2012 Mars Retrograde

In a year of important events, with known big astrological aspects (think Uranus square Pluto), this year’s Mars retrograde is still noteworthy. The span of the Mars retrograde is from 3° to 23° of the sign Virgo. This whole path of the zodiac will be crossed three times by Mars, with the retrograde station (23° Virgo) on January 23rd, and the direct station (3° Virgo) on April 13th. However, that is just the middle passage. Mars enters this part of the zodiac on December 3rd, 2011, to begin the “pre-shadow” of the retrograde, i.e. the first pass over these degrees. Then Mars passes over the same degrees for the third time from April 13th to June 20th.

Mars is not at home in the sign Virgo. Mars is the planet of competition, aggression, assertion and initiative. Virgo is the sign of the humble servant and the patient craftsman. Sometimes it is helpful to reflect back to the last time Mars was retrograde in Virgo. It was from February 6th 1997 (stationed at 5° 55’ Libra) and turned direct on April 27th at 16+° Virgo. What were you doing the spring of 1997? How might that be reoccurring this year?

According to astrologer Barbara Watters, “Retrogradation lessens the power of a planet for constructive or beneficial action. When retrograde, a planet becomes a passive, rather than an active, force. It becomes a victim of circumstance…” She goes on to say, “For some strange reason, most people feel almost uncontrollable urges to start important ventures when Mars is retrograde. Since all action is delayed then, or hampered, tempers grow short, people become impatient, resentments deepen… [However, do not:] Buy a car. Undergo other than emergency surgery. Have sex with someone you want to build a relationship with. Get married. Start a law suit. Start a new job. Begin a long or dangerous journey. Hire a new employee, sign a contract, move into a new house.” In other words, do not take bold new actions with the expectation that you will achieve lasting good results. When Mars is retrograde, new initiatives should be postponed. Use your Mars energy fixing up what needs remedial action.

The effects of this Mars retrograde will most impact the house of your horoscope that contains Virgo (3°-23°), and the house of your horoscope with Aries on the cusp. People with Aries Sun, Aries rising, and possibly Aries Moon, will feel especially disempowered. People with Virgo Sun, Virgo Ascendant and/or Virgo Moon will be angry and assertive, wanting to be much more aggressive than usual. For Virgos, aggression usually is not a good strategy but let’s look more deeply. Virgos can certainly use this energy constructively for all manner of physical work endeavors—all those projects that need doing, like organizing the garage, cleaning closets, repainting the house… But, even though you have been ill-treated by the powers that be, this is not a good time to fire your boss. To some extent this advice applies to everyone, not just Virgos. You have Virgo somewhere in your horoscope. Especially in that area of life, now is not the time to demand compensation for a lifetime of insults and invisibility!

Briefly, other than the innate incompatibility between the sign Virgo, and Aries (the sign Mars rules), you also have a difficult 150° aspect between the two signs. Basically this increases the lack of understanding between them. Let’s briefly look at the different rising signs and see which houses are impacted. (Note that this table uses an equal house model, consult your personal astrologer to fine tune the details.)

Ascendants with Aries and Virgo Houses

For Aries Rising, Aries is the 1st House of self presentation, vitality, charisma, first impressions.  Virgo is the sign ruling the 6th House of daily home and work routine, health and service to others, your job and employees.


For Taurus Rising, Aries is the 12th House of the subconscious, isolation, hospitals, jails, caring for the unfortunate, homeless, abandoned, children, and disabled. Virgo rules the 5th House of creativity, the arts, children and lovers, plus our passions in life.

For Gemini Ascendants, Aries rules the 11th House of organizations and friends: collections of people with similar aims: political parties, unions, consumer groups.  Virgo rules the 4th House of home, real estate, heritage and end of life, personal security and emotional security.

For Cancer rising, Aries rules the 10th House of public reputation, your career, your place in the hierarchy, your niche in the community. Virgo rules the 3rd House of siblings, cousins, communication, routine travel and neighbors.

For Leo rising, Aries rules the 9th House of law, higher education, religion, foreign travel, generally attention to global and universal matters.  Virgo rules the 2nd House of talents, possessions, personal income.  What you “hold dear,” in Kim Rogers-Gallagher's words.

For Virgo rising, Aries rules the 8th House of intense emotions, sex, death, joint finances, debts, crises.  Virgo rules the 1st House of self presentation, vitality, charisma, first impressions. 
For Libra Ascendants, Aries rules the 7th House of spouse, counselor, intimate relationships.  Virgo rules the 12th House of the subconscious, isolation, hospitals, jails, caring for the unfortunate, homeless, abandoned, children, and disabled.

For Scorpio rising, Aries rules the 6th House of daily home and work routine, health and service to others, your job and any employees. Virgo rules the 11th House of organizations and friends, including collections of people with similar aims: political parties, unions, consumer groups.

For Sagittarius rising, Aries rules the 5th House of creativity, the arts, children and lovers, our passions in life.  Virgo rules the 10th House of public reputation, your career, your place in the hierarchy and in the community.

