Mars Retrograde discover new ways of expressing needs and emotions

Posted by:  Lara
Saturday, February 4th 2012.

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As this new year kicks off, we all might be feeling the rush of getting ourselves back on track, getting our finances in order, writing those resumes, or starting that project we've been putting off forever. This new year brought us a rare few weeks of having all the planets moving in forward motion, so many of us have been riding this wave of progress. However, that is all about to change and it's possible some of us have been feeling the slowing down of things in our lives as the planet Mars prepares to reverse its direction.

About every 26 months Mars turns retrograde. Mars is the planet of action, physical energy, inspiration and sex. Being the "god of War" it is associated with conflict, anger and aggression, where we impulsively react to situations instead of responding to them. It is also our desire nature, leading us hopefully in healthy ways in the direction of our passions. It rules the sign of Aries, and co-ruler of Scorpio, and represents our warrior nature, our adventurous spirit, and our ability to take initiative in our life. It's what gives us the drive to take action towards manifesting our dreams and inspirations. A lot of power and energy comes with the expression of this planet. Each planet represents a different part of our psyches, and depending on how we are working with these parts, or energies, within ourselves will reflect how these energies manifest in our external world.

So what happens to the planet of action when it goes retrograde? It sits back in that lounge chair on the beach, sips on a freshly cut coconut and listens to the waves roll in until the sunsets. Ah, if only it were that simple. Regardless of what Mars is doing in your own natal chart, there is a collective effect when Mars turns retrograde. Our ability to have patience and remain calm as we are seemingly paddling upstream is the ultimate test here. Any attempt to start something new, a relationship, a job, a project, will be met with obstacles, delays, and frustrations and it's possible that the situation will shift gears or dissolve completely once mars turns direct. Our judgment is poor during this time, our energy levels our low, and we may be confronted by situations that ignite feelings of irritation or anger. We are more likely to get sick especially if we are not handling our emotions well and not taking necessary time to rest during this period. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all sit on a beach, bury our head in a good book, and listen to the waves roll in until it was over? Well, chances are that most of us will have to continue on with our daily lives, relationships, and projects, and make decisions during the next 3 months.

Yes... did I mention that this retrograde cycle would last for 3 months? What could be better than 3 months of opportunities for practicing patience and getting in touch with our anger? With all sarcasm aside, what is this mars retrograde cycle good for? First it's important to note that mars is currently transiting, or moving, through Virgo. This is the collective theme that all of us will be experiencing and holds valuable lessons for us. However, this retrograde cycle will affect a specific area of our life differently depending on what your sun sign and ascendant sign are. Later I will go into more detail about how Mars retrograde will impact each sign, but for now, lets talk more about what Mars in Virgo means.

Mars begins retrograding on January 23, 2012 at 23 degrees Virgo and will turn direct on April 13 2012, at 3 degrees Virgo, but its effects will be felt a couple weeks before and after. With Mars retrograde in Virgo, we will be focusing on the details in our life and thinking about ways to make things run more efficiently. Retrograde cycles, for all planets, are times of introspection, reflection, re-thinking, re-organizing. This just happens to be Virgo's specialty. Mars retrograding in Virgo will show us what in our life needs attention and will give us all an opportunity to see what's not working and find solutions. As I said before, it's not the best time to start anything new, however, already established projects may still succeed, but will probably slow down in their progress and require re-evaluation. Once Mars goes direct again, expect things to pick in speed.

Virgo loves bringing attention to detail, especially the details of things that aren't working. However Virgo has a tendency to criticize and obsess over what's wrong, so watch out for criticism of others or yourself, as this is counterproductive. Instead, bring these details into focus. Healthy criticism is good. It brings to light old and worn out processes, behaviors, and ways of relating. Now is the time to find ways to practically and efficiently solve problems. Virgo loves efficiency. A new course of action will be formed and set in motion, and it will be one that feels clearer and more effective once Mars goes direct.

