Mars Retrograde - Virgo

Imagine driving a cross-country trip in reverse gear. That’s pretty much the scenario for successfully coping with Mars in retrograde motion from January 23, 2012 through April 13, 2012 in Virgo. You can certainly make progress and get there, but the perspective, speed, and attitude will require major adjustment!

f.y.i. A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backward in its orbit through the zodiac. The cycle of Mars turns retrograde every 26 months for about 2½ months.

Mars represents our assertive, masculine, and aggressive urges and how we express them. It also symbolizes how we initiate in our lives and manifest our leadership and our physical energy. As such, it’s plain to see why Mars would not be too happy with an enforced slowdown. In a global sense, people and countries can feel pushed to inappropriately aggressively defend themselves, with sorry consequences for all. Actually, one of the wise adages for Mars retrograde is: "He who fires the first shot loses the war!"

During the retrograde, it’s common for old anger issues to resurface and get our attention. Where have we held in anger or resentment toward a person or situation that’s still fermenting inside us and affecting our own well-being? Years ago, I was furious with an injustice that someone had inflicted on me and I stayed up all night upset and raging. Suddenly, early in the morning, I realized that the other person was probably sleeping soundly while I was tormenting myself!

Another misdirection of the anger principal may be projecting anger from past experiences onto people or circumstance in the present that bring up the old feelings. If this begins to arise, it helps to ask yourself when you felt this before, and separate current circumstance from lingering memories.

When the fearless warrior goes retrograde in Virgo, it's a perfect time to address the minor naggings that mar your solitude when you're trying to relax or meditate. It's the old "stitch-in-time" that may save you major alterations, redirections, or even surgery later on. Take care of the little things now. Besides, those papers piled on your desk and bookcase may be burying that million dollar winning notification from the Publisher's Clearinghouse!

Virgo excels at directing good use of energy and efficiency and realizing what is essential. If something isn't working as you'd like, discover what is wrong or missing, and adjust or release it. Unless you can foresee rain or water resources, there's no sense seeding a dust bowl.

Rules of the Retrograde Road

What NOT to do:

Try not to initiate new ventures.

Avoid purchasing anything major mechanical.

Aggressive actions backfire.

Don’t initiate any lawsuits.

Whoever fires first loses.

If you push too hard, you’ll get pushed back.

Watch for old behavior patterns to re-emerge.

Make the best of this time:

If you have to buy something major that’s mechanical, insure or warrantee it.

Use this time to assess, review, and plan.

Pilot test and use feedback.

Research now will really pay off later.

Evaluate emotional wants and needs.

Eliminate habits that result in dissipation.

Find ways to balance over-aggressive behavior.

Find ways to balance passive/aggressive behavior.

If you must be involved in a lawsuit, aggravate the other party so they litigate first.

Clear out your closets or basement.

Fix what doesn't work or give it away.

Get to the bottom of frustrating issues and release them.

Notice what stresses you and eliminate it.

Exercise moderately and consistently.

Yoga or meditation help.

Practice patience.

Come to peace with the past.

Be nice to yourself.

Notice where self-criticism and a need for perfection may diminish and sabotage your efforts. Replace it with constructive assessment that supports creativity and self-worth.

We can use this time to discover what is really important to us and learn to express our energy in healthy assertive ways. With a modicum of attention, patience, and willingness to take stock and continuously reevaluate, long- range success is likely. After all, we are the fortunate ones. We have the greatest resources to cope with this time – awareness and openness to do things differently.

©2012Barbara Hamilton