What is Mars retrograde?
Words: Emma Vidgen // @emma_vee
Photo by Mohamed Nohassi // Unsplash
This November, Mars retrograde wraps up its two-month (ish) cycle, marking the end of another big 2020 astrological event. This Mars retrograde has been intense, with motivation and energy levels floundering while simultaneously, a lack of progress (thanks in part to Mars making a square to Saturn) has caused major frustration. If things have been moving at a glacial pace, it’s not just you, it’s Mars retrograde.
Just a couple of months ago we dealt with Venus retrograde and Mercury retrograde, then on 9 September UTC (10 September AEST), Mars retrograde began. Every planet has retrograde cycles (although they aren’t actually moving backwards, it just appears that way from our perspective on earth).
WHAT DOES MARS RETROGRADE FEEL LIKE?
This Mars retrograde period took place in Aries. When Mars is in Aries there’s a fiery determination, a firm eye towards a clear goal, but during this retrograde that goal may feel just out of reach.
Mars in Aries is usually full of fire and drive, but retrograde you might have felt your chutzpah suffer. Lethargy, tiredness and feeling “burnt out” are possible side effects.
The other potential manifestation is that you still felt all the fire and drive Mars in Aries inspires, but since its retrograde, that get-up-and-go is at a loss for direction. You could have felt rudderless, or extremely irritated that things just don’t seem to be coming together.
Whichever way it manifested in your life, frustration is likely a key descriptor for this season.
the shadow period and REVISITING OLD WOUNDS
Whenever a planet goes retrograde, we often have to deal with issues, or points of contention three times (triggered by the planet retracing an area of the sky it’s already traversed, then moving forward over the same patch of sky one final time). The energy is primed to have you revisiting conflicts and feeling especially frustrated, angry or resentful.
The issues in question may have arisen during the shadow period – between the 26 July and 9 September. These scenarios will often reach peak intensity during the retrograde (between 9 September and 13 November) and come to some kind of resolution in the final shadow period (14 November – 4 January AEST).
WHAT DOES MARS RETROGRADE MEAN FOR MY STAR SIGN?
Mars retrograde will impact everyone differently depending on your birth chart. Here’s a steer on the area of life that may be in focus according to your
ARIES AND ARIES RISING… your body and mind. Take time out to rest and recharge your batteries.
TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING…make space for solitude and self-care. This period may have you feeling flat so prioritise self-care.
GEMINI AND GEMINI RISING…be gentle with friends and colleagues. You may find tensions that arose between the end of July and early September resurface.
CANCER AND CANCER RISING…take it easy (as much as possible) with work. Plan for delays, expect things to take longer than usual and be prepared for progress to move slowly.
LEO AND LEO RISING…Be patient and expect things to progress slowly or run into delays around learning, study and future travel plans.
VIRGO AND VIRGO RISING…Be patient with property, shared assets and investments. Expect setbacks or hold-ups finalising negotiations that have been in the works since late July.
LIBRA AND LIBRA RISING…Be patient with your partner. Irritation, annoyance or old resentments may cause tension in your relationship.
SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING…Take a break to reassess and recalibrate your daily routine. Schedule time to rest into your day, take your foot off the gas, and give yourself a chance to recharge.
SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS RISING…Rest and rethink your creative practices. Allow space to review artistic projects. Kids (if you have them) may act a little restless.
CAPRICORN AND CAPRICORN RISING…Tread carefully with your family and home life. Old hurts might reemerge and cause tension. Be gentle with yourself, and your loved ones.
AQUARIUS AND AQUARIUS RISING…Be patient with your extended family. Be extra careful with your words; family could be oversensitive and things could be blown out of proportion, fast.
PISCES AND PISCES RISING…Take time to reflect on your spending. Ease up on the outgoings and take a minute to review big outlays over the past couple of months.
HOW TO WORK WITH THE ENERGY
Like all retrograde periods, Mars retrograde is a time to reflect and regroup. Because Mars rules action, assertiveness and desire, when Mars is retrograde, these areas of life may feel a little out of whack. Working with the energy rather than against it is the key to moving through it as gracefully as possible.
TAKE A BREAK
Rather than trying to fight the energy and force things to progress, take the sense of frustration as a cosmic cue to slow down. Wherever you have the luxury, clear your diary and resist the temptation to overextend yourself with work and social commitments. Allow for delays and expect things to take longer than usual.
2. NOTICE YOUR TRIGGERS
You’ll more than likely feel more irritable than usual with martial energy bouncing around with nowhere to go. Notice what ticks you off. Pay attention to your. Remember triggers are teachers. When you feel an internal explosion of anger, try to stay curious and try to reflect before your react. If other people are frustrating you, do a little U-turn and take a moment to reflect on what painful part inside needs attention.
3. CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO ASSERTIVENESS AND ANGER
On a personal level, Mars retrograde is an opportunity to reflect on your relationship with anger. What role does anger play in your life? Does it have a starring role or is it a rarely seen bit part? How do you express anger when it arises? Are you able to ride the waves of big, overwhelming, “unladylike” feelings or do you push them to one side. Bringing a kind curiousity to feelings as they arise will be a great help in navigating a potentially volatile time.