Mars, the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, began its RETROGRADE journey for 2012 today, 1/23, at 7:54 PM 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 in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retograde will run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being April 13th/14th, depending on what time zone you live in, or at some point during the next two years, or even when Mars begins its next retrograde journey - which will be in March of 2014 ...
This Mars retrograde is entirely in the sign of Virgo and will occur from 23 degrees of Virgo back down to 3 degrees of Virgo ... 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 even a shift into a different direction ... if you were born with your natal Sun between 3 degrees and 23 degrees of Virgo, 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 and are frequently in competition with themselves !!!
As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house we can certainly expect many of the issues that arise will have to do with daily work and service - here jobs could change, pay could be reduced or the job could simply come to an end, health and nutrition - past issues may arise requiring further medical attention or we discover a need to rethink our dietary habits, and family issues on some level ... as Virgo is ruled by Mercury, we have a Mercury/Mars relationship working here in retrograde motion which will surely result in a weakening of vitality and possibly our minds and tongues getting somewhat out of control ... get out and do some exercise ... also interesting to note, usually in a Mars retrograde we tend to become less warlike and somewhat more civil but that is not set in stone ... we may also encounters blocks and hindrances in our intellectual urge, avenues of expression and reasoning ability !!!
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 in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retograde will run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being April 13th/14th, depending on what time zone you live in, or at some point during the next two years, or even when Mars begins its next retrograde journey - which will be in March of 2014 ...
This Mars retrograde is entirely in the sign of Virgo and will occur from 23 degrees of Virgo back down to 3 degrees of Virgo ... 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 even a shift into a different direction ... if you were born with your natal Sun between 3 degrees and 23 degrees of Virgo, 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 and are frequently in competition with themselves !!!
As Virgo is the natural ruler of the 6th house we can certainly expect many of the issues that arise will have to do with daily work and service - here jobs could change, pay could be reduced or the job could simply come to an end, health and nutrition - past issues may arise requiring further medical attention or we discover a need to rethink our dietary habits, and family issues on some level ... as Virgo is ruled by Mercury, we have a Mercury/Mars relationship working here in retrograde motion which will surely result in a weakening of vitality and possibly our minds and tongues getting somewhat out of control ... get out and do some exercise ... also interesting to note, usually in a Mars retrograde we tend to become less warlike and somewhat more civil but that is not set in stone ... we may also encounters blocks and hindrances in our intellectual urge, avenues of expression and reasoning ability !!!
For those of you born between today, January 23rd and April 13th, you will get Mars retrograde in your birthday chart for the whole year ahead ... below is what noted astrologer Mary Fortier Shea has to say about having Mars retrograde in the birthday chart - also known as the Solar Return:
"When Mars is retrograde in the solar return chart, the individual must work with the process of self-motivation. This is a good time to work on a long-term project, especially one involving the need to repeatedly push yourself toward achievement. You are the motivating force. No one else can get you to move. It is very unlikely that you will be motivated by others since personal goals will seem more important than the conflicting goals of others. If you cannot motivate yourself or direct your energy in a useful manner, you will feel listless and tired. This is an extremely useful retrogradation for those who are goal-oriented; unfortunately, it can be a very counterproductive placement for those who are not.
The way you choose to handle anger is symbolized by Mars retrograde. Usually, there is a desire to avoid confrontation and conflict. You may be unable or unwilling to express anger outwardly. Furthermore, you might find it difficult to be openly aggressive or even assertive given the situations you are involved with. If this is so, you could resort to passive-aggressive behavior or manipulation if it seems impossible to deal with a present situation on a rational level. For example, if you are taking care of a cantankerous and senile relative, confrontation and rational discussion will not improve your relationship, but refusing to engage in conflicts and stressing the humor of the situation may. You can manipulate your way around the old coot with love and understanding in your heart. Having Mars retrograde in a solar return chart signals the need to reassess the appropriateness of anger and conflict in certain situations where it may actually be totally useless. It is not the answer to all situations and you can learn to use other tactics.
If you are involved in difficult circumstances, you may not defend yourself against the criticism of others. And in fact, you could see yourself as responsible to some extent for the situations you are involved in. This is a time when you are more apt to get in touch with the role you, yourself, play in creating stress. You could blame yourself and be very self-critical of your own behavior. Positively, we can look upon this year as a time when you are more apt to see self-defeating situations and take corrective action. It is fairly common to realize the existence of at least one self-defeating situation or personality pattern during the year.
