Mars Retrograde

Monday November 12, 2007

Mars goes retrograde later in the week (Exact on the 15th, 3:24 am EST), but many are already sensing a cosmic winding down. Mars is in the water sign Cancer, an intiating cardinal sign, but one that takes stealthy sidesteps forward, feeling out every situation. In retrograde, Mars stews in his emotional juices, so to speak, and it may be harder to get things done. Some might experience less energy, quick tempers, irrational arguments and defensive overreacting. Mars here amplifies Cancer's protective instinct, which brings out both compassion for all of humanity, and its shadowy twin, clannish "us against them" rationales. It's a chance to integrate feeling into actions, and possibly a series of lessons in anger management.

Australian astrologer Rob Tillett notes that those with planets in cardinal signs (Cancer, Aries, Libra and Capricorn) will be strongly affected. He also warns against spicy food during the Mars retrograde. It makes sense with Cancer associated with the stomach and Mars being the red planet! This Mars retrograde lasts through the end of January, but the action planet won't leave the Rx zone (12 degrees Cancer) until April 4th. Your own Mars retrograde experience will be colored by where it's transiting in your birth chart.