ACTION TURNED INWARD !!!

Mars, the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, began its RETROGRADE journey early this morning at 8:27 AM EST ... the purpose of a Mars retrograde ultimately is to evaluate what it is that motivates you and for you to determine if you are on the correct path to achieve your goal, and if you are doing what you should be doing to get there ... inside a Mars retrograde, it is time for all of us to adjust our actions and aggressive instincts to ensure that ones intent is accomplished ... this often includes going back over previous actions and having to redo them or let them go in order to move forward ... also, old resentments and personal issues that haven't been resolved in the past have a tendency of resurfacing during this period which yields the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, anger and learning assertiveness ... it is often said that during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and that our energy can hit a lull to the point where it seems our get up and go truly got up and went !!!! ... Mars takes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ...

This 26th month cycle becomes significant as we are used to Mars energy moving forward since it takes about two years to return to its natal position in ones birth chart and thus spends about two months in each sign ... the direct and retrograde stationing movement of Mars occurs most frequently in Cancer, Leo and Virgo, and least frequently in Sagittarius and Aquarius due to its eccentric orbit around the Sun ... Mars could be considered a "double twin" of the Earth as it tilts on its axis in almost the same way as the Earth, but Mars has 4 six month seasons instead of 4 three month seasons like we have here on Earth ... the Earth orbits the Sun in 1 year and Mars in 2 years thus the Earth finally catches up with Mars roughly every 2 years and 2 months = 26 month cycle ... often Mars retrograde will bring issues of frustration or hostility to the surface we have deliberately suppressed due to their disruptive qualities which can cause forward movement in our lives to be temporarily delayed ... sudden reversals of interest and drive may occur, as well as the termination of a long term goal as it may become apparent that the effort is innappropriate for the long term ... also old wounds, hurts and frustrations may arise seemingly out of context but usually there is a purpose for this ... during a Mars retrograde it is usually a good idea NOT to undertake any new beginnings per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... now sometimes you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons if at all possible, as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing ... often things begun under a Mars retograde will run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being March 10th, at some point during the next two years, or even when Mars begins its next retrograde journey - which will be in January of 2012 ...

This Mars retrograde will occur from 19 degrees of Leo back down to 0 degrees of Leo ... if you have had a natal chart done, you can look to where these degrees fall and get an idea of where you will be rethinking some kind of action you have taken or where you might encounter delays or a shift into a different direction ... if you were born with your natal Sun between 0 degrees and 19 degrees of Leo, at some point Mars will cross back over your natal Sun and, among other things, there could be a few days when you feel as if someone unplugged your energy outlet !!! ... as with Mercury retrograde periods, sometimes those born with Mars retrograde will find this period more productive as they are already comfortable and used to this energy and have a better understanding ... interesting to note that in a natal chart those born with Mars retrograde are said to have actions in the current life that are recreations of the past ...

As Leo is the natural ruler of the 5th house we can certainly expect many of the issues that arise will have to do with romance, creativity and pleasure seeking ... yes, once again the relationship sector is getting another retrograde hit, and its a good bet that some romantic interest from your past may resurface in your life or you in theirs, and issues that weren't resolved will have to be addressed ... as Leo is ruled by the Sun, we have a Sun/Mars relationship working here in retrograde motion which will surely result in a weakening of vitality ... get out and do some exercise !!!

Aries born, this is your period of review and rethinking since Mars is your ruling planet ... what has been going on in your life since January of 2007 that may not be working out after all ... and, this includes all of us, what possibly was begun from November 15th, 2007 through January 30th 2008 that now must be addressed and reworked or simply has come to a necessary ending ??? ... Even though Aries born individuals as well as Leo born - since Mars is retrograding through the sign of Leo - may be more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we will all experience it somewhere in our lives and lights may begin to come on in our heads that perhaps we should have either waited a while longer before taking action or possibly never have taken action to begin with in certain situations ... this Mars retrograde period may be made even more frustrating as it will also include a Mercury retrograde period within it which begins this coming Saturday - now you can all let out a big collective groan !!! ...

Once again we start out a New Year with personal energy that is moving backward and low to almost non-existent ... self-motivation is the key here !!! - the New Year may actually feel like it has not really begun for a lot people until after Mars turns direct on March 10th !!! ... for those of you who have birthdays between December 20th and March 10th - yes YOURS TRULY falls into this category UGH !!!! - you can expect to have Mars retrograde energy in your birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... now that DOES NOT mean to sit idle for 12 months ... rather to be selective about what you begin, think it out thoroughly, and realize that self-motivation will be one of your keywords in the year ahead !!! ...

As previously stated, Mars remains retrograde until March 10th of 2010 ... probably a good time to drop back and punt !!!