What's Up?
Mars Retrograde
Jan 23 - Apr 13, 2012

The Astronomy, or what it is...

The phenomenon known as Mars Retrograde occurs approximately every 2 years and 2 months when, for about sixty to eighty days, Mars travels in reverse motion against the backdrop of stars. Of course, it doesn't really move backwards, but only appears to do so from our point of view here on Earth. Its forward motion slows until it appears to stand still on January 23 and change direction as the Earth passes between it and the Sun. Mars will slow again in late March, then resume its forward motion on April 13.

As Earth's second-closest planetary neighbor, Mars is a highlight of the night sky for about three months around the retrograde period. Mars will reach its greatest magnitude of brightness from February 22 to March 13. It will oppose the Sun on March 3 and be nearest the Earth on March 5.

The next Mars retrograde period begins in March 2014.

Read more on the astronomy of Mars retrograde at Naked Eye Planets.com

The Astrology, or what it means...

In astrology, Mars symbolizes energy, passion, drive, activity, anger, assertiveness and aggression, the survival instinct, sexuality, desire, courage and initiative. During the retrograde period, the Mars energy is turned inward and does not work in a direct or forthright manner. It is possible for anger and resentment to build, creating an internal pressure that is released after Mars resumes its forward motion.

Mars generally spends around 42 days traversing a given sign. When retrograde, Mars can linger in a sign for almost eight months.

Mars entered the sign of Virgo November 10, 2011 and remains there until July 3, 2012 when it enters the sign of Libra. The last time Mars was retrograde in the sign of Virgo was 1997.

Mars in Virgo
Virgo is the sign of work, health, service, and analysis. Among other things it is associated with humility, discernment, criticism, craftsmanship, practicality, details, daily routines, and the digestive system. Mars in Virgo correlates with the disciplined use of energy, adaptation, ingenuity, desire for impeccability, restless energy if not engaged in productive work, and irritability with disorder

Mars Retrograde in Virgo brings to mind the concept of "Wabi Sabi". In art books it is typically defined as "flawed beauty". Philosophically speaking, the meaning is often condensed to "wisdom in natural simplicity". "In a nutshell, Wabi Sabi is imperfection, or more fully, appreciation of the value and beauty of imperfection. Wabi Sabi celebrates the preciousness of all things imperfect, which is truly all things. The way of Wabi Sabi honors the quirks, the oddities, the perfectly imperfect uniqueness of you and me and everything. Wabi Sabi highlights the value of objects, events, and the entirety of your life "as is", unpolished, unpredictable, and natural." ~ Taro Gold

Mars retrograde is a period for reworking a project rather than initiating one. Use this time to evaluate how you are directing your efforts. Are you procrastinating? What makes you feel energized? What are your current goals? Where would you like to be two years from now? What makes you angry? How do you handle conflict?

Everyone is up for change in some area now, and when you are presented with the opportunity to change, it is best to work with the energy; otherwise, difficulties ensue. Breakdowns are likely to occur; things don't work the way they should or as you would like them to, plans require alteration, stamina is diminished and irritation builds. The column on the right will give you some idea of the areas where change is apt to be needed for each sign.

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For a more indepth look at Mars Retrograde read astrologer Lynn Koiner's article, "Everything That You Ever Wanted To Know About Mars Retrograde".

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Retrograde Planets:
Traversing the Inner Landscape
by Erin Sullivan

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