Mars retrograde 2009-10
From DECEMBER 20 2009 through MARCH 10 2010, the planet Mars will be in retrograde motion. This period is inappropriate for activities requiring the normal flow of Mars initiative. Using the constructive aspects of these transits, it is an excellent time to reinforce some aspect of our lives. This will be shown by the House position of this transit.
When Mars is retrograde, it depletes the vitality so that it is never a time to initiate. Whoever initiates loses— a new project, a great love, an argument, a lawsuit, or an international war. With a new project, it will fizzle out and never really go anywhere. With a hot romance, it too fizzles and it rarely gets to the alter. 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. In an international war, whoever fires first will automatically lose or ultimately withdraw. 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.
During this cycle, never buy anything mechanical unless it is heavily insured! Office machinery and computers easily break down. A friend who owned a word processing service found this period to always be a disaster. During one retrograde cycle, the printer, the back-up printer and the rented printer all failed to work. When they finally got one that worked, the mailing labels printed but there was no ink! I often notice that the world needs a brake job when Mars in retrograde.
Those who have Aries or Scorpio strong in their horoscopes are dramatically affected by this shift in direction of their natural ruler. For Arians, they find themselves being less aggressive, less pushy and less impatient to have THEIR WAY in a situation. Both Mars-ruled types find themselves more inclined to sit back and review matters in a more detached or impersonal way. They feel more patient to wait on circumstances to unfold before they take action. These individuals may not recognize the anger they feel inside. They may express an unusual passiveness while under fire because they need too much processing time before they can retaliate. Only when Mars turns direct can they move the Mars energy forward.
For those who are NOT ruled by Mars, it may feel quite differently. They 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.
In GOOD DAYS ACTION PLANNING GUIDE, Mary Shea describes an ideal way to handle Mars retrograde. “You go back over situations (either in your mind or in reality), doing things again and again while making corrections in the way you handle events. While Mars is retrograde, you will be reviewing the way you handle anger, self-defense, self-motivation and sexual relationships… outward anger or conflicts may not be appropriate.” She rightfully feels that using passive-aggressive techniques, manipulation, arbitration or subtle power plays may be more appropriate at this time. “If you are normally non-assertive, you may be forced to defend yourself. Whatever your tactics, you must give thought to what you are doing. If your tactics do not work or they are inappropriate to the situation, your anger will continue to build while Mars is retrograde. You can expect the anger to manifest full-blown by the time Mars turns direct. If you have seriously wronged or angered another with…acts of aggression, you can expect the backlash as Mars turns direct.”
When the 1997 Retrograde got underway in Libra and Virgo, I noticed that non-aggressive types seemed to now be intolerant of lazy people who waste their time. They were not willing to take action and eliminate the non-essential personnel. One Pisces man felt that it was a bad time for employees when it was actually a time when he had grown intolerant of intolerable work practices by irresponsible workers. In 1999, with Mars in Scorpio and Libra, I met many people from my past, people whom I hd not seen in a long time. The connections were temporary. I found myself dealing with manipulative emotional outbursts in others but I reacted with calmness and just listened to what they had to say. In 2001, there were daily accidents on our Beltway, tying up traffic for miles. Other cities reported the same. McVeigh’s execution was postponed exactly as Mars went Retrograde which put the spotlight on John Doe #3 and #4 and a possible cover-up conspiracy.
When Mercury went Retrograde with Mars, a US and a British missile crashed upon launching. In 2003, at its Station, there was an unsuccessful coup in the Philippines. There were many terrorists bombings, including the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. There were several oustings, referendums and resignations of political leaders during this cycle.
CRITICAL DATES: none
Nov 27, 01:52 PM
DOB 26 March 1965, 11:37 am, Brawley, California, USA, what effect will this have on me?
Dec 4, 08:20 AM
Unlike Mercury Retrograge, Mars R does not always have a strong impact on individuals – unless Mars R hits something in your chart…and only in combination with other transits only.
In my father’s chart, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction is sitting on his IC and square the Asc. Mars R is approaching his 10th House Pluto.
On December 3, a huge branch (100 feet long and 18 inches wide) fell on his truck and destroyed it completely.
Nothing like this was happening in my chart so I had pulled my car up further in the driveway so that it was untouched.
Since he does not need to use the truck, I told him to wait until February when Mars is Direct before purchasing another truck. Mars R is not good for purchases that are mechanical.
