Testing Times....

Apparently Mars is squaring Pluto opposing Uranus in Aries this week which could mean if you have anger issues its akin to walking around with a big red button on your forehead saying "Go on..Press Me"! The relief of the subsequent explosion and release of pent up tension may though, be short lived. You may rant and rave, blame the button presser but still have to deal with the nuclear fallout and guilt of the destruction you have caused to your relationships, career or possessions. Or maybe (and I have to confess this has been more my natural style) at the slightest hint of anger, you deny it, swallow it back down, pretend you are alright with things that clearly you are not, may even feel slightly smug by your martyrdom and superior to those that vent externally, but that fiery bomb eventually explodes within you destroying your confidence, self respect, self worth and ability to express your feelings at all. 
Whichever end of the spectrum you naturally fall, this planetary alignment gives you the opportunity to do anger differently, to transform it into something powerful and life enhancing. There may be a pendulum swing initially from one extreme to the other but with awareness it is very possible to transform anger, with love and compassion, into self respect, confidence and healthy assertiveness. From the initial spark of anger we can set healthy boundaries, define what is acceptable and what is not. To stop the pendulum swinging we need to  stay balanced, with our roots firmly connected to the earth and our awareness in our hearts. As Mars transits through Libra (depicted by scales) this ability to stay balanced will be our saving Grace.
Anger is a signpost that should neither be ignored or followed, yet it is a call to act. Awareness and acceptance or acknowledgment of anger brings us to a crossroads where we then have choice. In the light of awareness we see things differently, we can view our situation from other angles that in the smoke of the fire were originally obscured. Thich Nhat Hanh quotes in Taming the Tiger Within, "If you allow compassion to spring from your heart, the fire of anger will die right away." Allowing is the key word here. Allowing is moving into a state of Grace. Infuse your anger with compassion and as it dies from its original form it will transform into something much more powerful...LOVE.