Self-care and daily routines, including work and health programs, are also highlighted in Virgo. With mars retrograde here, we can re-asses how well we are taking care of ourselves on a daily basis. Do we have a good balance of self-care and work? Do we have a daily practice of meditation or other stress releasing techniques? Are we exercising enough? Are we eating properly? Now's the time to re-organize your daily schedule and make sure you're taking care of yourself in the best ways possible. If this aspect of your life is not in order, you may find yourself getting sick more often than usual, as Virgo rules health, or getting into more accidents, since mars rules accidents. You especially may be more prone to accidents if you are not handling your anger and other emotions properly. During this retrograde, allow yourself to slow down. Don't act impulsively, as mars may normally allow you to. Instead, look to see where the anger is coming from and find a healthy way to release it and relate to it. ---

Virgo is also about setting clear, healthy boundaries. We have the opportunity now to practice getting in touch with our emotions, and expressing our needs in clear constructive ways. Situations that we may have put up with in the past, or avoided, will no longer be allowed to continue. Confrontations may arise that clearly bring into view weak spots and uncomfortable issues in our relationships, work, and projects that need to be addressed. Have we been giving too much of ourselves in these situations and not speaking up for our needs, stuffing our anger and creating resentment? Or have we been overpowering a situation in which maybe we should be learning to compromise. How we respond to these confrontations or frustrations will give us a clear view of our unhealthy emotional and behavioral patterns, from where we can learn to grow.

Now is a good time find support through therapy or friends who can offer us reflection and tools to address our anger. It is also a good idea to carve out time for self-reflection where we can regain some balance and replenish our stores of energy. Retrogrades offer a time of healing as the energy turns inward and we get to visit parts of ourselves that we may unconsciously keep buried. These parts of ourselves need to be expressed, and if we fight to keep them hidden, they may find their expression by erupting in conflict, sickness, or accidents. Lets give Mars a little help by consciously choosing to work on ourselves as the uncomfortable situations arise, so we can avoid breakdown and illness.

During Mars retrograde we will also rethink the direction we have been going in and question if this is really the direction we want to continue going. An effective weeding out of unhealthy relationships and situations is underway. It's time to let go of projects and dreams that are unrealistic. Virgo will bring into focus what dreams ARE realistic and practical, and the rest will fall away, hopefully gracefully if you're willing to let them go. If things do start to unravel and dissolve, it's important to remember that this is part of the process and you are being asked to re-align to your truest desires and discover new strategies for creating what you want in your life. It's time to be re-inspired and reconnected to your passions and loves in life. However, movement towards these new dreams and passions may be slow until Mars goes direct. But don't get discouraged, keep re-envisioning, and create plans that can be put into action when the time is right.

And speaking of passion, our sexual desire may be more intense during this time but it's possible that frustrations might arise whether you're in a partnership or not. It's a good time for an exercise routine to help release some of this pent up energy. Or it may be a time in which we rediscover our connection to our sexuality and how we relate to it and express it. The retrograde may distort our judgment about who we choose to explore this side of ourselves with, so be careful, but Virgo at least may offer us a little bit of discernment.

Retrograde cycles are something to embrace. It's very rare not to have a planet retrograde in the sky, and depending on which planet it is, will determine the collective lessons we will be receiving at that time. Mars happens to retrograde less often than any of the other planets, so when its retrograde cycle comes around, its presence will create an impact in our lives and the lessons we learn will be long lasting.

Let's get a little more specific on how this Mars retrograde will affect each sign (and rising sign):

Aries and Ascendant (rising) - This Mars retrograde will affect you on a more personal level because it rules your first house of body, personality and how others see you. It is your sign ruler, or chart ruler if you are an Aries rising. Mars is retrograding in your solar sixth house of work, health and daily routines, so these areas in your life will be most affected and in need of re-organizing. It's important now to slow down and re- assess how you take action and assert yourself in order to get what you want out of life in these areas. Give yourself plenty of time to rest and relax and find healthy ways to express frustrations at work.

Taurus and Taurus Ascendant - Mars rules your twelfth house of spirituality, intuition, and the unconscious. As Mars retrogrades you may find that your intuition and judgment are off, and you could be acting more from your unconscious self than from clear awareness. Watch out for the tendency to get lost in addictions or obsessing over the past. Mars will be retrograding in your fifth house of romance, creativity, and children. These are areas where you may find frustrations or lack of self-confidence. Try not to make hasty decisions based on these frustrations and give yourself time to re-asses your goals and inspiration in creative projects.

Gemini and Gemini Ascendant - Mars rules your eleventh house of dreams, aspirations, business networking and friends, and you might see challenges in or have low self-confidence around generating income from your dream job. Mars is retrograding in your forth house of home, emotions, and childhood. These are areas that might slow down or bring up frustrations. Emotions from childhood may arise that need to be dealt with, and your home situation might be the source of conflict and restructuring. Find healthy ways to express these emotions and work through unresolved childhood issues.

