Mars Retrograde in Cancer and Gemini in November, December 2007 and January 2008 - Pt. 1

by Robert Wilkinson

Mars is already slowing down quickly, preparing to go retrograde November 15 at 12:24 am PST (8:24 am GMT) at 13 degrees of Cancer. It will stay retrograde in Cancer through December 31 at 8:01 am PST when it slips back into its two month return to Gemini. It will be retrograde in Gemini until January 30, 2008 at 2:33 pm when it goes stationary direct at 25 Gemini and then move forward back through the last 6 degrees of that sign until early March when it again returns to Cancer. What can we expect from Mars retrograde in Cancer and Gemini?

A retrograde means the planet is slowing down in speed relative to the Sun and Earth. It appears to go backwards, thus retracing ground it's already covered, giving a second look at that span of experience. It then goes direct, offering a third crossing of those degree spans, giving us a chance to "do it right" since we know that span of experience from multiple angles of view. We probably started a lot of things during its first stage, then have to do different work on them the retrograde phase, then move the project forward during the third phase when it's direct again.

Mars retrograde slows down the "fight or flight" principle, and turns the energies inward. Thus it can be a slowing of warlike impulses, or a time when they turn inward. It can bring a return of old grudges, mistrust, antagonisms, and other associated behaviors. There are energetic struggles as well as outward challenges, so a great time to check out what hinders your impulses and self expression for good or ill. It's definitely a time to slow things down, be more thoughtful and deliberate in our self expression, and review recent decisions and developments already affecting our lives and habits.

I have observed that people with Mars retrograde in their charts often have trouble exteriorizing their assertiveness, and often turn aggression inward, giving themselves (and others) a hard time without things being clear and definite. Mars retrograde is passive aggressive rather than active aggressive. Sometimes people with this position take things very hard, internalizing struggles that weren't theirs to begin with, but which they took on due to another's passive aggression or expectation that the one with Mars RX should somehow fix a problem that isn't theirs.

The strengths of someone with Mars retrograde is the ability to read other people's energies, and show them how they should redirect energies to accomplish what they want. It can show the ability to cut to the chase in terms of what inner energies are bogging down projects, and help things get resolved with patience and decreasing impulsiveness and aggressiveness. It gives the power to divert or shift antagonistic energies into new directions that are more profitable, or offer other ways to do things so they can be accomplished with less aggravation or hassle.

Transiting Mars retrograde seems to slow things down, even bogging things down, and shows a time when things must be undone, redone, or reworked somehow. It's as though we practice the action in the first direct phase, then must rework the action during the retrograde, taking things into account we didn't before then. Then, when Mars goes direct, we get to "do it right," as I alluded to a couple of paragraphs up.

Mars retrograde in Cancer will obviously affect us wherever we have that sign. It would seem to show a time of reviewing what aggravates us around the home, or in our family systems, or in our lifestyle habits. We get to examine how we are or are not fulfilling our needs, or what's aggravating in how we do or do not find security. It can bring up memories from the past and how we did or did not act appropriately on them. It could show a time when we get to revisit things we should have set into motion in the recent past, or did set into motion but got delayed or bogged down somehow through other actions intruding on our time and energy.

Mars in Gemini shows a quick and penetrating mind and speech. When retrograde, it will be a good time to review old forms of self expression and prior discussions to get to the heart of whatever aggravates you, them, or the situation. It may be that someone jumped to a conclusion, or let their mind go "off to the races" without really understanding what was said or meant.

It will be beneficial to revisit old ideas, information, and concepts to see how they can be resurrected or renewed in the future for greater effectiveness. Definitely take a new look at spiritual works you once absorbed, since they can provide you new food for thought, as well as a new take on concepts and ideas you've based a lot of your actions on up to now. And of course, I'll discuss this more as Mars gets closer to Gemini.

Tomorrow we continue exploring Mars retrograde in Cancer to see how it's manifesting in general, and what it means that it's going retrograde where it is.

For more about Mars retrograde, here's How Will Mars Retrograde in Cancer and Gemini in November, December 2007 and January 2008 Affect Everyone - Pt. 2

Next: What is the Quality of the Mars Retrograde in Cancer and Gemini in November - December 2007 and January 2008? - Pt. 3

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Valerie]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for that interesting commentary. I have Mars Retrogade in Capricorn and alot of the relationship issues you mentioned applied to me while I was married (and to a Capricorn guy, too). I am also pretty passive in general, when it comes to initiating things, facing decisions or taking charge. I used to procrastinate a lot, too!

Regards.......... :)

[Gabrielle]

Hi Robert,

Mars is going to go retrograde in my 10th house. I've recently had some major life events related to a love interest who has pretty much slammed into my life. To make a long story short, we are both single but certain societal limitations have made us care/fearful about being more intimate. Mercury retrograde has also created some hassles (we are both sun conj. mercury folks and have prominent Virgo placements in our charts). This relationship "started" two months ago. It is clear to both of us that we have a seriously deep relationship though (or maybe especially since) we haven't actually talked about it.

Anyway, I heard it is unwise to start a new sexual relationship during Mars retrograde. I intend to try to wait since we now have a LOT of things and feelings that have been building up to work through but this is also a reason why we will probably end up being quite sexual. I'm assuming all non-sexual activities are fine though? Is Mars retrograde a good time to have a secret sexual liason?

