Mars Retrograde in Leo December 2009 and January-February-March 2010 - Pt. 1

by Robert Wilkinson

Mars is slowing down quickly, preparing to go retrograde December 20 at 5:27 am PST (8:27 am EST, 12:27 pm GMT) at 20 degrees of Leo. It will stay retrograde in Leo through March 10, 2010 at 9:09 am PST when it goes stationary direct at 1 Leo. What can we expect from Mars retrograde in Leo?

First, let's explore the process.

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 often 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 anothers' 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 Leo will obviously affect us wherever we have that sign. It would seem to show a time of reviewing what aggravates us around our self-expression, our relationship with children, our pleasures, or our spontaneity. We get to examine how we are or are not fulfilling our creative function, or what's aggravating in how we do or do not express our heart energy. 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.

In the next part of this series, we'll continue exploring Mars retrograde in Leo to see how it's manifesting in general, and what it means that it's going retrograde where it is.

© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Valerie]

Oh boy, thanks for this article- I am a textbook case of Mars retrograde. In 0 deg. 56 min. Capricorn, and two days ago, my progressed Mars just re-entered Capricorn in my chart after 55 years. I've been very energetic, and kind of excited to have Mars "back home", you could say.

Anyway, the things you said describe me to a T. This helps me a lot, puts things into perspective. You are GOOD. Thanks!! :)

[WarriorLady]

"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."

Yes! I've been getting call-backs for part-time job interviews, have just registered for school (was accepted nearly a month ago), and I even landed a new client :). My personal life is going great as well-- this Leo-Mars couldn't be happier!

[yzse]

Yes Robert, you’re absolutely right about inner aggression (my rMars in Taurus 8th house gave me lupus long time ago) and surely you’re right about psychology, but…
As WarriorLady I’m looking for part time or in home type of job, too, and all texts about Mars retrograde are advising people to re-do, re-write, re-consider, and not to start with something new… What about the person who has retrograde Mars in natal chart? Can this be time for new job, new beginning, new cycle?

And thanks again for your efforts.
Recently I made comment that you look at the sky chart like others play musical instruments. Planets make an aspect and tone is made from them, and than another planet activates that point and it colors it with new tone… and all planets and all tones… Music can be heard.
Maybe you didn’t know, but I’m grateful for teaching me to look at the sky from a new perspective. :)

[Heli]

Thank you for this subject.

Retrograde mars is in my radix 5th house at the aquarius. Even though my son (= house 5?) is the King lion. As an unemployed, I feel that my radix mars has some purpose at last. Hope so?
At least in holidays I have purpose to my life more than in whole year. Spend time as a mom.

Let's hope that my real problems - work issues - could open up next spring....
Tensions are high.

Happy Holidays!

[Bilyana Petrova]

Hi, Robert! Your description of natal Mars Rx is defenetely the best I have ever read.Thank you! Happy Holiday season!

[Elizabeth]

Hi Robert; I too enjoyed reading your article on retrograde Mars.

It is intriguing that at the time of its direct station on March 10, 2010, Mars will be smack dab on the degree of the South Node (1 Leo) and very close to the degree of the luminaries (Sun & Moon at 30 Cancer)at the time of the so-called ''eclipse of the Century,''i.e., the total solar eclipse of July 21, 2009. It is often said that eclipses sensitize degree areas that are then re-activated as other planets subsequently transit over that same sector. This transit by Mars will be the most significant one to 30 Cancer/1 Leo since the South Node, Mercury and Venus passed through there shortly after the eclipse itself. I'm assuming this will therefore be a fairly major reactivation of that sensitized TSE eclipse degree. Or do you subscribe to this way of thinking about it? Thanks, Elizabeth

[Timothy]

Namaste Robert- This is reaching a bit, but would you say there is any similarity between a natal retro Mars and a (forward motion) natal 12th house Mars in Cancer? Some of what you describe sounds similar to key words and phrases I often encounter while trying to understand my own H12 Cancer Mars (hidden resentment/aggression comes to mind). My south node is in Aries as well. Actually Mars is making passes over my 10 Leo ascendent, but I've never been able to grok my natal Mars placement in a satisfying way. I have made a lot of effort toward the Transcendent in this incarnation.

[B.]

Hey Robert,

I have mars rx in leo in my chart. Any specific advice during this time?

I had a major blow out with my significant other over some shady communications(she has venus in gemini) on Dec 20/21. The stuff happened this spring but it was more intense than it when it occured. It felt really good to address.

Is this the sort of stuff to expect?

Also, I tend to think through stuff intuitively and globally. But I have had no desire to do that this week. It has felt really good to dial back on that, focus on my immediate family, and not take on every problem I encounter as my own.

