Mars Retrograde in Cancer in December 2007 Helping Us Get Clear About What We Do and Do Not Need

by Robert Wilkinson

Today we take a new look at Mars retrograde, and how to be clear about our role and function in any life dramas that present themselves during this hyper-reactive time. As with several other recent articles, this is another one inspired by a question in a recent comment stream.

The reader related that this time has put them face to face with old hurts about people, relationship patterns, resentments, and how destructive and unfulfilling they were in their life, seconding my opinion that Mars RX offers the opportunity to play it out one more time but in a retrograde way. They agreed that it seemed a time to do, redo or even undo certain views, assumptions or reaffirm previous assumptions and not give way to sentimentality which may have been a source of trouble in the past, and related that they had finally realized that the problem was in their relationship with others who did not want nor intend to walk the Higher Way.

It is in fact is a time to be clear about needs and intentions so we can see old hurts accurately and get clear about how to get free of them. We can get at a lot of emotional refuse under this transit, and rewire our emotional responses, both inner and outer, so we can be more direct in naming our needs and fulfilling them appropriately.

The reader also related that they found ways to be more emotionally removed from dramas, and therefore able to define them better. That way they could order their head and heart and act with conviction, moving into their future with positive intention and action toward what they want and need in their life.

They noted that as per its station and passage through the 3rd 5 degree Span of Cancer, it is a specializing energy that was helping them to find certain traits and talents that they had been unaware of, unclear what they were about, and knew it was time to reinforce and use them in new ways as a foundation for a better future while releasing past cycles.

It does seem that being clear about boundaries, intention, limits, and values are important now in order to create harmony and success in life while eliminating the negatives that are draining and destructive. This energy is not so much regressive, as a review in order to know from a different perspective that we are choosing the right intentions and the right path that frees us to move into more a more fulfilling life.

All retrogrades put us through forms of review so we can rework the holographic pattern of responses, having played out certain ones than are subject to inner and outer slowing or even apparent reversals. During this Mars RX in Cancer, we are getting to think anew about certain feelings, needs, habits of response. These will lead to new perspectives and views when it retrogrades back into Gemini in the span of Exteriorization. Then we'll review how and what was exteriorized in past months.

If there is a sense of sentimentality regarding things and people, it's because Mars is moving through Cancer. Where we have this sign in our charts, sentiment plays a large part in our experience. We can get to a lot of previously internalized subconscious material that once hurt or aggravated us when Mars is RX in Cancer, as well as any tendencies to do those things again.

That's why we may find ourselves viewing dances with destructive relationships in ways that we cannot perpetuate the pattern, since we're viewing the internalizing process from an angle of conscious understanding rather than unconscious energy absorptions. That's why Mars RX in Cancer is a perfect time to claim the right to state and request our needs, boundaries, and remove all from our lives that are draining and destructive. And of course, to understand that our compassion, fairness, and kindness should not be mistaken for weakness or exploited by another for selfish or destructive intentions.

© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Craig]

Hi.

I'm new to this site...just amazed me your writings.
Read this article...in the past I've got some alcoholic addiction problems, Neptune afflicted natally by Mars, Moon..."solved" them a year ago and since last Summer I repeated the pattern quite unconciously till I found myself in a deja-vù situation, in the same places & people were I was mislead and driven to excess years ago.
I'm quiting again...think Mars will have a role here...re-do, un-do, repeat...Asc. Scorpio, Mars in 8th back and forth. Time for a deep cleaning...yeah...isn't it?. At least, find ways to make that Neptune work another way...isn't excess drinking a Neptunian deviation?...

Greetings.

[Robert]

Hi Craig - "Deep cleaning" is an apt description of Mars RX in the 8th. Also slogging through a bog we've been in before. Mars in the 8th is good for regeneration as well as contacting the invisible world. Excess drinking can be afflicted Neptune, but usually it is more associated with Jupiter, since Neptune is a broad based transpersonal influence.

People have used various substances to go into altered states since the beginning of time. If a person, substance, or attitude hinders your progress, then it's a problem. If a thing isn't messing up your life, then it's not a problem. In any case, my blessings in dealing with problems you probably don't need to carry if they're associated with issues you know you must deal with.

[Diane]

I find myself living with and caring for my aging and sometimes ill mother & father and it's only taken almost 60 years but with this Mars retro in Cancer I'm noting very subconscious behavior patterns emerging and being able to observe them in a very unsentimental way. How refreshing after all these years of drama!!

[Felita]

Dear Roert,,,,Listened to lots of PearJam.Released much passion while crying and singing, crying and singing.Pearl Jam on a sultry summers night brought back memories of my brother, my closest friend who took his own life on 5th July 2001.I had experienced the death of my 6yr old son tragically at my Saturn return in the 8th house 30th Oct 1989,and i had healed and grown through yoga. I have been through ordeals of tragedy and divine intervention, many kind people have always come into my life at the exact right times and I have been grateful.
Mars Cancer retro (solar 12th) (natal 2nd).July of this year was ostrisised from my wealthy conservative family as they continuely showed their disappointments in me as they value someones worth by how much money they do or dont have. They did the same to my brother. DEEP stuff..I am usually independent and self sufficient and dont like to unburden my emotions to others. Forgiveness seems undersernable to me somehow at the moment i do not know if i have just casted off or have forgiven. My Dharma is to analyse this nth node Virgo in the 4 TH HOUSE and the Astrological relationship of what seems like heavy family Karma i.e loss of eldest son of eldest daughter 4 generations that i know of.My brother was Pisces born 21/2/1968. My first son was a Virgo. My 21yr old daughter is a Virgo.My 17yr old son is Gemini/Taurus cusp Pluto Scorpio rising.
At the moment Neptune is opposing my Uranus and Sun is trine my Uranus While transiting Mars is trining my Neptune. I am happy my appetite is back.

