As we move through September we’re getting closer and closer to the retrograde of Mars. This retrograde is going to be one for the books as it will energetically challenge us all.
This retrograde begins on the 9th and will bring out our emotional side big time. For some of us, this is a good thing and for others, it may prove to be quite the challenge. The more we work with these energies the further we will get but at what cost? This year we have all been through a lot. Many believe actually that so far 2020 has been one of the worst years yet and well, I guess I’d have to agree.
It has for many of us been a major setback and thrown a lot of us off course. As we work to get back to normal this retrograde will be reminding us of all we’ve faced and how far we’ve come. Sure, that might be scary at first but it’s quite empowering when you really break things down.
Café Astrology wrote as follows on Mars retrograde:
When Mars is in its retrograde cycle, we are forced to re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly assert our desires, we tend towards introspection.
While Mars in direct motion is direct, straightforward, assertive, and aggressive, with Mars in retrograde motion, Mars energy is essentially turned inward–it’s internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them.
The way we react to situations under normal conditions doesn’t necessarily work for us now, or we don’t exactly trust our instincts during the retrograde phase of Mars.
When anger is internalized, there can be some rather challenging byproducts, such as tension, resentment, depression, apathy, and even some paranoia. On the other hand, it can also be personalized and made more intimate.
Our goal during a Mars retrograde period should not be, however, to simply sit on our impulses or to squelch our enthusiasm. Rather, it should be to better understand our impulses, our survival instincts, our anger, our sexuality, our inner courage, and the ways we go about getting what we want from life. The cosmos are asking us to look before we leap rather than throwing ourselves into action, just for the time being.
In many ways, I think of Mars retrograde periods as similar to Mars transits through the twelfth house. It’s a time when we hesitate more often than we throw ourselves into new endeavors. We tend to second-guess our impulses. We might require more rest than usual. Some of us are more accident-prone or illness-prone, almost as if the cosmos are forcing us to slow down if we haven’t listened to our natural impulses to take a break. It’s time for regrouping, and this is important on both physical and emotional levels.
This for all of us is going to be something we have to work through to get where we want to be. In order to move forward, we have to face the past, and well, the past right now whether you’re looking a few months back or even just a few days might be a bit overwhelming. Doors are going to be rapidly opening and closing and well, keeping up is important.
Astrology King wrote as follows on one of the aspects this retrograde holds:
Mars square Saturn brings delays, impatience, restrictions, frustration and inhibition. Your desires and needs may grow stronger, yet you may find it harder to express your passions and succeed. The harder you pursue your goals, the more resistance you are likely to face. Authority figures may restrict your ambitions. It may be that general circumstances prevent your progress.
The best approach now is a defensive one. Instead of starting new projects or hunting down your desires, it is better to concentrate on holding onto what you already have. This is a good time to sharpen knives and strengthen your defenses. Patience and plodding hard work will get you there.
Don’t let yourself get down during this retrograde but do feel the things you need to feel. While you’ll be facing a lot and you may want to give up, the more you work towards finding that light the better. Things are going to be looking up very soon, you can count on that.