Understanding the personal planets and their retrogrades can take even the professional a lifetime to understand. I say that because the nuances of the retrograde can depend on the sign of the retrograde, in this case Libra.
Mars retrograde in Libra is at a disadvantage. Mars is in Detriment in Libra, and finds expression already difficult and limited. While retrograde and in Libra, Mars [action] will be difficult to say the least.
3/2/14 Mars goes retrograde until May 20th, 2014: Mars goes retrograde on March 2nd, 2014 @ 27.32 Libra. This is the last of the successive retrogrades of personal planets. First Venus, then Mercury and now Mars. One following the other and prolonging each personal planet in one particular sign.
Venus in Capricorn
Mercury in Aquarius
Mars in Libra
Each of these signs take on more significance as the year unfolds.
In any event, the entire retrograde phase, and the Mars transit of Libra will look like this:
Mars entered Libra on December 8th, 2013 and will remain in Libra until July 27th, 2014. That is nearly 8 months in the one sign of Libra.
Mars will go retrograde on March 2nd, 2014.
Mars will go Direct on May 20th, 2014.
First a little Mars tutorial:
It’s important to remember that, Venus is what we want and Mars is how we go about getting it. I think this little mnemonic device will help anyone to understand these two personal planets, regardless of where they fall sign wise. It’s so simple in its approach and completely accurate in interpretation.
The House Mars falls in will indicate the area of life where Mars will operate from. And the sign Mars falls in will be the energy available to the native.
This is important because of course Mars can affect other areas of life. That is the absolute nature of Mars. It is the life force and is powerful enough to affect other areas of life. No one would say that Mars only affected one particular area of life, and this planet, unlike others in a chart, is one that certainly defies House identification. BUT the house where Mars falls will be the area and/or domain that Mars initiates action from, and the manner in which action will be initiated.
So, Mars can affect any area of life, but Retrograde, Mars’ effects can be isolated to the house involved in the retrograde. In this case, the house that Libra rules.
A Mars retrograde can really put a damper on getting things done, but I believe it is an opportunity to reflect on how we go about getting what we want. How we deal with frustration, and how we react to not ‘getting what we want” is always an important issue to reflect upon during this time.
Generally, while Mars is retrograde, the parts of the body ruled by the sign Mars is transiting tend to be under stress. Libra rules, the lower back (lumbar region), kidneys and adrenal glands. Drink water. Stay hydrated. Get enough sleep. You will need it.
Retrograde energy is internalized and it would be a favorable time to think about how you communicate and what you really want to say. Feelings of fairness and justice will also dominate, but be careful how you approach these issues. The Retrograde can bring out the worst possible interpretation of the actions of others. Try to be tolerant, because it will be difficult to actually be fair during this time. While it is always important to realize the importance of speaking one’s truth and saying it in the way you mean it, this might not be the best time to accurately evaluate what is actually going on.
Think before you speak, as arguments are common during this phase. Some possible influences of Mars while retrograde are:
*New projects and plans initiated now are likely to stall or not develop as expected.
*Energy levels will be lower.
*Accidents and arguments from impulsive actions and unrecognized anger will flare.
*Health problems from stress that’s internalized are also much more likely during this time.
Things don’t go as fast as we want during Mars retrograde. The better use of this time is to wait, plan and accept compromises.
Mars Retro is also a perfect time to go back and pick up projects, issues, etc. that were dropped, and try to resolve them now. It can bring an ex-lover back into your life, or a lover that should have been in your life but wasn’t for some reason. All actions that failed, or failed to occur, can sometimes be taken back up when Mars is Retro. Sort of a second chance or a do-over. This is one of the more positive influences, but truth be told, it is also one that gets swept under the carpet in the face of so many other more frustrating influences.
Just remember that *new* projects will have a slow start or fail during this period, but old projects and existing projects can be finished or re-started. Like I said, Mars Retro can act like a do-over.
Basically, keep your own counsel, keep your frustration level as low as possible, and be thankful that Mars only goes retrograde every couple of years. The next one isn’t until April of 2016, then 2018.