For Capricorn Ascendants, Aries rules the 4th House of home, real estate, heritage and end of life, personal security, and emotional security.  Virgo rules the 9th House of law, higher education, religion, foreign travel, and all attention to global and universal matters. 

For Aquarius rising, Aries rules the 3rd House of siblings, cousins, communication, routine travel and neighbors.  Virgo rules the 8th House of intense emotions, sex, death, joint finances, debts, crises.

For Pisces rising, Aries rules the 2nd House of talents, possessions, personal income.  What you “hold dear,” in the words of Kim Rogers-Gallagher.  Virgo rules the 7th House of spouse, counselor, intimate relationships.

Making the best of this Mars Retrograde Period

Strategies to use the Mars energy: take up some sensible (Virgo) exercise class, do chores, paint something red, do some target shooting, try barbequing, go see a bunch of action movies! Do one of these each day during Mars retrograde to really work through your Mars issues. Good luck to you.

Lalia Wilson

June 2011 Skies Can Be Good News

A friend sent me a link to Richard Nolle’s website, specifically his forecast for the current period. http://www.astropro.com/forecast/predict/2011-06.html


Before giving my version of how to interpret the skies of June, I need to say that Richard Nolle is one of the most highly respected astrologers in the USA today. I respect him. But, as you’ll see below, I also differ with his interpretations from time to time.

Nolle’s account of the June/July eclipse pattern sounds like a catastrophe. We have a Solar Eclipse on June 1st at 11° Gemini, a Lunar Eclipse on June 15th at 24° Sagittarius, and a Solar Eclipse on July 1st at 9° Cancer. Now, does this sound ominous or what? But, let’s hear the other side.

Eclipses change energy patterns. This year, and next, we have some heavy duty energy changing going on. People who are locked in to a specific way of looking at and operating in the world will be forced to adjust or else. What does “or else” mean? It can mean forced relocation or death. So, yes, that is difficult. Before you envision Nazi troops moving people, think again. People in Tuscaloosa Alabama and Joplin Missouri are being forced to move because of storm damage. People in Louisiana who were in the path of the Morganza Spillway were forced to move. You could change jobs and be forced to move. But moving is not necessarily bad. In fact, ultimately you can benefit from improved housing, friendships and job opportunities because of a move.

Since eclipses change energy patterns, this is good news to people who want the patterns to change. Those eclipses specifically change patterns in the houses of your horoscope they activate. This is as much an opportunity as it is a burden! How would you like to improve matters in the houses that are activated by these eclipses? You won’t get as much of an opportunity for the next 10-19 years, until eclipses move to this section of the zodiac again. (In about 10 years the Lunar Nodes will switch places, so these houses will be activated by the opposite Node eclipses. It takes 19 years for the same Node to return to its current position.)

Among Nolle’s predictions are financial bad news. The same answer as above applies. We are changing patterns. If you are locked into a pattern which is being eliminated, you are having a hard financial period. But not everyone is! This is another good news situation where there are opportunities out there for people who are some combination of lucky and innovative. A new economy is being created.

Finally, let’s look at love and sex. We had a Venus-Mars conjunction on May 23rd, which sets the tone for sexual relationships for the next almost 2 years. (When Venus and Mars meet in Aries in 2013.) Nolle highlights the foibles of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and could have added the NY Congressman Anthony Weiner’s indiscretion if it had happened before Nolle published. So, yes, a Venus-Mars conjunction does rev up the sex lives of everyone. For a few disturbed individuals, this can get them in trouble. (I leave it to you to determine whether Weiner himself sent the photo, or someone else did.) But, what about most people? This lovely Venus-Mars conjunction is strongly sensual. It is a chance for almost everyone to explore their sexuality and to become more sensual beings. This is good for most people, not bad. One person I know is engaged in a class to explore his sensuality. He has assignments to listen to favorite music and cook favorite foods. We can all benefit from honoring Venus and Mars!

It is my hope that all my readers and their friends will make the most of life’s opportunities and thrive in today’s world. May it be so!

Lalia

Venus & Mars Get Together

We are planting new seeds for personal relationships today and this month.  Venus and Mars are traveling together all through the sign Libra.  They conjunct today at 13+ Libra.  How can your life improve?

Consider the house receiving the action of Venus's dalliance with Mars.

<> First house: more popularity and sex appeal.


<> Second House: more money and possessions, gifts?

<> Third House: more excursions and enjoyable weekends.

<> Fourth House: home décor improvements.

<> Fifth House: a new lover, a child’s accomplishment, and new creativity.

<> Sixth House: You’ll either read or write the manual on how the emotions and athleticism of sex and love help everyone’s health.

<> Seventh House: new partnership, or great improvements in partnerships.

<> Eighth House: great sex adventures, or hitting the jackpot.

<> Ninth House: great adventures of mind, body or spirit.

<> Tenth House: winning the contest, beauty, popularity, or other look-good and feel-good items.

<> Eleventh House: your organization wins its contest, or your friends do.

<> Twelfth House: you have a rich inner life full of dream and meditation positives.

This house is energized for about a year, so choose your adventures wisely!
 
Best wishes for delight!  Lalia