It is not good for initiating a new project because the energy fizzles when Mars goes direct.
You can go through a Mars R and not experience anything but, if there are a lot of hits to your chart, something assocaited with Mars activities will go awry.
Mars was R while I was traveling in Europe (I just returned). Because I chose a great day to start my trip (November 7 – the Moon was making good aspects and I had a favorable transit to my Nodes, always favoring changes of any type).
There were so many mishaps connected with Mars R — train strikes, train and plane breakdowns, all types of mechanical problems and accidents that occurred around me but I was never affected by any of these events.
So, if you need to initiate something while Mars in R, choose a good “electonal” date — a date when the Moon is making all favorable aspects before it leaves the sign. I give this information in my monthly column.
Dec 5, 06:19 AM
Why is the date of conception not important in a chart?
In my medical astrology research, I use the PreNatal Epoch horoscope. It is considered a conception chart and I use it as a chart for the physical body. This chart indicates vulnerable areas for the physical body. These patterns are actually shown in the natal chart but the PNE tells me that this is a congenital pattern or a pattern active during gestation. For example, in childhood IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), there are usually afflictions between the Cardinal signs and the Moon is usually afflicting Mars. This same pattern shows up in the PNE chart as well. This indicates to me that the family tensions were occurring during the gestation period. By the waym, the 6th House in the natal chart is also an indicator of congenital weaknesses in the body. So, a conception chart is used. There are several methods for determining this (the Solar Fire program has these methods) astrologically. And, it denotes the chart for the physical body while the birth chart is the chart for the personality. Determining actual conception would be very difficult as it can occur long after intercourse. So, I am satisfied with the Bailey PNE. Thank you for writing. This was a very good question....Lynn KoinerFeb 9, 07:11 AM TAURUS & LIBRA when Mars is Retrograde: Mars R in Libra and your Sun-Moon-Mercury in Taurus are all positions that are highly passive-aggressive. Librans do not like anger in others. While you may not acknolwedge this in yourself, they may sense it.
Taurus does not listen. So, you need to work on being more direct, not angry, but direct and forthright in your relationships. And, really listen to what others are saying. Taurus often THINKS it is listening but Taurus does not hear when it does not want to hear.
May 14, 06:58 PM
I travel to Europe every November. If I leave before Mercury or Mars turn Retrograde, I am OK. I also pick a day in which the Moon is not making any difficult aspects before leaving the sign it is in. I have already picked November 5 for my start date.
If you picked a good electional date and it is before the R, you will be fine.
Sep 23, 07:30 PM
I read your part about natal Mars retrogrades.
http://www.lynnkoiner.com/astrology-articles/retrogrades-in-the-natal-horoscope
I didn’t see mention of natal retrograde Mars in the first house (specifically closely conjunct the ascendant.) Mine is in Pisces 22 degrees. My rising is 19. I don’t think I repress anger as much as “control” it. I don’t let it get the best of me. Since Pisces is ruled by Jupiter I will also tell you that I have Jupiter in Virgo in the 6th house placidius and 7th whole house chart. And my Neptune is in late Libra if you use modern rulers. I read once that Mars is at home in the first house so does that strength it in my case? I also have a void of course Aries moon so maybe that helps my anger issues? Just wondering. Thank you,
Sep 24, 08:31 AM
I do not discuss all of the R House positions because I do not have a good interpretation for those positions. Much depends upon the entire chart but you seemed to describe it fairly well in your post.
I use Neptune as the ruler of Pisces in the natal chart. I only use Jupiter in Horary astrology.
I never use VOC for a natal planet. I call them a ENDING PLANETs. I have a manual this on this website.
Such a Moon gets calm in a crisis. It disengages at the point of critical mass and gains control of the emotions and the situation.
Sometimes Mars in Pisces has difficutly fighting for itself, yet it can fight for causes and ideals impacting others. This is especially true of Mars R in Pisces. The 1st House in the Esoteric chart rules activisim and fighting for others.
Jan 15, 12:21 PM
Hello
I have Mars retrograde in Leo natally at 24 Leo in the 6th house.
Four days before the start of the current retrogression I was knocked off my bicycle by a car door opening in front of me, I fell and twisted my knee. Have been immobilised over Christmas and New Year. Then I developed a chest infection at New Year! Needless to say this has depleted the energy levels
The current retrograde Mars is mostly going through my 5th house although it started in the 6th, hence all the physical stuff above. Today it begins catalysing the empty space of a T-square/grand cross configuration, Neptune 15 Scorpio 9(9th house), Saturn 10 Aquarius (11th house) and Moon 10 taurus (2nd house).
