Mars is coming into form as the ‘action-oriented’ centerpiece in the first half of 2014. In looking toward the coming months, Mars’ astrological alignment begins here in December with an opposition to Uranus on Christmas Eve and then a conjunction with the Moon on Christmas Day, while still in opposition with Uranus.
These dynamic aspects or angles of Mars becomes the active force of the traditional Cardinal signs (Culture-Bearer Signs) while in the sign of Libra. 
The 3-day window of this alignment (with a loose square to Pluto, forming what is called in astrology, a “T-Square”). In Shamanic Astrology, Mars represents the Masculine Principal or Animus. The red planet is an initiator of action, movement and instinct. In the sign of Libra, the intent of Mars is to experience conscious, equal partnership as a path to the Source (God, Great Mystery, Great Spirit, etc). On a global level, Mars is bringing action and activation to Uranus’ position (as if it didn’t need more of it), assisting all of us with any stagnation we are feeling in our relationships. In essence, it is laying down the gauntlet of trusting our instincts in relationships, both external and that which we have with our ‘inner other’. However, Uranus’ influence here is that the gauntlet of action or instinct will come from an unexpected direction and time, places that we wouldn’t think would manifest . . . and yet does!
During the second day (Dec 25th) of this aspect, the Moon comes into play for a few hours time in it’s meeting with Mars in the sky. The actual conjunction of these two planetary bodies takes place in the late afternoon here on the west coast of the US, but will still be close in the chilly air the morning of the 25th and 26th. The Moon brings in the connection with our lineage, ancestors and past and so would be a time to look at what we learned from past relationships, bringing us into action as to how we can apply those teachings in the present moment. But, again, with Uranus on the opposite side of this Mars-Moon conjunction, anything can happen in this process, but the intent is to bring us closer to soul’s life path.
Beyond December 26th, Mars inches it’s way into another aspect, this time with Pluto on December 30th. While many more prominent aspects appear after that, this is all building up to a late April meeting when nearly exact Grand Cross forms with Jupiter, Mars, Uranus and Pluto. This is an extremely rare aspect, but a symbol of the age in which we live . . . the Turning of the Great Year. More later . . .
by Erik M Roth, Shamanic Astrologer