On April 17th Mars will start a very rare retrogression period, which will have an interesting affect upon our lives. Will we be subjects to it – or will we still be able to choose our own way of doing things?
Between April 17 and June 29, Mars will be retrograding in the realm of the Gate which is the house of the Scorpio constellation – a very rare and special retrogression (read more about why this is so).
Mars will begin its retrogression in conjunction to Antares – Scorpio’s brightest star. The meaning of the word “Antares” is anti-Ares. And Ares is Mars’ Greek name. So Antares is Mars’ eternal rival, and it actually looks just like Mars in the skies, since both glow with a reddish shade. It is unique to see the two together in the skies, especially when Mars is retrograding.
You can actually follow Mars’s retrogression in the skies quite easily these days!! Mars and the constellation Scorpio are rising at around 22:00 (10pm) in the East and travels all through the skies from East to West during the night, setting in the West in the morning. You can easily see with the naked eye Mars and Scorpio if the weather allows it. If you follow them each night you will easily see how Mars begins its retrogression in conjunction to Antares and gets further away from Antares each evening! Don’t miss the sight !
What Should We Expect?
Mars is named after the god of War and is the conduit of our ability to do, our ambition, project-handling and vitality. When Mars retrogrades all territories this planet is connected to might go to one of two extremes – either hyper-active or hypo-active. This means that we might get too ambitious and competitive, militant and angry, or if it affects us the other way – we might lack the power and motivation to do things. The way Mars affects us depends on our specific astrological combination – our astrological chart.
We also might notice that during the first half of the retrogression (till May 10th) we might be on the hyper side of things, and later on experience the low.
This retrogression is quite long, and its “worst” part is going to be the first 3 weeks, as Mars retrogrades in conjunction to Antares. This is the reason that this retrogression might inflict more anger and heat during this time.. The advice is to be careful in what you do, don’t plan on starting new projects if possible and be cautious whilst driving, cutting things and working.
In matters of world-affect Mars might ignite quarrels, violence and war.
What Can We Do About It?
The first thing to know is that we CAN do many things in order not to let Mars’s retrogression control us. Actually – the celestial bodies influence our less-conscious parts. If we react in an automatic way: not thinking about what we do, acting out upon a whim, or letting our own lower side control us – we will most definitely fall into Mars’ traps during this time.
But if we choose to look at things, think about them, practice patience and free will – we can recognize Mars’s traps and avoid them.
Mars’s retrogression is no excuse for any bad behavior on our side, and it gives us a great opportunity to practice behaving according to our chosen principles,s, standards and values.
And the Extra
If we do not fall into Mars’ traps – which are competition, anger, hate and violence – and we do act in a HUMANE WAY, we might not be the only ones to benefit from our deeds. As we act in a normal way when Mars is retrograding, and also do this in an aware way, we might even transmit something to Mars and to the world about HOW TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS.
And bit by bit, as more people do so, we put into the world another kind of option of how to behave and how to do things – so that other people can connect to that option and choose awareness over violence, standards of reactivity. And who knows – we might even transmit something back to Mars and by that help Mars evolve so its following retrogressions will not be so bad.
The Way Mars’s Retrogression will Affect Each One of the Astrological Tribes:
The Lake – For those Born Between March 14 – April 12
Mars’ retrogression (April 17 – June 29) affects the territory of travelling and studying. This is not the time for extreme treks or for dangerous adventures. Try to be careful while driving and try to avoid unnecessary travelling, if possible. For students it might be a convoluted time in which assignments are difficult to do and the stress and pressure might be high. Remember to relax and put yourself in other situations that bring you well-being as much as possible. This is the time to find a new approach towards studying!
Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
The Flame – For those Born Between April 13 – May 13
Due to Mars’ retrogression you are now becoming very introverted. You feel less the need to go outwards and do physical things, and you have more power and strength to dedicate your time and efforts towards your spiritual journey. This is a time to devote yourself to the burning spiritual quest and get engaged with the never-ending journey of insights and discoveries. This is the time to remember that sometimes one does not need to see physical results to their strivings, rather to be more involved with the research itself. Astrological Card (from the Holistic Astrological Card’s deck) to meditate upon – the 8th House card, the card of Spiritual Quest.