[toni]

Hi Robert,
I hope you are well. I was born with mars retrograde in cancer and even in my progressed chart it is still retrograde and will be for a long time. What you say about this aspect is very true. I have used passive agressive tactics in the past, even though I didn't know that's what they were and wasn't even trying to do anything wrong to anyone else. Also, I can always feel other's energies as you say. And have spent too much of my life trying to fix other's problems, whether it was because they wanted me to or I wanted me to, it's hard to say. I think I may have been a martyr too. Is that also part of mars retrograde in cancer? Can I fix these silly problems? 11/24/60 8:30 a.m. Lincoln Park, Mi

[Robert]

Hi Valerie - You're probably extraordinarily inwardly organized, and take responsibility too quickly when you feel certain things. No doubt mister Capricorn brought out your Mars RX!

Hi Gabrielle - Uh. Love interests "slammed" into the life are best slowed down before, during, and after Mars RX. As for societal limitations, well, that's its own set of problems. As long as you're both adults it's always better to put genuine love ahead of what others think. That said, it's always good to be careful about who we're intimate with and when. Modern life is like that. I would definitely talk about "it" before I did much more than think about it. As for initiating sexual relations during Mars RX, what you heard sounds like a superstition. However, it's always good to take utmost care lest you be swapping body fluids and offering your heart to someone who is not your friend, as that's usually a source of complications down the road. I wouldn't say "all non-sexual activities are fine" during Mars RX and I cannot imagine you're asking me about "a secret sexual liason" in a comment stream able to be googled. Something about being in a fishbowl comes to mind.

Hi Toni - You probably do better than most during a Mars RX. It certainly works that way for people with Mercury RX. Passive aggressive tactics are often the only way for someone with Mars RX to deal with assertive elements in life who demand instant reactions and decisions, or who want to perpetuate dramas you never asked for. It very well could be that often others wanted you to fix their problems; people are like that. Martyrdom usually is indicated by other positions. And certainly we can and should fix any planetary dysfunctions, since that's why we're here, along with generating as much love, wisdom, and intelligent actions through positivity and altruistic intention as we're able at any given moment. Your Mercury, Venus, Neptune, and Pluto are all favorable with your Mars, and your Moon in Aquarius dispositing your Mars is a very strong, beneficial influence. The present period should go quite a ways to helping you understand and transmute some things in your chart, so yes, you ARE fixing these things.

[Kerrie]

Hi Robert-

I haven't been able to find anything that really explains a Mars Return. Can you help? I'm interested to see how this Mars transit manifests for me - it's stationing almost at my natal Mars at 15'07 Cancer in the 9th, then will head back over my 00'55 Mercury in Cancer in the 8th, before finally heading back and over these points, on to hit my Sun and Venus, also in Cancer in the 9th. (I am thinking something will change in Feb, when I plan to interview for a job teaching overseas.) Hmm.. maybe I've answered my own question. Thanks!

[Larissa]

Robert, how does it affect me? Thank you.

[Robert]

Hi Kerrie - There is much in astrology that hasn't had anything written about it. Think! It's the return of your "fight or flight" principle, the part of you that asserts itself naturally on its own terms. Your Mars will teach you what this is about, since it's resetting your defaults. Look at the last one, and see what the past two years have brought. Yes, you probably did answer your own question. In the meantime, when Mars is on your Mercury, slow down and think before you act! We wouldn't want any speeding tickets or skinned knees!

Hi Larissa - Too many ways to describe here.

[jacqui]

Hi Robert,

When Mars went through my 8th house in pisces a few month back I felt it very strongly. But then again I have an aries moon. Now Mar Rx will be passing my 11th and 12th house and going direct exactly conjunct my gemini 25* sun.

I feel like I need to actively withdraw from my surroundings to do some re-organising and cleansing. But I also feel like I cant quite put my finger on what i should really be doing 'right'.

A few close friends have their natal mars in cancer, are there any good articles out there that concerns those mars natives?

[dcu]

Robert: I have 13 Cancer on my Descendant. Everything is fine with my spouse. But my job is in major turmoil as we just physically moved. It is major chaos. So I am thinking that Mars is squaring my 10th-4th axis by equal house cusps. My employer closed the deal and traded a check for the keys when Mercury was still retrograde. Too bad they aren't open to astrological information. It will be very interesting to see how permanent this new situation turns out to be for them. With Mars squaring my stellium in Libra up on the mid-heaven perhaps my days with my current employer are numbered. I am ready to move into the next phase of my life. dcu

[AceStar]

u know Robert! how much all your work help me and others u even can't imagine and i see other Astrologers just getting things straight and dont get into deep info to share with humanity :)
u r wonderfull :) keep up the good work :)
GOD bless

Love

good luck

[Gabrielle]

Seeing as you don't have my real name and I didn't expose my location I think I should be fine :-). Either way it is something that we can't and don't want to be a secret forever....

Thanks for the all advice though. I'm glad you cleared up the superstition thing.

[colleen]

Sun sign Gemini with Mars and Venus in Cancer (and a relationship with one thats been up and down) what could I expect things did move forward and then backwards then again and again..

[Robert]

Hi all - More brief answers due to overwhelming work load.

Hi Jacqui - I don't know of any articles which cover the broad spectrum of possible Mars in Cancer influences. Get ready to express your light in a new and different way that will seem very familiar. Withdrawing since Mars is in your solar 12th is a good thing.

Hi dcu - Definitely a time when your partner will rethink some things, preparing to initiate new life focus in March and April 2008. Seems like it would affect home and profession. Who knows? Maybe things won't turn out as expected, but could be better, especially for you when Jupiter crosses your Asc early next year.

Hi AceStar - Thanks. Doing my best to spread the water as the world burns!

Hi Gabrielle - Some use their real names, some don't. Definitely nothing can be kept secret except briefly.

Hi Colleen - Just as they will move forward in a few weeks. Enjoy the energy around your new Venus-Mars cycle, both the one that's begun and the one that's yet to begin.