MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, sexual drive, initiative, courage, raw energy and desires, enthusiasm, being dynamic, generosity, aggression, being heroic, being self-reliant, boldness, being fearless, being adventuresome - began its RETROGRADE journey for 2024 yesterday, December 6th, at 6:33 PM EST ... many of you may have already felt or witnessed some manifestation of this retrograde energy once Mars entered its shadow point back on October 5th when it reached 17 degrees of Cancer ... this 79 day period will be a dual sign Mars retrograde going from 6 degrees 10 minutes Leo back to 17 degrees Cancer !!!
Mars makes a retrograde journey for about 9 - 10 weeks out of its 26 month cycle ... Mars was last retrograde from October 30th, 2022 through January 12th, 2023 going from 25 degrees 36 minutes Gemini back to 8 degrees 7 minutes Gemini ... Mars was last retrograde, and completely in Leo, from December 20th, 2009 through March 10th, 2010 going from 19 degrees 4 minutes Leo back to 0 degrees 17 minutes Leo ... Mars was last retrograde in Cancer, but only partially, from November 15th, 2007 through December 31st, 2007 beginning at 12 degrees 27 minutes Cancer until it returned to Gemini on December 31st ...anything come to mind from these periods in your life especially in the area of life ruled by the houses in your natal chart where these retrogrades occurred ... and what about this time around - which house or houses are being effected and as a result in what area of your life, per what they rule, could you potentially see the energy quite visibly ???
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 !!!
Mars is all about being energetic, active, impulsive, assertive, courageous, expressive, independent, forceful, venturesome, possessive, practical and definitive !!!
Mars retrograde tends to yield the potential to cause the "brakes" to get slammed on in a manner of speaking to this energy ... the universe pulls the plug on all of the energy in play ... and so what happens ??? ... there is a loss of energy which includes physical energy as we may feel somewhat more sluggish, that the energy required to work on goals or actions already being undertaken is suddenly gone, there is a loss of results we are trying to achieve by putting forth effort ... it seems like someone pushed a button and put everything on hold ... it may also seem like life has shifted into slow motion ... during this period we often need more rest and in some cases more sleep ... we may feel like we are in limbo or suspended in mid-air going nowhere ... try to avoid stress as dealing with it won't be very successful especially trying to achieve a solution ... and certainly one of the major factors during a Mars retrograde is having to learn to be patient as those who are usually normally rigid, stubborn and love to be controlling are going to end up getting into trouble and fast !!!
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 achieving your goals by 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 in a positive manner... 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 yielding the awareness that the time has come to develop new strategies and approaches for dealing with issues, personal anger and whether or not we express it in a healthy manner, and to learn positive assertiveness ... sometimes we prefer to drop back and let others take the lead for awhile even though it is a good bet that we will not be satisfied in the end with that course of action ... also it is possible that a male figure from ones past may come back around that one may need to settle some form of unfinished business with !!!
Frequently Mars retrogrades 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 exerted is inappropriate or non productive ... 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 major new beginnings especially per contract or verbally since the energy often isn't there to carry it through ... obviously sometimes you can't just "sit tight" for nearly two and a half months, but there are good reasons, if at all possible, to hold off as the waiting may ultimately prove to be a blessing in the long run ... often things begun under a Mars retrograde may begin to run into problems when it stations back into direct motion - that being February 23rd, 2025, at some point during the next two years, as a result of another personal planets' - those being Mercury and Venus - retrograde energy, or perhaps when Mars takes its next retrograde journey which will be January 10th, 2027 through April 1st, 2027 going from 10 degrees 25 minutes back to 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo !!!
It is NOT a good idea to begin a new major romantic involvement - especially this time around with Mars retrograding in a sign which naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure (Leo) - as it could prove to be constantly challenging, fall apart rather quickly or have major issues arise during the next Mars retrograde which will bring it to an end once and for all if things were rocky from the beginning ... and should you get married during this period, you might want to have someone mark the time when you are pronounced husband and wife, partner and partner, etc., and then find a reputable astrologer to run an event chart for that time in order to see in which house, and therefore which area of life, this backwards energy may affect and challenge the relationship !!!
Mars retrograde energy has the potential to produce some unwanted action if it aspects other planets in your natal chart regardless of sign but still within the same range of degrees ... as with Mercury retrograde periods, sometimes those born with Mars retrograde will find this period more productive since they are already comfortable and have a better understanding of this backwards energy regardless of the sign natal Mars retrograde may occur ... in a natal chart, those born with Mars retrograde are said to have actions in the current life that are recreations of the past to deal with, they probably abused the principles of aggression and personal initiative, and they are frequently in competition with themselves !!!
Mars is the ruling planet of Aries which is the natural ruling sign on the 1st house, or Ascendant, which is considered a house of Life ... its keyword is identity ... the 1st house represents your personality, your natural disposition and tendencies, your individuality and the way you express yourself, how people see you and the way you want others to see you, the way you "package" and "market" yourself, your reputation, your physical body, your health, early childhood years, your approach to life, your worldly outlook, your appearance and the beginnings of all enterprises you undertake ... so there is the potential for issues to arise in these areas especially if some of the actions were taken during the last Mars retrograde or during the current Mars retrograde !!!
Mars represents your animal nature, desires, sexual energies, assertiveness, force, power, construction, work, strife, competition, surgery and operations, weapons, war, accidents, inflammations, wounds, cuts, burns, scalds, violence, tools, iron and steel, actions that are sudden, self-assertive and disruptive actions, and energy that can be used destructively and angrily or with courage and strength ... all of these areas are vulnerable to issues during the entire retrograde period as it is Mars which is in retrograde !!!
