What's Up?
Mars Retrograde
Nov 15, 2007 - Jan 30, 2008


The Astronomy, or what it is...

The phenomenon known as Mars Retrograde occurs approximately every 2 years and 2 months when, for about sixty to eighty days, Mars travels in reverse motion against the backdrop of stars. Of course, it doesn't really move backwards, but only appears to do so from our point of view here on Earth. Its forward motion slows until it appears to stand still on November 15 and change direction as the Earth passes between it and the Sun. Mars will slow again in mid January, then resume its forward motion on January 30.

As Earth's second-closest planetary neighbor, Mars is a highlight of the night sky for about three months around the retrograde period. Mars will reach its greatest magnitude of brightness from December 12 through January 1. It will be nearest the Earth on December 19 and oppose the Sun on December 24th. Mars is nearest the Sun on June 4th, 2007.

The next Mars retrograde period begins in December 2009.

Read more on the astronomy of Mars retrograde at NASA's Mars Exploration site.


The Astrology, or what it means...

In astrology, Mars symbolizes energy, passion, drive, activity, anger, assertiveness and aggression, the survival instinct, sexuality, desire, courage and initiative. During the retrograde period, the Mars energy is turned inward and does not work in a direct or forthright manner. It is possible for anger and resentment to build, creating an internal pressure that is released after Mars resumes its forward motion.

Mars generally spends around 42 days traversing a given sign. When retrograde, Mars can linger in a sign for almost eight months.

Mars enters Cancer on September 29 and backs up into Gemini on December 31, where it will remain until March 2008 when it again enters the sign of Cancer. Mars will finally leave Cancer on May 9, 2008, a little over 7 months since it first entered in September 2007. The last time Mars was retrograde in the sign of Cancer was 1992 and the last time it was retrograde in the sign of Gemini was in 1990. However the last time Mars retrograded from Cancer into Gemini was Nov 1975 - Jan 1976.

Mars in Gemini
Aug 6 - Sep 27, 2007 and Dec 31, 2007 - Mar 3, 2008
Gemini is the sign of communication and commerce. Among other things it is associated with intellect, verbosity, curiosity, education, knowledge, books, the nervous system, networks, versatility, dexterity, duality and duplicity. Mars in Gemini correlates with scattered, restless energy and impetuous behavior based on ideological beliefs; ideas are projected forcefully; cynicism, sarcasm and quarrelsomeness; superficial sexual relationships; working to connect with others; a desire for mental stimulation and exchange.

Mars in Cancer
Sept 28 - DEC 30, 2007 and March 4 - May 8, 2008
Cancer is the sign of domestic affairs and emotional security. Among other things it is associated with motherhood, home, family, heritage, patriotism, food, perseverance, protectionism, emotionality, sensitivity, memory, intuition and imagination. Mars in Cancer correlates with intense emotions often resulting in temper tantrums or other impulsive behavior; aggression as a form of defense; digestive upsets or other difficulties with food; strife in the home; working to secure the home; a desire to care for others or to be cared for by another.

Mars retrograde is a period for reworking a project rather than initiating one. Use this time to evaluate how you are directing your efforts. Are you procrastinating? What makes you feel energized? What are your current goals? Where would you like to be two years from now? What makes you angry? How do you handle conflict?

Everyone is up for change in some area now, and when you are presented with the opportunity to change, it is best to work with the energy; otherwise, difficulties ensue. Breakdowns are likely to occur; things don't work the way they should or as you would like them to, plans require alteration, stamina is diminished and irritation builds. The column on the right will give you some idea of the areas where change is apt to be needed for each sign.


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Retrograde Planets:
Traversing the Inner Landscape

by Erin Sullivan


Taurus Lunation
Gibbous Phase
Taurus Sun
Scorpio Moon


Zodiac Arts News - May 5
Monthly Overview
Monthly Horoscopes
Moon Phase Calendar
Mandala Meditation of the Month
2008 Lifecycle Forecast by Donna Drozda
Nodal Notes by Boots Hart
Galactic Astrology by Alex Miller-Mignone
Soul Astrology by Margaret Koolman
Solar Eclipse Feb 6/7
Lunar Eclipse Feb 20/21
Mercury Retrograde May 26 - Jun 19
Mars Retrograde Nov 15 07 - Jan 30 08
Eyes on the Skies


Areas of focus for each Sun Sign during this Mars Retrograde Period:

Aries -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Home, family, heritage, land, tradition, emotional comfort and security
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Communication, siblings, peers, practical thinking, neighborhood, education, short journeys, means of transport

Taurus -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Communication, siblings, peers, practical thinking, neighborhood, education, short journeys, means of transport
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Values, resources, material security, money and goods, possessions, debts

Gemini -- Nov 15 -Dec 30
Values, resources, material security, money and goods, possessions, debts
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Appearance, personality, attitude to the outside world, the start of something new, vitality, stamina

Cancer -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Appearance, personality, attitude to the outside world, the start of something new, vitality, stamina
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Dreams, idealism, spirituality, escapist tendencies, things hidden and disguised, self-undoing, transcendence

Leo -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Dreams, idealism, spirituality, escapist tendencies, things hidden and disguised, self-undoing, transcendence
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Friends, associations, organizations, advisers, hopes and wishes, progressive or individualistic attitudes

Virgo -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Friends, associations, organizations, advisers, hopes and wishes, progressive or individualistic attitudes
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Career, status, fame or lack of it, responsibilities, authority, one of the parents, reputation, rules and regulations

Libra -- Nov 15 -Dec 30
Career, status, fame or lack of it, responsibilities, authority, one of the parents, reputation, rules and regulations
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Perspective, worldview, long journeys, foreign countries, philosophy, higher learning, sense of justice, morality, opinions

Scorpio -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Perspective, worldview, long journeys, foreign countries, philosophy, higher learning, sense of justice, morality, opinions
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Secrets, life's mysteries, vulnerability, sexuality, taxes, legacies, love of life and fear of death, complexes

Sagittarius -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Secrets, life's mysteries, vulnerability, sexuality, taxes, legacies, love of life and fear of death, complexes
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Relationships, open enemies, contracts, fine arts, the need for beauty, harmony and balance

Capricorn -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Relationships, open enemies, contracts, fine arts, the need for beauty, harmony and balance
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Work, service, personnel, health, critical ability, objectivity

Aquarius -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Work, service, personnel, health, critical ability, objectivity
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Creativity, children, romance, speculation, sport, pleasure, ambition

Pisces -- Nov 15 - Dec 30
Creativity, children, romance, speculation, sport, pleasure, ambition
Dec 31 - Jan 30
Home, family, heritage, land, tradition, emotional comfort and security




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