I haven’t been out of the house for over a week and am trying to get to grips with what all this might be telling me! I have had sporadic creative bursts throughout my life but it has been quite a while since I have done anything. I would like to find a way to make time and space for more creativity in my life in a more sustained and continuous way. I also wonder if this current Mars R is somehow making me face my childless state and the the chest infection is a somatic grief response? Even though I have contact with children through my childcare work it isn’t the same. We did want to have a child of our own but it never manifested.
This post is getting quite long. So I will stop.
Thanks
Dominique
Jan 16, 09:39 AM
In my personal experience, this Mars in Leo R has brought up a lot of anger issues. This can make for accidents as a way of releasing this energy.
I am just trying to keep my mouth shut and not say anything I regret. I am currently in a group in which a lot of anger issues are surfacing but not directly.
Praising people has helped with Mars in Leo. This has produced very positive results.
Feb 16, 04:33 PM
“I often notice that the world needs a brake job when Mars is in retrograde.”
Hence the massive Toyota brake recall. You’re a prophet Lynne!
Feb 16, 05:58 PM
Your insight is brilliant! I wrote this article many years ago and I forgot all about it. My current car’s brakes need replacing now as well.
Feb 23, 03:53 AM
Hi Lynn,
What do you make of the Mars station of March 10th with its conjunction to Obama’s natal Jupiter (0 Leo) and in opposition to the US ’09 Inaugural Sun?The Moon picks up the action the following day in its opposition to Mars.
What concerns me is that the US progressed Moon is precisely at 18 ’51 Virgo at this juncture, the exact degree to the minute of the 9/11 terror attack chart. Several hours later, the Moon at 3 Aquarius squares the US progressed Saturn and sesquisquare to the US progressed Moon.
Astrology Weekly did a feature on the US natal Lillith degree of 19 Virgo and how that might configure into sudden events and war. Refer to the following article: America’s Pretexts For War…..
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrology-articles/war-pretexts.php
Adrian Ross Duncan further elaborates on the US chart for mid March……
“….The position of the Moon in the US (Sibley) chart has proved to be sensitive in the recent past. For example progressed Sun conjoined the Moon at the destruction of the Twin Towers, awakening the strongest emotions of patriotism in the American people. Clearly when Neptune transits this planet – which it does precisely in March 2010 – the soul of America will be touched once more. It remains to be seen whether the station of Jupiter at 27.01 conjoining Neptune in June 2009 will preempt or trigger the Neptune transit. Whatever happens, we will see the usual manifestation of Jupiter/Neptune at this time, which is the blowing of bubbles. It is a time of technological euphoria which may not have any basis in reality. As Chiron is also part of this grand conjunction, there will be claims of miracle cures. Neptune and the Moon have many associations with tragedy and sorrow, and this could be compounded by Chiron, so there may be a collective outpouring of grief at this time, if a bubble burst. Neptune and Jupiter bring floods, so let us hope that the New Orleans levees have been fully restored at this time.
The triple conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune takes place in May 2009 (at 26.28 Aquarius), July (26.02) and December (24.17). As Neptune has not exactly conjoined the US moon on this period, it is most likely that this is a period of euphoria in the USA, with the sense that everything is possible. The people of America will be inspired and dreaming, but disappointment will come later, perhaps at the opposition of Jupiter and Saturn in May 2010. The Dot Com boom was at its highest at the Jupiter/Neptune square in February 2000, but crashed in May when Jupiter conjoined Saturn in Taurus. People went for solid values after that, which partially explains the boom in the housing market. A similar technology boom will probably take place in 2009.”
May 29, 04:31 AM
Wow this explains alot. I am a leo, born Aug 16 @ 9:45 am in san diego. I was in a relationship with a married aries born Apr 14 since, yep…october 2009. I broke it off in May 11 of 2010 because he never took me anywhere etc. I was just a fling it wasn’t going anywhere. The way I did it was in a way that would give the other person the option to try to come back. He never did so I have my answer or do I? Also my TMJ joint on the right side…in October began to fail. The nerves mostly are weak on that side. I have tried everything and may try plastic surgey since the splint failed. I read in your Mars in Leo article about muscles and nerves and just need your opinion on this? Thank you. You are truly gifted!