This Mars retrograde begins in Leo ... the Sun is the ruling planet of Leo ... as such, the issues that could arise during this portion of the retrograde include: the persons main method of personal expression, qualities of leadership and success, the masculine principle, the father, the husband and men in general, health and vitality, authority and bosses, rank, title, high office, progress, dignity, energy, sense of identity and capacity for experience !!!
The Sun naturally rules the 5th house of the horoscope which is considered a house of life whose keyword is identity ... within its domain there could be issues to arise which include: children, artistic expression, love affairs, romance, pleasures, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculations, hobbies and avocation, your emotional attitude and the love you give, your enterprise, sports, originality and creative outlets, dramatic, literary or artistic ability, publications, politics, the fine arts, social affairs, pregnancy, the education of children, and any groups to which you belong which relate to having fun !!!
On January 6th, Mars returns to the sign of Cancer, a sign that it is already weakened in as it is considered to be in its fall, and the focus shifts ... not to say there won't be any issues running concurrently with the beginning of this retrograde period, but the following are added to the list of potential challenges ... the Moon is the ruling planet of Cancer and it involves the domestic, nurturing urge as well as the emotions ... therefore issues that could arise include: the female principle: mother, wife and women in general, instincts, moods, tides, phases, receptivity, fluctuations, feelings, habit patterns, reflex actions, personal interests, desires, needs, magnetism, growth and fertility, the need to touch, impressionability, consciousness, liquids, commodities, sailing, brewing, nursing, tradespeople and the public in general !!!
The Moon naturally rules the 4th house of the horoscope which is considered a house of endings whose keyword is security ... as such, there could be issues to arise which include: your home, your parents, the family you came from (your roots so to speak), the home you will establish, your heritage, heredity, ancestry, your psychological roots and private life, property - including houses, real estate and all that is secluded, the closing years of life, the ending of all matters, fame after death, place of burial, the parent who has the greater influence on you as a child, your subjective self, the nurturing parent, and the foundation on which you build your character !!!
In regards to potential health issues, keep in mind for the first 10 days of this retrograde Mercury will be imbedded in it and Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th house which includes health and thus increasing the potential for health issues in general ... specifically to this Mars retrograde these would be the areas potentially affected by this energy:
Mars: external reproductive organs, head and face
Sun: the heart, upper back, right eye of the male, left eye of the female
Moon: breasts, stomach, digestion, left eye of the male, right eye of the female
Since Mars was last retrograde from October 30th, 2022 through January 12th, 2023, the question now becomes what actions were possibly begun that now must be readdressed, readjusted, reworked, or simply have run their course, ran out of "steam" and come to a necessary ending needing to be released, or concluded but not by our choice, in order to promote further personal and spiritual growth ??? ... and undoubtedly you may be readdressing some of these issues, including the issues encountered from October 5th up until the retrograde period began as Mars backs over those degrees and then moves over them again once Mars stations direct, up until it exits its retrograde zone on May 2nd, 2025 !!!
For those of you born between December 7th and February 22nd, you will get this Mars retrograde energy somewhere in your astrological birthday chart - known as a solar return - for the whole year ahead ... however, those born on December 6th and February 23rd may or may not get this retrograde energy depending on the time of your solar return for the current year ... therefore some Sagittarius born, all Capricorn born, all Aquarius born and a few Pisces born will definitely get the Mars retrograde energy in their solar return chart for the 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 retro gradation 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."
ARIES BORN - this is your period to slow down and in some cases stop - WHICH YOU DO NOT LIKE TO DO AT ALL !!! - in order to review and rethink what has been and what is going on in your life especially in regards to what has transpired in your life since January 12th, 2023 when Mars, being your ruling planet, last stationed back into direct motion ... Even though Aries born individuals - as well as Leo, Cancer and Scorpio (as Mars is considered your ancient ruler) born - may be more sensitive to this reversal of energy, we will all experience it or surely witness it somewhere in our lives ... lights may begin to come on in our heads as we discover that perhaps we should have either waited a while longer before taking action or possibly never have taken a particular course of action to begin with in certain situations even before Mars resumes direct motion !!!
One final caveat, those born between December 7th and December 14th will be the "lucky" recipients of the Universe bestowing you with a wonderful birthday gift of both Mercury AND Mars retrograde in your solar return chart for the year ahead ... those born on December 6th and December 15th may or may not get both retrograde energies depending on the time of your solar return this year !!!
Of course life cannot come to a screeching halt ... just proceed cautiously and wisely ... especially as the Holiday season and entering a New Year can often be quite stressful by itself especially with this additional backward energy added to the mix !!!
Mars remains retrograde until February 23rd, 2025 ... again, this Mars retrograde period could end up being even more intense and challenging to begin with as Mercury, currently in its fourth and final retrograde period for 2024, will be embedded in the first 10 days of this Mars retrograde before it concludes its retrograde period on December 15th ... in addition, many may feel along the way that there is something making them restless, edgy frustrated and irritable and they are simply not able to pin down the cause - this is usually the case when Mars transits ones natal 12th house, has it there in their natal chart, by progression or as a result of your solar return ... of the three personal planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars - that take retrograde journeys, it is said that Mars retrograde can produce greater havoc and widespread unexpected change of all three personal planets ... and in particular the times around Mars stationing retrograde and then stationing back into direct motion there is the potential for an increase in aggression, violence, accidents and fires !!!
As it is said that in a Venus retrograde we often become somewhat less sociable and frequently forget our manners, during a Mars retrograde we may become somewhat less "warlike" and our energy can repeatedly hit a lull ... over the course of this 79 day period as energy rises and seems to fall just as quickly, we may become all too personally and frequently associated with that famous saying -
MY GET UP AND GO GOT UP AND WENT !!!
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