Cancer and Cancer Ascendant - Mars rules your tenth house of career and public recognition. You may find yourself re-assessing your career choice or having a difficult time getting the promotion you've been wanting. Mars will be retrograding through your solar third house of short travel, communication, studies, siblings and neighbors. You may find trouble in these areas but take care in how you express yourself and your anger as you may regret it later on. You also may find yourself unmotivated in your current area of study now so it is good time to re-think your direction.

Leo and Leo Ascendant - Mars rules your ninth house of higher learning, travel, ideals, and spiritual beliefs. If you're traveling you might find yourself hitting obstacles along the way. You're beliefs and perspectives may be changing during this time so allow yourself time for reflection, and try to see the bigger picture in challenging situations. Mars is retrograding in your solar second house of money, security and self worth. How much you value yourself on an emotional and financial level is up for re- assessment.

Virgo and Virgo Ascendant - Mars rules your eighth house of joint finances, debt, and intimacy. You might be having challenges with a partner or business partner in these areas. It's time to re-negotiate financial situations and projects and create clear boundaries and understanding. Mars is retrograding your solar first house of self- expression and personality. You may find yourself spending a lot of time alone now rethinking how you approach the world and your life situations. Self-confidence and energy levels might be low so don't push yourself. Allow this time of introspection.

Libra and Libra Ascendant - Mars rules your seventh house of business and intimate partnerships. Things may seem unclear or interest may start to wane in these relationships. It's time to think about and discuss what is working and what is not working. Passive-aggressive behavior is likely now, so it's time to find better ways to express your anger. Mars is retrograding in your solar twelfth house of spirituality, intuition and the unconscious. Watch out for the tendency to get lost in addiction during time. Your judgment may be off and you may suffer from low-grade anxiety during this time. Give yourself plenty of time for self-care and reflection without obsessing over past situations.

Scorpio and Scorpio Ascendant - Mars rules your sixth house of daily routines, health and work. Careful not to push to hard in your day-to-day projects as it might lead to health issues. Now is the time to re-organize your daily schedule and create more time for taking care of yourself. A good balance of work and self-care is needed. Mars is retrograding in your solar eleventh house of dreams, friends, community, and business income. Conflicts and delays may be seen in these areas of your life. It's time to re-asses your friendships and redefine your inspirations, goals and dreams.

Sagittarius and Sagittarius Ascendant - Mars rules your fifth house of children, creativity, romance and hobbies. You may find challenges in these areas and that your inspiration for your creative work is waning. It's time to reflect on how you are interacting with significant others and if your actions have been in integrity. Mars is retrograding through your solar tenth house of career and recognition. You may find conflict at work and not feel that your efforts are being recognized. It's time to re- structure your work situation and resolve any issues and problems that have not been talked about.

Capricorn and Capricorn Ascendant - Mars rules your fourth house of family, home, security and the past. These areas may be sources of tension and you may find conflict in your home situation is reminding you of past events. Repressed emotions may surface now to be dealt with and released. Mars is retrograding in your solar ninth house of travel, higher learning, beliefs and adventure. You may find you've lost your zest for adventure and your motivation with school and study is lacking. Your faith in the process of life may feel challenged and is under evaluation, so now is a good time reassess your perspective and see things in terms of the "bigger picture."

Aquarius and Aquarius Ascendant - Mars rules your third house of communication, siblings and neighbors, and short travel. You may have miscommunications or challenges in these areas. You may also have delays in your daily world in terms of travel. Be cautious with how you communicate and find constructive ways to express your frustrations. Mars is retrograding in your solar eighth house of intimacy and shared resources. Problems or conflict may arise around joint finances or debt and need to be re-organized. Your personal relationships may become more emotionally intense and require space for re-evaluation.

Pisces and Pisces Ascendant - Mars rules your second house of money, possessions, and self-worth. You may be feeling anxious about your financial situation and be thinking about how your self-worth is connected to money and possessions. Mars is retrograding in your solar seventh house of marriage and partnerships, including business partnerships. You or your partner may be feeling insecure or angry about situations that haven't been dealt with. Now is the time to re-assess how well these relationships are working and discover new ways of expressing needs and emotions.