“Yes, Drill Sergeant Sir!” It’s All About Mars Retrograde in Astrology

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“September 9th – November 13th – Mars is on a retrograde journey through his home sign of Aries, from 28 degrees to 15 degrees.

Mars represents our ability to act and we will all notice a change in how we act. Due to Mars’s war-like influence, our actions may not always be pleasant. Think, drill sergeant rough!

Mars’ energetic signature is fiery, piercing, and stinging. On the positive side of Mars, acting can be extremely focused, but on the flip side, it can also be overly aggressive or even violent. Our inner warrior comes to light during this retrograde period.

There are two strong aspects with retrograde Mars in the remaining months of 2020 that deserve attention.The first of these is Mars in close proximity to Eris (at 24 degrees of Aries). Eris is now known as the Goddess of Discord so when she and Mars rub elbows, all kinds of non-harmonious or frictional energy is created.Eris has also been in tight square (more friction) with Saturn-Pluto (structural transformation). There were San Francisco fires that occurred during the few days surrounding the actual retrograde station (event) of Mars, on September 9th itself. Mars of course rules Aries and the Fire element. Retrograde Mars will contact Eris once again during the first weekend in October, when Pluto also stations to direct motion. (begins to go direct again).

A second powerful aspect, is the square (frictional) connection that happens the rest of the year between Mars (action) and Saturn (structures). These two planets make several exact mathematical aspects to each other – one is September 28th, and the final one, passing more quickly in January. The tension created by Saturn and Mars (retrograde) in a frictional connection, especially the end of September, when Saturn is also slowing its speed, is indeed a massive collision of energy.Saturn says “let’s slow down and be very calculated in our dealings; let’s preserve what we already have.” Mars says, “no way”. The resulting clash will likely forge our very being into some new shape.

Both Saturn (in Capricorn) and Mars (in Aries) are in signs that they rule, giving them the strength of titans on steroids. Saturn is going to go direct (stop moving backwards) and may be the stronger influence because whenever a planet moves forward instead of backward, it is stronger. Imagine running downhill forward rather than backward. You get the picture.

The last half of September may feel like being pinned up against a wall. We will need all the strength we can muster. Next, we have a Full Moon October 1st and it’s also in Aries. Do you get the picture? There is a ton of war-like energy surfacing now and for the next month to fuel us all into a frenzy. We may feel very inflamed. Mars/Aries rules inflammation and fevers. Get a handle on your responsiveness and work to ensure that it does not become reactivity.

To add another layer of “what next?”, Mercury will go retrograde October 13-November 3. Yup, you heard that correctly – right on Election Day. Mercury challenges all of us 3-4 times a year with respect to communication, transportation, electronics, and contracts.

Mars retrograde always brings the baggage of uncertainty with its hibernation (retrograde). This causes us to want to act out, but rather, we should be “acting inwardly” by thinking, preparing, planning, organizing, and marshaling our resources. Think: squirrels collecting nuts for the winter.This retrograde period will be a time for greater inner reflection. Exercise good self-care and think about areas of your life that are influenced by Mars. Plan safe and calm activities with responsible others. Act later, after the retrograde is complete in mid-November.

We will all have a lot to be thankful for when we sit down to celebrate the holidays if we take care to regulate our energy now, collect our reserves, plan accordingly, practice patience and consider a more mindful approach to daily living. If this does not sound very appealing to you as a lifestyle choice, consider making a short-term commitment until mid-November. With Saturn in the mix, discipline is being called for. We all know how well discipline can pay off, don’t we Forrest? “Yes, Drill Sergeant Sir!”

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“I’ll Give You Shelter from the Storm”

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Astrology helps up cope with uncertainty

Like most of us, my beliefs have been generated by past experiences. But unlike most, my beliefs are also strongly influenced by the system of astrology.

As an Evolutionary Astrologer, I knew 2020 was destined to be a turning point in the life of mankind.  Astrologers call it ushering in the Age of Aquarius.  This new age has been highly anticipated for hundreds of years.   We speculated about how the world would change but living in the middle of this transition is a rare privilege.

Our lives have been tossed about in an angry sea of change where little of our current infrastructure seems to offer comfort or move us to terra firma.

Thinking about these changes reminds me of a 2000 movie starring Tom Hanks, called “Cast Away”.  In a desperate attempt to leave his one-man island, Hanks’ character constructs a wooden raft with the hope of reaching civilization. He survives only because he is rescued by a Russian trawler ship.  He believed that he would die alone on that island had he not set sail in search of what he thought he needed. His beliefs guided him to action, and he was willing to risk his life for what he believed in.

What do we do when our beliefs are threatened?  Many take desperate action or maybe it is just action that feels desperate because under ordinary circumstances, we would not act. Some turn to religion or spirituality for guidance, for safe harbor or to refresh our faith.  We are seeking safety, security and reassurance.

This makes me think of a Bob Dylan song…

“I came in from the wilderness a creature void of form

Come in, she said

I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

-Bob Dylan, 1974

Being immersed in astrology has been my shelter from the storm in dealing with our local, national and global transitions. Because our beliefs set the stage for our expectations, I expect to find comfort in astrology as an internal guidance system, grounded in technology and proven reliable since ancient times.  It helps me keep my beliefs more closely aligned with reality rather than being distracted by the wanderings of my mind.

Even though reality is not always to my liking, it is easier to understand and navigate when defined.

For example, 60 years after the end of WWII, there were surprise discoveries of Japanese soldiers in their mid to late 80s found living in caves and jungles around the world, not yet realizing that the war had ended.

Astrology helps us to cope with circumstance no matter how much paradigms shift. It provides us with insights about what is happening at a personal as well as global level.  And, it tells us why these changes are occurring.   It brings us meaning and understanding to help guide us through the vicissitudes of life. We can become the hero of our journey rather than a bit player in the wings.

Viktor Frankel, a well-known therapist, developed Logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps in the 1940s.  He believed that the search for meaning and purpose in life helps people endure hardship and suffering.

Astrology is a tool that adds meaning, depth and insight to our experiences.  It also helps us formulate new beliefs based in truth rather than misinformation.

This is how we can create our future – a future aligned with what we came into this life to accomplish.  When we move into alignment with our truth, we gain momentum.  We become grounded in an internal sense of security because we feel guided and supported. We believe that we can achieve what is most important to us.  We believe in ourselves.  We feel passionate about who we are, what we do and how we connect with others.

Evolutionary Astrology is a system that works with any belief set and easily highlights what we are here to do and become.  It positions us face to face with our life purpose, path and direction.  It connects us to our “why”. It reveals new meaning for our beliefs, validates our behavior and provides us with a blueprint for our journey.  It gives us shelter from the storm.

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