The Key – For those Born Between May 14 – June 14
Mars is retrograding in your astrological House of Relationships. This means that till June 29th you need to be very careful in order not to ignite fights and cause stress in your existing relationships. This is the time to be careful and patient with your spouse. In team-work you will also need to apply the attitude of grace and patience, as conflict will want to appear between you and your team-members and partners. This might also not be the best time to start new projects, and if you must take them on – take into account that many things that can go wrong – will. This is the time to develop a new attitude towards going out into the world. Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Exchange – For those Born Between June 15 – July 15
Mars’ retrogression makes you more prone to little accidents – like knife cuts, falls and breaks, usually originating from lack of carefulness. This is the time to make sure you do things at a slower pace and in a safe and aware way. Mars might also make it problematic to tend to life’s little maintenance chores, and here again – you need much patience and even creativity, as new ways to do things might pop up, replacing the old patterns that just don’t seem to work these days. Astrological Card to meditate upon – Health & Balance (6th House), from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Giving – For those Born Between July 16 – August 15
Mars’ retrogression makes you a bit like teenagers again – so involved with yourself you hardly ‘ seem to notice people around you. You might find yourself even more competitive and egocentric. This is the time to apply your adult-persona and to remember that you already know how to combine doing that which you love with caring for others, and putting aside old ways of behavior which do not fit anymore.Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Nobility – For those Born Between August 16 – September 15
Mars is going to affect your emotions during this retrogression (till June 29). Your emotions might be very explosive.. Please make sure you relax and take your own emotional dramas with a sense of humor. Remember that something wants you very angry and stressful – but you are the one that can choose how your emotions will actually be.
Mars might also arouse conflicts with family members and start quarrels with your close ones – so again – this is the time to practice patience and care in order to avoid Mars’ traps. Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Abundance – For those Born Between September 16 – October 16
Mars is retrograding in your House of Communication. It’s a bit like Mercury’s retrogression – but on steroids. Not only misunderstandings and mal-communications are coming your way, , but also things that can escalate easily into quarrels and fights. Do what you can in order to avoid verbal violence and make sure you think before you respond. If you have a business, make sure your marketing doesn’t turn out to be too aggressive. YET – This might be the perfect time to find new and brighter ways for communicating. Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Creation – For those Born Between October 17- November 14
Mars’ retrogression affects your ability to DO things. This might not be the best time to take on new projects. When you do things, try to take into account it’s easy to get pressured, stressed or too ambitious – so just don’t (easy to say, ha?). Try not to push yourself to extremes. Try to avoid taking risks – and especially financial risks. Try to do things at a slower pace. Don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t act upon whims.Astrological Card to meditate upon – in order to calm down Mars’ influence – Venus, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
The Gate – For those Born Between November 15 – December 14
Mars is now retrograding in your astrological Realm of the Gate. This means it can have a huge affect upon you, and can make it a difficult time (till June 29). Mars’ traps are falling unthinkingly into anger, stress, ambition or competition. Nevertheless – Mars’ retrogression can be a great celestial opportunity for change. This is the time to find NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS. And if you choose to look at this time like that – which is just a slight change of mind-set – it can be a wonderful time of growth and development. Astrological Card to meditate upon in order to bring awareness to the way you do things – Mars, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
Flexibility – For those Born Between December 15 – January 13
Due to Mars’ retrogression your energy and life power might be lacking these days. It is difficult to find the strength and to be pumped-up about things. Because Mars’ retrogression is long, and you can’t fall into the apathy that awaits you – it is important to ignite your inner powers and do things not because you’re enthusiastic about them – rather because you are obligated to do them and you do not want to fall beneath your standards. Whilst the outer-current might be lacking these days, you need to find inner strengths and your own will-power in order to do things. Astrological Card to meditate upon in order to find the inner power to do things – Mars, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
The Diamond – For those Born Between January 14 – February 12
Mars’ retrogression affects your astrological House of Vocation. This is the time in which it is more difficult to do the big and important things you want to do. The interesting solution might simply be not to deal now with the BIG things, rather to pay attention to the small details, and to the management tasks that need to be done. Take care of the little things and the less important things, instead of going head-first into a dead-end street. Astrological Card to meditate upon in order to bring awareness to the way you do things – Mars, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.
The Waterfall – For those Born Between February 13 – March 13
Mars retrogrades in your astrological House of Work, making it difficult to approach your projects. Please expect everything that can go wrong – to do so. Take into account you need to be more patient and aware of things. Be aware you might do things out of stress and competition instead of the logical thing to do. You need to bring forth all the awareness you can in order not to fall into Mars’ traps. This might also be a brilliant way to find new ways of doing things. But remember – it is better these days NOT TO DO than to do things that fall from your standards or involve too much stress. Astrological Card to meditate upon in order to bring awareness to the way you do things – Mars, from Karni Zor’s Holistic Astrological Card’s deck.