Many thanks,

B.

[caliban]

oh timothy, my natal Rx Mars is in the 4th house. Can you hear me growl?

[Robert]

Hi Valerie - Sounds like you finally "caught up with yourself," and now can move forward in all your Mars-related affairs. Glad the perspective on Mars RX helps!

Hi WarriorLady - Great for call-backs, and very glad your life is doing well!

Hi yzse - Well, I've found that those with a planet RX natally or by progression usually do better during the times that planet is transiting RX, since you're more accustomed to the pace. I would still think it's a prelude, or a preparation time, for a new cycle yet to come. And it seems as though you've tumbled onto the nature of "the music of the spheres." Glad I could point out some things!

Hi Heli - Your Mars RX in the 5th has many possible manifestations, some very good. I believe we can all find the work we are supposed to do, once we prepare and do what we must to invite that work to show itself.

Hi Bilyana Petrova - Thanks for your confirmation of what I've written. Happy everything to you and everyone else as well!

Hi Elizabeth - It will certainly activate the South Node at the point the Moon makes significant aspects to the Nodes. And yes, it will activate residual patterns from that eclipse, though it did begin in a preliminary way last October.

Hi Timothy - I wouldn't think there is too much similarity, since one deals with planetary motion, while the other is more of the sign and house. Your Mars there shows a need for sensitivity and speed when doing closure rituals, and not allowing sensitivity, resentments, and defensiveness be your self undoing. It can also be the one who spots the need and completes whatever it takes to acquire what will fulfill the need. Also, ruler of your 4th/9th is in the 12th in whatever decan in various aspects with rulers of other houses in specific life areas.

Hi B. - I would say it's time to finish up an old two year cycle and prepare for a new one! Look at what feeds your momentum, v what blunts it. Always good to get shady stuff resolved. That's definitely Mars RX, since Mars RX can show indirect ways of trying to do things that may or may not need to be done.

Hi Caliban - Sounds like this life is helping you let go of whatever blunted your enthusiasms in your early life. Turning karma from past to living in the now.

[LB]

Hi Robert,
I love what you said about how Mars retrograde can give individuals the ability to read other people's energies. How come I never read that before? I have Mars retrograde in the 9th (in Gemini) square Pluto (in Virgo) in the 12th. I've worked hard to understand my nature and become a more evolved person, and anyone who knows me would tell you I'm kind and respectful. Unless of course, you are a Bully, or a Tyrant, or just plain passive aggressive, in which case I can be very assertive. Even then, I don't like confrontation and will do what I can to diplomatically defuse situations and not take the bait (my Sun/Venus/North Node are all conjunct in Libra). I do try to turn the other cheek.

For many years I worked in an environment with someone in a position of authority (also with Mars retrograde) who would frequently use passive aggressive tactics to demoralize the people she supervised. They'd come to me crying, unable to fully understand what they'd done to deserve such treatment and feeling powerless to directly confront it. I was one of the few who ever stood up to this person, although not in a mean-spirited way, and it made me the hero of the office. So I guess Mars retrograde can play out in different ways, depending on the person.

Great post. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[Robert]

Hi LB - You're most welcome. You never read it before because that knowledge comes from my direct experience with clients. That's why you read it here first.

Mars square Pluto is not necessarily "bad" or "violent." It does show that often your energies "get away from you," or get diverted by others who may not have the best of intentions. Your Pluto shows almost absolute protection, except from yourself. I also have Mars in the 9th - fearless in the pursuit of higher Truths and perspectives. Your Libra does smooth some things out, and trine Mars in the 9th is a blessing.

Also remember that if we have a planet RX, often we find ourselves with others who also have it RX, or who are "acting out" a RX type of behavior. That's why we're there, to precipitate that type of experience while coming to higher realizations of our process of existence.

[caliban]

Oh crap, Pluto on the midheaven. Does that tell me about my ethics and integrity on the job, or what. No wonder I left accounting.

Rx . . . oh so true, and sometimes in the most brutal way. Working through that stuff, my other job on the planet.

[LB]

Robert,

Thanks again for your most kind words of wisdom. Lately, I've come to the realization that I don't need the external validation that used to cause me so much internal angst. Having said that though, I still do appreciate it when someone like yourself "gets it" and then shares those insights.

Not only do we have a 9th house Mars in common, but I think we also share a common Moon. My 5th house Aquarius Moon (at 6 degrees), trines my retrograde Mars, lending fire to my idealistic pursuits and creative expression. Thanks again.

[Firefly]

Soooo, where's Part II of this article??