with Mars in brightness. During July, it rises closer to the midnight and will slowly start appearing earlier and earlier in the evening skies in August. From the opposition onwards it will be the brightest object immediately after Sunset, in the South-South East direction.

Written by - Dr. N. Rathnasree, Director, Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi.