What a big week in the skies! As you can see from the list of transits perfecting this week, there is plenty happening. However, the Mars Retrograde Station (7 Dec) is the main event which will mark a significant turning point in life since October. You may recall that after the eclipse season in October, I had written about the next six months being a distinct new chapter.

This chapter began in mid-October and many of the issues coming up from then until now will be coming up for you again, even if you thought you had dealt with them already. Reflect back on what has happened since then. You’re about to get the second wave of impact from these events. Mars will be retrograde until 24 February 2025, that’s a whole climatic season! So consider these next three months a time in which you might confront those events in a big way.

To start with, the onset of Mars turning retrograde may have you feeling frustrated and disappointed, so much that it could get you fired up to fight for whatever it is that’s meaningful to you. But at the same time, you might also feel exhausted and deflated from previous attempts to address this same issue. So, this leaves you in a position where you might have energy to bounce up and down in your rage, but not quite enough energy to commit to a longer, more sustained effort in dealing with the matter through the appropriate channels. Yep, it’s frustrating and unfortunately that’s what the package is. As a very generalised rule, if you were born during the daytime hours, you’re probably going to get a stronger dose of this Mars energy, compared to the night time births.

Ultimately, Mars wants you to push and strive for what you want, even in the greatest adversity. They say that nothing worthwhile comes easily and no one knows that better than the planet Mars. It may complain and vocalise all of their discontent in life, but Mars’ security response is to sweat, move, take action, grunt and do all of the hard lifting. Mars tends to do things the hard way. If you can occupy yourself to undertake an arduous task during this time, it may be a good way to channel this Mars energy. It could be time to take on a task that you know is going to be a right pain in the arse. If it’s something that you’re going to feel frustrated by at the best of times, why not do it now in the spirit of a frustrated Mars?

A Mars Retrograde phase may result in your efforts seemingly going nowhere, or difficulties in moving forward with your actions, but that’s only the case if you consider purely the external outcomes. The inward pull of the retrograde tends to result in more internal growth rather than external progress. It’s the classic case of the scoreboard not reflecting the true winners of a sports game. Expect frustrations and little advancements but try to imagine the acceleration in character growth you might be reaping within, especially with Mercury Cazimi (6 Dec) happening the day before Mars Retrogrades. This is a great time to activate powerful intentions around your personal growth, philosophical insights and spiritual goals.

Above all, the quest of Mars is one of individuation. Mars travels through your chart to remind you of who you are as a unique identity. Part of coming into remembrance about your true self is the ability to define your unique traits and characterisations, and to cut off aspects of yourself and your life that don’t truly reflect your inner light. It’s the reason why Mars signifies our will and assertiveness, because it’s our own inner advocacy council working for us. Every time we go through a Mars return, we make statements about ourselves by voicing our opinions strongly, making bold moves or doing things motivated by your need to prove yourself in the world. This happens every two years approximately, starting from the age of two. It may be a terrible time for your parents / carers when you have your first Mars return, but it’s a time of coming into your own power in some way.

During this Mars Retrograde phase, you’ll most likely go through the hoops of understanding what you need to cut out or define about yourself, as a way to self actualise in your human form. What quests are you reaching for? What are you trying to prove? What battles will you fight? The question you must ask yourself is, for what? And I think it’s the ‘for what’ that is the underlying goal of the Mars Retrograde phase. Knowing what you’re fighting for will help you to lead the difference between aggression and assertion. And, it’s the idle time filled with frustrations, longer sleep ins, exhaustion and going nowhere of the Mars Retrograde that can lead you towards defining your ultimate truth. 

These are the important values that will fuel your motivation and keep your internal reserves charged when you most need it. It’s that little boost that you need when there’s nothing left to give. In bodily terms, Mars is the planet responsible for your adrenals, bloods and circulation. It’s what keeps you going as you move through the stresses of the world. So, go easy on yourself – Mars Retrograde phases can be really exhausting. You could feel more tired than usual or need extra sleep. 

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See you next Sunday for the next installment of planetary news.

Shu xx