The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - November 2007
Every two years, Mars turns retrograde and remains in that direction for about ten weeks. This is the year and November is the month, with Mars going retrograde on the 15th and turning direct January 30, 2008. The last time Mars turned retrograde was October 2005 and the next time will be December 2009.
Mars is the drive wheel of the zodiac. It provides the motivation and energy to initiate new projects and activities. These activities can be competitive, contentious, physical or sexual. The longer Mars is retrograde the less any of those qualities will tend to be present for us to utilize. Hence it will be a poor time to begin a new project, as the energy will be lacking to finish what we start. We may even lose interest in something we have been engaged in for a while. We could set it aside temporarily, returning to it once Mars turns direct, or we could let it go altogether.
When a planet retrogrades, it appears to move back in the direction it came from. When Mars is the retrograde planet it’s beneficial to go back over things that we had been doing a while ago, never finished and almost forgot about. This is also a good time to review something that, although finished, could be improved. We can make sure that we haven’t left out anything and that the quality of the work is acceptable.
The reversal of Mars’ direction could also signal the re-direction of its focus. Instead of using this energy in outward action, we can use it for introspection and research. We can investigate new projects to become involved with after Mars turns direct and strategize how we’re going to be successful in those endeavors.
The introspective focus of Mars retrograde can pull up memories of situations from the past that were unpleasant or unresolved.
Either the internal self-examination or the planning for the future will generally pertain to the house (area of life experience) that Mars is transiting in your chart at this time. Generally, if Mars is transiting below the horizon (houses 1-6) the focus would tend to be in personal areas of life experience. If it above the horizon (houses 7-12) attention would be drawn to professional or public activities.
In addition to drive and initiative, Mars also pertains to physicality. This can involve anything from working out to sexuality. In either case, this can be a time of restricted options and limited interest. We may lack the desire or drive to maintain the physical part of our health maintenance program. We can decide either to take a break, cut way back or contemplate and plan for a new program starting in February.
The sexual aspect of Mars is interesting. We can use this time to review our sexual experiences. Are they meaningful and fulfilling? Are we in touch with our sexual needs and drives? Are we being open and honest with our partner about those needs? Or is this an area wherein we seek to satisfy our partner regardless of our own needs and feelings? This is a good time to get in touch with, and act on, long repressed sexual desires.
Mars also pertains to anger. The position and condition of Mars in our natal chart indicates how we deal with and express anger. Sometimes, however, we may become too selective about how we register or express anger to the point that we block its expression. With Mars retrograde, we could get in touch with underlying anger that could pertain to something currently going on or to something that took place long ago. We may have not expressed those emotions out of fear, ignorance or merely a desire to maintain peace and harmony. Now is a good time to acknowledge the anger and resolve the situation. Without conscious acknowledgment, we could become passive-aggressive in our relationships, preferring a more indirect and usually ineffective way of expressing anger.
However, this is not a good time to initiate new conflicts. Due to the diminishing of physical energy and drive during this ten week period, any party, from a person to a country, that initiates conflict will generally lose the contest. Mars retrograde is a time of reaction, not action. Hence the one being attacked has more potential to respond successfully than the one doing the attacking. Pay attention to any political situation, from a civil war to an international event. Regardless of the righteousness of the attacking force, they are more liable to lose than to win.
Due to the rarity of Mars being retrograde, we might be surprised at the shifts in awareness and activity that accompanies this event. Like any transit, however, we can take advantage of this one in positive ways. Just remember that certain things are reversed at this time. What is normally externalized may now be experienced more internally. What is usually more personal or hidden may now become more expressed. Pay attention to the house in your chart where Mars is transiting, tune in and feel where its influence is taking you. However strange or uncomfortable that influence may be, using it can free up blockages from the past and prepare you for successes in the future.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Since Mars is your ruling planet, you may be more aware of and influenced by its retrograde motion than most other signs. Growth in general for you during this period can involve developing the patience that will help you to be more clear in your introspection and appropriate in your interactions with others. Pay special attention to home and family matters. This is an area to become aware of current drives, future plans or buried hostilities from the past.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
This is a good time to be helpful to others. This could be at home, at work or even in your neighborhood or community. Growth comes from not being attached to being appreciated for your actions. You may feel invisible to others even though you are putting out a lot of time, energy and good intention. Your reward comes from an increased sense of compassion for others, not through their feedback.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
The full Moon in Gemini on the 24th could bring up a clear and powerful sense of emotional self-awareness. That is a good time to sharpen your skills in communicating those feelings to others. You also may be more sensitive, especially with your family. Feelings of responsibility combined with feelings of being limited by those feelings could cause a sense of frustration during this period. Respond by being clear in defining and enforcing limits and boundaries, especially with family members.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Mars will be in Cancer during the first two weeks of its retrogradation. This could greatly heighten your sensitivity and a tendency to take everything very personally to the extent that your feelings get hurt easily. Be careful not to respond impulsively by lashing out in anger at the perceived cause of your pain. Growth comes from working at developing the inner calm that will allow to let others know how you’re feeling without judgment, hostility or recrimination.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
You may be less affected by the Mars retrograde than most other signs. In fact you may even feel more energy, especially physically and creatively than usual. This is a good time to act on inspiration, especially if those actions provide a clear sense of personal freedom. Growth comes from developing the self-awareness that will prevent your actions from impinging on others.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
You may feel an increase in energy, especially mental and physical, during the first few weeks of the Mars retrograde. Take advantage of it while it’s there, but also be realistic when it starts to fade. Don’t try to maintain the pace of activity if there is no energy to sustain it. Growth comes from tuning in to the spontaneous flow of energy and adjusting your intentions and behaviors accordingly.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
A lot of your focus this month could be on personal issues, especially those involving relationship and appearance. There could also be issues that come up in the professional arena that could limit the time and energy you have to put into your personal life. Growth for you this month comes from dealing with disharmony in appropriate and affective ways. Strive to avoid projecting your anger externally. This is a time to readjust your perspective in order to be realistic about how to allocate your time and energy.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Mars is the co-ruling planet of Scorpio. The first two weeks Mars is retrograde it will be in Cancer which, like Scorpio, is a water sign. This could bring up previously unresolved emotional issues from the past. Use that as a time to work through those issues. The last 8 weeks Mars will be in Gemini. This will help you to be more objective or detached about internal issues. You may even like sharing your feelings with others at that time as a vehicle for working them through.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Mars will be in Gemini most of the time it is retrograde. This would not be a good time to start a new relationship, but is a good time to work through past issues from either current or past relationships. Watch out for a tendency to project anger at your partner when it may be more appropriate to direct it elsewhere. The full Moon in Gemini on the 24th may bring a heightened emotional state. Growth comes from acknowledging the feelings yet striving for objectivity in stating how you feel.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
If you’ve begun a new relationship within the past month or two, it could be challenged during the Mars retrograde. The keys for you in responding to the issues are being direct without being hostile, and self-affirming without being inconsiderate. In addition, try to respond to the situation within the context of ethics that you ascribe to. Doing something with the right attitude supports you in the right way.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
This is a good time to implement plans and strategies that you have been planning and working on for about the past four months and specifically in the area of finance. Even if the plans aren’t solid, go ahead and explore, experiment even innovate. The more open you are to the possibilities of utilizing and applying your innate resources, the more successful you will be.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
You might feel as if your transcendent connection to the universe is being challenged this month. It’s not actually the connection itself as much as a challenge to maintain it in the face of the mundane realities of your life. Growth for you comes from getting so centered, and developing a deep sense of inner peace, that you can maintain that connection regardless of where you are, what you are doing or who you are doing it with.