How to Survive Mars Retrograde

I have grown tired of Mercury getting all of the fame and fortune for when it goes into retrograde. Other ruling planets do go into retrograde as well and I am here to discuss my ruling planet -- MARS.

The planets are swinging around at all times, and their movements affect us all in a myriad of different ways. All planets do go into retrograde, but it seems that Mercury’s journey impacts people much more than any other. Well here I am to dispel that myth! Now while I do admit that Mercury Retrograde does happen to me, it is not my ruling planet and the things that happen during Mercury Retrograde do not really affect me.

Let me go through this line item by line item. Mercury is the ruling planet of communication, clear thinking, truth and travel, so when it goes retrograde — which basically means it looks like it’s going backwards — all those things Mercury rules go backward. They start to get ugly and tangle up.

Now we all have read, or at least I have read, what happens when Mercury goes into retrograde and how to handle it, but I have not seen one blog post or article concerning Mars or I do not see a lot of articles about it because it is a rare event.(Well people ruled by Mars are rare and unique so…) Luckily enough, Mars retrograde only happens once every two years and for two months. Mars is set to go into retrograde on March 1st through May 19, 2014. .

So I mentioned above what Mercury guides and looks over. But again as I said -- this post is not about Mercury. So what exactly does Mars effect?

In general, Mars, the god of warriors, rules physical energy and efforts. His placement in your chart expresses the strength and direction of the physical force that drives your ego, your will to achieve. Mars fires your emotions and energizes your passions, but also powers your mental endeavours and communicative skills.

Mars describes male relationships and associations, risk-taking inclinations, and the physical challenges you are likely to encounter. Well-placed, Mars endows powerful energy and an indomitable will to succeed, but when poorly placed can mean accidents, injuries, fits of anger, rage, warfare or other forms of violence, according to the inclinations of the sign and house concerned.

Mars loves to rush forward. The grass is always greener on the other side of that hill, so Mars does not react well to being held back, or... (gasp!) going backwards! Mars retrograde therefore gives rise to irrational action; introspection; depression and self-assessment; sexual issues and relationship conflicts. Major rethinks and reorientation of current projects are also often required.

So what should you do during this time? Here is what I suggest.

When Mars is in retrograde, it depletes the vitality so that it is never a time to initiate. *Whoever initiates loses*— if you have a new project, a great love, an argument, a lawsuit, or an international war -- DO NOT START IT BETWEEN MARCH 1ST THROUGH MAY 19TH if you can. With a new project, it will fizzle out and never really go anywhere. With a hot romance, it can too fizzle out and it rarely gets to the alter; that is of course you want it to. With an argument, the hostility will come back to haunt you later. In legal matters, stoke your opponent into initiating the lawsuit first. It will be etched in granite that they will lose. Matters commenced while Mars is retrograde will be frustrated and plagued with disruptions until they finally fizzle out. At this time, people become irritated when activities do not run smoothly. The anger may disrupt indirectly and inappropriately – like getting a traffic ticket when you feel annoyed with your job. So drive with caution!

During this cycle, never buy anything mechanical unless it is heavily insured! Office machinery and computers easily break down for some strange reason. I often notice that the world needs a brake job when Mars is in retrograde. Maybe that is why Spring break is so late this year….

Now for those who have Aries or Scorpio strong in their horoscopes are dramatically affected by this shift in direction of their natural ruler. For myself, remember my sign is Aries, I have found myself being less aggressive, less pushy and less impatient to have my own way in a situation. For the past couple of weeks, I have been inclined to sit back and review matters in a more detached or impersonal way. I have become more patient to wait on circumstances to unfold before I take action. This is not normal for me. I am also less angry. I might express an unusual passiveness while under fire because I take some time to process the situation before I can make a decision Only when Mars turns direct can they move the Mars energy forward.

Now for those who are NOT ruled by Mars, it may feel quite differently. You may feel more impatient to force matters to a conclusion, to get a project going or to take immediate action. This would be an unwise course of action! Remember, initiating or impulsively taking action will not work to your favor, especially if it is with a person who is ruled by Mars.

I have my fingers crossed for the next two months. Do not worry my friends -- you will get through this. Good luck!