Sorry this is so long . And this came to me after my purge . For everyone who ventures ths site Blessed are those that seek truth for the sake of consciosness. I think Jesus would like that one. Robert you are the magic bearer of light and knowledge for us all. and i am grateful Aum Shanti Felita.

[Robert]

Hi Diane - Your folks are very fortunate to have a loving and aware person taking care of them. Glad you're getting an objective look at behaviors so you can be more consciously aware of which patterns you want and which ones you don't.

Hi Felita - Very sorry to know your brother took his own life. And as a parent who also has lost a child, you have my sincere condolences, since we never "get over" the death of our child, though we do learn how to live with the experience and can even use the tragedy to focus our Higher purposes. I wrote about that, the grief process, and ways to redeem good from the life wreckage in my book "Love Dad." You may want to go back and re-read my posts from January 9 from this year and others, since that's the "sacred day" for me. When you describe "I have been through ordeals of tragedy and divine intervention, many kind people have always come into my life at the exact right times and I have been grateful," you could be echoing my own experience.

Sorry your family is exiling you rather than seeing your strength and nobility of purpose. Just remember they also are bereaved parents, and sometimes I'm sure they get angry and overwhelmed by feelings. And of course, your own experience of losing a child reminds them of the turmoil within themselves, and they may not know how to handle them. Forgiveness always works its magic, one way and another, so don't bother questioning whether you are or are not. Just keep forgiving and eventually you'll get to a place of relative peace. And I'm also happy you got your appetite back. It took me about two years or more. Please - you never have to apologize for feeling what you do, to me or to any other. Your mother's heart is bigger than the sky. Your legitimate grief honors the love you have and ARE. Your parents are blessed to have such a strong and loving being as you in their lives. Be gentle with yourself, love yourself, and keep loving all that IS. As one who also has been shipwrecked in hell, in my opinion you're doing fine.

[Felita]

Dear Robert, I am stll awake talking with my daughter ,shes just come back from her music festival committee meeting, A not for profit music festival for unsigned bands with all raised funds going to 'rice for cambodia' I am so happy for her and what she does.My children held me up, this time as it seemed a summary or definition of my brothers pains as well and it made me cry that they are so strong and held me up..they made me eat food. Thank you for your loving words and deep compassion that also made me cry . I have compassion and understanding for my mother, i love my family , but feel i will wait for the right time to reconcile. sorry for your sufferings. I felt youve been sad. A few years ago I jockingly said i should write a book on Dukkha and make it funny, Is that possible? It would be good. Thank you wholeheartedly, Have a beautiful day.. Aum Shanti Felita

[Henry]

Dear Felita.

Read your story and I can only say keep being yorself, despite of all unavoidable destiny facts. I know it's rather easier said than done, but you've shown a lot of courage.

Wrote 'cause, despite other facts, I am fully identified with your family's rejection "karmic" pattern in this life. Sometimes triggered by things you aren't responsible for, like being the "object" of hate and grief in a divorce, as a son.

Life presented for me too an oportunity for leaving the scenario with a peaceful person, perhaps the first that recognized my inner longing for peace. Familiar emotional projections are a matter -in my opinion- that is worth a book.

I always associated this with my NN Scorpio conjunt Uranus in XII (being Uranus ruler of 4th), very, very afflicted by Saturn, Sun, ... Well, the important thing is that by "serendipity" I obtained what I always imagined was what I deserved. Then, later, cames the "forgiveness" process with family members, is a death-rebirth pattern and takes yeaaaars...and distance. At least, be in peace with yourself. There is a harder lesson for them to learn in the end. I know first hand.

Lots of blessings and cheers.
Henry.

[Felita]

Henry Thank you for your kindness and realisation that things can change for the best with time and honor and peace. You would agree it is difficult to see family in the turmoils they create and deny. It is hard and better for me to accept that their own evolution depends on them to see their own ignorance as this is what disconnects them from their hearts. It is true that the distancing is stopping me from feeling drained at this astrological time of my life. And yes someone should write that book. It would be large , wouldn't it be good if it was all short and sweet and we could establish an understanding of our family Karmas. I do understand them to be connected with 4th,8th,12th house areas, very watery and I am sure Pluto, Saturn and Uranus are connected to this. We will leave it to the Astology master, Dear ROBERT.

As for courage there was no other choice , I have raised two children on my own and I was forced to stay strong. Yoga and astrology found me I had no other choice but to do and understand truth or I would have crumpled uo and died. I feel strongly reconnected with my purpose now as it is not being invalidated by family. Thank you once again Aum Shanti Felita

[betty ann]

It seems that negative & draining energies come from the very people who do not have personal boundaries nor do they seem to care about other's boundaries.
Charismatic at first then nothing but selfish self-interest prevails in their relationships. This is a good time to observe, reflect if the people in your life are loving & nurturing toward you or just giving mixed messages and causing high drama situations.

blessings to you robert

[Robert]

Hi betty ann - Yes, a lack of boundaries coupled with a lack of integrity and too much drama makes for a dangerous combination. I believe we all can learn strength, clarity, and integrity through interactions with these people, as they show us where we can be hooked and where we can come out of attachment, aversion, and illusion. Through betrayers I learned to listen to my heart while questioning why I was hearing or seeing what I was so that I could lessen the frequency of the chaos they used to have on my life. It's probably never as perfect as we would like, but at least over time we become spiritually stronger and more trusting of our Higher Self.