MARS RETROGRADE - DRIVING WITH ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS ACCELERATE

Have you noticed a change in the energy around lately? People not in the best of moods, arguments starting out of nowhere and relationships breaking down from what used to be problems that could be easily fixed. Think back to June to August 2018 when Mars was last retrograde and that is what we are going through again.

Mars went retrograde in Aries on September 9, 2020. The last time Mars was retrograde in Aries was 1988. Mars also rules Aries so it may be good news as Mars feels right at home in this sign. On the other hand, it can be bad news as the combustible energy of Mars will be in full force, and as it is retrograde, it may not be able to find an outlet to push things forward for you in life. Rather, it has likely left you feeling like things are an uphill battle. The operative word here is "battle". I guess that's what you get when the planet of action and motion feels stifled and held back. What you also get is feelings of low energy, life moving at a slower pace and frustrations from wanting something to happen and not having control over whether it will or not.

Mars is the God of war. It is a wonderful planet to have on your side when you wish to get things done as it bestows a lot of energy and initiative which allows you to push through obstacles and accomplish your goals. The key to Mars retrograde is to possibly not push as hard, as it can feel like no matter what you do, you are not getting to where you wish to be without jumping over more than a few hurdles.



You can have the best laid plans and know exactly what action you need to take to accomplish what you are aiming for. However, even the best laid plans can come undone when they involve other people who are not on the same page as you and who are also fighting their own issues during the retrograde. Individual and group efforts may come undone as the slowing down of energy caused by Mars retrograde takes hold and motivation is hard to get moving. It may be best to focus on yourself and what you need to get done during this time because then, at least, you know where you are heading and what you want to accomplish. Frustrations bought up by others can hold you back or you may be holding others back.

What I usually see a lot of during Mars retrograde is problems with relationships. If you or your partner are usually patient and calm then that can change in an instant. Out of nowhere, short and long-term problems arise and with them decisions made in haste, with an equal amount of repenting at leisure. For this reason, avoid making life changing decisions regarding your love life at this time. You may find that rather than the smooth sailing you thought would come about from acting decisively, you are later faced with what seems like the sinking of the Titanic.

When in doubt repeat to yourself, "act in haste/repent at leisure". I can't promise this will help a lot if the Mars energy is coming from another person or outside of your control, but it sure won't hurt to calm yourself in the face of problems arising within and around you.

Those of you with the Sun or other prominent planets in Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will be hardest hit with this Mars retrograde. The conjunction it makes to planets in Aries means you are feeling things on a very personal level. The opposition it makes to Libra can have you in conflict with yourself and pull you in opposite directions in what you should do next. The squares it is making to both Cancer and Capricorn translate into tension and discord you could well do without.

Mars retrograde is good for making plans, not so great in trying to put them into action, but that time will come when the retrograde ends on November 13, 2020. There will be a shadow period at the end of that date when Mars is moving over the degrees it first went retrograde. The date it is fully out of the shadow period is January 2, 2021. Looks like it will be a Happy New Year!