Mars retrograde, at its worst manifestation, can have a self-destructive interpretation. It is possible that you will place yourself (through your own doing) in a situation that causes you difficulty or pain. You will have the ability to withdraw from the situation, but might choose to remain throughout the solar return year. This may sound like a horrible manifestation, but it is not necessarily so ... The house placement of Mars will relate to the self-defeating or self-destructive attitudes and may symbolize this negative behavior in relationships, career practices, financial responsibility, etc. If one concentrates on the issues, solutions can be found and there will be no need to remain in compromising situations."
OK 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 December 20th, 2009 that may not be working out after all ... and, this includes all of us, what possibly was begun from December 20th, 2009 through March 10th, 2010 that now must be addressed and reworked or simply has come to a necessary ending ??? ... Even though Aries born individuals as well as Virgo born - since Mars is retrograding through the sign of Virgo - 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 because adding fuel to the fire, there will be a Mercury Retrograde stirring up its usual mayhem embedded in this Mars retrograde and that will be from March 11th/12th through April 3rd/4th - yikes, fasten your seatbelts !!!
Mars remains retrograde until April 13th/14th ... so it's probably a good idea to drop back and punt where possible for the time being ... we also may feel at some points along the way that there is something that is making us restless, edgy and irritable and simply not be able to pin down what is causing this ... and during this Mars Retrograde, hopefully we all will come to realize that the perfection (Virgo) we seek outwardly begins within ourselves !!!
The way you choose to handle anger is symbolized by Mars retrograde. Usually, there is a desire to avoid confrontation and conflict. You may be unable or unwilling to express anger outwardly. Furthermore, you might find it difficult to be openly aggressive or even assertive given the situations you are involved with. If this is so, you could resort to passive-aggressive behavior or manipulation if it seems impossible to deal with a present situation on a rational level. For example, if you are taking care of a cantankerous and senile relative, confrontation and rational discussion will not improve your relationship, but refusing to engage in conflicts and stressing the humor of the situation may. You can manipulate your way around the old coot with love and understanding in your heart. Having Mars retrograde in a solar return chart signals the need to reassess the appropriateness of anger and conflict in certain situations where it may actually be totally useless. It is not the answer to all situations and you can learn to use other tactics.
If you are involved in difficult circumstances, you may not defend yourself against the criticism of others. And in fact, you could see yourself as responsible to some extent for the situations you are involved in. This is a time when you are more apt to get in touch with the role you, yourself, play in creating stress. You could blame yourself and be very self-critical of your own behavior. Positively, we can look upon this year as a time when you are more apt to see self-defeating situations and take corrective action. It is fairly common to realize the existence of at least one self-defeating situation or personality pattern during the year.
Mars retrograde, at its worst manifestation, can have a self-destructive interpretation. It is possible that you will place yourself (through your own doing) in a situation that causes you difficulty or pain. You will have the ability to withdraw from the situation, but might choose to remain throughout the solar return year. This may sound like a horrible manifestation, but it is not necessarily so ... The house placement of Mars will relate to the self-defeating or self-destructive attitudes and may symbolize this negative behavior in relationships, career practices, financial responsibility, etc. If one concentrates on the issues, solutions can be found and there will be no need to remain in compromising situations."
OK 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 December 20th, 2009 that may not be working out after all ... and, this includes all of us, what possibly was begun from December 20th, 2009 through March 10th, 2010 that now must be addressed and reworked or simply has come to a necessary ending ??? ... Even though Aries born individuals as well as Virgo born - since Mars is retrograding through the sign of Virgo - 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 because adding fuel to the fire, there will be a Mercury Retrograde stirring up its usual mayhem embedded in this Mars retrograde and that will be from March 11th/12th through April 3rd/4th - yikes, fasten your seatbelts !!!
Mars remains retrograde until April 13th/14th ... so it's probably a good idea to drop back and punt where possible for the time being ... we also may feel at some points along the way that there is something that is making us restless, edgy and irritable and simply not be able to pin down what is causing this ... and during this Mars Retrograde, hopefully we all will come to realize that the perfection (Virgo) we seek outwardly begins within ourselves !!!
No comments:
Post a Comment